Issue 378 13th March 2015

2

Two squirrels engaged in their courtship ritual dashing round the trunk of a silver birch tree was fascinating to see.

Cutting the lawn: whether the mower, or the one pushing the mower, was the most reluctant was difficult to determine. The first cut really is the deepest ...

Found what looked like a molehill on the garden path. It was spoil from where a field mouse had dug out a warren of runs and a den in a raised flower bed.

Getting used to the early morning ritual of clearing the water pipes of brownness before filling the kettle. Do hope the new main pipe laying work is soon completed. Makes one more aware of how precious clean,

safe water really is. Looking at old photos can be really depressing.

Apparently over 300 public houses have closed in the greater Stoke-on-Trent area in recent years. Stafford is going the same way, The Nesbit has recently been demolished and three more, The Yeoman, The Ante-

lope and The Rickerscote Arms are under threat of re-development.

Random Words: exhibition, Kittiwake, journey, sunny, thun-derstorm, signal, hope, spirits, traipse Assignment: nature‘s revenge

Here‘s an easy resolution COME to WORKSHOP ... Every Monday 1.30 start Rising Brook Library

Cover

Image

Faith

Hickey

Celebrities: is it acceptable for them to be

above the law? Should there be a law for them and another for non-famous people? Is it ever acceptable to use violence to win an argu-

ment? If society permits the famous to use aggression or to bully subordinates in a work-

place and get away with it what sort of society have we become?

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DID YOU KNOW that Staffordshire is the home to the UK's LARGEST all female choir- ALL WOMAN ? - and if you ENJOY SINGING you can join with over 300 members ALL WOMAN CHOIR is an all ladies choir with a big personality. Formed four years ago and run by Rachel Millar and Liz Talbot and now with over 300 members across two groups in Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ALL WOMAN aims to provide a motivating and fun experience for female singers over the age of 18. ALL WOMAN has become Staffordshire's singing sensation and has performed several

sell-out concerts at The Victoria Hall, Hanley and The King's Hall Stoke. Stoke Branch meets on Monday Evening at Sutherland Primary School Blurton - 7.15 to 9.15pm Stafford Branch meets on Wednesday Evenings at John Wheeldon Primary School Stafford - 7.30 to 9.30pm Sessions cost just £3.50 and include refreshments. For more information visit www.allwomanchoir.org

The best and most bonkers World Book Day costumes Millions of children dressing up as their favourite literary characters to

mark World Book Day - and their imagination is the limit

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11450982/The-best-and-most-bonkers-World-Book-Day-costumes.html

Random Words: shake, windmill, division, star, Caribbean, welcome, branch, haemorrhage, pedantry, galoshes, Rococo

The Sheikh faced the might of the United Caribbean Infantry Division naked save for a sturdy pair of galoshes, armed with an only mildly threatening branch. His arms began to

windmill in preparation for his full frontal assault. An enemy bugler began to play a Ro-coco melody in retort.

The Sheikh knew he‘d be a star around the world. Something like the Tiananmen Square Tank Man – a welcome celebrity, even if it was likely to be posthumous. The onslaught began with 30,000 enemy bullets finding their final resting place at

various points in his body. Luckily, not a single one managed to sever an artery, so the haemorrhage suffered was relatively minor…‘

‗Sir! Sir! I don‘t believe you Sir!‘ interrupted Jenkins. ‗Why ever not, boy?!‘

‗A single bugler wouldn‘t be able to play in a Rococo style on his own, Sir!‘ ‗Save me from pedantic pupils and their piffling pedantry…‘ (CN)

Pedantry Assignment: (ZG)

It is a curious trait of pedantry that, while one might be peculiarly fixated upon a

particular concern, one might be entirely blasé in the face of a similar other. Take myself, if you might pardon the narcissism, as an example. My opinion on the written

word is as canon and I am strangely appalled by poor execution, by which I refer to a person‘s grammar, their vocabulary, or even the abuse and misuse, of which there is much, of paragraphs. Yet my opinion on the spoken word is, in comparison, quite

bohemian. The synonyms for pedant in the Microsoft Word Thesaurus, which I know is not

the most illustrious of source but will do to serve my purpose here, give a rather mixed conception of the word. Doctrinaire, obscurantist, obfuscator, scholar, nit-picker, theoretician, sophist, hair-splitter, all combine to create the impression of a

stubborn, dogmatic, intelligent, philosophising, deceiving confusing, fastidious mind, covering the entire spectrum of human analysis. It is rather a lot for one person to

be. And yet, is the pedant really all of these things? Is she any of these things? It is

the famous characteristic of the English language to contain perhaps the largest number of synonyms that are not quite synonymic in practice. Pedant, I believe, is one of those words that defy comparison and in my opinion it is due to its wide and

varied usage. Who among us does not know a pedant? Who among us cannot, in some small way, confess to a kind of pedantry? It is an insult of which we are almost

fond, even when applied to ourselves, of which we are almost proud. A pendant, someone who unduly emphasises unimportant details and rules?

A pendant, someone who displays his knowledge ostentatiously? A pedant, someone who is excessively concerned with formalism, accuracy and

precision?

A pedant, someone who give too much detail to minor details? A pendant, someone who delights in correcting your errors, even though no-

body else would be concerned by them? Which is your definition?

4

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sage via our Facebook page or website contact box we’d love to hear from you.

Mother’s Day

What do you want for Mother’s Day?

Here’s a list and you can choose,

Not just daffs and chocolates,

But something to hit the news.

Just like those children’s party bags,

Let’s see who we can ‘out-do’,

With marvellous gifts on offer

For a Supermum like you.

Do you want a tour round Anfield?

or tickets for a show that you like?

A trip to the top of Ben Nevis

on a brand-new mountain bike?

A serum to make you look younger

Might not appeal to you,

But a date at a darts match or wrestling,

Is something you’d love to do.

