Off to town on my bike

Regular readers will have caught my musings about cycling into Bury St Edmunds. It's a fantastic ride, which allows you to free-wheel for most of the way. I can bomb down like a big kid, but there is always payback on the journey home. The long steep path back home to Moreton Hall means that I don't cycle into town as often as I would really like, as being a fairly unfit 21st Century Mummy, I normally have to get off the bike and push for most of the journey back (disgraced by all those fit young things whizzing by)!

However, on a sunny day like today, there was just no stopping me! I had to go into town to get an ink cartridge so I can print out my son's birthday party invitations. I made it into town in just 15 minutes (and I didn't even fall off when my friend beeped at me from her car). However, best of all (and please allow me a big pat on the back), I cycled back up those hills with no stopping and made it home in about 20 minutes flat! Ooohh "get me"!

Here's a picture of what I call Devil's Lane...I don't know what its real name is, but it's a Devil of a job to cycle back up.

So - twas a great day out, no car park to rush back to, had a fabulous relaxing stroll around the shops, a leisurely lunch, got everything I wanted including material for the birthday bunting...

..."oh booger",

I've just realised that I've forgotten the ink cartridge that I went in for in the first place!

Are you wearing Cerise?

Last night I attended a preview to celebrate the opening of Cerise, a brand new boutique, on St John's Street in Bury St Edmunds. There was a welcome of Kir Royale and cupcakes and a chance to browse the range of beautiful clothes. Here are few photos from the evening.

Business partners Amanda & Lucy, celebrating their new venture and showing off some to the dresses that I had already been admiring.

Just some of the gorgeous clothes available at Cerise

Yummy cupcakes, provided by the Tickety Boo Cupcake Room

Tony Stokes, the official photographer




The sexy, figure hugging trousers that I was unable to resist!

21st CM on the Spot for the Moreton Hall Directory

When Tina at the Moreton Hall Directory asked if I could go in her place to the Moreton Hall Community Centre Fun Day on Sunday to report on the event in her absence, my first thought was oh heck, when on earth am I going to fit that in! My timetable was full to bursting with lots of other commitments.

However, 21st CM went forth as blogger cum reporter and I am glad I managed it, even if it was for a very short while. It was great to get along to something that was run by the community for the community and there was lots of fun to be had.

Typically, for a Spring Bank Holiday, the British weather kept to form with rain, more rain and even more rain. However, the organisers and the community alike didn’t seem to be deterred. A huge advantage of the Community Centre for events like this is that most things can be moved indoors.

Consequently, all the stalls had been moved into the hall, which hosted a good mix of local businesses and fundraising tables. Local community groups and charities were well represented, including the Tuesday Club that meets at the Community Centre, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Bury Starlets, a local baton twirling group and the New Moreton-Hall Pre-school. The Pre-school had a great stall offering lots of lovely cakes (which might have just brought in more members for Slimming World, whose stall was right next door!)

It was great that despite the rain, some outdoor activities were able to continue, including a safe-cracking competition to win a car from Marshall’s, a mobile climbing wall and a crane lift, which all proved to be very popular.

This is just a snapshot of an hour or so. There were other activities planned for the rest of the day, including a BBQ and a baton-twirling display by the Bury Starlets.

It's a shame that my camera batteries ran out, but a selection of photos from the day can be seen on the Moreton Hall Diaries post

Center Parcs or Moreton Hall?

Please stick with me on this one...hopefully you will get my drift...

When cycling around Moreton Hall, I often think that it feels a bit like a holiday park, especially when it is sunny (unlike our current weather).

There are many safe cycleways, which lead around the estate and connect into the local centre as well as routes that take you further afield e.g, into Bury St Edmunds, to the Airfield (which has lots of interesting events such as the Kite Festival as illustrated on Ruby's blog) and onto Thurston, or to the pig farm at Rougham, etc.


There is also a great variety of playgrounds, all of which offer safe play and have different elements of interest.

For activities, you can even sign up to the Moreton Hall Health Club for two months over the summer holidays, providing local access to swimming facilities, creche provision and other events (see Mystery Shopper review here). The Self-Centre, which doesn't require membership also organises children's activities during school holidays, as well as regular workshops for adults.

(Copyright in photo belongs to Moreton Hall Health Club)

So with the kids sorted, what about indulgence and relaxation time for the grown ups? For those who enjoy the pub, there is the choice of the Moreton Hall (see photo on Moreton Hall Diaries) or the Flying Fortress, shown below.

And for that extra bit of pampering, we are lucky to have the beauty salon at Stephen John, as well as facilities at the Moreton Hall Health Club.

