Much Ado About Nothing at Lamport Hall (How to picnic well at outdoor events)
Attending outdoor events during a British summer carries a certain element of risk, our weather is notoriously unpredictable which is one of the reasons why we have to talk about it a lot. It's something the theatre group 'Rain or Shine' must be pretty experienced in given that its both their speciality and name. This niche theatre group performed an outstanding performance of Shakespeare's comedy 'Much Ado About Nothing' in the grounds of Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire earlier this summer. With the country in the grip of an unusually fierce and extended heat wave, the emergency preparations for damp weather were not needed. Instead, after such unbearably hot days, it was extremely pleasant to settle down on the manicured lawns of Lamport Hall as the temperature cooled into a balmy summer evening perfect for an impromptu picnic (more on that later).
The simple stage stood between two large trees with the backdrop of the walled garden and flower filled borders. The production moved the original setting of ancient Messina to that of rural England at the end of the first world war. A lone biplane from nearby Sywell added to the atmosphere as it swirled lazily through the evening sky above. The play was both hilariously funny and moving, the actors moving through the picnicking audience as though we were part of the production. Birds swooped down across the stage and as the evening light dimmed a few tiny bats darted amongst the trees, it was magical.
Lamport Hall itself is a glorious place, with a stunning classical design although the original manor dates from the Tudor period. The home of the Isham family for some 400 years it is now cared for by a charitable trust and the house and grounds are open to the public and for occasional events. The surrounding estate includes the eccentric rock garden and the fantastic walled cut flower garden, alive with bees and butterflies and worth a trip alone. In the adjoining stables, the Museum of Rural of Life showcases working farm machinery from the turn of the century. Despite the grandeur of the house and its beautiful setting with views over the rolling fields of rural Northamptonshire, it still like a hidden secret. Turning in through the gated entrance with its two heraldic swans is always one of my favourite trips.
So back to the picnic. Food to be eaten at outside events needs to be simple, easy to transport and resilient to temperature change. Everyone loves a feast but no one wants to carry a heavy hamper across a vast lawn (unless you are the lady of the manor with staff at your beck and call). A simple lightweight insulated bag may lack the romance of a wicker basket but filled with frozen ice blocks it provides a much better environment for food during excessively hot weather. For an ample picnic for two pack the following -
The simple stage stood between two large trees with the backdrop of the walled garden and flower filled borders. The production moved the original setting of ancient Messina to that of rural England at the end of the first world war. A lone biplane from nearby Sywell added to the atmosphere as it swirled lazily through the evening sky above. The play was both hilariously funny and moving, the actors moving through the picnicking audience as though we were part of the production. Birds swooped down across the stage and as the evening light dimmed a few tiny bats darted amongst the trees, it was magical.
Lamport Hall itself is a glorious place, with a stunning classical design although the original manor dates from the Tudor period. The home of the Isham family for some 400 years it is now cared for by a charitable trust and the house and grounds are open to the public and for occasional events. The surrounding estate includes the eccentric rock garden and the fantastic walled cut flower garden, alive with bees and butterflies and worth a trip alone. In the adjoining stables, the Museum of Rural of Life showcases working farm machinery from the turn of the century. Despite the grandeur of the house and its beautiful setting with views over the rolling fields of rural Northamptonshire, it still like a hidden secret. Turning in through the gated entrance with its two heraldic swans is always one of my favourite trips.
So back to the picnic. Food to be eaten at outside events needs to be simple, easy to transport and resilient to temperature change. Everyone loves a feast but no one wants to carry a heavy hamper across a vast lawn (unless you are the lady of the manor with staff at your beck and call). A simple lightweight insulated bag may lack the romance of a wicker basket but filled with frozen ice blocks it provides a much better environment for food during excessively hot weather. For an ample picnic for two pack the following -
- Mini pork pies (or vegetarian sausage rolls) with a tiny jar of mustard
- A simple tortilla, sliced into bite sized wedges and packed in a box
- A tub of your favourite houmous
- A jam jar filled with carrot, celery and cucumber crudités
- Salad jars - mix a sachet of ready cooked grains with some frozen peas and cooked French beans and stir through a nutty dressing (2tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp sherry vinegar, a pinch of chilli flakes, salt, pepper and a good tbsp of cashew nut butter) and pack into two clean jam jars. Top with shredded crisp lettuce like Little Gem, sliced radishes and a handful of cherry tomatoes.
- Fancy crisps for munching
- A bowl of sweet cherries
- Tiny pots of chilled rice pudding (Coconut Collaborative do a really lovely coconut milk version)
- Sparkling water with a sprig of mint and a slice of lemon (add straight to the bottle)
- A bottle of elderflower pressé or sparkling wine
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