News, Views and Opinions
February 2008 News and Members' Contributions from our Countryside Connection Village!
This month, I am delighted to begin sharing portions from our Members' Monthly Newsletter and pleased to begin with a winter scene from one of our New England members, Robb Family Farm in Brattleboro, Vermont, www.robbfamilyfarm.com where sleigh rides are part of the great joys of the season. Whether you reside in Britain, New England, or anywhere else in our world, the early months of each year often find people slowly moving forward in all aspects of their lives. However, you will discover that certainly does not apply to the majority of our members as you read this month’s wonderfully exciting contributions.
Prepare a cup of tea or coffee before you begin; or if possible a pot of your favourite drink as one member recommends below, and sit back and enjoy reading about our members' adventures and involvements. You will also be introduced to our newest community residents! As always, we would love to hear from you about your lives and experiences and invite you to visit the listings for our individual members to find out about their unique and diverse offerings.
Use our link to find our newest addition for you to discover even more as we proudly introduce our community blog:
http://countrysideconnection.blogspot.com
Introducing The Newest Countryside Connection Addition
With my sincerest appreciation to my wonderful daughter, Morgan, who not only created the format for us, but will be co-writing it with me as part of her growing involvement in our community ~ we now have our own blog:
http://countrysideconnection.blogspot.com
I know from our exchanges that there are many of you who are also new to the world of blogs and blogging so I am hoping that the following definition will also be of assistance to you ~ I found it on the website: netlingo.com.
blog
a.k.a. blogger -or- blogrolling -or- weblog -or- Web log
A Web site (or section of a Web site) where users can post a chronological, up-to-date e-journal entry of their thoughts. Each post usually contains a Web link. Basically, it is an open forum communication tool that, depending on the Web site, is either very individualistic or performs a crucial function for an organization or company. There are three basic varieties of blogs; those that post links to other sources, those that compile news and articles, and those that provide a forum for opinions and commentary.
Part of the appeal of blogging is that the programs you use to publish your insights on the World Wide Web are easy-to-use and you do not have to be a programmer, or even know how to code.
In terms of the origin, the first blogger - regarded by many to be Jorn Barger - began his business of hunting and gathering links, to which he appended some of his own commentary, on Dec. 23, 1997. On his site, Robot Wisdom, Mr. Barger wrote: "I decided to start my own webpage logging the best stuff I find as I surf, on a daily basis," and the Oxford English Dictionary regards this as the primordial root of the word "weblog." Others, such as David Winer, who blogged with Scripting News, and Cameron Barrett, who started CamWorld, were alongside the Mr. Barger. So it is by widespread consensus that 1997 is a reasonable point at which to mark the emergence of the blog as a distinct life-form.
Please take a moment or two to visit our new blog, leave a comment and, of course, a link to your own blog and/or website. Morgan and I are working on this together, but I could never have done it without her help and support! I am also very grateful to the many members and friends who have encouraged me to enter the world of blogging ~ it is fun and exciting and I encourage you to join in and share your thoughts! Hope you enjoy my first entry, we both look forward to continuing to share and respond to your comments!
The Talents & Involvements of Our Village Residents Are Awe-Inspiring!
17 January email from Marilyn Tippett from The Mill at Lloyney – B&B
www.lloyneymill.co.uk
. In last month’s newsletter, examples of Marilyn's artwork were featured and received a great response.. I am delighted to let you know that Marilyn is adding a section for her art to her website and you will be hearing lots more about it. To learn more about her artwork visit her listings in our Artists Category. Having firsthand knowledge of her exquisite creations, I promise you will be delighted with anything you choose to order!
