May News
May news from Butley Priory
It’s been a busy last month – starting with our first wedding; Becky and Paul were married in April. Everything went smoothly, the sun shone, only a minor hitch, where was our wedding license? With our refurbishment (including old office turned into a staff cloakroom, and Covid clamp down) it hadn’t been seen or required for some while. We kept our heads. All was well; of course it was filed in the right place all along.
We’ve restocked the Pilgrims Bar, our speciality gin bar, in the tiny vaulted room with an open fire where the monks once dispensed alms to the poor. The “piscina” - an arch with a stone basin for holy water, is from the original monastery. It’s been a entertaining, sampling some of the brands, some seriously curious flavours – Parma Violet for one. We like the Juniper with orange peel. My favourite has to be Chase Hedgerow Elderflower with soda and lemon. Fishers Gin might be pricey but their new “Smoked” brand is delicious especially with ginger ale and lime, savour every mouthful.
Coes of Ipswich did a fashion shoot in the Priory and gardens. Look out for the pictures on their website and on our instagram.
We have a wedding shoot next week. A team of local wedding suppliers have come together to showcase Suffolk’s best talent. Organised by make up artist Victoria Bradfield. Ayshea Goldberg is doing the photography, Videographer Aaron from Avisuals is filming, wedding gowns are from The Bridal Lounge, hair by Lynette Chasmer, flowers by Charlotte Staff (creams, white, lilacs and pinks), stationery (exquisite calligraphy) by Polly Pickel Design, a sumptuous wedding cake by Luca’s Cakes, Jewellery by Susannah Chenevix (pearls are the theme) and pulled together by wedding planner Louisa May Weddings.
A makeup artist turned up today for a wedding – but wrong venue – panic stations all round. But she made it to the right venue in the nick of time. First guests in the farmhouse went swimmingly, we liked it that they were keen to compost their veggie waste. NB compost area behind the garden shed (bottom of the garden). The tennis court is finally painted (the day that it finally rained after seven dry weeks), two shades of green. Plays like a dream.
The Tudor Room four-poster curtains are completed, Rose fabric lined with pink ticking from The Cloth Shop in the Portobello Road. The white lattice mango wood chest and raspberry coloured floral rug are from Snape Malting, lamps and candy striped pink shades are Pooky Lighting, pretty lime washed table from Marlesford Mill (where we have found many treasures), the recycled plastic carpet (looks like sisal and soft underfoot) is from the Unnatural Flooring Company.
After hours of searching the Internet in lockdown for a beautiful rug finally found one from Oka for the Mary Rose room; subtle soft pinks and beige, and looks perfect. The day beds sourced for the Mary Rose and de Glanville (for extra small, or indeed larger guests) work a treat. The rooms are painted Dulux Ochre White and look fresh and serene – thank you Georgia Mann Interiors.
Kim the stone mason is back repairing a Priory buttress. Wallflowers high up in the ancient flint walls have taken root, rather a shame to dislodge them. Baz is hard at work in the gardens at Butley Abbey farmhouse, repairing the steps down to the summerhouse lawn. Isla is planning the flowers for her wedding in June, our first bride to be using the thatched summer house, with a marquee on the lawn.
We discovered to our excitement David Gillingwater who is creating our smart new signage (green and gold) is a piper! So if you are of Scottish heritage or a bagpipe enthusiast - book him for your wedding. Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace, Sky Boat Song and, Mairi’s Wedding are just a few favourites from his repertoire.
Should the heavens open or the bride wish to be driven from the Priory to Butley Church or Butley Abbey Farmhouse, vintage car enthusiasts might like our dark green 1954 Bentley, handsome in white ribbons, or for a more rustic vibe a 1955 Series 1 Land Rover. However, the latter is in the last stages of restoration (ten years and counting), the radiator is finally sourced, we are ever hopeful we will see it shortly, gleaming and engine ticking over.
MID APRIL NEWS
April news from Butley Priory
MID APRIL NEWS
Our first wedding this year! Becky and Paul tie the knot on Wednesday 21st April with 15 guests. The Priory is looking stunning, painted, primed and as near perfect as possible for a building that is over 700 years old. The bedrooms are ready, the magnificent new curtains hung (thank you Jennie and Jean), the four-poster bed romantically draped, cushions plumped, new carpets, and rugs on the painted wooden floors. The new freestanding baths gleam. We are a little breathless about the kitchen, where is the new range cooker? Will it arrive in time for chef Peter Harrison?