For myself, a gift I have chosen,

No pretty flowers this year,

Just a personalised tank tied with ribbons,

Along with some paint-balling gear!

I don’t want to drive a fast motor

Don’t want to feed cats at the zoo,

Just a sweet little tank and some paint-balls,

And a Mother’s Day kiss from you.

I‘m on the borderline Crossing over into my Own mind I feel so hollow Fearing life all of the time Forever asking why I cannot understand Can‘t somebody else take the stand Can they not be the ones to cry? Why does it need to be me? Given gifts to test the strength Pulling down my soul at length Why can nobody see ... This is killing me

It‘s raging on through my skin I watch my body break on down Can no one hear the haunting sounds That I hear deep within? I make sense in nothing at all Blurry vision, failing to see You standing there right before me To catch me as I fall Why have you come by now After all this time? Pity drowns your intent to try I no longer need you now This is killing me

Saving Someone's Seat. Saving someone's seat- that's what Downton Abbey is all about isn't it? Downton, has been the seat of the Earls of Downton handed down, father to son and son to grandson for several centuries. The magnificent house set in rolling parkland, the village, the church, the gardens, the estate yard and offices, the farms and the farmland for miles around, all these together comprise the ancient seat of the earls of Grantham. But all these things are just the scenery, the backdrop, against which the dramas of the local people's lives are lived out. Ah yes, the people! From the kitchen maid through chief cook, through housekeeper footman, valet, personal lady's maid to Mr Carson the butler, the house-hold manager and confidant of all the family. Then there's the family itself fed and served and dressed in all their finery, demanding but considerate even generous to those who serve them. If I had well-trained skivvies to attend my every whim, would I, I wonder, treat them half so well? But the times they are a'changin. (Aren't they always?) The heir to the pre-sent Lord Grantham goes down with the Titanic. The next in line is discovered to be a distant cousin, a provincial solicitor, youthful but quite unused to the rarefied ways of aristocracy. And then there's war. There's revolution. There's worker's rights and votes for women and democracy Will the Earl of Grantham's seat survive? Can it be saved? Watch this space. Don't miss next week's thrilling instalment. Assignment:

Workshop Group a discussion: a few thoughts from the editor: Blogs ... What are they? What makes for a successful blog? A blog isn‘t a short story ... it is something far more personal than that. This makes it dangerous. People writing blogs have a tendency to wander into dangerous waters when they drag in the lives of other living people and mix fact and fiction randomly. Now this piece is a personal view and there are other schools of thought. A blog could be described as an open diary entry that provides insight into the person writing

it. However, no-one is an island and we all interact with others. Let‘s think about how blogs are published. The personal blog on a website created by the blogger or on social media makes the writing published, and still covered by the law of libel, but is

not likely to get as many readers as if, for example, it was published by a third party e.g. RBW Online.

So what makes a blog submitted to RBW publishable? A good idea is to do some research and see what other accepted and published blogs have been like ... Let‘s take a look at ‗Our House blog‘ written by Anne Picken who is an experienced

and accomplished writer. What does it do? Firstly, it is the right length for a reader about 400/500 words; it is usually

talking about something familiar and in an amusing way; it uses dialogue from characters and draws on personal experiences without being in anyway sentimental; it is not afraid to tackle more

serious issues, but it does it in a way which is accessible to the reader without ramming a point home with a sledge hammer. It does not drag in other people and talk about their lives. Take another example: The gardening blog penned by Mrs Hartley with the aid of her son

Alan. This is a labour of love which our readers are delighted by. Mrs H has so much knowledge that she imparts so clearly, and so well, that I confess it is the first thing I eagerly devour when

I‘m putting the bulletin to bed. So how is it done? The writer is an expert in her field. She is not at all patronising, she explains with clarity and ease. The blog is the right length and written at the

right pitch, it is also amusing at times. There are many blog submissions which I have to turn down. It is not an editor‘s job to teach writers their craft. Before submitting material anywhere writ-

ers need to be sure what they have written. Is it a fictional short story? Is it a personal blog? Do they understand the difference?

A blog also isn‘t a professional report ... and shouldn‘t be set out as one ... report type blogs with statistics and quotes aren‘t usually going to be successful as propaganda pieces unless they

are being published on a personal blog (which can mean low readership) ... If the wannabe blog writer is a soap-box, tub-thumper with an axe to grind (political/religious etc) good luck to them and more power to their elbow, they could use their own personal sites to

share their views but should be aware third party publishers are not likely to be interested. Why would they be? Inflammatory material is hardly going to be a big hit with a mainstream readership.

Any editor wants to attract readers not send them scurrying for the hills. The best advice to a wannabe blogger I could offer is to de-cide what sort of a blogger you are and then to pitch your material

to the best type of publishing for you. What sort of blog topics would I be interesting in seeing? ...

green/sustainability issues, home baking, preserving, home main-tenance, interior decorating, landscape gardening, hobbies, local

history, ancient history, Saxons etc, collecting, auctions, antiques, pig breeding, keeping bees/chickens/rabbits/budgies, pottery, art, portrait painting, wild flowers, bio-diversity, water colours, wind-

mills, museums, how to prune roses/apple trees etc ... The list is endless. Go on ... have a go ... Facebook Bee Conservation Group

PITCHER BANK A 1,000 YEARS AGO: STAFFORD ... A SAXON POTTERY TOWN “ ...the discovery of late Saxon Stafford Ware pottery in 1974. The site of its discovery, at Clarke Street, was exca-

vated in 1975, and a watching brief in 1977 south of Tipping Street brought to light the first Stafford Ware kiln. In

1979, an evaluation of the whole historic core was undertaken, resulting in a map of the Late Saxon settlement and

its deposits. In 1980-85, three more area excavations followed, at St Mary's Grove, Bath Street and Tipping Street,

north.”

