New Butcher for High Street

Following comment from a blogger and keen to pursue one of my own interests – food; the porthole took a walk past the Market Place and along to 53 High Street to the newly opened Mac Burnham “Traditional Family Butcher”. It is great to see a small business starting out and returning a previously redundant butchers shop to life.

I visited at the end of the day, hence no meat in the window when the photo was taken. The service was friendly and welcoming. The butcher very informative, providing me with in-depth knowledge of kidney flavours’, bizarre I know but that was what I asked about.

The sausages I purchased where excellent, meaty and well flavoured. The kidney, well I am still not converted but you have to try these things and I can’t blame the butcher for my likes and dislikes. While I was in the shop a lady was collecting a substantial amount of bacon for her guest house, all hand sliced and thick cut; one assumes she must be pleased as she ordered lots more too.

This friendly little enterprise needs our support; we need good local businesses in our town centres to keep them alive. Next time you fancy that full English or your traditional Sunday lunch why not pop in and see Mac Burnham “Traditional Family Butcher”. Personally portole wish him well and will be back for some bacon soon.

Artwork 2008

Once again artwork by students from Buxton Community School and St Thomas More School is on display at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery. The works in the exhibition are all GCSE, AS and A level student exam pieces.

The exhibition is mixed media with bold portraits, landscapes, sculpture, drawings and digital images all demonstrating a huge range of imagination and creativity.

The exhibition runs until January 17, 2009 and I would urge all to pay a visit and view this encouraging example of youth and creativity.

Lest we forget...

“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

This line comes from the middle stanza of the poem “For the Fallen”, by Lancaster-born poet Laurence Binyon (1869-1943). The poem was first published in The Times on September 21, 1914, a few weeks after the start of the First World War.

The Cenotaph

Remembrance Sunday was cold, cold and damp, but Buxton came out in force to observe the two minute silence at the cenotaph on the Slopes. Some how the weather reflected the sombre tone of the act, respectful and pensive.

For porthole this was a poignant time as it was the first year I have had friends serving in conflict zones. I was taken by my mixed feelings. Pride in their commitment, fear for their safety and compassion for their families.

May their Gods afford them peace and courage.

Remember, remember...

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

The Buxton Bookshop

The Buxton Bookshop – 3 Bridge Street; Another of Buxton’s independent retailers has decided to cease trading. The bookshop has given notice that they intend to close the doors on the 31st December. As the might of Amazon and other on-line traders pile on the pressure in the pre-Christmas price war it is independent retailers who pay the price. But so do we, the customers, we loose the knowledge and friendly service of local businesses. We see our high streets demise and the take over of charity and mobile phone shops.