Thursday Flashback

Situated along Royal Albert Drive in Scarborough is this early roller coaster. The main building roof and walkway to the attraction look as though they are still under construction. The two tracks merge at the far end, possibly allowing thrillseekers to travel forwards into the yard when called by his son and said “Have you called me downstairs about this? There is no light.” Regarding alleged abusive language he had said “If you are not off I’ll fell the pair of you” - an admission, said the Chief “Clear off.”

Corroborative evidence was given by each of the constables named. Special Constable Brewin said defendant did not appear to know what he was doing. He had said, among other things. “You are one of the snakes that hide yourself behind a paltry button, you rotter. I have seven sons fighting for such animals as you.”

By Mr Whitfield (for the defence): A reference to having 10s to spare had been made to the son, not to defendant. The light was from a small window, not from the door.

Defendant, in the box, admitted that he had said he would fell the Specials; he had been annoyed at being brought downstairs, no one could ever say they had heard him swear. He was not equal to tackling two Special Constables; one way and backwards on the return. Photo reproduced courtesy of the Max Payne collection. Reprints can be ordered with proceeds going to local charities. Telephone 0330 1230203 and quote reference number YRN171205-143444050. they were such desperadoes. (Laughter.)

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable: He had been annoyed at being asked for 10s, and he did not suggest that was a bribe. He admitted having a grievance against the Special Constables - many of them should be in the Army, where his sons were. He had reported the Chief Constable to the War Office for not enlisting, but now knew he was 43 or 44. He did not know the Chief had applied nearly three years ago for a position in the Army.

Mr Whitfield argued that the lighting offence would never have been reported but for the other case. Defendant was indignant, but there was no intent. Defendant had told others what he thought respecting the Army. His family’s record was the best in the town. Of eight sons, one was killed, one was a prisoner, four were wounded, and two had been decorated.

The chairman said defendant would be fined 7s 6d on the first, and £1 in the second charge. They were indebted to the Special Constables, and the latter were entitled to every consideration. What was so special on Tuesday August 2, 1960? Well, I arose at 4.40am on Bardsey Island, and walked to the North Cliff to record bird movement. I’d been awarded two weeks’ holiday there, along with four Dutch naturalists; two Germans; a Swedish lad, and an English couple, for the sole purpose of recording flora and fauna on this remote island off the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales. What an adventure it proved to be!

However, we soon introduced ourselves, and Reg the warden organised our daily observations to cover the main areas surrounding the observatory. As Ben could speak both German and English, he acted as interpreter, and was a young man of the wilds, used to living on food for free.

On the memorable day of 1960, I returned to the hostel for dinner, to find that it had been cooked by Ben and Reinoud. They had explored the island, and foraged plants fit for the pot, producing what they described as a delicious nettle soup!

This was the first time we English had been offered wild vegetables or herbs, and we were a little scared. Could eating this stuff containing stinging nettles, carrot leaves, fungi...and we knew not what other ingredients, prove poisonous? Did Ben really know enough about wild plants to have picked the correct species? To embark upon such a strange and risky eating venture seemed – unnatural. When caution was abandoned, we sampled our bowl of soup and the taste was a revelation! Since then, Michael and myself have experimented along similar lines – and survived!

So, last week we set out with small bucket and plastic gloves, to pick stinging nettles to accompany lunch. We hadn’t far to go, as they occur in hedgebanks, woods and wasteground. Flowering from May to October they should be picked by the beginning of June. Later, they become coarser and more bitter.

We quickly filled the bucket, and returned to wash the nettles thoroughly, after removing any tough stems.

Tossing them into a pan, they were boiled with no extra water other than any left on the leaves after washing. After 15 minutes they were strained, and a large knob of butter added with salt and pepper, and simmered for a couple of minutes.

The result resembled spinach, and was quite palatable.

Nettles contain iron, formic acid, ammonia, silicic acid and histamine. These chemicals are said to, “aid the relief of rheumatism, sciatic and allied ailments. They increase haemoglobin in the blood, improve the circulation, purify the system and tone up the body. As they also lower blood pressure and the blood sugar level,” wait no longer. Gather your nettles and worry not about stings, as the stinging hairs are destroyed when cooked.

As comfrey grew closer by, the next day I cooked the large, hairy leaves in the same way. They looked very similar as a vegetable, but were rather insipid, and we wouldn’t be returning for a second helping!

Tender-handed stroke a nettle,

And it stings you for your pains;

Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.