Category Archives: Local Interest

The School Visit!

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School VisitThis week we had a school visit from a school in North London. The Year 3 pupils (7&8 year-olds) were very well behaved (as were the staff and parents who accompanied them!). Someone once described this sort of visit as ‘putting something back into the drawer’. I see it, not only as being great fun, but a chance to share what I am so lucky to see every day…

There are times in all our lives,
when we don’t appreciate surroundings,
I complain about the weather,
and make other grumbling soundings!
But when a school group,
comes onto the farm,
they bring joy and wonder,
never sense of alarm.

We major on enjoyment,
learning is a plus,
I’m amazed what I have learned,
when they’ve left upon the bus!
So value what you’ve got,
and then value it some more,
and pass it on to children,
put something back into the drawer!

With thanks to the children, staff and parents for visiting, please come again soon!

© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

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E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

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April – October 2016
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From The Barn Roof (to the sea!)

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Ditch WaterfallThe other day I cleared a gutter on a barn. Later I watched water making a mini waterfall where a tree root crossed a ditch on the far end of the farm. From there on the ditch becomes a tributary for the River Beane. It set me thinking…

From the gutter to the downpipe,
from the downpipe to the drain,
from the drain to the ditch,
Flowing gently after rain.

From the ditch to the river,
from the river to the sea,
from the sea to the ocean,
That’s how it’s meant to be!

May life flow smoothly for you this week

© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

Facebook: Baldock Bard
Twitter: @baldockbard
E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

The Baldock Boot Sale
SG7 6RD
is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
Returns Next Saturday
April 9th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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Bill and the Daffodils!

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Bills DaffsThis year the Daffodils are flowering for what seems longer and longer. Having seen them first before Christmas in a shaded corner of the garden, they are still in bloom with some buds to come. That is apart from what used to be a large plot of them about forty-plus years ago. My mother was a most meticulous gardner and wouldn’t let the mower anywhere near the daffodils until they were completely over and then some…

Old Bill was sent to mow the grass,
a job he liked in many years past,
on the old tractor with the 6ft mower,
when driving that he was a goer!
Mowed the grass at the front of the farm,
Straight through the Daffodils no sense of alarm,
my mother told him straight, “they won’t come,
just think of future damage you’ve done.”
Bill with a shrug and shake of his head,
“they’ll be alright they won’t be dead!”
But to this day a patch isn’t right,
become known as Bill’s mowing sight!

Just to show the difference I’ve added a view from a plot next door! Both my mother and Bill have been dead for many years now, so I guess the difference is simply a memorial to poor communication!
Daffs 3
© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

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Twitter: @baldockbard
E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

The Baldock Boot Sale
SG7 6RD
is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
Returns April 9th 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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The Troublesome Crop!

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Troublesome CropAs farmers we are no longer allowed just to grow what crops we like. By law, we have to grow at least three different crops, along with a myriad of other rules dreamed up by desk-bound bureaucrats. For last harvest I chose: wheat, field beans and linseed. I wish I’d never chosen the latter it was trouble all the way…

Linseed can be a troublesome crop,
it’s a little scamp,
this diminutive seed causes grief indeed,
particularly when it’s damp!

We gave it a wonderful seedbed,
nurtured it like a son,
gave it fert in quality dirt,
harvest was a difficult one!

We moved it around the store,
gave it lots of air,
it wouldn’t dry though hard we try
always had ‘wet hair!’

Yesterday we’d had enough,
Ian brought his lorry around,
from the bin we swept it in,
now it’s Newark-bound…

…apart from 7 tons that wouldn’t fit on the lorry, UGH!

With thanks to all who helped tire out this troublesome crop; from Carl who planted it, David who kept an eye on it, James who nurtured and combined it, John and Russell who battered it, Charles who sold it, Tommy who swept it, Amy who homed it, Mick who scheduled it and Ian who finally drove it off the farm!

© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

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E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

 

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Six Lucky Cats!

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Six Lucky CatsIn our local supermarket (the one that has had bad luck recently by being caught not paying suppliers within guideline periods, inflated results, etc. etc.), I discovered six golden cats on the shelf. They were ‘lucky cats’ that were heavily discounted. I’m afraid I passed them by as it didn’t seem they’d brought much luck to the supermarket…

Six golden cats
sitting in a row,
watch their arms,
wave too and fro!

They are lucky cats,
all on special offer,
buy one and you’ll see,
money in your coffer!

However if you pass,
ignore them if you dare,
your crimes will be discovered,
and published everywhere!

© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

Facebook: Baldock Bard
Twitter: @baldockbard
E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

The Baldock Boot Sale
SG7 6RD
is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
Back every Saturday after Easter 2016
With more FREE parking and billions of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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The Struggles of a Town Decoration!

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Town LightsFrom today, the day after 12th Night, the Christmas Lights decorating Baldock will no longer shine. Very soon men with ladders will remove them from the buildings and the seasonal colours will disappear until next December…

Illuminated Santa will be removed from his perch,
on the side of the former Town Hall.
Children of all ages and stages,
will miss his luminary enthral.
He’s off to a warm hibernation,
in the back of a dry garden shed,
He’s miss any snow and fierce weather,
and return next winter ever-red!
But some decorations will not make it,
Forced to retire by something new,
And those that are chosen to re-hang,
will utter one word – simply ‘Phew!’

Grateful thanks to the Rotary Club of Baldock who give of their time and donations to ensure that Baldock sparkles every Christmas.

© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

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The New Year Tradition!

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Tone's CoatThere is one part of New Year that is a traditional as fireworks and ‘Auld Lang Syne!’ When guests have finally wended their way back to whence they came, the trawl nets are put out to see what has been left behind! The one benefit of this practice is that it shows they will probably return and their rushed departure was unlikely to have been the result of anything you said. This years prize goes to Tony from North of Birmingham…

“I left my hat in Arfordshire,
Along with my old coat,
I hope that they take care of them,
Don’t feed them to a goat!”

“Cos if they mislaid my dear old coat,
It could get quite smelly,
Oh good grief I just realised,
They’ve also got my welly!”

We looked around our outhouse,
To see what we could see,
The coat’s in better condition,
Than the one that belongs to me!

The hat I will admit,
Has seen better days,
But it’s in a Staffordshire tweed,
Not equipped for Southern rays!

So we’ll put it out for the Postie,
That should be a breeze,
Cos if Old Tone hasn’t got his coat,
The poor old Bugger’ll freeze!

© Baldock Bard 2016
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

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Twitter: @baldockbard
E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk




 

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The Bean Sweeper!

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Yesterday I was due a lorry to collect a load of beans. This meant sweeping a bin of beans under a time constraint (it’s a cardinal sin on a farm to keep a lorry waiting). As I’m old and decrepit, I was concerned that it also may knacker me for good! Enter Russ stage left…

If the AA is the fourth emergency service…
then my mate Russ is the fifth!
When he offered to help sweep some beans,
I thought he was taking the pith!
The lorry arrived on the farm,
Russ rushed into the bin,
an hour later he surfaced,
beneath the sweat was a grin!
He announced to any who’d listen,
(just me, so no need to shout!)
“Bring on the next bin of beans,
that was better than a trainers work-out!”
Everyone needs a Russ in their lives, it makes all the difference!
Bean Load© Baldock Bard 2015
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

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Buffet in the Barn!

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ThanksgivingYesterday our local church held the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in the barn on the farm. Unlike other countries, we lack a national day of thanksgiving. It was strange singing hymns and then enjoying a buffet lunch in a place where the only noise or action this morning will be of loading a lorry with another load of wheat…

We ‘ploughed the fields and scattered’
in the barn upon the farm.
Clean clothes in my workplace,
would fill me with alarm!
Afterwards a buffet lunch,
the floor and plates swept clean,
Cold turkey, ham and salad,
the best Village Thanks-giving seen!

© Baldock Bard 2015
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above


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Twitter: @baldockbard
E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

The Baldock Boot Sale
SG7 6RD
is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
every Saturday until 17th of October
With more FREE parking and billions of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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The River Snails!

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CruisersRecently I was at a wedding on the Norfolk Broads. During the marquee-clad reception, there was a constant procession of river cruisers passing the garden at a sedentary 4mph. Most boats had a fishing keep-net on the roof…

Migratory river snails,
bright September morning,
filling the waterways,
north-west of Horning.

Doug down from Doncaster,
with his mates going fishing,
gallons of lager,
and overboard pissing!

Captains for a week,
Plastic Skippers all,
back at work next week,
to tell stories tall.

“The fish were enormous,
should have seen the size,
you’d better come next year!”
all fisherman’s lies!

© Baldock Bard 2015
For more from the Baldock Bard click on ‘Home’ above

Facebook: Baldock Bard
Twitter: @baldockbard
E-mail: baldockbard@www.baldockbard.co.uk

The Baldock Boot Sale
SG7 6RD
is the friendliest bargain bonanza anywhere!
every Saturday until 17th of October
With more FREE parking and billions of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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