STAFFORD WARE: In the 1970s excavations uncovered a 13th

century pit containing Anglo-Saxon and Medieval pottery at Earl Street when the Police Station and buildings at the rear of the old St John‘s Market Hall was demolished. Parts of the Anglo-Saxon

and Norman settlement of Stafford were also uncovered during excavations in Tipping Street included the footings of a Saxon building and palisade, evidence for iron-working dated to around

1170 and a street frontage dating to the 12th and 13th centuries. Also on the site were the kilns and wells of a pottery which made

pottery vessels of quartz-tempered clay known as Stafford Ware, including wheel-thrown cooking pots, pitchers and bowls, be-tween the 10th and 12th centuries.

Another pottery kiln which produced Stafford Ware together with associated pits were recorded in Eastgate Street in 1977. Exca-

vations at Clarke Street uncovered Roman and Early-Medieval deposits which had been waterlogged, a Saxon midden and pit and Norman building footings overlain by post-medieval plough marks. Evaluation of land at Salter Street in advance of development, revealed Saxon and Medieval remains including more

pottery works and kilns. Another archaeological assessment between Tipping Street and South Walls ex-tensive Saxon potteries. Investigations at 25-27 Gaolgate Street, both within the building and in the rear yard, recorded inhabitation indicators from medieval times, including a Saxon road, post-holes, wells, gul-

lies and pits and post-medieval pits, boundary walls, paths and cess-pits.

Some Source Material and pot image : http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/stafford_eh_2009/

Anglo-Saxon Stafford. Archaeological Investigations 1954-2004. Field Reports On-line Martin Carver Birth of a Borough. Archaeological Investigations in Stafford 1954-2004 (Boydell and Brewer 2010) Other Facebook: Stafford Remembers Group & SCC Staffs Past Track image

1900 -1910 General

Market and Horse Fairs were held in Pitcher Bank

“To the east of the main axial road were the potters' workshops, producing a wide range of pots, pitchers, bowls and

lamps as well as the ubiquitous Stafford Ware jar. Still further east at the marsh edge was the town dump, with piles

of pottery wasters and butchered animal bone. ... The prime function of the 10th century site was the production of

provender and pots on a large scale, presumably in support of some group of dependent persons, such as an army.”

PITCHER BANK, STAFFORD 100 YEARS AGO

The history of the Mummer’s Play goes back a long

way. There are medieval paintings of people 'acting' in cos-

tumes and masks. The first written Mummer’s Play is re-

corded just before 1600.

All the plays are based on the lost play 'the

Seven Knights/Champions of Christendom'. The Seven

Champions of Christendom refer to St. George, St. Andrew,

St. Patrick, St. Denis, St. James Boanerges, St. Anthony the

Lesser, and St. David. They are the patron saints of, respec-

tively, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal,

and Wales. This also applies to puppet plays I believe. Mum-

mer’s Plays are not always spoken by the characters, there

can be a narrator.

The word Mummer comes from the Old French: C15:

from Old French momeur, from momer to mime; related to

momon mask.

The plays were performed around Christmas time but

some around All Souls Day and Easter. Hence 'Souling' and

'Pace Egging'.

Some of my friends from a village east of Bristol,

Marshfield, took part in a boxing day Mummer’s Play. Only

certain families are allowed to act in the play. However

when they are performed the players expect to get

paid. There is always a collection, probably for beer money.

Characters vary depending on who, when and where they are

performed. Sometimes a king is mentioned George or

Charles. I have seen at least one play with Nelson in it.

How this project came about: in the 1980s when there

was a library in Friars Terrace someone had collected all the

Mummer’s Plays in Staffordshire. They were collected from

memory and some were only a couple of sentences. Some

were hand written and some typed. They were in a box des-

tined for the skip and which has probably been shredded,

pulped or sent to landfill by now. Luckily, I photocopied the

lot so now they are preserved for posterity. The best play was

the one below. I believe it was written down by someone in

Eccleshall many, many years ago. I think all the people who

recorded these plays are long dead. I took the play script and

put it into a computer for the pupils at my school. It was per-

formed by the pupils in 1995. I have the press cutting some-

where.

Judge for yourselves here’s the play: ...

SAINT GEORGE

by THE STOWE POOL MOLYGUISERS.

Characters:- Saint George, Slasher, Queen of Egypt, Prince of Paradise, Hector, the Doctor, Bold Old Ben, Beelzebub, Dragon.

Prologue

I open the door, I enter in, I hope your favour for to win, Whether I rise, stand, or fall, I'll do my best to please you all, Stir up the fire to make a light,

To see these merry actors fight. Room! Room! Ladies and gentlemen, Give me gallant room to rhyme, For I've come to show you some pretty acts, All in this summer-time. We're none of your ragged crew, We're some of the royal trade, We've crossed the seas your honours to please, And now returned to old England again

ACT 1

(Enter Saint George) Saint George

Here am I, Saint George, who from old England sprung, My name is famous throughout this world and throne! Many deeds and wonders have I made known! I've made tyrants tremble on throne. I once followed a fair lady to a dragons gate, Deep in dungeon to meet her fate; Then I resolved with true knight errantry, To burst the door and set the prisoner free. The dragon almost burnt me dead, (Enter dragon) But with my sword I took off his head. (Decapitate dragon) If you can't believe the words I say, Enter in Slasher, thou gallant soldier, And clear the way.

(Enter Slasher) Slasher I am a valiant soldier and Slasher is my name; With a sword and buckler by my side, I'm sure to play the game. To force a fight I think you are not able, For with my bright and glittering sword, I shall you soon disable. Saint George

Disable! Disable! It is not in thy power, for I shall soon thee devour; So stand off, Slasher let no more be said, For if I draw my sword I'm sure to break thy head. Slasher How can thou break my head, When my head is made of iron?