“No wonder it took so long to create the January newsletter, Heléne-a great start to the New Year, and thanks again for your helpful coverage of what we do here." Marilyn
Sunny Side Farm , by New England Artist, Linda Leonard Hughes
18 Jan. email from Linda Hughes, Maine Artist www.lindaleonardhughes.com “Hi again Heléne, I just received the newsletter and it is wonderful with so much to enjoy and digest! I will have to put on a pot of coffee and not a cup! Thank you for lots of great information that will help all of us at Countryside Connection! I will begin to use some of your tips a good start for the New Year!!” Warmest Wishes, Linda Leonard Hughes
I want to quote the following from an email received from Linda on 15 February for those who are not aware of the wintertime conditions in Northern New England. Dear Heléne, “Everything up here in Maine is kind of in a standstill in the winter! We have had snow almost every day and it is up over the windows!” Best Wishes, Linda Leonard Hughes
18 January email from New England Stained Glass Artist Carolyn Chabot who has received a series of emails - e.cachabot@verizon.net from an interested client in Britain who discovered her on our site.“I have had a series of exchanges with a gentleman from England who is very interested in commissioning some work! Hope everything is going well, I loved the newsletter! I loved the artwork!” Warmest regards always, Carolyn
21 January email from Carla Boulton
www.naughtymutt.com
“Thanks so much for the mention in your newsletter, I am having such an amazing time at the moment doing something I really love and I want so much to make it a success so your help is appreciated. (You will, I am sure, also remember Carla’s return to art and one of her recent paintings featured in last month’s newsletter.)
Off to Paris in the middle of Feb to see some dear friends and to spend time looking at art and learning more - so exciting - looks like country folk really do get out sometimes!”
Best wishes Carla
At Countryside Connection, networking with other members, in very different areas of concentration, from Artists to Farmers, Accommodation Providers and Artisan Producers, our Rural Support members and so many others, enables all of us in rural enterprises to help our businesses grow and prosper.
Here is one very recent example of how this works:. I was in contact with one of our first members, Isobel Davies of Izzy Lane www.izzylane.co.uk - (as well as the founder Farmaround and Farmaround North). I suggested a way I thought she and new member, Artist Penny Lindop of Penny Lindop Designs could work together. I was so delighted with her enthusiastic response and the exchanges that followed. Here is an excerpt from Isobel's email of 24 January.
Dear Heléne,
"Thank you for your email. I am delighted that you are coming up to Yorkshire, that is fantastic news. I am sure you will shake thing up in this part of world with all your vitality. You must come and visit when you are settled.
I did read about Penny and it is an excellent idea that you have. We would be more than happy to supply her with fleece, and your idea of supplying us with gift cards is excellent.
I am really painfully busy Heléne at the moment, still trying to keep up with my farmaround work, which includes being the full time buyer these days, as well as preparing for London Fashion Week in two weeks time. (More about this later in the newsletter!)
Would you be able to ask Penny to email us with her requirements in due course. Her cards are really lovely. Thanks again and best wishes," Isobel
One of Penny Lindop's Cards from her extensive range 
Isobel and friend at her Sheep Sanctuary
On 30 January follow-up email from Penny, www.pennylindop.com
Hi Heléne
“Thanks for all your kind wishes and your contact with Isobel. No, I’m afraid that I haven’t contacted her yet but will do. My feet don’t tend to touch the ground much at this time of year with the trade shows. Ireland was very good and has generated a good amount of business. I got back late last Thursday and I leave for the NEC in Birmingham (International Spring Fair) on Saturday.
I will write something for you on my travels and the shows, but it may have to wait until the shows are over and the immediate rush afterwards – I do hope this is ok - I’m sure you’ll understand.” Best wishes, Penny
16 February Latest email from Isobel:
Thanks Heléne, "just back from London and completely exhausted. All went very well, the press were very interested. We look forward to seeing if anything comes of it." Warmest wishes Isobel
16 February Latest from Penny:
Hi Heléne
"It really is a whirlwind at this time of year. 2 trade shows so close together make for a busy time, and yet I have friends who have done 4 already this year! (I’ve done that in the past too!)
The Dublin show was excellent for me. I picked up a lot of new customers in Ireland, Scotland and America and lots of repeat orders from existing customers – it’s always so good to see them again.
One lovely lady comes on to my stand because my cards make her happy and she says she needs a dose of happiness to start her day! And she placed a nice order after the show.
The van was fine and I negotiated the night time streets of Dublin without too many wrong turnings, so I felt quite pleased with myself.