I know this is beginning to sound like a plug for local businesses but it is not meant to be. However with facilities like this on tap, perhaps we'll stay here for our summer holidays...might even consider renting out our house for a week. Now what do Center Parcs charge I wonder???

A salon with a difference

I couldn't resist sharing some photos of the fantastic hair salon that I regularly visit. I took them this morning when I went along to see my hair stylist Lize.

As well as fabulous service and excellent results that you would expect, what also sets this salon apart is the wonderful massage chair that you sit in whilst having your hair washed and the relaxing view of the tropical fish.

And the name of the salon... Stephen John, in Lawson Place, Moreton Hall. Other great news...they also have a beauty salon, so it's possible to spend the whole day there in sheer indulgence.


ADDENDUM: Just thought I'd mention...the telephone number for the salon is 01284 700100.

Open Studios at Blackthorpe Barn

Today I took a break from a rainy Moreton Hall, to venture out of town to the beautiful environment of Blackthorpe Barn. It was the last weekend of the Open Studios exhibition which showcases works by talented artists throughout Suffolk.

The barn is a welcoming venue and it is always a delight to wander around and browse the paintings, sculptures, ceramics and accessories during the Open Studios exhibition. I obtained permission to take photos from the exhibition stewards, and despite a wide range of subjects, I found myself being drawn to beautiful paintings of poppies, of which I have included a few images below.

(Please note that these are my own photos and not the official images from the show. Some photos have been enlarged to show the relevant sections of the works. The copyright within these works remains with the artists).

Artist: Teresa Bavington-Barber (on left) Artist: Theronda Hoffman (on right)

Artist: Jill Hodgson (on left) Artist: Jennifer Freeman (on right)

Artist: Katie Walker (on left) Artist: Greta Hansen (on right)

Artist: David Elliott.





Artist: Claire Turner

All these items are available to buy. For more information or to contact the artists directly, visit the Suffolk Open Studios Website at http://www.suffolkopenstudios.co.uk/ . If you get a chance to get out and about during June, you also can visit the individual artists' studios.

Interestingly, while chatting to Jill Hodgson, an artist and exhibition co-ordinator, about the images of poppies, she showed me a copy of a cutting from yesterday's EADT. I hadn't been the only person to pick up on the use of poppies in this year's exhibition.

Sonia Carvill of the EADT has also mentioned it in her excellent review entitled "Fabulous, eclectic exhibition of art is not to be missed". Jill Hodgson has also used poppies very subtly in her media, which uses plaster and paint. As she said, poppies are beautiful and are always remembered.

I think that is why I was drawn to this striking flower today. Having recently walked around Moreton Hall with Ruby, author of Living in Bury St Edmunds, she remarked on the beautiful poppies which lined the pathways and fields and how appropriate that this was on land that was once occupied by the British and US Air Force during World War II.

With that thought, I picked up my umbrella and left the exhibition to head back to the poppies of Moreton Hall, while thinking about treating myself to the fabulous textile bowl featured above.

Addendum: I returned the following day to buy the textile bowl.

Switch & Bitch

I went to the Switch & Bitch evening last night ~ strange name for something that was held at the Friend's Meeting House in St John's Street. So that rules out husband-swapping or other related activities. It certainly wasn't speed-dating and had nothing to do with dogs either. However, at the end of the evening I came away with this fantastic pair of Diesel jeans, which only cost me 10 Abbots.

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Bizarre I know, having to round up 10 Abbots to get a pair of cool jeans. Don't worry nobody was hurt in the process...and also... it wasn't as exciting as the image that you might have just conjured up.

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However it was very worthwhile.

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The evening was hosted by Bury LETS, the local bartering group that has been running in Bury for nearly 20 years. They meet every month and each meeting has a different theme. Last night's event was a clothes swap. The next meeting in June will encourage people to bring garden produce, usually organic, which is great. The best thing about all of this is that you don't pay cash for anything. They have a made-up currency called Abbots, which you earn by doing small favours for someone and which you can spend on anything you like. It's great Karma!

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This all plays to my aspirations of being green and sustainable and positively balances my consumerist tendencies.

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And as for the bitch side of the switch...I think that was just spin!

Robbie Williams rocks Bury St Edmunds

Happy News: Bury rocked today to the sound of "Hot Fudge" by Robbie Williams! As our gentrified population ambled upon their business and busy mums pushed their pushchairs, Hot Fudge was blasting out from.....my newly re-discovered MP3 player.

