ANOTHER SPECTACULAR WEEK!

update blog from Leighroy Marsh  

http://www.hairyplugmonster.com

Golden Arm is the most entertaining poem written for children......ever, at least 3500 children agree with me

Another spectacular week in the world of the Hairy Plug Monster and Friends, kicked off with my invitation to St Joseph and St Bede's Primary School in Bury on Monday morning.....as usual I got lost on the way and arrived with just minutes to spare.

With the aid of a cup of tea, I managed to regain my composure and set about preparing for the first reading to a combined Y1 group.  I used to get nervous when I performed in front of classes but over the last year I have managed to integrate lots of little bits into my "act", encouraging audience participation and building up the atmosphere using "Golden Arm" as a finale - which again didn't fail to scare the socks off them.  I was allocated a room for the day and with each year group, I included the other stories such as "Miss Carr's Pies" and "Commander-in-Chief of the World".  As the final Y6 group came in I cast my inhibitions and read the two Zombie specials, " There's Something Wrong with Grandad" and for the very first time "Zombelina".  Again it seems I misjudged children's appetite for more gruesome stories, as they loved it.  Even the teachers enjoyed the sad sorry tale of the Toymaster and his daughter.  It does help though when you have "Golden Arm" to finish on, and seeing as no one else wants to blow my trumpet, I may as well do it myself...

Golden Arm IS the most entertaining poem written for children ....ever.
It was a fantastic day, with a lot of books being sold and a very appreciative school making me feel very much at home.

I had an email from the Windows Project, who requested that I pay them a visit in Liverpool sometime soon and also if I could include them in my next school visit for "assessment".

The rest of the week was spent finalising the first of three pieces of music for the film - Rough and Ready, and again I didn't fail to deliver the goods.  The only thing that's missing at the moment is a steady flow of income, to pay for all this.....but I keep telling myself that it IS only a matter of time.

Thankfully everybody else seems to agree with me...

Find out for yourself by visiting  http://www.hairyplugmonster.com/purchase.html  and purchasing your very own signed copy of The Hairy Plug Monster.

http://www.hairyplugmonster.com/purchase.html

What did YOU think!!!

Well now,  what did you think of  ZOMBELINA?  I know its only a fraction of the tale,
but soon you will able to download this and other tales as an audio book -

from the  'SPOOKY TALES'  collection - written by Leighroy Marsh

here's another tale to wet your appetite...
MISS CARR'S PIES 

Long, long ago, there was nothing but snow 

on the dark country lane in my tale,

And galloped a horse, (with a rider of course) 

With a bag full of paintings for sale.

But the snow was too thick, 

and he had to think quick 

if he stayed out too long he would freeze

And though the dark night 

he saw the pale light of an inn, 

where he could find some ease.

He tethered his steed in the stables next door, 

And carried his pictures inside.

And there by the bar, 

was the lovely Miss Carr 

with a tray full of pies at her side

Good evening Miss, 

he said with a hiss

his mouth was all frozen and solid

She simply looked up from a recipe book 

And said in a manner quite stolid.

"Good evening sir, 

Can I get you a beer? 

A room for the night or some tea?

There’s nobody here at this time of year 

I can give you a discount maybe?"
"What would be nice, is one of those pies?" 

 Said the traveller eyeing the tray

“Can you warm right it up 

with some ale in a cup 

and tell me how much I must pay

"I certainly can" she said to the man 

"please take a seat by the fire"

"I shall warm it up quick, 

I ‘ll be back in a tick  

with a pie that will match your desire"

Miss Carr went away with the pies on the tray, 

and selected the largest one on it

To the kitchen she went with a pie for the gent , 

Whilst humming herself an old sonnet.

"So the man wants a pie", she said with a sigh 

it will cost him much more than he thinks

She pulled out a locket 

from inside her pocket  

And opened it over his drink.

Down poured some dust, 

which was redder than rust  

It bubbled and fizzled and festered

She stirred up the brew 

which was thicker than stew 

but smelt rather good none the less……

Oooooops  - more to follow!!!!

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why not make a comment - let Leighroy know what you think

he'd love to hear from you… 

info@hairyplugmonster.com

www.hairyplugmonster.com

Leighroy also offers Storytimes at Schools and Library's  - ask for details about this service
at  :  info@hairyplugmonster.com 


link to our review page and see what other readers thought about Leighroy's service…
www.hairyplugmonster.com/reviews.html




Posted by Kul Cuthbert

an other tale to tell….

