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... Around Towners
Features
to YOUR Rayleigh
8 A View from the Church Rev. Mike Lodge
community magazine! Although England’s trip to Brazil was short lived, it’s a relief to know our boys will be coming home and eating properly – by the looks of Luis Suarez, the food can’t be up to much in Brazil! On a serious note, it would be great if they bought the beautiful weather back with them – especially for all the outdoor events coming up throughout July and August. Check out all of the events, local businesses and news updates from ‘Around Town’ inside now! And please remember to mention Around Town Magazines when responding to adverts. Until next time, please read on and enjoy...
From the Around Town Team
What Our Customers Say
12 Lions Club / Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill Organisations ‘Around Town’ 14 Lime Events Essex Healthy Lifestyle Show 18 Nature Notes EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner 21 Know Your Tradesmen Impact Building & Maintenance 22 The Cook Report Canine Partners 25 Mark Francois MP Political Update 27 Martin Lewis The Money Saving Expert 30 Recipe Big Spud 31 Useful Numbers
‘Around Town is a great publication that gives us the opportunity to target some areas that are just out of our catchment. It has proved successful reaching residents there that want to attend our events and/or use our services.’ Why Advertise? We hand deliver 15,000 copies every month to homes and businesses covering the whole of Rayleigh. This includes several thousand copies available from venues throughout the town and an online edition. To Advertise Contact our details below.
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Copyright 2014. Around Town Billericay is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in Around Town do not necessarily represent those of the editors of Around Town Magazines. Around Town Magazines are published by Black Square Print Media Ltd produced by Black Square Litho Ltd.
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A VIEW FROM THE CHURCH
Come Rain or Shine..? In the Church’s Calendar Saint Swithun, who was a Saxon Bishop, is remembered on 15th July. He was born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in its capital, Winchester. He was famous for charitable gifts and building churches. Swithun was chaplain to Egbert, the 802-839 king of Wessex. Egbert’s son Ethelwulf, whom Swithun educated, made him bishop of Winchester in 852. Only one miracle is attributed to Swithun while he was alive. An old lady’s eggs had been smashed by workmen building a church. Swithun picked the broken eggs up and, it is said, they miraculously became whole again. Swithun died on 2 July 862 and according to tradition, he had asked to be buried humbly. His grave was just outside the west door of the Old Minster, so that people would walk across it and rain fall on it in accordance with Swithun’s wishes. On 15 July 971 though, Swithun’s remains were dug up and moved to a shrine in the cathedral by Bishop Ethelwold. Miraculous cures were associated with the
event, and Swithun’s feast day is the date of the removal of his remains, not his death day. However, the removal was also accompanied by ferocious and violent rain storms that lasted 40 days and 40 nights and are said to indicate the saint’s displeasure at being moved. This is probably the origin of the legend that if it rains on Saint Swithun’s feast day, the rain will continue for 40 more days. This traditional rhyme reminds us of the legend: St Swithin’s day if thou dost rain For forty days it will remain St Swithun’s day if thou be fair For forty days ‘twill rain na mair
Personally I hope the sun shines on 15 July because on Saturday 19 July Rayleigh Churches are holding their annual Family Fun Day in St George V Playing Field. All Churches in Rayleigh work together and support this free event. Children of all ages enjoy the traditional sideshows like hook-aduck and tin-can alley, along with face painting and crafts, amongst many other activities, including refreshments and the ever popular homemade cakes! The more energetic revel in the various inflatables, some
just for the very young… Entertainment through the day includes the Salvation Army Band, ‘No Strings’ puppet theatre, through to ‘Full Circle - playing hits from the 60’s. Over 250 volunteers help make the day a success, and between 2500-3000 people from Rayleigh and farther afield enjoy the great atmosphere. The one exception being the Family Fun Day in 2011 which was a washout and had to be abandoned, in the great tradition of the British summer… or I wonder, did it rain on 15 July that year and the great tradition of St Swithun reigned! Come rain or shine I hope that July and the School holidays marks the beginning of a wonderful summer, which also enables you to find time for rest and relaxation… Yours in the love of Jesus…
01268 742151 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 4.00pm) info@parishofrayleigh.org.uk The Revd Canon Mike Lodge | Parish of Rayleigh www.parishofrayleigh.org.uk
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RAYLEIGH LIONS CLUB At our June meeting we elected a new president to preside for the forthcoming Lionistic Year, it was lion Graham Roberts an IT consultant and a member of the Lions Club of Rayleigh for 30 years. During the course of the month the lions raised funds for a local special needs school for a Glockenspiel for their sensory garden, and donated the £1,000 raised so they could purchase. Final preparations have also been made for our firework fiesta which this year is going to be held on the 8th November, at King Georges Playing Field in Rayleigh. More details on this will follow, but as it is the Rayleigh Lions 40th Anniversary, it is promising to be an explosive evening. So residents, friends & families make a note of this in your diary and give us your support to raise funds for good causes. As previously mentioned we are always looking for new blood to come and join us raise funds whilst having fun, please feel free to visit us on the 1st Tuesday of every month at the Ceders Centre, Castle Road, Rayleigh at 8pm.
