At sheringham paper, norfolk uk

@ Sheringham Community Paper - Issue 106 - 23 October 2009

Gardening Column, @ Sheringham PaperGARDENING

Conditions are ideal for planting later flowering spring bulbs such as Lilies and Tulips, bare-root or root balled trees, shrubs and roses, new hedges, for example beech, hawthorn, privet or laurel.

Dig up and divide established plants which are now overcrowded and re-plant

Pansies, primulas and other winter/spring bedding plants can be planted

Prune back Roses and tidy up deciduous shrubs. Both may need a further prune in February/March

Plant new fruit trees and bushes once the ground has been dug over and manured

Prune Apple and Pear trees

Dig over vacant ground and work in well rotted manure or compost

Plumbers invited to free Lowestoft seminar

Plumbers and heating engineers in East Anglia are being invited to attend a free seminar at Lowestoft College on 28 October. The event, which has 'Sustainability' as its theme, is organised by the Norfolk Branch of the national educational charity, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering and will run from 5.30 to 8.30 in the evening.

Speakers at the seminar come from leading industry manufacturers and from Anglian Water. Baxi Heating will cover Micro Combined Heat and Power, the technology which allows the waste heat from domestic or commercial central heating boilers to generate electricity. Domestic heating controls specialist, Honeywell UK, will continue on the topic of domestic heating, telling delegates of the latest available controls that will enable builders and specifiers to meet the demands of new Building Regulations while the increasingly important subject of water conservation will be covered by a representative from local water supplier, Anglian Water.

A buffet will be provided for delegates who must pre-register by emailing roger.willis1@virgin.net or phone 01263 722492.

The Chairman of the Institute's Norfolk Branch is Roger Willis. "We ran a similar event last year at the College of West Anglia in Kings Lynn," he said. "That was a great success with some 50 delegates attending, including plumbers, heating engineers, students and others from the industry. With the technology and legislation of plumbing, heating and water supply changing so rapidly to help combat climate change, it is essential to keep up to date. This seminar is designed to provide that opportunity."

Cooks Corner, @ Sheringham PaperCOOKS CORNER

CHRISTMAS CAKE.

This recipe makes a square 8in or a round 9in cake.

Preparation Time. 1 hour plus soaking time.
Cooking Time. 3 -3 1/2 hours.
Oven Temperature. Preheat to 150 c (300 f) Gas mark 2.

8oz (225g) seedless raisins.
2oz (50g) large stoned raisins.
8oz (225g) sultanas.
8oz (225g) currants
8oz (225g) butter.
8oz (225g) dark muscovado sugar.
2 tablespoons black treacle.
4 tablespoons cream sherry
4 eggs.
10oz (275g) plain flour.
1/2 teaspoon salt.
1 level teaspoon ground mixed spice.
4oz (115g) glace cherries, quartered.
4oz (115g) candied peel, chopped.
2oz (50g) blanched almonds. Slivered.

Put the seedless and stoned raisins, sultanas and currants into a bowl and stir in the sherry. Leave in a warm place for several hours to allow the fruit to absorb the sherry.

Grease the cake tin and line the base. Tie three layers of brown parcel paper around the tin, allowing the paper to project some way above the rim.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the treacle and gradually add the eggs, beating well between additions. Add a little flour to the mixture towards the end to prevent it from curdling.

Sieve the remaining flour with the salt and mixed spice. Fold into the egg mixture with the sherry-soaked fruit, cherries, candied peel and almonds. Stir well with a wooden spoon, but do not over-mix or the mixture will become too soft. Turn into the prepared tin and smooth level.

Bake the cake in the pre-heated oven for 1 1/2 hours, then lower the heat to 140c (275f) gas mark 1. And bake for 1 1/2 - 2hours more or until a fine knitting needle or skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven and leave in the tin until cold. Turn out and peel away the lining paper. Wrap in greaseproof paper and store in an airtight container until ready to ice and decorate.