Zombelina - written by Leighroy

If you had the respect of everyone, and the friendship of no-one, 

how far would you go to fill the emptiness in your heart?
Imagine if you had the skills to create your own child, 

just as you would a toy...would you call on the supernatural to bring her to life?

                       
                       ~ ~ ~ ~

                         
Nobody loved the strange doll on the shelf,

who had black matted hair and only one eye.

There was something about her,

that didn’t seem right,

And she glowed in the dark when you turned off the light!

She was warm when you touched her,

her skin felt too real,

She had blood on her lips that was cold and congealed.

Through one single eye she stared at the floor,

As she sat on the shelf of the toy master’s store.

Everyone knew of the toy master’s talent,

and the dolls that he made for the children in town

He could carve out a toy, with precision and skill

Using hammer and chisel, to fashion his will.

Despite all the praise,

he didn’t have friends,

or someone to trust - to share in his dreams

Someone to share all his dark lonely days,

Who would always be there and would not go away

Each doll that he made,

brought a smile to a child,

it was more than a toy - a companion for life

But nobody knew of his ultimate goal.

To create for himself – a doll with a soul……

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I know I Know I Know -  you want more of this tale and all in verse - well my friends it will be published soon, as with all the other stories and tales that Leighroy has written and yu'know what we are organizing an audio book for you to download with all these stories and tales.


comment on this tale!!!
send Leighroy a message          
info@hairyplugmonster.com

checkout  this website:-

www.hairyplugmonster.com

it's all about sharing...

review from one of our customers…
Date: 19 October 2010 19:49:31 GMT+01:00

To: info@hairyplugmonster.com

Subject: your fantastic book

Hi, my daughter has recently had the privilege of meeting you and buying your book. 

I am wondering if you have any more books for sale or will there be any soon?

Thankyou Donna

our review page :  http://www.hairyplugmonster.com/reviews.html

A GOLDEN ARM TALE….

Written by Leighroy Marsh

This is a tale that my Grandad told me, 

As I sat as a child on his old bony knee

It isn’t a tale full of joy or of charm,

But a tale full of woe and a stolen gold arm

You should stop reading now if you easily spooked!

You should stand up and choose a more friendlier book.

You should stop reading now if you don’t like to JUMP

Because this is a tale that will make your heart thump.

Its starts long ago with poor Montague Law

Who was missing an arm, when he returned from the war

He lost it at battle, defending the king

Along with his bracelet, his wristwatch and ring.

The king was quite grateful, and pulled out his sword

Pointed at Monty – and made him a Lord

Lord Montague Law, the Brave and the bold

I’ll reward you again with an arm made of gold.

And so he returned to his wife and his farm,

With a chestful of medals and a solid gold arm

Where he kept it on show in a special glass box

Next to his trousers, his jumpers and socks.

The years soon passed by, and Lord Monty took ill

And despite all the potions and lotions and pills,

Old Montague knew that his time had arrived

So he called from his bed for his beautiful bride.

The angels are calling, I don’t have much time! 

And so I am leaving you all that is mine...

You can have all that belongs to the farm

As long as you bury me with my gold arm.

Lord Montague’s wife said she’d do what she’s told,

And bury her husband along with his gold.

But deep down she knew what she could do instead

And instead of the arm, She would bury some bread….

to be cont'd

oh yes - there's a lot more to this tale!!!

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do you have a question!  make a comment! 
Leighroy  (author of the Hairy Plug Monster) 
would love to here from you… 

info@hairyplugmonster.com

Posted by Kul Cuthbert

ahhh! now here's a great recipe

Himalayan Balsam and Mixed Seed Cookies.......

The Hairy Plug Monster's  Himalayan Balsam and Mixed Seed Cookie

It's that time of year again when those delightful Himalayan Balsam plants adorn the pathways, and waterways of the English countryside and envelop everything in their way - and with each year their numbers increase until eventually there will be nothing left but "Balsam".  Naturally this has caused alarm throughout DEFRA and beyond, and each year well meaning folk head out into the woodlands and parks with the sole aim of "Bashing the Balsam" - Unfortunately, their efforts are not having very much effect and serve only as a slight inconvenience to the Himalayan Balsam.  However, as more and more people are daring to venture out at this time of year, intent on capitalising on the bountiful harvest of fruit and berries that are just coming into season, it seems only fair to let them know that an even greater harvest can be had from the public enemy of plants.

