April Scrapbook: rain rain go away
April Scrapbook: rain rain go away
Will it please just stop?! Anyway, here are the things to look forward to this month.
First things first, I would like to apologise for my radio silence. Life in March somehow went berserk, with a recording of a new podcast for Curated Spaces (listen here), a mini guest post for American artist Blakely Little (read here) and lots of other odds and ends I’ve been working on. Plus, I spent a good chunk of the month in New York – one of my very favourite cities. Some round-ups (shopping, pizza, lots of pizza) and neighbourhood guides (Lower East Side I’m looking at you) are coming your way soon. But back here in Oxfordshire, it’s blossomy and grassy and very wet indeed. So to the rain, please go away. It’s time for long sunny days, spent outside, with a good pint in hand.
Some timeframes for all things happening with the Pig – rumour has it that the pub, the Village Pub, is set to break open the barrel in June. The hotel is then to follow in September. Watch this space, or sty, I suppose.
Big things for Burford, three businesses have sadly shuttered – The Golden Pheasant, The Mermaid Inn and the Burford House Hotel. No news yet on what’s happening or who is taking over but I’m sure it will be something interesting to keep an eye on.
Down south, not in the Cotswolds but near, a new bakery is coming to Bradford-on-Avon – a town that has seen a sprinkling of openings start to put it more on the map. Meet Lark Bakery – they’ll be baking bread and pastries in time for their first shift on Wednesday, April 3rd.
April 7th – one of my most-loved shops in Cheltenham, Mimmo Studios, will put on a free exhibition of works by textile artist Ellie Sweeney. It will showcase her personal approach to embroidery and the innovation of craft processes for art and interiors. Reserve a spot here.
April 12th – the Bell in Charlbury is hosting its very first supper club in its pretty private dining space, The Barn. A feast of spring flavours from guest chef Jac Webster (previously The Angel Inn in North Yorkshire and Gidleigh Park in Devon). Get the menu now.
April 16th – throw on the overalls and head to The Bull in Charlbury for a ceramics workshop with artist Elli Carr. I love her porcelain wave bowls. Tickets here.
April 19th – April 21st – it’s the Persephone Festival – a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Persephone Books, as well as the publication of their 150th title. Expect talks, panels, book groups, literary walks, film screenings and concerts all across the city of Bath. Find out more.
April 19th - 28th – tickets are now on sale for Fool’s Delight circus. The wildly wacky and wonderful big top show from Lil Rice. The theme? Sideshow. And you must dress appropriately (i.e. flower fairies and fairground folk).
April 23rd – Back at The Bull in Charlbury, join blue-and-white creative Laxmi Hussain in a life drawing class in partnership with ART for Autism. Get drawing here.
April 25th – one of London’s best French spots, Maison Francois, will be popping up at The Sherborne Arms in Northleach. £80pp, send them an email to book info@thesherbornenorthleach.com.
Now this might be controversial, but I don’t really listen to (or like) a lot of Beyoncé’s music. Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s wickedly talented, and beautiful, and creative and her old stuff with Destiny’s Child will always hold a special place in the soul of my teen self. But do I think about her often? Or rather, do I open Spotify and type in Beyoncé and then sing my little heart out? No. But now I am, with her latest album, Cowboy Carter. I adore anything cowboy and country. The Wild West, tumbleweed, boot barns, ranch water. It’s just a whole thing. So here is an admiration post to Beyoncé’s cover of one, if not the, best country song of all time: Jolene. Plus, I’m including one of my favourite remixes of the tune. For whatever mood you might be in.
Cover image a detail from Bouquet of Flowers by Clara Peeters, 1612.