My body's made of steel, My hands and feet are knuckle and bone, I'll challenge thee to feel.

(They fight and Slasher is wounded)

(Enter the Queen of Egypt) Queen of Egypt Alas! Alas! My chiefest son is slain! What shall I do to raise him up again?

Here he lies in the presence of you all, I should like loudly for a doctor to be called, A doctor! A doctor! Five pounds for a doctor! Ten pounds for a doctor! Fifteen Pounds for a doctor! Is there ever a noble doctor to be found?

Saint George

I'll go and fetch one

Queen of Egypt Are you the doctor?

Doctor Yes, as you can plainly see by my art and activity. Queen of Egypt What is thy fee to cure this man?

Doctor My fee is ten pounds, but being as thou

Art an honest Queen, I'll only take five from thee. Queen of Egypt (aside) You'll be wonderful cunning if you get any. Queen of Egypt How far has thou travelled to be such a wonderful doctor?

Doctor From Italy, Sicily, France and Spain, And now returned to cure diseases in old England again. Queen of Egypt So far and no further?

Doctor Oh yes, and a great deal further. From the fireside to the cupboard door, upstairs and into bed. Queen of Egypt What diseases canst thou cure?

Doctor All sorts. Queen of Egypt What is all sorts?

Doctor The itch, the pitch, the palsy and the gout. The pain within and the pain without. If a man's got nineteen devils in his skull, I can cast twenty of them out. I have in my pocket crutches for lame ducks, Spectacles for blind bumble bees, And plaisters for broken backed mice. I cured Saint Harry of an agony almost 150 yards long, And sure I can cure this poor man. (To Slasher, giv-ing him a drink) Here Jack, take a little pull out of my bottle

And let it run down thy throttle; And if thou be'st not quite slain, Rise up Jack and fight again. Slasher Oh my back! Doctor What's amiss with thy back Jack?

Slasher My back is wounded, my heart is confounded, To be knocked out of the life of seven senses into fourscore, The like of which was never seen in old England before.

The hark, Saint George! I hear the silver trumpets sounding, Down yonder is the way, So farewell, Saint George, I can no longer stay. (Dies) ACT II

Saint George

Here am I, Saint George, a noble champion bold; And with my broad and glittering sword

I won ten thousand crowns in gold. It was I who fought the fiery dragon, And its father I don't fear, But through his heart I run my dreadful spear. I've searched the world all round and round, And a man to equal me I've never found; If you can't believe the word I say, Enter in Black Prince of Paradise! And clear the way!

(Enter the Black Prince Of Paradise) Prince of Paradise

Here am I, Black Prince of Paradise, born of high renown, Soon I'll fetch Saint George's courage down; Before Saint George shall be deceived by me

Saint George shall die to all eternity. Saint George

Stand off, thou black Morocco dog! Or by my sword thou diest! I'll make thy body full of holes and make thy buttons fly. Prince of Paradise

Pull out thy purse to pay, draw out thy sword and slay

For I mean to have some recompense before I go away. Saint George

Now Black Prince of Paradise, where hast thou been?

And pray what fine sights hast though seen?

Dost think that no man of thy need

Dare such a black as though engage?

Lay down thy sword, take up a spear, And I'll fight thee without dread or fear.

(They fight and the Prince of Paradise is killed)

Now Black Prince of Paradise is dead, And all his glory entirely fled; Take him and give him to the flies, And never more come near my eyes. (Enter Queen of Egypt) Queen of Egypt I am the Queen of Egypt, who plainly doth appear; I'm come to seek my son, my son and only heir. Saint George

He's slain. Queen of Egypt Who did him slay? Who did him kill?

Saint George

I did him slay. I did him kill. And on this ground his precious blood did spill. Please you my Queen, my honour to maintain, Had you been here you might have shared the same.

(Enter Hector)

Queen of Egypt Oh, Hector! Oh Hector! Haste with speed, For in my life I never stood more in need; And don't stand with sword in hand, But use and fight at my command. Hector Yes, yes my Queen I will obey, And with my sword I mean to win the day, If that be he that does stand there, That killed my master's son and heir, Though he be sprung of royal blood, I'll make run enormous flood. Saint George

Oh, Hector! Oh Hector! Do not be so hot, For in this room thou little think'st whom thou has got, For I can deprive thee of this pride, And lay thy anger to aside; Slay thee, and cut thee as small as flies

And send thee o'er the sea to make mincepies. Hector How canst thou deprive me of my pride?

Or lay my anger to aside?

Since my head is made of iron?

My body's made of steel, My hands and feet are knuckle and bone, I'll challenge thee to feel.

(They fight and Hector is wounded) I am a gallant knight, and Hector is my name, Many battles I have fought, and always won the game. But from Saint George I received this wound, Then hark Saint George I hear the silver trumpets sounding, Down yonder is the way. Farewell! Saint George, I can no longer stay. (Dies) Bold Old Ben

Here comes Bold Old Ben! Saint George

Why, master, did I ever take thee to be my friend?

Bold Old Ben

Why, Jack, did I ever do thee any harm?

Saint George

Thou proud saucy cockscomb, begone! Bold Old Ben

Cockscomb! I defy that name, With a sword thou oughtest to be stabbed for the same. Saint George

To be stabbed is the least I fear, Appoint your time and place I'll meet you there, I'll cross the field at the hour of five, And meet you there, if thou be'st alive. Bold Old Ben

If you can't believe a word I say, Enter in Old Beelzebub, and clear the way.

(Enter Beelzebub) Beelzebub

Here am I, Old Beelzebub,

And in my hand I carry a club, And on my shoulder a dripping pan, I think myself a jolly old man. Down in yonder meadows where the birds sing funny, Ladies and Gentlemen, please fill my ladle with money. My ladle's dumb and cannot speak

So fill it full, for Saint George's sake.