We are waiting for the frosts to pass before we plant up the terracotta tubs with wedding-white geraniums. The daffodils and primroses are giving way to bluebells. Our newly planted flowerbeds look good, alas, the Muntjac think so too.
Our holiday lets in The Priory, Butley Abbey Farmhouse and Gate Keepers Cottage in between weddings are filling up fast, but we have a few gaps. Book with us on our website www.butleypriory.co.uk or 07539 744366
GOURMET SUFFOLK
If you are planning a self-catering holiday in one of our beautiful properties, you are spoilt for choice with some wonderful local suppliers, right on the doorstep. Orford is the closest place for shopping, 15 minutes by car or take the foot ferry with your bicycle (roomy panniers essential) across Butley Creek. Saturday morning is the Farmers Market in the Town Hall; get there early for the lobsters and crab rush, and trestle tables laden with homemade cakes, quiches, local honey, jams and chutney. Its good for preset buying too - pretty knitted baby things and exquisite turned wood salad bowls.
Pinney’s of Orford
www,pinneysoforford.co.uk
Shop 01394 450210 / Restaurant 01394 450277
Pinney’s is an institution in Orford. Four generations of the Pinney family have lived and worked at Butley Creek, harvesting oysters and smoking fish by the ancient river walls that keep the sea at bay. Their quayside shop (and website) offers a mouth-watering range of seafood delicacies, oysters, succulent brown shrimps, smoked and fresh fish. The family run restaurant the “Butley Orford Oysterage” (angels on horseback and the fish pie highly recommended) is in the village square – booking essential. An exciting venture for this summer is the mobile horsebox, selling oysters and fishy treats, which can also be booked for private parties
Pump Street Bakery, Orford -
www.pumpstreetchocolate.com / 01394 459829
Family run the Pump Street Bakery is another Orford household name. The smell of fresh baking and coffee alone entices you to join the queue. Sourdough, orange cinnamon swirls, oozing jam doughnuts (got a mention at the Oscars), Eccles cakes - the best in the land - and don’t forget the chocolate (try the sourdough and sea salt). At peak times there is a queue around the block, but always good for a chat with the locals: fishermen and the Sudbourne cricketers queuing up along with the visitors. Good plan to order in advance or use the home delivery service.
Fen Farm Dairy, Bungay
www,fenfarmdairy.co.uk / 01986 892350
Raw Milk, creamy rich Baron Bigod cheese, velvety Skyr yogurt, deep yellow Bungay butter and tubs of silky mascarpone come from the raw milk of the Montbeliarde girls. This ancient breed comes originally from the Jura Alps; their milk is renown in France for Comte, Vacherin Mont d’Or and Reblochon cheese. The Fen Farm girls graze peacefully in the lush meadows of Waveney River Valley near Bungay. Three generations of the welcoming Crickmore family run the farm and farm shop (which never seems to close). Orford village shop (sells everything imaginable from dog food to fresh deli stuff) stocks their products or order on the Fen Farm website.
Fishers Gin, Aldeburgh
www,fishersgin.com / 01728 454201
Gin made from “Local herbs and coastal botanics, capturing wild and forgotten flavours of the English coastline” sounds pretty irresistible with a splash of tonic and wedge of lime on a warm summers day. Andrew Heald was inspired by the salt marshland and the meadows where he grew up. He experimented with juniper, cardamom, caraway and fennel seeds, orange and lemon peel, samphire, bog myrtle, spignel and wild angelica, until he came up with the perfect blends, and launched Fishers Original in 2016. This month ‘Fishers Smoked’ is launched, their third brand in collaboration with Pinney’s. Sacks of botanics have been infused using the smokery at Pinney’s, giving it a very pleasing smoky flavour – and yes a hint of fish, but it really works! Especially when the temperature drops and you are tucked up in front of a log fire. Try it with ginger ale, a Moscow Mule with a difference. Take a distillery tour around their ultra chic seaside premises, followed by a tasting on the deck, a skip from the North Sea. Book online or telephone, £30 a person (starting mid-May).