ROTARY CLUB OF RAYLEIGH MILL When this issue of ‘Around Town’ comes out the Concert in the Park will have happened. I hope that all our planning and hard work enabled many of you to enjoy the spectacular event. Without the money that we hopefully raise from the concert, many of our charitable donations would not be possible. For example last month we donated £1,060 to Mercy Ships UK, a charity that operates ships that have Doctors, Nurses, Water Engineers and Agriculturists on board to provide help to poor nations around the world. The money was to purchase test equipment on the ship ‘Africa Mercy’ to check the sterility of medical facilities. On 8th July we are holding a charity golf day at Rochford Golf Club where we hope to raise more money. Apart from being an enjoyable event, it does sometimes have surprises. A few years ago at the same event a player won a car at the ‘hole in one’ competition! For next month we are arranging a Folk Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday at Rayleigh Mount. This will be the first time we have arranged such an event and we have seven acts already ‘signed up’ including Richard Digance so we hope this will be another success for the Club. Look out for poster around Rayleigh for details. We meet at Mamma’s Romantica Restaurant in Rayleigh High Street at 7.30pm on Monday nights. If you wish to join us to see if you would be interested in joining, please contact Andrew Shackleton on 01702 201783 or robertashackleton@googlemail.com to make arrangements.
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ROCHFORD HUNDRED RUGBY CLUB Rochford Hundred Rugby Club is a local rugby club formed by three local residents in 1962 and today showcases rugby across all ages, ability and both genders covering over 20 teams. The 1st XV play in the RFU London 2 North East league and the clubs main focus is developing local players to as high a standard of rugby as it possibly can.
NEW PLAYERS WANTED We are looking for girls and boys of all ages and all abilities for next season.
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Our Healthy Lifestyle Show on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July 2014 is a two day event held in spectacular marquees in the picturesque grounds of The Lake Nine Acres, Flemings Farm Road, Eastwood. The venue is conveniently situated between Rayleigh and Southend and only minutes from the A127. The Show will feature local businesses and traders who are involved in providing goods or services that promote a happier, healthier lifestyle. These include • organic and locally produced food • gluten free produce • fruit and smoothie bar • professional fitness and nutritional advice • organic skincare • day spa & beauty therapy • meditation and healing classes
• complimentary men’s health screening • rehab exercise following surgery • pre and post natal advice
• climbing wall • quad bikes
There will also be interactive workshops providing • martial arts demonstrations • dance demonstrations • healthy cooking advice • organic gardening • children’s activity days • football skills • bowls and bowling try outs
The Event is set in nine acres of beautiful landscaped gardens which overlook the large lake at Nine Acres where there are ample parking facilities. Please take a look at the website for further information: Tickets are available in advance through our website www.limeeventsessex.co.uk and EventBrite. Guests will also be able to pay on the day. Bring the family, come and try a sport or activity that you haven’t thought of before, support your local businesses and picnic around the lake! Like us on facebook Limeevents sx.