Isn't life different when you live it through a sound-track? Having arrived in town listening to REM's Sidewinder at full blast in my car, I was already in an upbeat mood. However, listening to music on your MP3 player whilst on foot goes that bit further, it immerses you into a completely different world.

Suddenly Bury St Edmunds was transformed into a Hollywood film set and I was centre-stage, striding along the imaginary catwalk, in high stilletos and glammed up garb, whilst smiling in the direction of all the extras that passed me by!

I know my taste in music is questionnable and if you had to create a soundtrack to Bury St Edmunds, "Hot Fudge" would not quite make the top twenty. Perhaps George Formby's "I'm leaning on a lampost" with his ukelele might be more appropriate. However, what really comes to mind is the sound of the Royal Artillery Band that will be marching with pomp and circumstance on Angel Hill on Friday, at the launch of the 2007 Bury Festival.

For those who would rather ukelele music, you really should check out the soundclips by the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain. You'll even be able to hear "I'm leaning on a lampost". If you've suddenly become a ukelele fan, sorry their festival gig is already sold out!

Sadly (or happily for some) Mr Williams was not in town today, except in my own imagination. If you are not a fan I am sure that his tribute band Dodgie Williams will just tickle your fancy somewhat.

Anyway, check in tomorrow for my review of the Switch & Bitch evening that I'm going to tonight. Until then I hope you enjoy the media soundbites from today's resignation of our country's Prime Minister.

P.S. the Switch & Bitch event has got nothing to do with the resignation

A Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down

I've been working hard on adding some extra features to my blog, so today I went into Bury St Edmunds for a well earned rest. .. and I managed to have a nice pot of tea and a sit down for just 60p. Yes, and it was a pot, not just a cup. Ooh I know how to live!

There are more pots of tea to be had for bargain-hunters in Bury. If you trek down to the bottom of St John's Street, you will find the relaxed cafe in the Just Traid Centre (St John's Centre), a volunteer run shop and cafe that stocks Fair Trade and eco-friendly products. The cafe also serves light lunches including organic rolls, jacket potatoes and soups. If you are still hungry, you can also choose from a wide range of home-baked cakes. They also welcome children and there is a box of children's toys for little ones to play with, which is another great plus point.

I didn't take my camera today, so couldn't take my own photos. So when searching for a nice cup of tea to headline this post, I came across this entertaining website. I can't say any more except you need a nice cup of tea and a sit down.

The copyright in the above photos belong to the following third-parties:
Cup of Tea: Nice cup of tea and a sit down
Cafe: Just Traid Centre

Hot on the heels of Heals

Now I know Bury is not London and that Moreton Hall's Barton Rd is not quite Tottenham Court Rd, but a recent addition has tempered my desire to head down to London to satisfy my romance with modern home furnishings and accessories (even if it is through window-shopping alone).

Enter Smith & Wareham's new furniture and home accessories shop and you feel immediately whisked to the likes of Heals and the Conran Shop. Okay the shop does not have the grand frontage or the location that the others offer, but once inside it is a haven for beautiful upmarket items that enjoy classic deigns and beautiful textiles. The shop includes Conran designed furniture, Farrow & Ball paints and Designers Guild fabrics. What also impressed me was the number of room-sets they are able to achieve in what is quite a small space.

The shop is very well designed with lots of lovely things to buy. In my time before children, I would probably have been a regular customer. Now, I will have to reserve visits for special treats...and the best thing...it's just a five minute drive away rather than a 2 hour train journey!

Not quite Ayres Rock - Changing Views

Many of you who pass through Moreton Hall on Mount Road will most definitely have seen "The Mound", which was created about two years ago, by the local developers as a dumping ground for extracted earth. This "landmark" will ultimately change, when Taylor Woodrow develop the area for recreational use.

Most affectionately referred to in my family as the Moreton Hall Alps (because of its previously peaked appearance), I have witnessed many a child attempt climbing it, but never personally had the desire to venture forth and upwards until a friend visited this weekend. After a glass of wine she thought it would be a great idea.

As we approached it during the sunset, it had more of an orange glow about it and became more like Ayres Rock than the Alps. Unfortunately it had lost this glow by the time we got close enough to get a photo. We climbed all the way to the top (which took all of 30 seconds), passing through some tall vegetation.

The view was good and worth our efforts. Not as good as Ayres Rock of course, but it is the highest view of Moreton Hall that you can get from anywhere at the moment, so I count that as good.