(Rings bell) A ring, tink, tink and asup more drink, And we'll make the old bell cry sound.

All dance

Exeunt omnes

Image Wikipedia: Wayland(talk) 1994 Mummer‘s Play outside Exeter Cathedral

BACKGROUND RESEARCH:

Mummers Plays (also known as mummering)

are seasonal folk plays performed by troupes of actors known

as mummers or guisers (or by local names such as rhymers,

pace-eggers, soulers, tipteerers, galoshins, guysers, and so

on), originally from the British Isles , but later in other parts of

the world. They are sometimes performed in the street but

more usually as house-to-house visits and in public houses.

Although the term mummers has been used since medieval

times, no play scripts or performance details survive from that

era, and the term may have been used loosely to describe per-

formers of several different kinds. Mumming may have prece-

dents in German and French carnival customs, with rare parallels also in late

medieval England. The earliest evidence of mummers' plays (usually involving a magical cure by a quack doctor) is

from the mid to late 18th century. Mummering plays should not be confused with the earlier mystery plays.

Mummers and "guisers" (performers in disguise) can be traced back to the Middle Ages, though when the term

"mummer" appears in medieval manuscripts it is unclear what sort of performance was involved. A key element was

visiting people in disguise at Christmas. In the royal courts, special allegorical plays were written for the mummers

each year, for instance, at the court of Edward III, as shown in a 14th-century manuscript, now in the Bodleian Li-

brary, Oxford. However, apart from being in rhyme, these plays were nothing like the current traditional plays, whose

documented history only goes back to the mid-18th century.

Although usually broadly comic, the plays seem to be based on underlying themes of duality and resurrection and gen-

erally involve a battle between characters, perhaps representing good against evil. Usually they feature a doctor who

has a magic potion which is able to resuscitate a slain character. It is interesting to note that even though the quack

doctor performed witchcraft in a largely catholic country, he was still a widely accepted and beloved character. In

mummers’ plays, the central incident is the killing and restoring to life. The characters may be introduced in a series of

short speeches (usually in rhyming couplets) in which each personage has his own introductory announcement. The

principal characters, are a Hero, his chief opponent, the Fool, and a quack Doctor; the defining feature of mumming

plays is the Doctor, and the main purpose of the fight is to provide him with a patient to cure.

The name of the hero is most commonly Saint George, King George, or Prince George. His principal opponents are

the Turkish Knight, or a valiant soldier named Slasher. Other characters include: Old Father Christmas (who intro-

duces some plays), Beelzebub, Little Devil Doubt (who demands money from the audience), Robin Hood (an alterna-

tive hero in the Cotswolds), Galoshin (a hero in Scotland), etc. Despite the frequent presence of Saint George, the

Dragon rarely appears in these plays, though it is often mentioned; a dragon seems to have appeared in the Revesby

Ploughboys' Play in 1779, along with a "wild worm", but it had no words to say. In the few instances where the dragon

appears and speaks, its words can be traced back to a Cornish script published by William Sandys in 1833.

Occasionally, the performers will wear face-obscuring hats or headgear, which create the impression of being masked.

Some mummers' faces are blackened or painted red by way of disguise.

Mummering, in the South of England, had its heyday at the end of the 19th century. Most traditional mummers groups

(known as "sides") stopped with the onset of the first World War. To most groups, mumming was a way of raising

extra money for Christmas when the play was taken round the big houses. Most Southern English versions end with

the entrance of "Little Johnny Jack his wife and family on his back". Johnny, traditionally played by the youngest

mummer in the group, first asks for food and then more urgently for money. Johnny Jack's wife and family were either

dolls in a model house or sometimes a picture.

Those involved with mummering groups were often unwilling to admit to it as they did not like to confess to begging.

However, it could be quite lucrative, three nights of mumming often raised as much as a whole month's wages for the

agricultural labourers who mostly made up the groups. Some groups continued after the first World War and even

beyond the second, but most did not. The groups were normally based in a village and each village had a slightly dif-

ferent version of the play. In the second half of the 20th century many groups were revived, mostly by folk music and

dance enthusiasts. The revived plays are frequently taken around inns and public houses around Christmas time.

Further Reading: Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_play

http://www.themorrisring.org/traditional-morris-events/traditional-morris-events-st-georges-day

Site for Lichfield Morris Men and the Armitage Mummers

Image Wikipedia : Wayland (talk) 1994 Exeter Mummers

The weather is improving, so possibly we might have an early Spring and the garden centres obviously think so, because on our wandering around we have found all the centres are already getting a big range of bedding plants in. They are in modules ready for you to pot on into bigger pots, but take care as they have come from a heated greenhouse and unless you have a

warm place with plenty of natural light, you should wait a bit longer before buying tender bedding, or use a cold greenhouse and keep a heater handy. Fuschias, Allysum, Marrigolds and any others labeled ―Hardy Annuals,‖ would be alright now without heat though. If you want to get ahead without heat, have some Horticultural fleece handy and drop it over your plants at night. Many garden centres now have it by their outdoor display stands ready to cover the plants when cold is predicted. Some garden centres are selling Fuschia ―Whips,‖ for you to grow on and train as ¼ or ½ standards yourself. With a little care they are fairly easy to do and can save you a lot of money, because they are quite expensive to buy fully grown. If they come in 3 ½ inch pots, pot them on into 5 inch and then

a bit larger as they grow. To train them all you do is take the growing tip out and all the side shoots down the stem, but leave the leaves on as these will feed the plants. New side shoots will grow at the top of the main stems and these should be allowed to grow a little and then the tips nipped out when they are 3 or 4 inches long, but all the new shoots further down the main stems should be removed altogether. Then allow the shoots at the top of the stem to grow a little again before nipping them as before and continue doing this until you see a nice head forming. Give the plant a liquid feed regularly, about once a month, then sit back and you can look forward to seeing a nice show when you will be able to say I did that! There are a few Tomato seedlings for sale, but beware as they can easily

