Category Archives: People and Personalities

Teaching in the Rain!

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Yesterday we had another school visit from a primary school in North London. It seems standard practice for the media to only sit up and take note when they can ‘bash a teacher’ citing the ‘things aren’t like they were in our day’ whinge. Just as yesterday’s children were about to leave and in the middle of the ‘Portaloo Run’, the heavens opened and we saw the best of a teacher’s care (all the others were very impressive too!)…

It takes a dedicated teacher
to stand out in the rain,
“There’s a Portoallo empty,
send a child again!”
It takes dedication,
the sort you can’t forget,
not a word of complaint
even though soaking wet!
So let’s hear it for our teachers,
bless ’em every one,
Don’t only excel in the rain,
but also in the sun!

With many thanks to all the teachers who have brought their classes to the farm over the years. The future is in your hands and from where I am sitting it’s looking exceptionally bright.

© 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!
Every Saturday
April – October 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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Closing Down!

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Barretts1On Saturday I went to the closing-down sale of a general store that had been In the town of St Neots for over 125 years. The store was packed with bargain hunters, one wonders where all the people came from, and what was so different about this week. If there was something unusual that was rarely stocked these days, Barretts was the answer.

I wanted a pad
of Basildon Bond,
an old-fashined type
of writing paper I’m fond!

I asked the assistant
if she had,
some analogue paper
that came in a pad!

While I was there
“Can you recommend,
an analogue printer,
we once called a pen?”

She said “very funny,
now let me think!
I think we have everything
apart from analogue ink!”
barretts2
With best wishes for the future to all the staff at Barretts. You made the store and also made it worthwhile returning. You will be missed.

© 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!
Every Saturday
April – October 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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Johnny Hunter

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Johnny HYesterday I went to a ‘farmer’s funeral” (‘We Plough the Fields and Scatter’ as the first hymn!). I can’t say I knew Johnny Hunter well in recent years, but I knew him well enough to appreciate his tremendous courage, humanity and his unforgettable dry sense of humour. Many years ago I knew him better…

Many years ago I was a member of
a small discussion group
made up of farmers.
We’d meet up at a farm
and walk their crops
(grumbling when they looked better than our own!).
Later we’d sit around a cup of tea
and discuss weeds
or fungal diseases
or other exciting crop-specific topics.
I used to like to sit
within earshot of Johnny
because although
most of the time
he wore
a serious face,
it was simply there to heighten
the impact of a
sometimes wicked
joke or observation
that was about to flow
from his lips,
followed by
an unforgettable
smile.

It was my pleasure to have known you. Rest in peace.

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

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The Uncomplaining Mother!

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MotherI was mowing the lawn yesterday evening when I happened to see some slight movement under the lavender. On closer inspection it was a lonely uncomplaining hen pheasant sitting on a nest. She was perfectly camouflaged to protect both her and her eggs…

Sitting on her nest,
the mother doesn’t flinch,
when the noisy mower passes,
doesn’t budge an inch.

Where is her husband?
Nowhere to be seen,
probably in an armchair,
staring at a screen!

By the time the eggs are hatched,
she’ll be ready for some dinner,
as bringing up her children,
has left her very much thinner.

To mother’s everywhere in appreciation of what you go through for your young.

© 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!
Every Saturday
April – October 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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Farmers Geese and Clouds!

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CloudsWhen I did my UAV (drone) pilots training last June, the chief instructor, ex RAF pilot Sion, admitted to being a ‘cloud-fancier’. Having given this some thought, it would be obvious as it was his workplace! However I have to admit, I seem to have joined the ranks, yesterday was a great day for clouds…

Mare’s tails steak across the sky,
giving farmers ‘the glad eye’.
sunny weather here to stay,
there’ll be no rain today.

Geese munching on the grass,
aware today won’t be their last,
all they know as they munch together,
these high clouds mean sunny weather!

With thanks to Sion and RUSTA UAV Training for opening my eyes to the clouds! Why don’t you lift your head for a minute, it can be most revealing! (Cirrus clouds also mean good drone flying, so get out there!)
It was only when I had written the blog, added the un-edited photo and published to the Internet that I noticed the goose-shaped whip of cloud!

© 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!
Every Saturday
April – October 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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The Field Store!