High House Farm, Iken
www.highhousefarm.co.uk / 01394 450263;
Overlooking the marshes and sea tucked away between Subourne and Iken, Suvi and Piers Pool own this lovely fruit farm, which has been in the family since 1958. ‘Pick your own’, or for lazy or in-a-hurry customers, there is of course a farm shop. The spring season starts with rhubarb and asparagus, followed by the soft fruits; gooseberries, raspberries, loganberries and currants, then as summer heats up, the cherries and plums ripen. Autumn brings the apples: Cox, Russet, James Grieve, Worcester, Ribston Pickle, Blenheim Orange to name a few. If you are picking, best to call on the day to see what’s available. The shop sells, fruit (and frozen), four varieties of their own apple juice, scrumptious jams, local honey and Suffolk’s sensational B Chocolates.
B Chocolates
www,bchocolates.co.uk
Made at High House Farm, award-wining confectionnaire Anna McCreadie (Suvi’s sister) makes chocolate by hand using local raw honey from coastal beekeepers. Much in demand with the local shops, Anna also sells directly on her website. Everyone’s favourite is the Honey & Sea Salt Caramels, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg: dark truffle honey, honey and gingerbread truffles, honey and saffron caramels and delicious honeycomb thins. All packaged in beautiful pale brown boxes tied with twine. Anna also makes bespoke selections for wedding favours.
Wild Meat Company, Lime Tree Farm, Blaxhall
www,wildmeat.co.uk / 01728 687627
There’s a treat in store for carnivores near Blaxhall. Local organic meat and game, including, free range Sutton Hoo chicken, pheasant, hare, venison, pigeon, duck, partridge, game pie mix and it has to be said, the occasional squirrel. Succulent sausage rolls too. Their website supplies mouth-watering recipes. Try slow-cooked lamb infused with Earl Grey tea, rosemary, thyme and honey, roast partridge cooked on a bed of carrot, parsnip, and rhubarb, Papparedell (wide pasta) with a very slow cooked ragout of hare, marinated in red wine, rosemary, celery, juniper berries, or pan-fried pheasant with harissa, chicory and orange which gives a smoky Moroccan flavour. Buy online, next day delivery, or collect your order (NB. almost impossible to find). A helpful clue: it’s not far from one of our favourite pubs The Ship.
Adnams
www,adnams.co.uk
No introduction is required for the award-winning brewers Adnams, another Suffolk institution. Copper House in Southold is HQ where, vodka, gin and whisky are produced in their sustainable, state of art distillery (tours available). An array of lagers, ale and alcohol free beers with dazzling names such as Ghost Ship, Lighthouse, Wild Wave, Kobold and Wild hop. We love their cider, iced cold for a summer days or spiced up and warmed through for a chilly night. And their Prosecco and the Pinot Grigio Blush, rose, are also dreamy sundowners on our warm Suffolk nights. Closest Adnams shops are Woodbridge and Aldeburgh, who also deliver website orders.
Maple Farm, Kelsale, IP17 2PJ
01728 652000
For twenty years the Kendall’s at Maple Farm have been thoroughly organic. Contented Sheep, cows and chickens roam the meadows, and organic vegetables grow the year round. The farm shop sells their meat, fruit and vegetables, brown eggs with rich yellow yolks, Sophie’s Honey, Fen Farm Dairy products, oils and vinegar, “unusual” coffee (you will have to visit to find out why), jellies and jams made in the kitchen. LABrewery Kombucha (brilliant for the gut) brewed locally at Bentwaters by the Kendalls is available in several tasty and restorative flavours. Most thrilling is their very own home grown and produced, organic milled flour: wholegrain, spelt, rye. Open every day 9 to 5pm.
Alice Norman – Pinch Meal Kits
Instagram @pinch.suffolk
Alice trained at Ballymaloe in Ireland, and then wandered the world cooking in Amsterdam, Asia and India. She has worked in London’s coolest restaurants Kricket, Clipstone, Emelia and Levan. Now working from the kitchen in Maple Farm, Alice is producing ‘Pinch’ meal kits, pasta focused, using Maple Farm’s glorious organic grain and eggs. Collect only from Maple Farm Kelsale.
APRIL NEWS
News from Butley Priory
April News – We’ve highlighted some of our suppliers stories this month and also asked them how they coped with lock down. And Rebecca and Jack have told us about their mini wedding at the Priory last summer. What it was like going from 220 to 15 guests with a picnic on the beach.