We have a wealth of activities for the children including • rare breeds farm • shetland ponies • bouncy castles • facepainitng • ball pond
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The Lake at Nine Acres, Flemings Farm Road, Eastwood SS9 5QT | 01702 545 983
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As we watched, several other birds come to the tree to feed. A male Chaffinch picked bugs from the leaves and made occasional short sallies into the air to catch insects in flight. Great and Blue Tits dangled from leafy twigs, a Robin gleaned from the branches, and a Chiffchaff danced around the tree, also catching food in flight and from the foliage.
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We paused our bird survey and contemplated the value of the oak tree. The specimen we admired is mature but not grand, having reached the stage of “Early Ancient”. The lower foliage is lush but some topmost branches are dead and bleached by the sun. Some might look at it and think it unhealthy, but this is not one of the many oaks that have been hit by disease. This is a stag-headed oak, common on farmland and, by dying at the top, has effectively lowered its own crown to reduce the likelihood that it is toppled by winds.
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The English Oak can host up to 280 species of insect. Many birds nest or feed within it, and mammals munch the fallen autumn acorns. For us too it has great value, providing timber for ships and buildings since the time of the Vikings. The oak represents strength and longevity and a mature oak’s age is measured in centuries. Many have been lucky to remain as our insatiable demand for land transforms their surroundings. A mature oak alongside a busy road is not just a site to enjoy and a refuge for wildlife, it is a monument to nature’s survival. Some of the oaks around the town and villages are protected by tree preservation orders (TPOs) but sadly this does not extend to all of them and sometimes we find them gone without notice. If you enjoy a tree it is worth checking with your Borough Council if it has a TPO. If not, ask for one to be added. An ancient oak cannot be replaced even in the lifetime of your children, whatever your age. In July, small birds feed often undetected in the canopy of oaks and the Purple Hairstreak butterfly darts around the crown on a summer evening. Its caterpillars feed on the oak leaves and its next stage, the chrysalis, has been found in ants nests. The relationship with ants is not understood, but we do know that these butterflies are one of many that need our glorious English Oak. (My thanks to John Smart for help with this article).
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Riverside Nursery & Garden Centre A family business. established growers since 1982, With 25 years experience, we take pride in offering the best possible service, first-hand advice and competitive pricing.
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Robert Andrews of Impact Building and Maintenance offers a complete range of property services. From Extensions and Loft Conversions to Driveways, Plastering and Tiling - Impact Building & Maintenance can help you all the way. Robert set up the business is 2005
and enjoys being his own boss and taking on all types of projects – big or small. As a company, Impact Building & Maintenance provide a professional service on a domestic, commercial and industrial level, including kitchen & bathroom installations.
Robert has always had a keen interested in cars and was previously in the car trade after leaving school. He still enjoys tinkering and restoring motors of all kinds, in his spare time.
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Canine Partners – Opening Doors to Independence Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with disabilities through the provision of specially trained dogs. The charity aims to transform the lives of those with disabilities and offer them greater independence, by providing a canine partner dog to give practical day to day assistance with tasks that may be difficult, painful or impossible to perform. The dogs are trained to help with everyday activities, such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, and getting help in an emergency, to improve the quality of life for their owners, as well as provide that special companionship which is so unique to dogs.
The charity was established in 1990 by Anne Conway, assistance dogs enthusiast and dog welfare campaigner, and Liz Ormerod, a vet and animal-assisted therapy expert. By 1994, they had been joined by occupational therapist, Nicky Pendleton, and Roger Jefcoate, who sponsored the training of the first three dogs in 1994. By 2003, Canine Partners
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had bought their own premises, and the first training centre was officially opened in 2005 by the charity’s Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Today, the charity has training centres all over the country, and the Essex Puppy Training Satellite, based in Writtle College, Chelmsford, was opened in 2008. Puppies aged between 14 and 18 months are trained for 17 weeks. In that time, the dogs are taught basic obedience and socialised with the outside world as much as possible, before training in assistance work in the later weeks. Emily Lawrence, Satellite Co-ordinator said ‘Being based at an agricultural college means that we have plenty of opportunity to socialise the puppies with other animals…we also go out and about with our puppies to provide them with experiences of lots of different environments…’. Once the initial training is complete, trainers are responsible for identifying a suitable partner for the dog, which involves meeting with the potential partner, and participating in a two week residential training course with the dog and owner. Dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. The key aim of Canine Partners is to provide an assistance dog that will not only transform its owner’s life through providing practical
support, but also bring many social benefits including greater independence and confidence, a sense of security and increased self esteem. Alison Wyatt, from Essex, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, was partnered with her dog Maddy in 2010, after becoming permanently confined to a wheelchair after damaging her hip in a fall. Alison said ‘I now have the confidence to go out and about more often and meet lots of people when out walking Maddy, something I would have never done before…I wouldn’t know what to do without her’.
