Friday 14 September 2012

HARVEST MAIDENS


It's harvesting season again and around here, this year, the bales are rectangular. See below the view from Chez Nous at the moment - spectacular straw monoliths.


  North Yorkshire haystacks were once picturesque, with little thatched roofs...


...like a corn dolly's cottage!


There was a pagan invasion in the chapel at Wimpole Hall last week


Corn dollies came out of the fields and filled the choir stalls, while National Trust volunteers murmured their disapproval...


...but we thought it was the most enchanting and exuberant harvest display we'd ever seen.


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17 comments:

  1. think of me this morning as I shall be trailering and unloading some of these monoliths for Bruce's benefit!
    Each of the large bales is the equivalent of 15 small bales...and its amazing how quickly he can eat his way through the hay and sh..t his way through the straw come winter!
    By mid-morning I assure you I shall definitely NOT be looking like the harvest maiden in your first picture!!

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    1. But it gives us such pleasure to care for those we love,doesn't it? (Grrrrr....)

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  2. Thought everyone looked like this after a romp in the hay Elaine!

    An explosion of mellow fruitfulness; absolutely magical Nilly.

    LLX

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    1. Yes - it was an explosion! Just out of view was a trio of rustic craftsmen and a mad terrier intent on chewing his way through their creations.

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  3. Your pictures are quite breathtaking, and peacefully uplifting.

    Jean x

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    1. I was surprised that the N. Trust had given the corn dolly crafts-people quite such freedom to fill the chapel, but it was very atmospheric & I do hope they weren't asked to make it more tidy.

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  4. Fabulous photo of that thunderous blue sky and the golden corn.
    H's father was a farmer and used to make proper haystacks, wouldn't it be lovely to see them in the fields today.
    I have a corn dolly which is years old, but it hasn't deteriorated at all. I love a bit of paganism!!!

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    1. Mr N had North Yorkshire farming ancestors who thatched their haystacks like this too. Re: paganism - I think the origin of the corn dolly is quite blood-thirsty!

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  5. What a beautiful harvest display. My maiden name is Walster and the Walsters originally came from England. I suppose somewhere in my blood is a bit of
    paganism as well, because these are certain calling to me!!

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    1. What an unusual surname - I just looked it up & it seems to come from around Newark, the part of Nottinghamshire we visit a lot. It has become an important area for the antiques trade!

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  6. I love that harvest maiden photograph. I have never seen such a fantastic harvest display of corn dollies - amazing. jayne x

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    1. It was quite breath-taking - and a work in progress. I just hope the crafts-people weren't asked to tone it down.

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  7. What a naughty harvest maiden indeed! And I echo Jayne's words - a fantastic harvest display - absolutely wonderful.
    Axxx

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    1. I couldn't resist the photo, but, sadly, she is not my granny.

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  8. The harvest display is wonderful, much better than the tins of baked beans and soup at our local church!
    The Lolita-esque harvest maiden is quite captivating.

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  9. A proper harvest festival, with real produce - lovely.

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  10. What a fantastic and glorious harvest display! Well done, Forester of the estate and his trusty team - hope the corn dolly making session went well.

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