Thinking of Mafeking

No – don’t write in – I do know my history and I am aware that the Siege of Mafeking ran from 14th October 1899 to 16th May 1900.

But the connecting date is, of course, World Thinking Day on the 22nd February each year.

I became a Queen's Guide, and very proud of that fact I was, and still am, too. It took real determination to complete the requirements, and as I was doing my ‘A’ levels at the same time, I put it down as one of my achievements.

I did a quick google before sitting down to compose my abstract ramblings on the subject – and at first I was worried if I had it wrong. Perhaps it wasn’t old Baden-Powell (not rhyming with “fow-el” by the way – but with “Po –well) – Surely it couldn’t it have been some American geezer?

But digging a little deeper, I was re-assured, The Scouting Movement, and the Guide Movement that came out of it, was indeed, the brain child of Robert Baden-Powell (and watch that pronunciation please) and it had its beginning at the siege of Mafeking or Mafikeng as it is now known – some people have just got to mess up the spelling!

Robert Baden-Powell (nicknamed B-P) was born on the 22nd February 1857 in London; Paddington to be exact; and had a long and distinguished career in the British Army well before he arrived in Mafeking to make a name for himself.

In 1876 he joined the 13th Hussars in India, and his subsequent military career makes Bond, James Bond, look like a patsy! Seconded to the Intelligence service, the tales of him disguising himself as a butterfly collector to sketch a military fort were still being told around the Corp with bated breath when I was a wide eyed youth.

In the 1880’s his regiment had been posted to the Natal province of South Africa where he became interested in the art of scouting (military style that is) and it is said that he honed his skills with the aid and support of the Zulu tribesmen. So successful did he become that he was mentioned in dispatches.

In the late 1890’s he brought out a small manual called ‘Aids to Scouting’ (still the military type) which was a summary of the lectures he had given to help train recruits in the art of Military Scouting.

He concentrated on encouraging the military scouts to think independently, and to use their initiative as well as survive in the wilderness.

Everything came together on the 14th October 1899 when the siege of Mafeking began. For a detailed account of the situation and the battles go to britishbattles where there is an extensive if somewhat disapproving description of it all.

Briefly, the outnumbered garrison withstood a siege by the Boers for 217 days; and their success was entirely due to the officer in charge of defence; Baden-Powell.

Using the ingenuity that he prized so much he created faked minefields; military personnel mimed avoiding non-existent barbed wire entanglements when moving in plain view between trenches.

But the one thing that still has such an impact on the world today was using a team of young boys to carry messages around the garrison and between posts. B-P was impressed with their courage and the attitude they showed in performing these tasks.

Cue howls of outrage!!

Of course, it wouldn’t happen today – I am sure someone would quote the Geneva Convention or some such to prove that we shouldn’t put young lads in such danger and threaten to have the murderous old idiot in front of a tribunal somewhere for war crimes.

But in reality,  when B-P returned to England he found himself a national hero; and unlike today the press lauded his exploits. Here he found that his little book ‘Aids to Scouting’ had become something of a best seller and was being used by teachers and youth organisations to develop self-reliance in the young lads of England. The young lads themselves were organising their own groups of boys to put into practice the skills B-P had meant for the military scouts.

Remembering the courage and aptitude of the boys in Mafeking B-P realised that he was indeed on to something. In 1907 he took 22 boys of mixed social background on that famous camp on Brownsea Island to test out some of his ideas. It was such an outstanding success that ‘Scouting for Boys’ was published in six instalments through the popular press in 1908 and the rest, as they say is history.

(In fact Scouting for Boys is still in fourth place in the all time best sellers list, behind the Bible, the Koran and that Little Red Book from you-know-who).

The Guide Movement came later when the girls make it quite plain that they were not going to be left out, and subsequently B-P was made World Chief Scout and his sister World Chief Guide. And another English footprint was put down and is still in evidence in the world today.

Then 22nd February (the founder's birthday) was instituted as ‘Thinking Day’ and a day – I was told – when we would consider (or think about) the brotherhood of Scouts and Guides throughout the world, united in the celebration of B-P's vision for youth. We stressed unity of purpose and peaceful cooperation through the ideals of Scouting and Guiding.

