Monday 28 March 2011

April 2011

Sunday the first of May sees the 402nd Riding of the Bounds in Berwick-Upon-Tweed. Traditionally local residents riding on horseback scour the Berwick boundaries to ensure the Scottish have not encroached onto English soil. In reality we hope they have arrived to fill our caravan parks, hotels and guesthouses for Easter! Events kick off from about 9.30 a.m. in the area of the Barracks. From there they parade to the Guildhall to get permission from the Town's Mayor to check the Town's boundaries are intact. The 15 mile ride has traditional stops along the way, eventually re-entering town about 3.30 p.m. It is a colourful and spectacular gathering worth seeing if you are in the area. Skilled riders can participate if they can hire a horse or bring their own with riders permits available from the Tourist Information centre :- 01289 301780. Spectating is of course free, as is the horse manure for your roses!!

Sunday 13 March 2011

March 2011

An unusual day out this month found Maurice and Ruth at a local farm in The Borders, in Berwickshire actually, with Chris and Denise Walton at Peelham Farm (www.peelham.co.uk). There was a gathering of folk from all over to take part in their "adopt a pig "scheme. Having chosen and named your piglet, you can follow its progress by visiting the farm on several weekends in the following months. Eventually the pig is butchered and you have all the products to take home. The advantage to the pig is that it leads a free range happy lifestyle compared to those reared in intensive units. The advantage to you is knowing exactly where your food came from and how it was produced organically. They even grow all their own crops to feed all their livestock, as well as the grass for their sheep and cattle. If I was a pig I think I would like to live at Peelham Farm!