The Spring Fair at Birmingham was ok, but it wasn’t the exciting buzzy show that it was in years gone past. It’s become so vast that it’s no longer a pleasure for exhibitor or buyer. The buyer numbers were well down, which is a reflection on the retail industry in general. I think it will be a tough year – but you know what they say: when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
I have about 50+ orders to fulfil within the next few weeks, so I really will have to concentrate on them before I do very much with Isobel. I’d be interested in taking the ideas further, so thank you for the contact. I’ve emailed her just so she knows that I exist!"
Kind regards Penny
Two incredibly busy members who will, I know, find time to work together when things calm down. How wonderful that they are both enjoying such success as a result of all their hard work!
I will keep everyone posted on Isobel and Penny's exciting plans to work together!
25 Jan News from Jinsy Robinson at Penyrallt Farm in Wales www.penyrallt.co.uk
Helene, hello.
"Thank you for your email. It is always so nice to hear from you. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch sooner to say how much I enjoyed your newsletter. I’ll try to give you a contribution for the next one.
David & I have been away for few days so I'm catching up with a load of stuff and we are renovating the holiday cottage...new ceiling and floor and doing all the work ourselves of course, so we are very busy at present, or more so than usual.
We have just had another 15 minutes of fame this week having had the farm featured on a programme on S4C (the Welsh tv channel) about Welsh vernacular architecture. It is a series called 'Y Ty Cymraeg' (The Welsh House) which is very beautifully filmed. It features houses from all over Wales county by county. Penyrallt did look superb, though I say it myself; filming took place on a glorious golden day in October when everything looks its best. (Look at the S4C website for Wednesday 23rd January at 8.25pm. They show the programme on the website, if you are curious to see it. David is interviewed in Welsh in it. We are the first property in the programme.)
After blowing the Penyrallt trumpet again I'd better get on with things here."
Best wishes, Jinsy
Somehow I could not manage to figure out how to view this even though I was reading the instructions in English and after giving up, wrote with a plea for help. Note: It is wonderful and well worth the effort – although by following Jinsy’s explanation below you will not have any problems at all!
Note also the additional news from Penyrallt Farm in a later email – Congratulations to David and Jinsy for all the wonderful publicity and well-deserved recognition!
Helene, hi.
"Like you I try not to communicate too much at weekends, so there is always bit of a backlog on Monday mornings ...most of it rubbish so it is always great to receive something sensible like your email or enquiries about the cottage.
I'm sorry you've been struggling to find the tv programme. I've had a go and you should be able to locate it if you follow these directions;
S4C Home ---TV Listings ---Today --- 12.30; Y Ty Cymraeg 888 --- Watch now --- Sir Gaerfyrddin.
The opening shot is of one of the presenters talking in a shed with calves , then it cuts to the opening titles. It may be rather slow so be patient. We are the first property featured and the voice-over is in Welsh but the pictures are pretty! Good luck.
I am now going to be spending the day planing floorboards with David in his workshop...life is one endless round of fun!!"
Best wishes,
Jinsy
‘Shepherd’, David Robinson & dogs moving sheep on their Penyrallt Farm.
When I asked Jinsy for permission to use this wonderful image from their site for our new blog and this newsletter as well as the best title, this was part of her response:
“I'm glad you want to use that particular picture...its one of our favourites as it includes so many aspects of the farm in one small moment in time. It was actually taken as the flock was being taken back out to the fields after shearing. You will see that some of the sheep are without their thick fleeces (those with are that years lambs who do not get shorn), so I think a suitable heading may be something like 'Exhausted shepherd looking forward to a cup of tea!'...sorry I'm being facetious! How about just 'Shepherd and Dogs moving Sheep', not very exciting but accurate.
The 'lovely Shepherd' is of course my lovely husband David and his dogs Henry and the puppy Molly.” The last line was in response to my query about 'the lovely shepherd' featured.
7 February – Received more great news from Jinsy
Hi Heléne, . . .