I did try spreading the word last year but without the aid of images, my message fell on deaf ears - this year however I am proud to bring you:

The Hairy Plug Monster's Himalayan Balsam and Mixed Seed Cookies  

First put your coat on and head off out to track down some Balsam, I have included an image to aid identification, but to further assist you, look for the tall plant with white or pink delicate flowers. At this time of year they should be on the wane and be replaced with seed pods which are shaped like tiny okra.  The Himalayan Balsam is easily identifiable, because when you touch a ripe seed pod it explodes "Alien style" and throws out the seeds in every direction.  ( this is one of the main reasons that "Balsam Bashing doesn't work").  The stem of the plant is a hollow and translucent and a quick inspection of the roots should show about twenty reddish roots just above ground that anchor the beast in place.

So when you are satisfied that you have the Himalayan Balsam in your sights, it is now time to harvest the seeds.

1.  Very carefully tilt the flower head towards you and without touching the pods place a large plastic bag over the top of the plant.  Once you are confident that the seed heads are inside the bag, tickle the pods and let them explode, ( be on the lookout for bees collecting the last bits of pollen).  The seeds will collect in the bag and each plant should give your about 100 seeds.

2.  Carry this action on until you think you have enough seeds.....how much is enough seeds?...erm  well I      don't know, but bear in mind that the pod husks are also collected and will need to be removed at a later stage so.... the more you collect the more you have to sort out later.....simple.

Himalayan Balsam seeds and the green pod husks

Your harvest should look similar to the image above with the seeds ranging from white to brown to black, being mixed together with the curled up green pod husks and occasional flowers.

Now comes the boring bit...the seeds need to be separated, and up to now the only way I have found to do this is to spread them out on a tray and pick out the pods, flowers and anything else that may have found its way into the bag.  I wont kid you....this will take a bit of time, but eventually you should be left with a tray full of seeds.

Himalayan Balsam Seeds

Place the seeds in a bowl of fresh water for twenty minutes to wash off any dust and creepy crawlies that still may be hiding amongst them and drain the water away through a sieve.

Dry Roasted Himalayan Balsam Seeds

Empty the seeds into a dry frying pan and on a low heat slowly cook them until the seeds turn a similar shade of grey.

Et voila your Himalayan Balsam Seeds are now ready for eating..... or.  you could do what I did and add them to a cookie mix

Cream 125g of unsalted butter with 125g of sugar, slowly add 2 beaten eggs to the mix and a teaspoon of vanilla essence.  Fold in 250 g of self raising flour and 200 g of Himalayan Balsam seeds together with a 200 g  mix of  of toasted almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Gather the mixture together with your hand and shape the dough into a ball.  Wrap in cling film and leave to settle in the fridge for half an hour.

When the dough has chilled, remove from the fridge and dive into 26 pieces, rolling each one into a small ball and placing on a greased baking tray.

Lightly flatten each cookie before baking at 180C (160C fan oven) Gas Mark 4 for 10-12 minutes until golden but still fairly soft.  Leave on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool.

 And put the kettle on.

Congratulations, you have probably taken the best step to keep the spread of Himalayan Balsam in check and at the same time made yourself and the kids a damn fine cookie.  Now with a plate full of cookies and a glass of milk sit down in your favourite chair, open The Hairy Plug Monster and start reading.....if you haven't got a copy please visit      www.hairyplugmonster.blogspot.com     posted 6th September 2010

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these cookies are so delicious and the Himalayan seeds can be changed for any of your favourite dried fruit and seeds you may have in your store cupboard...when the Himalayan seeds are out of season….


Try it your family would love them! 

the hairy plug monster - Mmmmm - one I did earlier...

this is a sneaky peek about our book the Hairy Plug Monster
and do yu'know what - YOU CAN BUY ON LINE 
at :-      www.hairyplugmonster.com/purchase.html

it's a great stocking filler - treating one of your own
little cherubs or maybe a nephew,  niece or your friends little

ones you may know and love….
age group  3/7
and in fact the responses from our review page have been amazing!   why not take a look  :-


www.hairyplugmonster.com/reviews.html


Posted by Kul Cuthbert