But what have they made of it today?

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts chooses a theme for each World Thinking Day and proposes related activities. But nowadays their themes look more like the Young Socialist society and include:
• 2005: Think about food - well OK every teenager thinks about food, but I don’t think that is what they meant.
• 2006: Think about, talk about and do something about adolescent health issues; often shortened to Think about adolescent health - no comment and put that fag out!
• 2007: Discover your potential by taking the lead, growing friendships, and speaking out; often shortened to Discover your potential - probably more in keeping with B-P’s ideas
• 2008: Think about water - er yes; and what do you mean I have to wash in it!!
• 2009: Stop the spread of AIDS, malaria and other diseases; often shortened to Stop the spread of diseases - singlehandedly I suppose – but this is the best:-
• 2010 Together we can end extreme poverty and hunger

As a good Queen’s Guide from way back; what on earth are you doing? Together we can end extreme poverty and hunger? Who on earth are you kidding? Governments can’t do it; the UN can’t do – what makes you think Scouts and Guides can do it?

This is nothing more than a good left wing lunatic agenda – B-P will be rolling in his grave.

Especially as today those initiatives that he laid down to encourage self-reliance; activities that were ruthlessly and joyously embraced by lunatic teenagers the world over are now being actively discouraged and put down as being down right dangerous.

And the Saint that he deemed most worthy of his Scouts - St George; who is (or at least was; it could have changed) the patron saint of scouting, is now listed among the racist elements of 'Little Englanders' - the irony of which would not be lost on some English patriots!!

It is no wonder extreme sport and stupidity are so attractive to youths of both genders.


It really doesn’t bear Thinking About!!

14th Feb is Eel season and ..Er.. something else!

My grandfather was an ardent eel fisherman : he was not a romantic man.

Consequently, the 14th February loomed large in our home as the start of the Eel catching season, rather than the romantic outpourings of St Valentines Day.

My grandmother was far more likely to be presented with a dead eel needing skinning than flowers and a card. She didn’t seem to mind though as she was also rather fond of jellied eels.

As I was growing into my teens however, she did take me to one side and impart some of the customs of her childhood to ensure my chances of scoring a boyfriend was enhanced. As a rather freckled faced, horse mad girl with my head in a book rather than the clouds; my attraction to the opposite sex was somewhat limited.

And so I dutifully slept with a fresh bay leaf under my pillow to ensure that I dreamed of my future lover. The only dream that I can actually recall was somewhat reminiscent of the Second World War – (but you know there might be something in it, as I eventually joined the military and married a soldier!!)

It always seemed somewhat contradictory that St Valentine, who was reputed to be famous for his chastity, took up the cause of the unwed. My cynical grandfather pointed out that the 14th Feb had been the eve of the Roman festival of Lupercalia, where boys drew the names of girls out of an urn and then the couples paired off. A sort of pre-industrial age dating agency.

We find this tradition being continued in some of the Valentine games where boys would write the names of girls on slips of paper, and then draw lots for their sweetheart for the year. They would often present a glove, as a symbol of their affection to them. And I recall seeing an elaborately embroidered glove presented to Queen Elizabeth 1st by one of her courtiers which recalled this custom.

As I grew older, my grandmother taught me how to bake what she called Plum Shuttles and which others referred to as Valentine Cakes, which hopeful girls presented to the boys of their choice as an indication of their willingness to receive their attention.

My Gran used to shape them into weaving shuttles, (hence the name Plum Shuttles) but I have forgotten what they actually looked like, and so I shape them into the more traditional heart shapes.

So for all desperate freckled faced girls – here is the traditional recipe for Plum Shuttles which are traditionally baked on the 14th February along with the eels.

My original recipe is in Imperial measurements, but my more metrically competent daughter has translated them into the Europe friendly ones. She also declared that they actually do work as she served them to her then boyfriend, who is now her husband.

(We are busily teaching the recipe to the 11 year old grand daughter – one can’t be too careful) anyway here it is :

1½ lb (600 g) plain flour

4 oz (100 g) castor sugar (add ordinary sugar if you haven’t got castor – it doesn’t make a blind bit of difference)

2 oz (50 g) chopped dried orange or lemon peel – or shove in same amount of mixed peel – see above for castor sugar

¼ pint (250 ml) of milk – don’t substitute

4 oz (100 g) best butter – yes that’s what it says, if you’ve only got second class butter bung it in anyway.