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Field StoreLast Saturday we welcomed back some old friends who had travelled over an hour to come to the car boot sale I run at Baldock. Every time they set up a stall it is not only different but a jaw-dropping display that could grace the windows in Harrods, Macys, or any other top-class store anywhere in the world. Sometimes it’s a whole room display, sometimes it’s themed, but always it’s imaginative, artistic and breath-taking…

A couple come to the boot sale from Northampton,
they have an unusual stall,
the perfect display, just for the day,
much to the delight of us all.
First go up the windbreaks,
and small tables, scattered around,
there’s always a theme it’s got to be seen,
a stunning display on the ground!
Time goes into the placement,
the items for sale you can’t ignore.
The stunning display takes your breath away,
It’s as good as any large store.

The photo doesn’t do it justice I’m afraid. Like my school report I must do better next time. (and ask their names!)

© 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!
Every Saturday
April – October 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

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Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed!

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Waitrose DucksIf you study any independent supermarket survey, you’ll discover that one store is consistently at the top for customer satisfaction. With the store owned by the staff, they seem to act as PR agents every day! Yesterday I watched as a ‘Store Floor Manager’ took care of some important guests…

At St Neots Waitrose store,
two ducks beg by the door.
Shoppers supply them with fresh bread,
making sure they’re both well fed!

They spend the day at this food fest,
no thought of sitting on a nest,
if they keep begging, then in a while,
they’ll be nesting in the fresh egg aisle!

The Store Floor Manager takes her turn,
this new job she has to learn,
the Mallards quack, put on a show,
Waitrose best for ducks you know!

Duck FeedingMy 1,250th blog is dedicated to Waitrose staff everywhere, particularly those in St Neots.

© 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!
Every Saturday
April – October 2016
With more FREE parking and a field full of bargains!
www.u-boot.co.uk

 

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Bertie and the Waves!

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BertieThe other day I watched a couple taking their black Labrador for a walk on the beach. As they walked, the man threw a ball into the waves for an enthusiastic dog to fetch. The dog’s enthusiasm didn’t seem to wane as (rather alarmingly I thought), the man threw the ball further and further into the sea…

Peter, Jane and Labrador Bertie
arrived at the beach at around twelve-thirty!
Bertie leapt in and out of the sea,
“Will someone please throw the ball for me?”
Peter threw the ball into the waves,
Bertie satisfied with the reward he craves!
In and out of the sea for the length of the beach,
throw, fetch, throw fetch, until out of reach!
Back in the car park by one-thirty,
Peter, Jane and one wet smelly Bertie!

© 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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When Beans Run Short!

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Drill 0316When you are drilling a crop there is always the chance of disaster in one or more ways. Running out of seed is possibly the most frustrating, especially when dry weather is not guaranteed. No seed left, on a Saturday, in March, is possibly the most alarming of circumstances. However sometimes luck just runs with you…

Saturday we went drilling,
I’d be lying if I said it was thrilling,
driving up and down,
putting beans in the ground,
from bags often we’d be filling.

However things went awry,
not the weather, that was so dry,
But for more bean seed,
there was a real need,
finally the drill just ran dry!

I texted the agronomist Monday morning,
“Things have gone well, but a warning!
of seed we are short,
thus the drilling abort,
can we fetch a full bag from Horning?”

Late last night we were done,
achieved under lights – no sun!
The beans are now in,
and I’ve got a grin,
I can at last say that drilling was fun!
Many thanks to agronomist David Short for saving the day with seed. It is also worth noting that the seed didn’t came from Horning, but I’m not clever enough to make anything Whittlesford!
© 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 April 9th 2016
With more FREE parking and billions of bargains!

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Tea and Angel Cake!

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T & AngelWhen driving a tractor for a few hours your mind starts to wander. I was working next to a field called the Burial Ground yesterday and this led to a very interesting in-depth discussion with myself concerning a possible problem with the afterlife. This was possibly also prompted by the contents of my packed lunch…

An elderly man who was called Bertie,
Fell asleep around 7.30,
The care assistant, “Call me Fred”
Didn’t notice he was dead.
Nobody noticed until bread was buttered,
That not a word had he uttered,
And so alerted Mrs Mold,
Who confirmed he was stone cold!

Bertie arrived at heaven’s gate,
St Peter said, “You are late,
I was about to lock up with my key,
Will you join me for a cup of tea?”
They arrived at an enormous table,
Held up by a chain and cable.
St Peter whispered “Make no mistake,
The best thing here is Angel Cake!”

Bertie laughed and ate his fill,
It was quite strange, not a single pill.
Then he spluttered “Upon my life,
That Angel looks like my first wife!”
“Hello Bertie,” the Angel said,
“I told you that I’d see you dead!”
As for words he was at a loss,
He’d just seen his former boss!

Have a great day and beware of daydreaming and Angel Cake!

© 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 April 9th 2016
With more FREE parking and billions of bargains!

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