Cheese News

CHRISTMAS 2009

Regular readers of The Cheese News will have noticed that the jottings for the last five years have recently disappeared.  There is a saying that if you give a monkey a typewriter, eventually it will produce the Bible.  The opposite side of the coin is that if you give someone (who shall be nameless) a computer and buttons to press, eventually everything will "disappear down the earth spike".  However, as they also say, nobody died and nobody went to prison and it was only words and worse things happen at sea; indeed in 2009 for one of our number they did indeed happen worse at sea.  (OSTAR 2009)

Sadly in August our lovely red collie Zoe died and was buried at the end of the pig stye croft where we overlook her every day from the kitchen window.  In November, we went to the local country supply shop to buy one of our number a pair of wellingtons. (Have you seen the price of good wellingtons recently?  £28 ! They will have to see me out.)  There on the notice board was a card advertising ... yes ... collie pups ... it was a local telephone number ... 24 hours later we were owned by Beeley, a black and white bitch.  She is called Beeley because that is the village on the Chatsworth estate where the farm is that she came from.  It is a smart well organised farm, as befits a Chatsworth tenancy, and a very likeable young couple - the farmer and wife that is.  The dog and bitch were a likeable couple also.  As for the puppies ... well clearly they all saw us coming.  It is a very very long time since we last had a puppy.  We are beginning to remember why that is.  However, with the recent snow and ice and blue skies we have been taken for walks by Beeley and that is what it is all about. 

On an even happier note, our son Oliver recently became engaged to Sarah.  Wedding bells next year we hope, at Duffield near Derby.  There will be an announcement in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday 2 January.  (Have you seen the price of announcements in the Daily Torygrpaph recently ... it makes wellingtons look cheap.) 

The Manager's House has just been totally redecorated internally.  We are not much good with colour and have generally stuck to white and cream.  However, we took our courage in both hands.  The sitting room in Farrow and Ball Rectory Red is a statement.  It looks stunning and was clearly a right thing to do.  The double bed room is now a sort of raspberry sorbet and is much more of a question mark.  Apparently it is "feminine".  Well, The Manager's House is occupied by paying guests for Christmas and New Year, so we will find out from them what they think. 

The paying guests have an artificial tree this year.  However, we continue to have a 10 foot real tree in the upstairs sitting room of The Cheese Factory.  Each year the tree gets more difficult to collect and get upstairs.  Every year, Christmas trees get heavier.  This year we admitted defeat and called on assistance from our friend and builder, Ben from Elton.  Even with Ben it was touch and go.   We are investigating if they make 10 foot artificial trees.  It would be a sad day, but not as sad as no tree. 

So, to all our paying guests and readers, we wish you a very wonderful Christmas and New Year holidays and a happy and healthy 2010.  We know that we shall see many of you in The Manager's House.  Almost the only thing that has not increased in price for next year is ... the charges for The Manager's House which are unchanged from this year.  We have so far booked eleven weeks, all bar one are for returners.  We are confident that there will be more and we look forward to seeing you. 

JULY 2010

How can it be that we have not put anything on the Cheese News for 6 months.  What can we have been so busy with?

Those who have visited The Manager's House will have seen that we have always had a collecting box for SSAFA Forces Help.   (Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmens' and Families Association)  Jane has worked for many years as an unpaid volunteer for SSAFA, fistly as a caseworker and then as the Divisional Secretary and caseworker for the Derbyshire Dales Division.  As these things do, it took a lot of time.  Firstly she handed over as Divisional Secretary and finally she has handed over all her remaining case work.  Over the years she  has been able to arrange some considerable help for many varied cases of need.  That in itself is sufficient reward but the letters of thanks she received from her remaining clients when she signed off were also very moving. 

What will Jane now do to fill the gap?  Well, the holiday cottage does not run itself and we continue to receive compliments from those who stay as to the standards that Jane achieves with it. 

We have just had a family staying who have boys of 5 and 4.  They seemed to take up residence in our kitchen in The Cheese Factory and were very welcome.  However, the parents told the boys that they should not really be disturbing us as we were not family or friends.  "Well" said the elder boy "they may not be your friends but they are our friends" and they delivered to us a well written letter addressed to "Our neighbours" that said "We hope that you are also having a good holiday". 

Jane also continues to work as a nurse doing interviews and measuring and taking blood etc for the company that undertakes social and medical research for the government.  She enjoys it but it is very time consuming for what is achieved.  However, she now has a new friend Tom Tom who gives her directions so she does now get to the individual houses, even if she still does not know where she is. 

On top of all that, Jane bears the brunt, sorry enjoys the blessings, of an exuberant two year old grandaughter, a pregnant daughter and a semi trained collie of boundless energy.  That coupled with a house full of daughter's friends last weekend, a house full of family this weekend and a trip to stay with our son in Leeds mid week is a typical itinerary and mean that she is never bored. 