4 oz (100 g) currants

1 oz (25 g) yeast – Gran only used fresh yeast from the local bakers blended with a little of the sugar and some warm water; but if you must use dried can you do the maths – I can’t !!

Now, having gathered together all your ingredients it is time to make the cakes. Here’s the step by step process –according to My Grandmother (who was rather scathing about Mrs Beaton – it sounded personal!)


Step 1 – Rub the butter into the flour until it is well blended but not sticky. Mix in your sugar, whatever peel you have and the currants.

Step 2 – Now add the yeast and the milk, and then add sufficient water to make a soft dough. It depends on the flour but about ½ pints or 250 ml should be ample.


Step 3 – Leave it about 45 mins and help yourself to one of those chocolates or, as in my grandmother case, go skin your eel.


Step 4 – Turn out onto a floured board, and knead until smooth and lightly springs back when pushed. (The original recipe says to “create an homogeneous whole” and if you know what that means you can do that as well!

Step 5 – cut off small pieces and mould into the shape of a weaver’s shuttle – and if you know what they look like go for it; otherwise cut out the more traditional heart shape. The dough is springy (being yeast dough) and you might do better with a sharp knife to cut round a cardboard shape. I do. And if all else fails roll them into balls.

Step 6 – Place them onto a baking tray and let stand for approx 15 mins before baking in a fairly hot oven until golden brown. 375 F or 190 C should be fine.


Serve warm to the love of your life with lashings of fresh butter and enjoy.

Incidently, one of my bright ideas was to sprinkle them with coarse sugar before baking, but Gran did not approve – however that was my problem you can suit yourself.


My daughter tried icing them, but I did not approve – but again, you can suit yourself.

So have a happy Valentines Day on the 14th, indulge yourself these traditional goodies, and with champagne and chocolates if that’s your thing. Or, of course, you could take them with you when you go babbing for eels – either way it’s your choice and you are being traditionally English.

Putting the Money on Trial

I suppose most of us, when we dig that last coin out of the purse or pocket, don’t really give it very much thought.

We might have an idea that it doesn’t buy as much as it used to; but I doubt if we ever really consider if it really reflects the required standards – and I can cheerfully state that we probably have absolutely no idea of what those standards are anyway and don’t care.

And yet, the importance of those standards is such that the credibility of our currency depends on the trust that they have been met.

So important is this that the oldest established English judicial procedure is still in effect today. In fact we should see the 728th sitting of the Jury in the Trial of the Pyx taking place at the Goldsmith’s Hall on the second Tuesday of this month.

In simple terms our coinage is being put on trial. The trial of the Pyx checks to see whether or not the coins produced by the Royal Mint are within the statutory limits for metal size.

The trial was first held in 1282, and while there was some testing of the purity of coins in early Saxon time, it was in Henry II reign that the formal trial as we now know it first began.

To begin with the trials were held in Westminster Hall, and later in the Exchequer. And interestingly enough there is also a Chapel of the Pyx in Westminster Abbey where the boxes containing the coinage to be tested were held; it is these boxes that are known as the Pyx.

However in 1870 the Goldsmith’s Hall was laid down as the location of the Trial of the coins; which made perfect sense. The Assay Office, which provides the marks synonymous with quality, is right next door and it is the Assay Office that actually conducts the testing.

The Royal Mint itself – once known as the Mint of the Kingdom of England and now located in Wales under the title of Royal Mint of the United Kingdom - is actually a Government owned business. It is the Mint’s responsibility to ‘mint’ or produce the coins of the United Kingdom; and the Master of the Mint is required put aside a number of coins minted over the last year, and it is these that are brought to trial in February of each year.

The jury is made up of members of the Goldsmith’s Company, who are summoned to the hall by the Queen’s Remembrancer, a senior judge in the Courts of Justice. Strangely this is a formal court of law and during its sitting the coins are counted and weighed and put aside for testing by the Assay Office.