James Davidson – photographer
James is a regular wedding photographer at Butley Priory and a huge fan. “It’s both romantically intimate and a spectacular backdrop”. Not only weddings have been on hold for James, his other outlet, horse racing photography, has also been moth balled. On a brighter note, James says his house and garden are looking immaculate. James was the photographer for Rebecca and Jack’s wedding at the Priory. Despite the nail biting situation and slashed numbers, it took place. “It takes a certain type of couple to make is special. “Down to the wire, but Rebecca and Jack went with the flow and made it happen.”
Rebecca and Jack from London loved their wedding day despite the disappointment and last minute announcements from Boris. Numbers from January were sliced from 220 down to 15 in July. “We were determined to get married come what may, and prepared ourselves in the weeks before for setbacks. First cut was down to 50 (100 was harder to cherry pick). It was painful not just financially but the agony of uncertainty. “We had friends coming from six different countries. We were at the Priory the day before the wedding getting ready, when we heard that receptions were cancelled. But a marriage and photographs could go ahead. Our caterer brought the food in boxes, so after the ceremony we went to the beach at Shingle Street to celebrate.” The sun shone, the day was perfect, their friends watched around the world from Los Angeles to South Africa. They spent their wedding night in Forest Haven in Rendlesham forest. “It was magical.”
Peter Harrison – Chef
Peter has quite a biography, working in the catering industry in London, France, Australia and has run his own restaurant. Now based in Rendlesham Peter has worked at Butley Priory, catering for weddings for the last two years. He likes that it’s a family business, the relaxed vibe, the ancient, quirky building, surrounded by history and oak forests. “Its unique, and its very beautiful.”
Lockdown has been horrendous for the catering industry; “Small weddings are not viable financially” says Peter “The restricted numbers for the few weddings which went ahead were challenging, with suppliers and staff.” Peter is creative and resourceful, during the last year he has catered for a film company with Jamie Oliver, picked up consultancy work and spent a couple of months last summer picking asparagus with some of this staff at Blaxhall. “We enjoyed it, despite the back breaking work, the weather was wonderful, bird song, we met all sorts of interesting people from fellow chefs, artists, and skippers from yachts, all sorts. There was a good feeling of camaraderie, nobody knew much about the virus or the impact. And I now know everything there is about growing asparagus.’ But for now he is really keen to get back to work, and the wedding season. The kitchen at the Priory has been revamped so that’s another thing to look forward to.
Victoria Bradfield – Make-up Artist
It’s been a frustrating time for Victoria, especially in the first locked down when hairdressers were allowed to open before beauticians, causing an understanding ripple in the industry. Victoria trained 25 years ago in London. Her love of travelling to faraway off the beaten track destinations has been curtailed, but she‘s stayed positive concentrating staying fit and healthy, and learning photography. She’s been honing her make-up skills doing masters classes on line with Kristina Gasperas.
“I love working at the Priory, the cream and white colouring make a perfect setting for the brides. The light streams through the huge gothic arched windows, the photographs never fail.”
Victoria’s Yorkshire terrier Ruby has kept her sane during these last months. Ruby is a firm favourite with her brides doing makeup trials before the big day. “I’ve missed my brides, it’s been tough on them, and the whole industry; so much uncertainty and disappointment. I’m longing to get back to work.”
Photo credit: James Hiller Photography & Marianne Ford Photography
Helen Newman – Florist
Butley Priory is Helen’s favourite wedding venue - of course it is. Helen has kept going during lockdown with a few small weddings, which she’s enjoyed; “they are more intimate, stripped back to what its all about, a marriage. The brides tend to be more lavish with the flowers.” And of course there have been funerals, so that’s been sad, but the flowers lift spirits, they make all the difference.
A florist for many years Helen has worked in London, New York and the Middle East. A keen gardener, she has her own cutting garden, which she uses for her floristry. Tulips are her passion (she’s waiting patiently for her Sarah Raven mix to come up) but also roses, peonies hydrangeas. During lock down she’s indulged in a new interest, unusual house plants with unpronounceable names; she and her daughter are very pleased with their avocado tree, although the fruit has yet to appear.
Karen Lear- Celebrant and Florist
Karenlearflowers@hotmail.co.uk
Florist and Celebrant, Karen has known and loved the tranquillity and romance of Butley Priory since childhood, “when I use to bicycle passed it.” Karen ran the flower shop in Leiston for years; she first learnt floristry at Otley College and then stayed on and taught. She likes using flowers from the hedgerows, and locally sourced and lots of green foliage woven in. The Priory is a wonderful place to decorate; she likes the wide stone mantelpieces. “It’s a very flexible building, you can go elegant or boho, whatever, it’s a dream venue.”