Jonathan has also been very fully employed, but unpaid, by what used to be called the Army Benevolent Fund but has now been rebranded as ABF The Soldiers' Charity.  He is part of the Derbyshire Fundraising Committee.  In 2007 it was decided that the newly restored Georgian Devonshire Dome in Buxton would make a superb venue for a fund raising event.  In 2008 a trial event was held there, a Beating Retreat with one military band and 200 guests for a supper and raised approximately £3,000 for the charity.  This was succesful and led to a full scale Buxton Miitary Tattoo in July 2010 with 5 military bands, non musical entertainments and over 900 spectators.  This was "a triumph" and raised approximately £11,000 for The Soldiers' Charity, from which a donation will be made to the RAF Benevolent Fund.  It is worth looking at the web site www.buxtontattoo.org.uk and particularly the review by the Buxton Festival Fringe and the DVD clip.  The next date is fixed for Saturday 9 July 2011. 

However, the work didn't stop with the tattoo itself, as we have been doing post event reports, accounts and thank you letters.  We do look forward, however, to a life "after the tattoo"!  Maybe sometime soon.  We might even get to the boat which lies neglected in Plymouth.   We are not yet sure how Beeley, our collie from a sheep farm in Beeley, will take to sailing.  We hope to find out soon. 

OCTOBER 2010

Over the years many guests have celebrated Christmas here.  We offer you a warm and welcoming cottage!  Imagine yourselves cooking Christmas dinner on the range/electric cooker for those less adventurous.  The log burning stove and decorated tree provide the ideal ambience to relax and digest the festive season to the full.

Last year Derbyshire was transformed into a Winter wonderland of snow and sunshine.  It's a great time to walk and indulge in photography.  There will be a 'live' Crib Service, carols and refreshments in church on 24th and an early communion on Christmas Day.  Why not go there and back on foot?

Don't worry about the car getting stuck if it's very cold - the Snods will pull you up the hill!

The cottage Tree will still be in situ for New Year.  See 2011 in up at the church where the bells will be rung and our ancient building lit by candles.  The Duke of York should be open too.

As I write we remain available for your booking, so please ring us soon to avoid disappointment.

Remember that food deliveries can be organised and we have Wi-fi so that you can keep in touch.  Dogs are welcome too, but downstairs only.  The walking is great round here.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

CHRISTMAS 2010

Greetings to all the guests who have stayed during 2010.  We have seen 'old friends' and made new ones - it has been a pleasure.  Thankyou for cards received and e-mails this Christmas.

Many of you will be wondering about Hettie's baby and Oliver's wedding!  These happened within three weeks of eachother which made for a busy period just recently.  We were all very pleased that Richard was home for the birth of Tom (Thomas) on 8th November.  He went off to sea 48-hours later but Jane stayed on to help in Oxford.  Tom is a fine grandson and Emma - now two and a half thinks he's the bee's knees.

We all awoke to snow (not forecast) on 27th November - Oliver and Sarah's wedding day.  Cars were towed and people were ferried out of the valley.  One enterprising person had snow 'sox' for their car, and these were viewed with envy!  It was a white wedding in every respect, and thus made the more memorable.  There are some excellent photos!  Ollie and Sarah caught just about the last 'plane out of Gatwick for their week in Jamaica, but had to be brought down the hill in the 4x4 in order to pick up their luggage.

The weather has continued to be dramatically cold and we have had loads of snow.  At the moment it's very icy.  It is outstandingly beautiful and we and our guests have been warm enough in spite of temperatures around - 20 degrees in the yard.  Life has not been too disrupted. so far anyway!

We have had carols in the church and tonight we will quietly celebrate with Compline by candlelight.  Friday sees the Crib Service where - weather permitting - our young will be the Holy Family.  Afterwards mulled wine and mincepies are served so the church smells lovely.  This Christmas tableau also includes a couple of sheep, a calf and maybe goats.  Their behaviour can be unpredictable so a burly shepherd will also be in attendance.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2011, and wish you a Happy Christmas and all the best and good health for the New Year.

June 2011

Time flies, half the year gone! Bookings are down as the recession affects everyone, ourselves included.  Some friends, old and new, have nonetheless managed a week here.  The Spring weather was remarkable overall, both Jonathan and I enjoyed a great many walks in this beautiful area.

The flowers, the birds, the views never cease to make their impact on me - not least this evening as I looked at the shadows on the opposite hillside as I came over Mawstone Lane and was overcome by the scent of honeysuckle.

If historic houses appeal, remember Hardwick Hall, Chatsworth and Renishaw.  On a smaller scale Eyam, Tissington and Haddon - the latter being our favourite.  Open gardens

well dressings and local food are to be enjoyed.  Sailing, climbing, riding, steam trains - no end to the possibilities!  So bring your boots, your bikes, your art materials and a good time is in store.

I would like to say that The Bull's Head at Monyash, The Devonshire Arms at Hartington, The Old Bowling Green at Winster and The Royal Oak at Crowdicote have all been commended by recent guests.

Don't forget the Buxton Festival and the Matcham Opera House - a treat in Summer!

I would personally like to thank everyone for their kind comments in our visitors' book.  It is a joy to meet some lovely people and this makes keeping our cottage available for visitors a real pleasure.

A new gate for The Manager's House has been commissioned from a local blacksmith, I am very excited about this.

August 6th Hettie and Richard will be married in Elton church and then the guests will be received here - think of that!

Our kindest best wishes to all our friends.

Jonathan & Jane Snodgrass

The (Old) Cheese Factory, Gratton, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1LN
Tel 01629 650489 Mobile 07866 083551 enquiries@cheesefactory-cottages.co.uk