Canine Partners receives no government funding and relies solely on public donations. They regularly hold events and information sessions across the UK and Essex, with the next event being a Charity Golf Day at Three Rivers Golf and Country Club in Purleigh on 10th July. To find out more about the charity, and volunteer and fundraising opportunities in Essex, please visit www.caninepartners.org.uk or contact Lindsay Hurrell, Essex Fundraiser on 0845 2090750.
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COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVER SCHOOL CROSSING PATROLS Earlier this year, in response to financial pressure, Essex County Council announced plans to cut 55 school crossing patrols across Essex, in a bid to save over £300,000.
By Mark Francois MP
I had a number of constituents contact me regarding this initiative, many of whom were particularly concerned about the Eastwood Road crossing that serves Wyburns School.
who had contacted me, as well as asking him whether this might represent a false economy, in light of the good work such patrols do across the county, not least in helping to keep children safe.
In response, I made representations to Essex County Council and spoke personally to the Leader of the Council, Cllr David Finch, explaining the views of those
Following our conversation, and in light of the Council’s review of all the responses to their associated consultation exercise about this, the County
Council have subsequently decided to only go ahead with changes to a handful of locations - I believe only those that already have a pelican crossing – and the school patrol at Eastwood Road should now remain as before. This is clearly a victory for common sense and I am very pleased to have been a part of securing this outcome for my constituents. Rt Hon Mark Francois Member of Parliament for Rayleigh and Wickford
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LEWIS
Debt Recovery Banking
Direct. It’s not yet timeThistois hoot the horn Switch to a 0% overdraft. transfer' cash into -your bank account, so you then owe www. a golden time for thoseFirst in debt. While that may in celebration,seem buta strange There’s firstdirect.com offers £100 to new the card instead. thing toasay, the best EVER deals for The www.firstdirect.com account bank account cutting price loan, war.store They’re joiners and a £250 0% overdraft or credit card costs are now on the has smashed every customer You could, of course, find apay-in 0% overdraft. Both First desperate for switchers - paying market. So if you've existing debts, a little bit of action (min £1,000/mth). www. service poll I’ve done, 92% rate Direct and Nationwide offer this if you switch to them, could5% savesavings, you £100s or cashback on bills, or£1,000s. nationwide.co.uk FlexDirect it ‘great’. New switchersbutget paid the amounts offered are usually just bunging you cold hard cash. account giveslimited. a one-year no-fee £250 The aim is to cut the interest £100 rate youcash, pay, so amore of 0% overdraft Yet just 2% of people have switched overdraft (amount depends on and a linked 6% regular saver your repayments clear the debt rather than servicing the 5. Don't repay all debts equally – attack the highest in the last year. Unless you’re 100% credit score) but it only lasts a year. account. pay-in APR first. so you'renow debt-free quicker. The min monthly happy with yourinterest, bank, check if far Soasuse that time to clear it. Full info ismore £1,000, equivalent to paying indebts a are Once your cheap as possible, list them all, just makes the you can gain. 1. Stop borrowing. Borrowing in in www.mse.me/overdrafts. £13,400 plusborrow salary. order of APR. Then focus every problem costlier and longer-lived. You can’t your including overdrafts, The contest has penny on clearing -the as credit it growscard. A few way outstretched of debt. The far tips below are about getting new Orhighest shift itAPR to aone 0% - The www.halifax.co.uk Reward beyond traditional banks. Even more. fastest, just payingspecialist the minimum on thecards others.offer Once ‘money products, not borrowing credit account gives £100 cash to that's clear, move to the next highest. M&S wants to be, well, the M&S of transfers’, where it pays cash to switchers and pays a flat £5 (after 2. launched CREDIT & STORE CARD DEBT: Shift to 31mths 