WORKSHOPS @ SALVATION

Hurrah!  Spring has finally sprung, and the world outside our windows is teeming with activity; the daffs on Baynham's bank are in full bloom and the first seeds have been sown in the raised beds.  We've supped our cider in the sunshine (long may that continue - it's a particularly fine blend this season), whilst admiring the cherry blossom and when I went to harvest the rosemary for our pulled pork, it was a delight to see the herb in flower - cute, delicate, purple petals which seemed to glow even in the dark....

Faced with all of Mother Nature's activity, one could be forgiven for feeling somewhat lazy.  As always, Salvation is here to help, with our programme of Spring workshops!

Over the Easter hols we have two workshops for children (any ages welcome, but little ones will need help from their grown-ups):

THURSDAY 5TH APRIL: 11:00 - 11:45 - EASTER BONNET MAKING

THURSDAY 12TH APRIL: 11:00 - 11:45 - SPRINGTIME CRAFTS.

Each session is 45mins long and costs £4 per child.  Coffee, teas, cakes, delicious food and good reads on hand for anyone not crafting!

The session will be led by Michelle Granger Robertson, a wonderfully multi-talented artist and photographer with acres of experience in leading workshops for children.  Booking essential, either via this blog, email, or pop in to the cafe.

We are also super-excited to have bagged a date with the gorgeous Kathleen of Murgatroyd & Bean.  I was always convinced that I could never love another stuffed animal as much as my childhood side-kick and life-long companion, Spot (the leopard).  Until I met Kathleen's creations.  See for yourself, on:
FRIDAY APRIL 27TH, 10:00 - 12:00PM:

Bird Brooch Workshop with Kathleen Murphy of Murgatroyd & Bean

 

 

Discover the joy of creative hand embroidery as you are taken step-by-step through the making of a felt bird brooch based on a Murgatroyd & Bean design. You will experiment with colour and simple hand stitch techniques to create your own bird brooch to take home with you. 

Suitable for anyone who can thread a needle.

£20 (includes all materials)

You might also find it useful to bring pad, pencil and a sharp pair of scissors. 

 

 

Under the name Murgatroyd & Bean, Kathleen creates a range of colourful curiosities, boldly hand stitched, based on characters from an enchanted woodland populated by wide-eyed creatures and oversized leaves. www.murgatroydhoots.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Again, booking is essential as places are limited.  We also require a 50% deposit upon booking.  To reserve your place, please get in touch, either via the blog,  email, Kathleen or drop in to Salvation....

My fingers are twitching already....

 

 

ON THE PULL

Well, as close as I can get to being 'on the pull' these days.....what I am actually referring to is the love affair currently occurring between all at Salvation HQ and the latest addition to our menu, Pulled Pork.

The best cut of meat for this dish is the 'hand' of pork - cut through the shoulder blade, you basically get the most incredible meat (as you would on a shoulder), with a few ribs to boot, and an enormous bone (the blade), which, given 8+ hours to cook, will deliver flavour like you wouldn't think possible (with a little help from our house marinade, of course).

Our wonderful butcher prepares this joint to perfection; it's cut so it fits snugly in our largest roasting tin, and scored deeply and finely (close together) all over.  We then rub it lovingly with the marinade, top it up with Baynhams Cider, and leave it in the fridge overnight.  It goes in to the bottom of the Aga in the morning and doesn't come out until it's safe to (never get this joint out of the oven if you have company - it will be devoured.  Unless, of course, that is your intention).  At this stage, you can practice your pulling technique.  If, like us, you've still got it after all these years, grab two forks and pull the pork away from the bone.  It will fall apart at your fingertips.  I am salivating just thinking about it.

So, although we can't give you any top tips for Cheltenham this week (other than to avoid David if he's not winning), we're pretty confident that the pulled pork will be favourite on this week's lunch delivery round....

THE RETURN OF SALVATION

We will forgive you all for assuming that that wonderfully fragrant whiff in the air was a sign of impending Spring....it actually signals the return of Salvation - Hooray!

Yes, we're back.  And we have more than a little to be excited about.  As many of you will already know, we WON the Netmums.com competition for 'Best Family Place To Eat In Herefordshire' - thank you so much to all of you who voted.  So as well as keeping the kids happy this year with new additions such as a spruced up play area, new toys and yummy delights on the menu (strawberry cheesecake sandwiches to name just one), we have one or two newbies that you grown-ups may be interested in.

Due to popular demand, Salvation is now offering takeaway lunches, delivered to your door...or desk...or wherever you choose to take your lunch.  Simply call or text us with your order by 10am on either Thursday or Friday each week, and we'll have lunch delivered to you by midday.  Email me for a copy of our takeaway menu.  Sorry, out-of-townies: we can only deliver to Ledbury town centre and outskirts.

Whilst on the subject of takeaway lunches....we figured that 'wraps' are so 2011, we've come up with the Salvation 'cone' for 2012 - a delicious flatbread, worked in to a cone, and home to some outrageously tasty fillings.  Our favourite being the 8 hour (or longer if I forget about it) slow-roasted hand of pork in our top-secret house marinade.  We are too good to you.

We're delighted to welcome Hannah from Hellens House, Much Marcle, as a cake supplier - we'll try and save you a slice but you'd better be quick as her cakes don't seem to hang around for long.... yum yum.

And keep you're eyes glued to this blog, as we'll be scheduling in the first batch of our workshops for parents/toddlers over the next couple of weeks.

We hope to see you all soon (Posterity have lots of exciting things happening at the moment - not least the opportunity to come and set up shop here - quick, book your space now!).  Last week's no-reserve auction was an enormous success (and it really was no reserves - lots of amazing bargains were snapped up), and building work on the big barn to create the workshop/retail spaces is due to start next week, with a launch weekend booked in for the end of this month.  We'll keep you posted....