31st August
By the time you read this, the Paulet-Halt family will be back from their annual holiday in the Highlands of Scotland and gearing up for the village Show on 6th September. The Aga in the Manor kitchens will have been running non-stop to make a delicious array of cakes and pastries. This year, for the first time, I have been asked to contribute something to the refreshment corner as well. So I will have an outlet for all those cakes that aren’t quite up to scratch for the competition itself. Even the menfolk of the family will be making a small contribution with a tray bake entry in the men and boys only class. There is just time for all you other men and boys to also have a think about class 72 (Tray bake 5 pieces). For those of you who may be a little unsure, this is a cake cooked in a large flat rectangular (or square) tin. You could do a chocolate sponge or a lemon cake or anything you want, and decorate it how you like. You then need to carefully cut out 5 pieces and arrange them on a plate. You must copy out the recipe and put it next to your plate on the show table for the judges to read. Last year the men and boys only class was a Swiss Roll, (which I think was harder), and the winning entry came from our illustrious Chairman, Mr Chris Beadle. The judge’s comments were that “this Swiss Roll was of County standard!” So come on, don’t let him win again.
I will be personally supervising the final arrangements for the selection and presentation of the fruit, flowers and vegetables, and dusting off the leaves of any likely looking pot plants.
If, after all my encouragement, you still have not put your entry in, then do the next best thing and come along and support your hard working Committee by attending the show at 2.30pm at the Village Hall. Come and judge for yourselves whether the standard is as high as usual, whether Jeff Owen’s carrots are longer than ever before, or indeed whether you could have done better yourself. Join in the fun by entering the raffle or tombola, have a cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake, and perhaps bid in the great “sell off auction” at 4pm.
Also this year, the prizes for the Basinga writing competition will be presented at the Show by none other than Philip Hatto from Kestrel Radio.