damp off at such a small size and they need a lot of warmth and light to stop them from going ―Leggy.‖ I like to grow my own from seed and reckon to al-low 6 weeks from seed sowing to planting in a cold greenhouse in about mid April when the plants are between 4 and 6 inches tall, but do not handle them by the stem - hold them by the leaves. Please pot them in fresh com-post and don‘t use the same soil 2 years running to grow them in, whether you grow them in big pots, or in the ground, as that will encourage all sorts of diseases. You should really wash any pots that you re-use as well, because dirty pots can harbour all sorts of ―nasties‖ from diseases to creepy crawlies and slugs eggs. It seems a lot of fuss to go to, but Tomatoes straight off the plants taste so much nicer especially if one pops into the mouth while picking!

There are also lots of Summer flowering bulbs about now that are ready for planting and both trailing and upright Begonias should be woken up by a gentle spray now as well as Dahlia tubers.

Well that‘s all for now. Cheerio Frances Hartley. 14

Image : Palmer's Alms-houses, Broad Street, Stafford, about 1950 Rev. Robert Palmer was the rector of St. Mary's Church in Stafford. In 1638 he endowed two almshouses in Smoakey lane (Now Martin Street) to house the poor and infirm. The almshouses were a memorial to his generosity. By the 19th century they had been exchanged for these cottages in Broad Street. They were demolished in 1963.

Image : Sidney Fountain, Stafford 1889 The statue was originally gilded and was unveiled on 4 July

1889. It had been replaced by a lamp by 1906. The fountain was destroyed in 1928 by an accident with a van.

Thomas Sidney was born in a house on Goal Square.

He was educated at Stafford Grammar School and went on to become Lord Mayor of London, 1853-1854. He was also Con-

servative MP for Stafford between 1847 and 1852, and Liberal MP between 1860 and 1865.

More from Aym Lez Rambylings: Keeping seats ―Well I dunno, but I think it all depends,‖ said Mary busy pouring her tea back into the pot.

―What,‖ Anna asked, ―do it depend on then, our Mary? And what you doin' with that tea?‖ ―Well it all depends on me not wantin' a cold cup o' tea for a start.‖ She paused in the delicate art of not get-

ting tea on the table while swirling the pot to mix the contents.‖ Pass us that jug a 'ot water what's by your el-

bow.‖ Hot water in hand Mary commenced the complex, and dangerous, ceremony of ‗Topping Up' the pot. She was,

usually, held to be an expert at this tricky feat of legerdemain, demanding, as it did, careful consideration of relative article positions and due allowance for the wind.

But... As she often said, ―Peppermints is good for the wind; well, that and not eating baked beans, anyway!‖

Regrettably Mary had, on this occasion, failed to make allowance for the actions of Murphy's Law. At this most critical juncture the door flew open banging into her chair back and jogging her elbow.

―What you doin' our Dot,‖ Mary asked of the incomer. ―You know that door sticks in the wet! Now look at what you done. There's water all over the table, it's soaked the sugar and the cubes have melted down into a horrid brown sludge, it's diluted the milk, and run off the table onto the spare chair I was keeping for Margery.‖

―Margery? Who's this Margery when she's at home?‖ Dot wanted to know. ―There's never been a Margery join-ing us here. Well not for the last three years that I know too.‖

Anna enlightened her, sort of. ―Margery is a very old and dear friend of ours, young Dot. Went to school to-

gether we did. Course we wasn't in the same class, but when we met up again, after us left school o' course, we said we'd keep her in mind every time we met. Married a heavy weight wrestler she did; migrated to Cornwall to

keep a boarding house.‖ ―When was that then?‖ ―Twenty seven years ago next week, Dot.‖

Mary chimed in, ―But we allus keeps a chair for her, just in case her changes her mind and comes back home!‖

RBW FICTION PROJECT FOR 2014/15 NOTES: Story so far. Plotlines ...

Place: 1897: The Grand Cosmopolitan Shipping Line Chain: The Nasturtium Hotel (GNH) in Trentby-on-Sea a place that has a

similarity to Southampton, twinned with Murmansk and has a decided international flavour. Despite recent squabbles with Russia, France, South Africa and certain other countries all rich spending guests are wel-

comed its rival is the Imperial Hotel which is almost next door on the prom. Time Span:

Between guests arrival and departure of the steamship The Star of Coldwynd Bay. About 3 weeks. Hotel:

The GNH is owned by The Cosmopolitan Shipping Line and is the usual Victorian Hotel. It has three classes of accommoda-tion, that are roughly: Suites [1st floor] for those with money. Rooms [2nd and 3rd floors] for the not so well off. Accommoda-tion [tiny attic rooms, top floor back] for staff

Staff: Basil Bluddschott (70s) – Manager

Mrs. Cynthia Bluddschott (20s) - 2nd (trophy) wife of Basil — affair with Manchini and others Daniel Bluddschott (40) – Son of Basil by 1st wife Miss Marian Bluddschott (35) – Daughter of Basil by 1st wife - cross dresser

Mrs. Natasha Bluddschott (34) – wife of Daniel — gambling debts - up to mischief Antonio Roberto Manchini - Italian chef; has the hots for Marian & Cynthia

Mrs. Bertha Buckett – Breakfast Cook in Charge — Peter the porter Nancy the Scullery maid the HEROINE of the story, Betty the Chambermaid

Guests: Lady Vera Accrington and Lady Gloria Stanley – a couple of old biddies with a chequered past who are enjoying themselves their Ward Dorothy ... much admired by the Maharajah and every other red-blooded male

Major Martin – May be the ADC to the Prince of ?? The Russian Prince of ?? Referred to as Mr. Smith; even tho' everybody know who he is. Daphne Du Worrier - Romance writer likes Walter Wales but is he a cad?