"We have been very busy lately finishing a DVD of a year on the farm that was started 18 months ago. It covers farming activity here at Penyrallt just to explain how a real working farm functions. We spent 30 hours last week doing the voice-over!!...exhausting but good fun. The end result is looking rather good though I say myself, and will hopefully give a good explanation to our holiday visitors, and anyone else who is interested, just what we do here over the period of a year. As well the work aspects to our year there are also clips of the wildlife, hidden corners and lovely shots across our valley, so it covers quite a range of topics.
(Blowing our own trumpet again, I'm afraid!). It was a fun project and I hope that people who watch it will both learn something and gain a better understanding of how farmers live and work.( Gosh, that sounds so patronising, not meant to be). Patronising is definitely NOT the word I would use, how wise of them and wonderful for their visitors with non-farming backgrounds to learn more about “life on a farm and the life of a farmer. I hope you continue to feel better and carry on the good work.” All best wishes, Jinsy
In past newsletters, excerpts from which I promise to add to this category, we in Countryside Connection's Growing Community have all learned so much from the explanations many of our farming members have contributed. Their personal experiences and insights about present and ongoing concerns faced by our farmers have helped all of us to become more aware of countryside issues that affect each and every one of us. My gratitude to them cannot be overstated.
30 January email from Jane Maddern
www.janemaddernsoaps.co.uk
Hello Heléne
”Thank you so much for your message and news - you are always so thoughtful and much better at keeping in touch than me!!
Christmas was indeed busy and I was looking forward to a bit of a rest in January but business is flourishing and I have had to keep my soap production line moving to fulfil new orders that are coming in (I am not complaining though!)
Here is my news:
First I was so pleased to get Longleat as a new stockist! They have two very up-market shops in the house itself - "Lady Bath's Shop" and "The Victorian Kitchen". The shop manager had been recommended my soaps by a friend who had tried them, so she got in touch. They will be stocking their own branded range of soaps, and skincare products made by me from February onwards.
Also, I am very pleased to announce that from March onwards, all my hand creams, body lotions, body washes, balms (and of course the soaps) will be paraben-free, therefore even better than before!
The buffalo milk soaps are selling steadily, though at the moment I am undecided as to whether I will continue them this year, but I will let you know!” All the best, Jane
Jane also contributed a wonderful recipe for a simple skin balm which will be featured in the next Recipe Page updates, so be sure and keep an eye out for it!
A day at the fair for Jane with her wonderful array of offerings:
London Fashion Week 2008 – Catwalk Designer Izzy Lane Presents!
Information from: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_details.asp?DesignerID=913 (Visit www.izzylane.co.uk for full information about ordering clothing & accessories)
“The foundation of animal loving label Izzy Lane stems back to a shock discovery made by its creator Isobel Davies. Farmers of her organic home delivery company were setting alight their locally farmed wool, as revenue gathered from the British wool sales fell short of covering even the cost of shearing.
Inspired by the demise of the British wool industry as a whole and armed with the knowledge that a majority of British knitwear is manufactured and shipped by foreign Antipodean nations, she set about doing her bit to rebuild the British Wool Industry. Giving a voice to the animal kingdom, Izzy Lane lay claim to flock of Wensleydale and Shetland sheep. A far cry from ordinary herds, the pack show all the sheepish signs of the ugly duckling – shunned and purposeless animals that would otherwise have been sent to slaughter for being the wrong sex, infertile or physical imperfections. Thanks to Izzy Lane, sheep can exist safely, without ever having to become meat.
Keeping weaving traditions alive, their fabrics are homespun in an age old Selkirk mill, with clanking century old Victorian machinery.
Embracing a vertically integrated fashion production process, Izzy Lane has an awareness of the provenance of each piece in their knitwear collection, from sheared wool through to shop floor garment. The label also includes handmade shoes and hats as approved by the vegetarian society.”
Introducing Our Newest Countryside Connection Village Residents
I have had so many wonderful email exchanges and telephone conversations with each of the new members that I feel confident in stating, with absolute certainty, what a wonderful addition each and every one of them will be to our community! You will learn a great deal from reading their generous personal contributions and statements below and understand why I make that statement without reservation!
Clare Lock, ‘AnyAdmin’ – Virtual Assistant www.anyadmin.co.uk is our newest addition to the Rural Support Category.