Please bear in mind that this is a development site, so despite no safety warnings I guess it is not recommended that you climb the mound and that anybody who does so takes their safety into their own hands. So to save you the dilemma, here are a few photos of the views from the top, which include the Flying Fortress pub, the new Abbotsford Park area and the new school. (Click on images to see an enlarged photo)

Joking Aside - This is Serious Stuff

Tonight was both an interesting and surreal experience. I went along to the preview of the Joking Aside exhibition at the Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery, which explores how humour is used by artists to portray views on modern life relating to our conditioning. Subjects covered by the exhibition include social stereotypes, prejudices, and the dark side of human existence.

Due to its subject matter, this exhibition is not so easy on the eye as other exhibitions that have been held at the gallery and requires the visitor to delve a lot deeper. Joking Aside is extremely thought-provoking and features a wide range of installations, including Henry William Bunbury's satirical works, photographic imagery, use of technology and jokes formed from children's magnetic letters.

Take a closer look at the audio-visual material which includes the Festival Residency range of black comedy sketches by Alex Pearl, called Little Deaths. For more info, check out Alex's blog. It is also worth spending time watching the videos of the comics who deliver their material without an audience present. Explore how their delivery changes as a result of no interactive feedback and how much your interest is retained in consequence.

A great addition to the night was a stand up routine by New Orleans comedian David Mullholland. I saw David compere at Kate Smurthwaite's gig at Benson Blakes on Tuesday and really enjoyed the performance. However, it was interesting how uneasy I felt addressing similar subject matters in the setting of the art gallery. Why was this?

I suppose unlike a darkened bar, the gallery was a more formal environment, which was very well lit. We were standing, rather than sitting and relaxing, listening to David address some uncomfortable subjects including sexually related jokes with some hard-core language.

At first glance, the content might have appeared inappropriate for the setting and the audience. However, take the opportunity again to look deeper. We were all adults and able to manage our own responsibility in understanding how serious these issues are. For me, David's performance was an artform and lived up to what I would expect of this exhibition, a live performance addressing serious and contentious issues, allowing us to explore an insight into our own feelings and reactions through the lighter side of comedy, no matter how uncomfortable that might have been.

On a much lighter note, it was great to catch up with a few familiar faces at the preview. I was pleased to bump into gorgeous ladies Lizzy and Terry of the Terry Fox studio. Terry Fox (right), an exclusive bridalwear and corset designer, is in the middle of making a gorgeous corset for me, which my husband ordered from her shop on St John's Street. Lizzy, is a talented portrait artist, who was involved in the Face of Suffolk programme that was recently screened on TV.

The night ended with a trip off to the Mason's Arms with a few friends and Resident Artist, Alex Pearl . We managed to cajole David Mulollhand into coming along before he headed back to London. A great opportunity to delve even further into the interesting mind of a comedian.

Some things you don't want to hear and some things you do

Okay, call me a big girl's blouse but one thing I'm sure you don't want to hear when you are already late for the school run is:

"Look Mummy, the spiders have all hatched from their nest!!!!"

"and they are running all over your bike!"

So it's 8.50 in the morning. I should have already left for school but I am now in the situation where if I leave these hundreds of spiders loose (photo does not do the emergent population justice), they will scrabble all over my bike and even worse, my house, and by the time I get back from my morning activities, they will have grown into big hairy beasts, ripe for the set of Arachnophobia......err...shudder.

Okay, trying to remain calm...I think...I could get them with the hoover (but they'll crawl back out) or spray them with something nasty (that sounds too nasty). Then my eldest pipes up, "Mummy we can't kill them because they will eat all the flies." True..wham bam...an attack of conscience, makes me realise I actually dislike flies much more than I dislike spiders.

Consequently, this big girl's blouse resorted to grabbing lots of wet kitchen roll, so that all the baby beasties could cling to it. Then in a Jim Carrey kind of hopping with bent limbs fashion, dropped them behind the shrubs in the front garden. Apologies to the trail of parents and children en route to school for this display of lunacy. It's all better now!

Now some things you do want to hear...

According to today's BFP, fellow residents on the Moreton Hall estate are 100 per cent confident that it is a 'safe and delightful' place to live. Local councillors did a survey last month and every resident surveyed said that it was a great place to live. There were a few complaints but these seem to be getting sorted. Even though I was not surveyed, I tend to agree and it's been made all the better thanks to the many little red dog poo bins that have popped up over the last few weeks. As you can see they are red bins for dog poo, not bins for red dog poo....ah, the little things in life...!

...However...just when you think it is safe to sleep in your bed at night... Cue one two year old and a red spade with another little beastie...."Mummy what's this?"

Mummy: "What's what darling?" followed by a brief glance towards the spade "Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh...."

Ahh...boys!