Capt. Toby Fowlnett – Recently appointed skipper of the clipper ship The Star of Coldwynd Bay. He may be a little short on experience as his last job was skipper of the IOW ferry. [Hey! How difficult can it be to find India or China?] John St. John-Smythe – Tea planter with holdings in Assam.

The Maharajah of Loovinda and his wife and valet George (apologies to Shakespeare, you‘ll see why immediately) The Sheik of the province of Kebab. (It‘s a farce!!) Sir Walter Wales – hack writer for Capt. Thaddeus Hook travel books hots for Daphne

Murray Durrisdane (currently a Boots)— Jamie Burke — Alexander Mulrose: baddies with Estella Murray‘s wife & Mulrose sis-ter — Murray‘s mother Lady Durrisdane also arrives

Russians? in room 212 Russian Agent Capt. Wild Will Body and his travelling Wild Rodeo Show, Missy Clementine Jane, Big chief Light–in-the-Sky and Texas Jim McGraw the shootist (may be subject to change)

Graf Hubrecht Walther Falscheim, the Graf von Jagerlagerberg involved with Ward Dorothy Kugyrand Rippling South African diamond dealer nasty piece of work Princess Lotus Lily (concubine) and her retinue including Fu Chan her major-domo and a ninja — after the dragon boat

Lord Charmant ... Already knows Cynthia ... meets Marian in drag

Music Hall turns playing at 'The Winter Gardens', staying the GNH in the accommodation class. Miranda Barkley – maybe mistress of the Prince of ??

Dario Stanza – singer Vesta Currie – cross-dresser hot stuff on the stage - Miss Maple piano-playing-Temperance Sister Cystic Peg – Medium / Seances Dan Fatso – Charlie Chaplin type Dr Kaur and his dozy accomplice and The Master and his accomplice — time travellers in a broom cupboard (HG Wells has

nothing to worry about) ALSO listed:

Diamond dealer Boniface Monkface and Rippling a South African gem dealer A rare Sankarat jade statuette with a Kali Stone (and lots more) - A nicked imperial dragon boat — a trinket from the Emperor‘s private collection worth a very large reward

(NB Sankarat is completely fictional — yes we made it up!!) Did we mention Lenin? He‘s there as well ...

RBW Library Workshop group are working on a script for the next book. The ideas so far include a hotel in the 1890s with as diverse a mix of travellers about to depart for the far east as it is possible to squeeze into the plot. Obviously the action will take place in Trentby-on-Sea, twinned with Murmansk, and the establish-ment will be managed by Basil Bluddschott and his new wife Cynthia. If you‘ve ever watched a Carry On film you will have had all the training you‘d need to join in.

The annual joint project ...

The joint comedy is good practice in group co-operation, character building, plotting, dialogue, storyline arc etc and

besides it‘s hilarious to write an un-PC plot which pokes fun at everybody. Here outrageous stereotypes are encouraged!

What is more people actually read our free e-books ... Some brave souls even give us LIKES on Facebook

OPPORTUNITY: Take a room in the hotel ... Who is waiting to go to India? Why are they going? What are they running away from or towards?

8th Stanza

Over Breakfast in the Grand Nasturtium Hotel‘s Green Dining Room, Darren Stanway and Dan Fatso sat and talked about their respective trips to America.

'Darren. You can say what you like but I'm getting a good deal from them Kinematikal theatre peo-ple.' Dan told him around a generous mouthful of toast and marmalade. 'Six months at £100 a month

and my steamer fare paid. Can't be bad.' Darren, interrupted in buttering his egg, waved the butter knife as he said, 'But only second class,

Dan. Only second class!'

'They explained that to me, Darren! It's second class 'cos Cousin Peg insists on coming with me. Offi-cial like she's my manager and dresser, but she's said that she's going along as family to keep me out o'

trouble. I think that she thinks that I think that she thinks that I can't take care of myself, or something; I think.'

'Different people and different places, Dan, you can't be too careful about things. Peg'll see you right

though. She got that contract sorted out for you, didn't she?' 'You're right there, Darren.' Dan sat for a few minutes as he ruminated about that, and worked his

way through a second dish of kedgeree and another pot of tea. 'Wonder what they have for breakfasts in Merrikey? Fried buffalo instead of bacon and eggs, or porridge, do you think?

Darren shook his head. 'Don't be daft, Dan! They eats the same things as we do, more or less. Well the people in the Wild West Show does anyway.' He waved his knife and fork in the air. 'They just got funny ways with these things.'

'I almost feels sad about it bein' the last show tonight, Darren! It'll be strange not goin' into the Win-ter Garden and doin' me routine.'

'It's all right for you, Dan. You gets on the liner in the morning; then you've five days of rehearsal on the new routines you've worked out. After that it's - wallop! You'll be working on this kinny what's it.

I've got another week before mine sails.' 'Be a bit of a let down for you, will that, Darren. But I 'spects that Senior Stanza is going to do a few

private engagements, just to earn a crust or two. Won't you?'

'My local agent's got a few lined up for me, Dan. The first's at that departure ball for the Coldwynd Bay, then I pop along to the Fireman's Ball and do another. Supper and five quid in me pocket, easy.'

Mrs Petronella West plopped herself down at the table beside them. Her breakfast tray bore two boiled eggs, a round of toast which was at least an inch thick and oozing butter, and a bowl of some sort of mush.

'Heavens to Betsy but I'm starving,' she said as her spoon dug into the mush, 'me stomach thinks me throats been cut.'

