September Scrapbook: the back-to-school refresh

An end-of-summer ode.

Sep 07, 2024

I’ve always felt that this time of year, the blending of summering August into soft September is more like a refresh than the roll into a new year. Something about the end of months of fun, the close of long free-flowing days, little agendas on the weekends and hot heat. I guess I’m feeling this way because I’ve just spent a good chunk of the past month in America (hence the lateness in this scrapbook), in a part of the world that really lives for what summer is all about: barbecues, adventures, the great outdoors and cowboys. There’s more on my love for the Wild West later, it deserves its own ode, but for now, I’m enjoying September, as I always do. It’s the best time to travel (shoulder season, fewer people, less pricey, warm seas) and the greengages are juicy. So now, it’s back to the UK for a new month of exciting things to come. Happy September.

The Painswick, one of the more loved spots to spend the night around here, has just opened up a cottage next door. Grab your closest friends, or the family, for a rolling hill countryside sleep. Expect all the same muted pastels and farmhouse-style furniture as the hotel.

Also in Painswick, fun folkware brand Meadows (a clothing line I truly love) is sadly closing up shop. There will be more from Louise Markey (of LF Markey) but for now, this hilltop town is losing a good one.

Queues are already forming before opening hours at Jeremy Clarkson’s field-fresh pub, The Farmer’s Dog. I’ve heard good things so far, bar a wait for a pint being around 11 minutes, but that seems pretty minor to me.

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This weekend – it was the Moreton in Marsh show today. A real feast for farmers, horse riders, donkey lovers, pie eaters and beer drinkers. Tomorrow – there’s an open garden at Matthew Rice’s house in collaboration with the National Garden Scheme. It’s dahlia season so you know what to expect.

September 13th – the Pete and Tom pubs (Fox Broadwell, Lamb Inn Shipton, The Bell Langford and the new Tivoli in Cheltenham) are putting on some live music on Fridays and Sundays (there are more dates throughout the month).

September 21st – fermenting workshop at Worton Kitchen Garden. Simon, the owner and the culinary mind behind the restaurant, will lead the lesson on zymology (all things pre- and pro-biotic).

September 24th – back at the Pete and Tom pubs, it’s curry night. Two courses, £16 per person. Bon appetit.

September 25th – bring your book to Daylesford’s book club. Right now, it’s Clear by Carys Davies, set on a remote island off the coast of Scotland where a minister has been dispatched to clear the last remaining inhabitant.

September 28th – the Tetbury Music Festival kicks off. This is one for classical music fans.

I stocked up on quite a few goods of western-themed finds for the home so here are some more – for the mantel and the closet – for those who can’t quite commit to the cowboy boots just yet (although a pair is included below).

Rodeo Jacket | Link