As a Celebrant Karen trained 4 years ago in Salisbury. Karen tailors the ceremony to the couple’s wishes. “Sometimes they write their vows, sometimes I write them; it can be solemn, poetic, pagan, long or short and sweet, whatever the couple wants, sometimes a collaboration.” It’s nicer to meet in person, but with lock down over the phone or zoom has worked says Karen; we’ve all learnt to adapt.
During lock down Karen has kept busy gardening, painting, sewing, writing and floristry, one or two small weddings but sadly quite a few funerals. “I’ve stayed up upbeat and busy.”
Amelie’s Kitchen – Wedding cakes
Helen Ward found lockdown at first very hard, her business felt like “it had literally fallen off a cliff.” From making and creating two intricate wedding cakes a week, work instantly stopped. Her online shop set up on 2019 also went quiet. She felt lost and disorientated. But things slowly improved, the craze for home baking took off, and Helen capitalised, designing and making Cookie Embosser’s to decorate biscuits. Hey presto, her on line shop took off. “The upside of not making wedding cakes meant I got my weekends and evenings back.” But she’s looking forward to life getting back to normal. Her multi-flavoured wedding cakes, traditional fruit, chocolate mud, strawberry and champagne, Madagascan vanilla, carrot and pecan nut, will be back in demand with their exquisite sugar flowers.
NEW ! Gate Keeper’s Cottage - available May and June
Close to the Priory is an enchanting 18th century two bedroom cottage, bathroom, open plan sitting room, small private garden. Please contact us for further details and prices.
March News
March news from Butley Priory
It’s been a crazy year for so many of us but the owners of the Priory, the Greenwell family, custodians for four generations of the 14th century Priory, are delighted to have taken over and now trade as Butley Priory.
We have kept on the brilliant team, our manager Emma, supported by Nigel, maintenance/gardener/Jack of all trades and Kimmy our housekeeper, and Baz (also a dab hand with the camera in the garden) fine tuning the lawns at the farmhouse, are all working flat out for our open day April 17/18th April, and then to welcome back our brides, grooms and guests.
We’ve spent a year refurbishing Butley Abbey Farmhouse (helped by Georgia Mann Interiors), a 12 bedroom Georgian farmhouse, from top to toe (including the tennis court) which can be used for wedding accommodation, or just a spoiling holiday. We are really pleased with the result; quite challenging in lock down, scouring country sales (hours on line, some disaster purchases) car boot sales (Sunday mornings at Friday Street, our favourite haunt) when we were allowed, good old John Lewis for bathroom and kitchen stuff, and a mad day trip to fabric emporium A.Shufflebothams in Derbyshire made it all happen. The farmhouse has an idyllic rustic, thatched summerhouse in the grounds, also licensed for weddings. We are very excited, as our first wedding in the gardens using the summerhouse will be Isla and Matt’s 19th June.
At the Priory, we’ve been super busy these last three months: ancient buttresses have been repaired by master stone mason Kim, it’s a privilege to watch his flint-knapping skills. We’ve replanted the garden with English blooms, lavender, roses, geraniums, alliums and delphiniums, soft pinks, blues and creams. We’ve added some freestanding baths to the already majestic white and cream bedrooms with their enormous arched mullion windows and stone window seats. Not an easy task furnishing a grade one listed Gothic house in a second lock down – hours and hours spent on the Internet searching for the right fabrics and pieces.
But we are almost ready and open for business. We’ve spruced up the vaulted Priory kitchen (kept the trusty old green aga which keeps it toasty), the four-poster is ready to be assembled, curtains hung, and our interesting collection of rugs rolled out. The tiny, secret vaulted Gin Bar (the former Pilgrims room) with a log fire, hidden behind a door in the panelling is being restocked with speciality gins. Still deliberating what to plant in the terracotta pots for the summer ahead. The snowdrop and wild daffodil woods around the Monks former ponds have been cleared and the bluebells are nearly here.
BRAND NEW! A WEDDING LIST with SNAPE MALTINGS
We’ve just set up an exclusive wedding list with Snape Maltings (stunning Homeware and Furniture) for our bridal couples. To make an enquiry or book a personal appointment for their service, contact retail reception 01728 688303 or email info@snapemaltings.co.uk and visit https://snapemaltings.co.uk/shops/