A virtual assistant is often the perfect solution to the needs of anyone operating a rural business, as well as in any other location around the world. Clare is a Personal Assistant who works from her own office providing secretarial, administrative and ad hoc assistance via the internet and virtual communications; working in harmony with you to compliment and strengthen your business.
Clare specialises in organising - be that your diary, time, travel, training events, corporate events, personal events or your office. Her services include all aspects of Office Administration, Event Management, Marketing, Bookkeeping, Digital Audio Transcription and Travel Co-ordination.
“Personal information, well I’m married and live in Hertfordshire – my husband and I have 5 cats and we also have a love of travel, cinema, reading, music, meeting up with friends, laughing, playing golf and watching other sports. I come from a large family of 3 brothers and myself so I understand the importance of sharing, communicating and teamwork to get projects completed. I love to dance and I’m an avid fan of Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars in the US and have recently returned to Ballroom dancing after a break of 30 years! The next project on my list is to return to horse riding when I have the time."
"WOW you certainly have a way with words – the attached is fantastic, I love it – the only slight change I would make is on the end of this line ‘A virtual assistant is often the perfect solution to the needs of anyone operating a rural business, as well as in any other location’ would it be an idea to add in something like “around the world” after location, to show that you don’t have to be UK based to use my services?” I agreed that her addition was a very important one and you will find it within the text of her new listing.
Clare will be a great asset to our community and I am sure many of you are already thinking of the ways in which she can be of assistance to you in your business!
16 February – Received another email from Clare – always so thrilled when new members keep in touch from the very beginning and share their thoughts!
Hi Hélene
”Thank you for your message - it was nice to see my name on the front page! (Referring to notice posted on WiRE Noticeboard where I feature WiRE members new to Countryside Connection)
I just wanted to say that I read your blog yesterday and thought it was fantastic - I love the way you describe your love of cows and sheep. Can't say I'm overly enthusiastic about sheep but I do love cows, in fact when I was a child my grandparents had a small holding in Wales and they kept cattle - one of which my brother and I 'adopted' and called, rather originally I thought 'mummyless' because he had no mother! Lol Well we were only children. Sadly my grandparents sold the small holding and you can guess what happened to the cows - we were very upset. Since then I've always longed to own a Jersey cow as I adore their big brown eyes and gentle ways.
Anyway, enough about me I just thought I'd drop you a line to say how much I enjoyed your blog. Keep up the good work!” Warmest regards Clare
Cally Smart, ‘Country Gate’ – Home Finders www.countrygate.co.uk
Cally contacted me to say that she would love to be part of Countryside Connection, but could not find a category in which her business would fit. Problem Solved: Working together, another new category has been created and you will find her listing in ~ Relocation and Restoration Services.
Embarking on a house hunting or home improvement project is time-intensive, emotional and can be stressful, but at Country Gate they will assist you every step of the way. Country Gate is a family business that has years of home-moving experience to call upon which will help you stay on top of your own project. They understand the mound of paperwork, attention to detail and tedious waiting involved in the time leading up to exchange and completion, when you can finally move in and create your new home.
Specialising in property finding in all price brackets in the market towns and bustling village communities of Western Wiltshire and the Mendips, they are based in the beautiful medieval market town of Bradford on Avon. “We care about our community and the impact we have upon it. As a result we support local tradesmen and suppliers, with a strong fair-trade and environmentally friendly bias and use and ethical bank. A percentage of our profits is donated every year to local homeless charities because we believe everyone deserves a decent home. We believe in quality of service, good communication and transparency. All the professionals or contractors we recommend are independently checked and we receive no commission as a result of any recommendation.”
Country Gate’s professional and flexible relocation service not only helps you locate the perfect home, but ensures that the relocation process runs smoothly from start to finish. Or, if you already have the property you desire but wish to improve it, then they will Project Manage the alterations for you, from planning right through to sourcing skilled labour and materials.
“It's amazing how your focus changes whilst developing your business. I wrote the copy for the website quite a while ago and I am now much more focused on the community, keeping everything local and heritage restoration in the projects I manage.