While modern methods do not leave much leeway for wilful theft, this was not always the case. Coins could be minted with less than the required amount of metal and the wily Master of the Mint could squirrel away the surplus! Even with the annual Trial of the Pyx there have been some early Masters of the Mint who have made their fortunes one way or another!!

But gradually the trial did bring consistency in the coinage and is still used throughout many of the commonwealth countries to test the standards of their currency. So there is another footprint of the English still seen throughout the world.

But, even with the modern methods, mistakes of dreadful proportions can be made.

There is a very entertaining and informative account of a personal visit to the Trial of the Pyx in February 2009 on ‘IanVisits Blog’ – we can read the verdict (which is usually issued two months later) of that trial as well.

But what neither tells us that for the first time since Charles II, 1672 to be precise; we had up to 200,000 twenty pence coins issued without a year date. The coins were minted minus the 2009 imprint and are instantaneously valuable. In fact one was sold on ebay for over £7,000.

So while we can be certain that the value of our coins do meet the required standards, check out some of those coins in your pockets, purses or behind the sofa cushions; and have a really good look at them. You never know … you just might find a fortune… thanks to the Master of the Mint!!

February Frolics … and assorted saints

February in England has a multitude of ways to forget the doom and gloom of an apparently everlasting winter.

For instance in a more leisurely time – and before the Recruiting Agencies competed for our paltry pounds, Hiring Fairs were held around the country after Candlemas.

Candlemas was a quarter day, and one especially where land rental agreements expired. And many farmers completed their accounts before the expense of the new Spring sowing season began.

As well, the eel and salmon fishermen prepared their nets ready for their catching season – and we can find reminders of this in some of the net blessing festivals which still survive in some areas.

While salmon is not as common as before, there is nothing quite so good or so English as a traditional eel pie.

February is also the celebration of St Brigit – a Christianised version of the Imbolc festival of the Celtic Goddess Bride. In both cases the saint/goddess is celebrated particularly by young girls - and there are still some country lasses who will sneak out early on the morning of the 2nd of February to gather the dew from the plants to make a magical face wash. It is reputed to ensure youth and beauty from year to year.

I must be an example of what happens when you stop doing it!!

Now the 3rd of February is St Blaise’s Day, along with St Werburga and St Ia’s Day. There must be one of these which can help you out.

St Blaise was reputed to be a 4th century doctor, who has become the patron saint of those suffering sore throats – and in some strange fashion, also of the wool-combers. Hence the wool centres in England, such as Bury St Edmunds, York and Guildford once held feasts to St Blaise on this day.

St Werburga was a daughter of a 7th century King of Mercia – and St Ia was an Irish virgin who fled some nameless disaster and ended up in Cornwall.

Strangely London also has an association with the wool saint, St Blaise. At the Catholic Church, St Ethelreda’s in Ely Place – they conduct the Ceremony of the Blessing of the Throat, where after being blessed two candles are tied together and touched to either side of the sufferer’s throat. I am not sure if they are lit first – but if so there could be some unexpected outcomes.

The sore throat syndrome also exists in East Bergholt; where they bless the sacred water, which is then sent wherever there are sufferers of throat complaints. I wonder if they still do so … I have this slight problem with a ‘ahem ahem’ slight tickle in my throat and would be grateful for the help from St Mary’s Abbey.

And finally the 4th February celebrates an English first … the only monastic order founded in England. It was the brain child of St Gilbert who hailed from Sempringham in Lincolnshire and came to be in the 12th century. February 4th is now known as St Gilbert’s Day.

When I first heard about this day in my childhood, I was firmly convinced that St Gilbert was really Gilbert Harding … but that is probably too ancient for most of you – sigh!

I’ll have to dig out some of that dew collected on Candlemas morn – let’s see if it still works from here!!

Now I know you are just straining at the leash to get out and start celebrating!  I have searched my references and cannot find a patron saint of booze, plonk, wine or cider for February - which I think is a slight oversight on someone's part - so I am willing to assign an obscure English saint to oversee this role.

So off you go - and raise a glass or three to the memory of St Dorothea; whose day is the 6th February and has no further claim to fame.  So she may as well be useful so I am assigning her the care of the drinkers in February - and if you wake up with a sore throat then St Blaise is to hand.

But I am sorry - with the hangover you're on your own!