0%. banking. It’s just its first your bank to clear your overdraft, tax)This each you’re The more you pay off, the better. If you just stick to If you've debtsso onmuch cards, do abasic balancerate transfer. is month fees-free account. In fact thenyou’ll you take oweyears it instead. Thetolongest its costlyminimum overdraft repayments, or decades be where youyou ask a with new card paycredit. off debtsAvoid on other so, it’s willing to bribe a to in 31mths 0%just with a the one-off fee of though. at The min pay-in’s £750/mth. (they're is designed so you clear so you owe it instead, hopefully a cheaper rate. debt-free £100 voucher if cards, you switch. 4% of the amount transferred. It’s interest). The exception to the ‘highest APR first’ rule is Santander wins my ‘most So here’s what To you to know hugely powerful loans with penalties for overpaying early. and cheap, but get need a card, you must pass a credit score. Usually the innovative about the best fee-free bank only way to find out is to apply, which marks account’ your file. To pick. While needs to be done right, so please technically not fee-free6. Set - up www. accounts… a direct see debit full to protect get round that, find which card’s most likely to accept best your buyscredit andscore. instructions santander.co.uk 123 account only Forget or make late and you risk losing 0% you with my free Eligibility Checker at www.mse.me/ atrepayments www.moneysavingexpert.com/ • 7-day switching means it’s now charges £2/mth fee and for most deals, being fined and suffering a hit on your credit score. eligibility moneytransfers mostly no hassle. The 7-Day this is dwarfed by what it So pays back. set up a direct debit to cover at least the monthly Switching system now moves While Santander was once known Think banks alleach b*****ds? minimum, then manually pay more are on top month. Get Follow the balance transfer golden rules: your direct debits and standing a) Always repay at least the set formonthly poor minimum, service, or the 123 account an ethical account. And it won’t orders, closes your old special account and 7. Got both and savings? Stop. you lose rates. is our second highest-rated, withdebtseven cost you extra. Here, we factor ensures payments made it get £1,000 credit cardin debt at 18% costs £180 year,rating while given b) Always planto to shift the debt again or fullyit’s repay 75% saying great. The minimum both finances andathe forwarded to your newthe bank - all or setthese pay-in the same amount saved in top paying savings earns just before 0% ends, cards' rates jump to 18.9% is low too, at £500/mth by Ethical Consumer evaluating up within seven and working days. £15 before tax. If you’re thinking “yes, but I like some 17.9% representative APR. (equivalent £6,000 salary). behaviour on the environment, spare cash”, this is often false security. More at c) Don't spend on these cards – it's usually not at the human and animal rights, politics • £100 switching bribes galore. As Kelly tweeted www.mse.me/ClearDebtsWithSavings me (@ same cheap rate. If they’ll pay you to switch, unless and where they invest. martinslewis) “I’m getting about there’s a compelling 8. my Free fee debt-crisisDespite help. 3. LOANreason, DEBT: Cangrab you cut the £18cost? per month back after its recent scandals, the the cash. Though need astomostfantastic. While my tips above should help cut the cost of debt, for This isyou’ll more difficult, old loans charge up to £6 just fortwo my mortgage.” www.co-operativebank.co.uk is pass the credit check genuinely months'and interest to repay early, which needs factoring in. some people that isn’t enough. If you're struggling to still rated one of its top picks on Switch bank and earn 5% savings. switch to get the money... meet your minimum repayments and basic bills, have ethics, it pays £100 to switch to it range fee-free bank debts non-mortgage bigger than a year's salary, or can’t It's worth trying if you can getAa much lowerofAPRtop loan (ie, • The new www.marksandspencer. and likely donates one of seven accounts offer sleepsavings for worry, you're to be in£25 debtto crisis. more than a fifth off) and have a while leftnow to repay – high com account gives £100 on an M&S charities. rates as loss-leaders especially if your credit score's improved since getting to get you to gift card if you the switch, one reward If so,TSB ignore contact a non-profit loan. switch to them – such as forthe options Also above try andwww.nationwide.co.uk, point for every £1 spent at the advice service that uses a different set of solutions, up to £2,000 at 5%, for updebt to £5,000 mentioned above, and www.nandp. store, a £100 interest-free overdraft as StepChange (stepchange.org), Citizens Advice 4. OVERDRAFTS/CATALOGUES: Shift to Lloyds is 0%. 