I am also keen to develop my new blog - and invite questions from anyone interested in moving to this area or working on their properties. It can be accessed via my website or direct at
www.countrygate.co.uk/pt/blog
. Please have a look at Cally's special 'Make Do and Mend' Competition. All details can be found on the blog. Why not enter and take part!
My elder son is preparing himself for a Coronation Day party at the end of his school project tomorrow. I am just putting the finishing touches to his costume - handknitted fairisle tank top, old school cap and tie borrowed from his dad, shirt, long shorts and long socks. Little do they all know what delights are in store at the party....a spam sandwich, jam tart and iced bun apiece. No chocolate or crisps in sight.
I have to admit being a fan of living history as one who has a degree in Anglo Saxon and Middle English and has dressed in medieval costume for more than one Chaucerian event! I guess that's why I'm such a fan of old buildings and so passionate about restoring them. Time was when most homeowners had the skills to carry out remedial work on their buildings or there was someone in the town or village to call on for help. It's an ethos which I'm sticking to in Country Gate Home Finders.....local skilled tradesmen, local suppliers and finding a home in a community which will service your needs.
I'm starting to link with local farmshops and farmer's markets to provide the consumable parts of my Welcome Boxes and with local Band B owners to provide accommodation for clients who are in the area to view property or who need short term accommodation whilst improvements are taking place in their homes. It would be great to hear from Countryside Connection members within striking distance who could link in with this. Equally I'm sure I can offer a discount on a Welcome Box for any family or friend moving into the area. They make fab housewarming gifts, combining a few choice (naturally organic, local or fairtrade) goodies with an up to date directory of local information to help you settle into your new community.
Incidentally if any of your American (or British) members are planning a visit to the area I have been known to turn up great accommodation for the duration of their stay and a Welcome Box (designed for tourists) is a great way to start a holiday on the Wiltshire/Somerset border.
I've included a recipe for one of the homemade items I put in the Welcome Boxes, passed down through four generations of Welsh mothers who knew exactly how to welcome strangers into their homes and communities”. (Cally’s recipe for Bara Brith will appear when new changes are made to our Recipe Pages. It will be interesting to note the differences from the other wonderful Bara Brith Recipe that was featured in November from Marilyn Tippett, now found in the Recipe Archives)
“Whizzing about this afternoon but looks perfect. Many, many thanks.
Thanks so much for everything you've done so far!”
C
Note: Cally was the first person to leave a comment on our new blog – the only mention has been on WiRE Noticeboard as I wanted the first major announcement to be in our newsletter. Thank you so much for entering a comment, Cally, it is perfect that it comes from a member of our community!
Be sure to visit Cally’s blog as well as ours and leave a comment for her!
Sandra Morton, ‘Perilla’ www.perilla.co.uk is in our Art and Farm Categories
Ever wonder what initially inspired someone to offer and create a demand for items you have come to love and can no longer imagine living without? For farmer, Sandra Morton, it began with her unsuccessful search for a pair of luxurious bed socks for her daughter one Christmas. Her search was unsuccessful but thankfully was followed by a chance meeting with Hilary Shenton, a leading breeder of British Alpacas. Their meeting and subsequent collaboration led to the magnificent range of socks Perilla offers – “the ultimate treat for feet” On the pages of this glorious website, you will discover a fantastic range of socks, but that is only a small part of the growing and diverse offerings.
As well as socks Sandra has sourced a range of the finest accessories including beautiful scarves and wraps, gloves and wristwarmers. Passionate about these gentle creatures, it is clear from every page of this diverse and enticing site that Sandra adores alpacas and thrives on sharing these exquisite products with everyone.
“Background info - edit as you wish. The children are fine about being credited etc.. . (This comment was in response to Sandra explaining that she used her children to model the socks as a cost-cutting measure – they make great models as you will see!)
