I was lucky enough to be on a writing workshop in Axbridge today – as a participant not as a leader, and it’s always interesting and useful to be challenged! The sessions were led by Christopher Fielden, a very experienced writer, course leader, performer. There were only five of us which was great because we were each able to contribute and engage and to get to know the others in the group. Actually, I already knew two of the others, the poet Macaque and the writer Fenja Hill, and the other two participants were very interesting and friendly. We had various exercises and challenges, as well as discussion about various aspects of being a writer.
The venue was an old nineteenth century Gothic style Methodist Church in Axbridge, a most interesting and attractive building and now an arts centre for the village. We had a lunch break and we left the venue to find some sustenance, which we found in the local Co-Op and which included a pair of very fine scotch eggs. I do love a scotch egg, I’m very partial, and I’m delighted that as well as fine ale, our local, The Ship Inn in our village of Uphill, quite often has them available. The landlady makes them herself and produces a real variety of different sausage meat coatings – my favourite including black pudding.
I don’t remember having Scotch eggs at home when I was a child, and in fact it’s only in fairly recent years that I’ve come across them at all. My mum was always interested to try no recipes and new ideas, and scotch eggs would have been easy for someone as skilled as her to make, and an economical and tasty treat too. Since I enjoy eating them so much, maybe I should have a go at making them! My only worry would be deep-frying them, it’s not something I do – so maybe I should hand them over once prepared to my husband as he makes chips so he is something of a frying expert!
To find out more about Chris Fielden here’s a link : https://www.christopherfielden.com/
Lois Elsden 