The super-simple fruit cake recipe won first prize in the cake competition at the Wales and West Wine, Beer and Food competition. A friend of many years and nationally renowned wine and beer maker, Peter, used a 50-year old sweet…
A wooden plenishing hammer, a disc of pewter and nimble fingers helped blind veteran, Penny Melville-Brown, turn a basic piece of pewter metal into a simple bowl at the Mettle Studios in Sussex www.fleurgrenier.co.uk. Add a trio of offset bee-shapes…
Very late-night mental meanderings between nephew Toby and I conjured up this title for a project celebrating the courage and determination of refugees. They have already come so far and still have far to go. Toby is part of the…
HMRC to trial seasonal Self Assessment helpline We have announced that we are piloting a new seasonal model for the Self Assessment (SA) helpline, to prioritise helping those with urgent queries. For three months from 12 June, HMRC will trial…
The governments’ Help to Save scheme for those on low incomes, has been extended until April 2025. The scheme offers a bonus of 50p for every £1 saved. Savers can deposit between £1 and £50 per month and the scheme…
I’m trying to make a selection of strawberry desserts: a tart using a sweet version of the hot water pastry; a cream tea with a super-fresh strawberry “jam”; a classic French compote with Cointreau; the orange and Cointreau ice-cream. …
A great opportunity:
Feeling that life is worthwhile and means something is key to happiness. Just doing something helps. If I’m feeling miserable, wretched, depressed or distressed, baking is great comfort. Pork pies seem an odd way of dealing with feeling miserable but…
A few minutes describing my celebrations, recipes and aspirations of grandeur!
Aunt Hilary decorated another Coronation cake for the weekend’s local neighbourhood lunch. Masses of delicious dishes contributed by all for a long happy session of talk and laughter. I’d cooked a vacuum-packed gammon joint (skin removed but trussed with string)…