I come originally from Haytor, Dartmoor, went to work in London for seven years, met my husband and had three children: Tom is 25 and an IT consultant for Softcat in Marlow, Sam is 23 and has Downs Syndrome/autistic and lives at home with us, and a daughter Meggie, 19 who is learning the ropes in the fashion design industry and lives in London. We bought our beautiful farm in 1985 on the Worcester Hereford border. We started out doing arable and commercial sheep but moved into pedigree Charollais and Suffolk sheep to produce stock rams for commercial flocks. As the years have gone on and the farming job seems to get increasingly hard to make any money, the ewe numbers dropping and too many rams on the market (many of which are over stuffed and useless - best not to get me ranting about that!).
I needed to reduce the flock as my back just couldn't hack the work any more so I started to look for an online business that I could run from home. I had tried to buy my daughter some bed socks Christmas 2005 and really struggled to find what I wanted. That gave me a germ of an idea. As a farmer I could never find "proper" socks that really kept me warm - particularly lambing all night! I decided to launch a "proper socks" website and I spoke to someone at Defra about a grant and he suggested that I tie in with another local business to make myself more eligible (I did and they still didn't give me a start up grant - no surprises there I here all you farmers saying!). He suggested Hilary Shenton who had a herd of British Alpaca just outside of Tenbury Wells. She is a successful breeder and vendor of alpaca and also had a great interest in knitwear. She had commissioned some fabulous alpaca shooting socks, but just couldn't get retailers to buy them as the cost price was so high. They were perfect and I decided to give them a thorough trial before taking them on. They were brilliant - so warm and comfortable.
Alpaca naturally repels odour and bacteria so you can wear them for a week and they stay fresh. I then started my company Perilla Limited and designed four other ranges to include the thickest walking socks, ski socks, city socks, bed socks (our best selling range) and the original shooting socks with great emphasis on gorgeous colours. We have been going 18 months and going from strength to strength. We now have 1,500 customers who buy regularly from us and who have found themselves alpaca sock converts! They are very expensive, but far more hardwearing than wool and can be washed on a 40° wool cycle. All socks are sold boxed - as they are a luxury item I thought they should be sent in a luxurious box. These are also made in England. I have had loads of lovely testimonials from people who have had chilblains all their adult life and now haven't and an adult with Renaulds syndrome who has never experienced warm feet until now. The feedback has given me more pleasure than I would ever have thought possible.”
“I am delighted with the way you have listed the site - many thanks indeed.
It was lovely hearing about you and your family. The problem with starting up a new business is the amount of time you have to dedicate to it and the isolation that comes with that so it really is fun to have a little chat to you. Thanks for what you have done.” Best wishes, Sandra
Isolation and the chance to work closely with others who are working from their farms and home offices, is one of the many benefits we all enjoy in our Countryside Connection community and shared networking efforts. This is so often stated in Testimonials and ongoing email exchanges ~ it is a wonderful reminder that although many of us may work independently we are definitely NOT alone!
Sandra also contributed a wonderful recipe, her children's favourite, which will appear shortly on our Recipe Pages.
Starting another wonderful round of email exchanges, Sandra ended one of her many emails with the following:
“Have also attached a pic of quads we had this year which is fairly unusual - two stayed with mum and the other two went onto the milk machine!” Best wishes, Sandra
I immediately responded with a copy of my first entry on our blog as the coincidence was amazing! Have a look and you will understand: http://countrysideconnection.blogspot.com
Hi Helene,
"You write so beautifully you should write a book! Will be in contact soon."
Best wishes, Sandra
(Note: If anyone out there has any agent/book publisher contacts interested in children’s books, please let me know as I have several completed drafts ready to submit! Thank you, h,)
16 February Latest from Sandra
This was written in response to my query as to whether or not there was anything Sandra had shared that she did not want included in the newsletter.
Hi Heléne,
“Sorry for the delay - I have been in London for a few days doing trade shows and a photographic course! I am happy for anything I have written to be reproduced -there is nothing in the content that I consider to be too personal. Have to be brief as I have so much work to catch up on!”
