Local Food - News

EU PROPAGANDA TO BE DISPLAYED ON FARMS
The EU has decided that British farms must put up billboards to publicise the grants they receive from Brussels.

Farmers have been told that they will be penalised financially if they refuse to co-operate. Farmers receiving more than half a million pounds per year must put up and pay for a billboard measuring 4ft x 6ft, describing how they have been supported by EU subsidies, showing the EU logo and the slogan "European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas".

It will be noted that the slogan isn't very catchy and is unlikely to impress many people. It also suggests that the pro-EU faction is losing the argument.

Liz Truss, the Environment Secretary, is not impressed. She has described the propaganda as a waste of money which will not help Europe's case.

I also suggest that forcing farmers to publish propaganda is likely to backfire.

14 Nov 15

APPLE TASTING: 14 Nov 2015
The varieties: Chapman's Colossus, Margil, Braeburn, Christmas Pink, Lord Hindlip, Blackjack, Bumble Bee Lane, Durrant's Apple, Annie Elizabeth, Mere Pippin, Croft Late and Wibtoft Pippin. Apart from the first two, these are all high-sugar late winter keeping apples. When first picked (like this) they are often rather tart but unlike early apples they become sweeter on keeping. They often have unusual flavours which become more pronounced as the acid levels drop.

Six of the varieties were found in hedgerows over the last 20 years; they illustrate the point that that apples from pips can be as good as (or better) than registered vareities. This should not be surprising; many of our well-known apples (e.g. Cox, Braeburn, Ribston, Granny Smith) were not bred; they arose as chance seedlings.



14 Nov 2015

WINEMAKING VIDEOS: WINE FROM SURPLUS FRUIT
We are making a series of winemaking videos for begnners. I hope you find these informative and fun.
LOGANBERRY

Loganberry wine, part 5: above
Loganberry wine, part 4: will return after editing.
Loganberry wine, part 3
Loganberry wine, part 2
Loganberry wine, part 1
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RASPBERRY
Raspberry wine from a book: part 3
Raspberry wine from a book: part 2
Raspberry wine from a book: part 1
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GRAPE
Grape wine, part 2
Grape wine, part 1
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RHUBARB
Rhubarb wine, part 6
Rhubarb wine, part 5
Rhubarb wine, part 4
Rhubarb wine, part 3
Rhubarb wine, part 2
Rhubarb wine, part 1
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GOOSBERRY & RHUBARB
Gooseberry & Rhubarb wine, part 2
Gooseberry & Rhubarb wine, part 1
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LAGER, from a kit
Brewmaker Pilsner Lager, part 2

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