Murder on the menu in Tuxford

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stephen boothIf you’re a fan of crime and murder fiction, here’s an opportunity to meet award-winning local author Stephen Booth in person…

He will be appearing at Storytellers Books, 7 Eldon Street, Tuxford on Saturday 17 January for a public book signing, which will be followed by a ticketed talk and Q&A session.

Described by The Sunday Telegraph as ‘one of Britain’s best storytellers’, Stephen has written 13 best-sellers which have been published worldwide in 15 different languages.

A newspaper and magazine journalist for over 25 years, his first published book Black Dog hit the shelves in 2000 and was named by the London Evening Standard as one of the six best crime novels of the year – the only one on their list by a British author.

TheCorpseBridge_zpsd5c9f46cLike all of his books, Stephen’s latest novel The Corpse Bridge is set in the Derbyshire Peak District and will be released in paperback next month. To find out more about him and his work, check out his website here….

The book signing session in Tuxford starts at 3pm, with the author talk and Q&A beginning at 4pm.

Places for the talk are limited – to reserve your seat, priced £5 each including wine, call Paul on 07517 386350.

 

Put the spring back in your step with Tai-Chi

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tai chi handsIf you’re looking for a gentle but effective way to reduce stress and restore your zest for life, why not try Tai-Chi?

Following the success of her Tai-Chi and Chi-Kung classes on Tuesday mornings, Karen Green has added a second course on Wednesday afternoons.

Both take place at Balance Studio, Paxtons Court, 23 Slaughterhouse Lane in Newark during school term times only. Tuesday classes run from 10.15am to 11.15am; on Wednesdays, the new class will be held from 1.15pm to 2.15pm and you don’t need any special equipment or previous experience to take part.

Based on traditional Chinese medicine that focuses on the flow of energy around the body, Tai-Chi and Chi-Kung have been scientifically proven to help improve health. The movements are easy to learn, some can even be performed seated and, unlike western styles of exercise that can leave you feeling breathless, worn out and tired, will restore your energy while you’re expending it.

Benefits include reduced blood pressure and arthritis or joint pain, together with improved breathing, joint mobility, memory and concentration. Not to mention using almost every muscle in the body in a gentle way to promote a wonderful feeling of peace and relaxation, which in turn reduces stress.

The first courses of 2015 started this week but you can still join partway through the term and pay for the remaining classes in the block. Dates and prices are

  • Tuesday 6 Jan to 10 Feb : £42
  • Tuesday 24 Feb to 31 March : £42
  • Tuesday 21 April to 19 May : £35
  • Tuesday 2 June to 21 July : £56
  • Wednesday 7 Jan to 11 Feb : £35 (7 Jan free taster session)
  • Wednesday 25 Feb to 1 April : £42
  • Wednesday 22 April to 20 May : £35
  • Wednesday 3 June to 22 July : £56

For more information or to book a place, email karen@mabconsultants.co.uk or call Karen on 07775 655539.

Tina’s winter warmer

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blackberries

Country girl Tina has been busy in the kitchen just lately – if you were listening to the show on Saturday, you’ll have heard her talking about making the most of the copious quantities of blackberries she picked and froze during the summer…

Here’s her recipe for Blackberry Cordial from one of her favourite cookbooks, Country Harvest by Linda Burgess and Rosamond Richardson (Ebury Press 1990).

The original recipe calls for brandy but rum or vodka work just as well, she says! Perfect as a celebratory tot for Christmas or New Year’s Eve – but keep some in reserve to fight off January coughs and colds…

Blackberry Cordial

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 900g blackberries, hulled
  • 450g granulated sugar
  • ¼ whole nutmeg (or about 1tsp of ground nutmeg)
  • 25g whole cloves (or ground equivalent)
  • 15g cinnamon stick (or ground equivalent)
  • 300ml vodka (or brandy or rum)

Directions

  • Put the blackberries in a blender or food processor with a little of the sugar.
  • Whizz to a puree then sieve.
  • Put the sieved puree into a pan with the rest of the sugar and the spices.
  • Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
  • Allow to cool slightly then add the vodka (brandy/rum).
  • Bottle and set aside.
  • Strain before using and drink the cordial neat in tot-sized glasses, add to sparkling wine, water or ginger beer as a cocktail or – especially good at this time of year – top up with hot water for a drink to warm the cockles of your heart…