Best wishes, Sandra
Linda Moss , ‘Organic Holidays In The UK and Abroad’ is featured in our Bed & Breakfast and Country Inn Categories. www.organicholidays.co.uk
Linda says:
“I had been (and in fact still am) an organic vegetable box coordinator for some years, and one day, about nine years ago, I rang the Soil Association to ask if they had any information about places to stay where organic produce was used in the meals offered to guests. I thought they might have a list of places they could send me, but they didn’t, and that set me thinking. After doing some research I found that there were B&Bs and small hotels using organic produce, and eventually decided to put these places onto a website. With the help of someone who had done a bit of work for my husband, and by taking in students from a local dance college to fund my idea, I started to put the website together. Never having used a computer before, I had a bit of a mental block about new technology, and didn’t get the hang of using the internet for about a year. However, once I did it was like opening Pandora’s Box, and I found organic places to stay all over the world.
Although more and more people are using the internet to source holiday accommodation, I know from running the website that often they want to have a hard copy of the information as well, which is why I compiled the book Organic Places to Stay in the UK. The first edition almost sold out within a year, and subsequently I’ve thoroughly enjoyed putting the second edition together, which has lots of new and interesting places to stay.
I still get a buzz out of finding a new ‘organic’ place to stay. I love contacting people and telling them about what I’m doing and finding that they are delighted to know that someone has gone to the trouble of putting all these like-minded people together on a website. It’s also fascinating to be contacted by people from countries all over the world, asking if their accommodation can be listed on the site.”
Linda is married with three grown up children and two grandchildren, and has lived in Guiseley, West Yorkshire all her life.
The second edition of Linda’s book, Organic Places To Stay In The UK will be published on the 22nd of February 2008 and will be available in the UK and USA. Her publisher has been in contact and will be sending me a review copy as soon as they are off the press. He and Linda have also very thoughtfully agreed to offer a Special Reduced Price for our members, as well as wholesale pricing if you wish to offer them for sale through your business. More next month!
I will be providing full information and contact details for all of you as soon as I can. Congratulations to Linda on her achievement and sincere appreciation to her and her publisher for their generosity to all of us!
A preview of the cover of Linda's new book
I know that I speak for all members in welcoming these four new residents into our community. We look forward to getting to know all of you and to working together in the years ahead of us.
In closing this month’s newsletter, our first to have portions shared online with all visitors to our site, I wish to express my deep appreciation to Heather and Robyn at WiRE for all they have done to inspire and support my endeavours! So many of our members are also part of this special group for Women in Rural Enterprise and I am delighted to bring to your attention their new feature about us on the WiRE website in the category ~“Rural Success Stories” http://www.wireuk.org/ruralsuccess.aspx
It seems most appropriate, in light of this wonderful honour and as we are in the midst of ‘The Annual Awards Season’ with the long history of famous speeches that have been given by proud and often overwhelmed recipients, that I write a few words to express my feelings. I could not feel greater pride if I had received an international award at a grand ceremony, and am also relieved that my expressions of appreciation do not require a walk down any carpet or attempt to appear "at my best and in all the required attire!”
It is impossible to believe that it has only been ten months since Countryside Connection first appeared online. I honestly cannot begin to express my gratitude to Anna Wilde of PerfectArc, my web designer who created the original format for our site and is always available to offer assistance and support as the new categories and other additions I create require guidance and often some hand-holding as I struggle with unfamiliar territory, yet again. Our Founding Members from Vermont with their extraordinary expressions of friendship, encouragement and belief in Countryside Connection have meant more than words can express. Their insistence that I HAD to do this from the very first time I shared my thoughts and ideas, have helped when I thought my brain could not absorb another bit of technology and I had moments when I felt too exhausted to go on! To all of the new members, who continue to join, inspire and enhance our community, I am truly indebted to each and every one of you ~ you have each enriched my life and strengthened my commitments and beliefs. To my husband, Alan and our daughter, Morgan, your belief in me and support for everything I do is never taken for granted nor are the two of you! Thank you for the love and never-ending cups of tea.
We reach the end of another monthly newsletter, but just the beginning of new personal and professional relationships. Please share your thoughts, support our members and their unique range of offerings, continue to inspire us with your commitment to a better countryside environment and know that your efforts today will make all of the difference to the world that the next generation will inherit.
Stay warm and please keep in touch. With best regards, Heléne Leichter-Saxby