'Last performance for Cystic Peg then, Petronella.' Dan said. 'You got anything special lined up?' 'Crystals!' She replied around a spoonful of mush, 'I'm going to do me new Eastern Mystic act as a

Farewell to Britain.' Darren, who had seen a rehearsal or two, nodded before saying, 'Have you got the lighting sorted

out, Petronella. You know how finicky them rocks is to light.'

Petronella gave him a smile around her toast and butter, 'No problem, pet. A hidden bulls-eye carbide lamp does it every time. Stinks like a sewer of course, but, bless their smelly socks, the audience don't

know that. They'll just see eerie balls of light produced by Eastern Magic.' Darren picked up his tea cup and made the toast, 'To health, wealth, happiness and success in the

New World!' All three laughed in accord.

Peg and Hubert 4

'I wish I could go with you, my dearest Petronella, but I'm shackled here by my father‘s command.' Walter Hunter-Hill, breathed into her ear, as he stood with his arms wrapped around Mrs Petronella West.

'So do I, my dear Walter. If we played our cards right we could have a real shipboard romance.' she breathed in reply. 'But I've seen you looking at her, I know what you really want and, whilst I'd be

happy to be a substitute, for a short while, what you'd really like is to get Dorothy out of her under-wear.'

'Petronella! How could you say such a thing! Here am I …' He was stopped by lips being applied to

his and a low voice saying:- 'Here you are, Hubrecht Walther Falscheim, the Graff von Jagerlagerberg, known as Walter Hunter-

Hill and; I'm very glad to say, a thorough going scoundrel to boot, who is trying to talk his way inside my pantaloons tonight.'

'Petronella how could you imply such a base motive to me!' She didn't reply but wriggled a lot closer and whispered in his ear, 'And if you carry on like this you

may well succeed in getting that back scrub you wanted a few days ago.'

Walter forbore a verbal reply, but gave physical evidence that idea was one he was definitely inter-ested in.

'And now, my dear Walter,' Petronella said as she disengaged herself, 'as you know your way around the docks like a native, could you take me to the ship that I may be sailing to The New World in?'

'A NATIVE!‘ He was, slightly, outraged at the idea. ‗What do you take me for?'

'Ahh! That remains to be seen. You never know, we may well see that tonight. I think you said your suite has a very large shower stall and lots of lovely fluffy towels. Maybe you should order some laven-

der scented soap and lots more of those fluffy towels, just in case?' Walter looked a bit stunned at this sudden change of tack, but took her arm saying, 'Berth 2 if I re-

member rightly. It's just along here, past the Harbour Master‘s office.' The pair walked along chatting about this and that, mainly that.

The book is now being edited Contributions can still be accepted.

Pieces of Eight

The hook-handed Captain Nagrom and his motley crew of officers stood in amongst the cheering dock-ers, ending their strike, happy to have gained a 1d more an hour‘s pay and 4d more a day by a mini-

mum four hours continuous work. With striking dockers all over the ship and quayside, all distracted by celebrations and union steward

triumphant speeches, Captain Nagrom and his officers had no trouble in getting onto the bridge of the steamer SS Star of Coldwynd Bay bound for India on Saturday, unchallenged or papers closely scruti-nised.

‗Struthers, your artistic talents have done a right good job of our papers. Why I‘d believe ‗em my-self.‘

‗Right you are, Cap‘n, Sir.‘ ‗Now that Captain Fowlnett has been promoted to Commodore, it‘ll be even easier to dupe him into

calling at different ports en-route to India. A sea captain that‘s never been further than skippering the

ferry to the Isle of Wight.‘ The men gave a sarcastic, sneering laugh.

The ship‘s cook McGonigle observed, ‗The ship‘s kitchen is fit for a king, Cap‘n.‘ ‗Yes, McGonigle, we‘ve first class passengers coming aboard.‘

First Mate Hawkesmoore came onto the bridge sporting a fancy uniform. ‗Your uniform had better be less splendid than mine Hawkesmoore.‘ ‗Oh there‘s a whole wardrobe in sweet smelling papers in the dressing rooms. The wardroom is like

a palace, as are our cabins. We‘ve fallen on our feet here and no mistake, Cap‘n.‘ ‗Ay, who‘d thought going straight would be so profitable.‘

‗Ay,‘ said the Quartermaster Struthers, ‗Other than all the bootleg we‘re smuggling.‘ ‗Tusk, tusk, young man. The rich folk will be only too pleased.‘

‗You might be right Cap‘n,‘ observed the one-legged cook McGonigle.

Is it Warm Yet? Spring is in my garden, Snowdrop carpet beneath bare tree, Purple and yellow crocus I am relieved to see. Magnolia soon to blossom, Daffodils raise their heads, Violets fill a basket New shoots hide in flower beds. Tips of tulips grown in pots, Through cold, damp compost peep, Lawn will need first cut Plants wake from winter sleep. No more inactivity, No time to stand and stare, The garden needs attention, The jobs I‘ll gladly share. Riotous colour should explode, Under blue sky and summer sun, For I am feeling hopeful, That winter‘s nearly done.

RBW Short Story e-Collection 2015: Theme: Time and Tide Submission deadline is April 30th 2015 Submission Guidelines: Font : Times New Roman 12pt No fancy formatting, no attachments, no tables, use black ink. Single spaced. Do not leave a line between paragraphs. Spell and grammar check your work in English UK, not English US. First line indent 0.5 do not tab in. Use ‗ not ― for speech. Jpgs accepted only if the writer owns the copyright. Length 2500 words absolute maximum ... anything over 2500 will be deleted. This is not a competition, rather it is an opportunity for our short story writers to showcase their work and there is no fee to submit. Only one submission per person: there is no guarantee that all pieces submitted will be used and pieces will be subject to editing if necessary — they will not be returned for prior approval. RBW Contributors should submit in usual way. GOOD LUCK!

A warm RBW welcome to short story editor Anne Picken. Anne is an experienced writer, poet and accomplished playwright

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