4% and for up such to £20,000 co.uk, whose debit card allows and doesn’t require pay or need to put money in a (citizensadvice.org.uk) or National Debtline If you've you a costlytooverdraft (see above) Santander is 3%. cheapDon’t spending abroad. a minimum amount eachtomonth. worry, they’re thereOr to for a bank account pay off catalogue debts, there’s a way to (nationaldebtline.co.uk). real change, find a credit union - a Slash overdraft costs. An While decent use fora credit regular M&S help, not judge. card for this. local savings and loan non-profit overdraft is a debt like any other. shoppers, basic taxpayers A fewrate balance transfer cards let newbies 'money @MoneySavingExpert co-operative, 25 of the 500 offer The key is to cut the interest so you will need to spend £500/mth there current accounts. Find one near can clear it quicker. There are two for it to beat Halifax and its bank’s service is untested compared to main choices… you www.abcul.org.
Martin Lewis - Money Saving Expert
www.MoneySavingExpert.com @MoneySavingExpert
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THE WOODMANS ARMS Rayleigh Road, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 3TA 01268 775799 Friday 4th July – The Laughing Pod presents an Independence Day Special night of comedy at the Woodmans. Curry Night every Monday - £12.95 including a drink Freshly prepared Lunch and Evening menu
Enjoy your first drink FREE with this voucher when dining with us at the Woodmans Arms.
Valid until 31st July 2014. T’s & C’s apply.
Early Supper Special – 2 courses £14.95 3 courses £17 Monday – Thursday 5pm-7pm Friday 18th July – Soul Seduction Night with MJ & Bully Phil Cavill LIVE at the Woodmans Thursday 11th September direct from the West End – Les Miserables and Miss Saigon
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Cheese and Onion Tart
If you’re spending your Summer having friends round for barbecues and picnics, having something on hand that feeds a crowd is a life-saver. This cheese and onion tart, savoury and more-ish, needs no more accompaniment than a fresh garden salad. And if you’re not having friends round - enjoy it yourself! Ingredients for the pastry: 200g plain flour 70g strong cheddar, grated 30g unsalted butter, diced 1 egg
Ingredients for the filling:
6 smoked bacon rashers, sliced 450g mix of red and brown onions 50g butter A pinch of nutmeg 1 tablespoon flour 100ml milk 100ml crème fraîche 3 eggs, beaten
Method: 1.
First prepare the pastry. Combine the flour, cheese and butter with a pinch of salt until you get a breadcrumb texture. Add the egg and maybe a splash of milk if needed to bring it all together. Wrap the dough in cling-film and rest in the fridge for at least half an hour before using. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and gently fry the onions (peeled and finely sliced) for 15 minutes until soft and golden. Roll out the pastry to about the thickness of a pound coin and lay into a baking dish. Prick all over with a fork and blind-bake for 15 minutes until golden. Add the bacon to the onions and fry for a couple more minutes. Tip in the flour and stir well for 2 more minutes. Add the milk and stir vigorously to make a thick oniony paste. Add the crème fraîche and stir a little longer, then remove from the heat. Add the eggs to incorporate, season well then pour into the pastry case. Bake for 30 minutes until golden, then allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving in thick wedges.
2. 3. 4.
Recipe supplied by Big Spud www.bigspud.co.uk
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recipes@bigspud.co.uk
M@bigspud
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BYFORDS TRADITIONAL f r e s h
f o o d s
• 3 Star Gold Great Taste Award winning Smoked Gammon • Finest quality English Lamb • Glazed, smoked or unsmoked Hams • Locally sourced Beef • Traditional homemade Pork Pies
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