Real Bread Week

Real Bread Week February 22nd – March 1st

Real Bread Week is the annual celebration of local, independent Real Bread bakeries, and homebaked bread.

Bread is one of the oldest prepared foods. It dates back to Neolithic times, when lumps of unleavened dough (made without yeast or other raising agents), were placed on hot stones in the embers of a wood fi re. Archaeologists have correlated the development of human civilisations with the evolution of what is now regarded as the modern species of bread wheat.

Over the centuries bread became synonymous with life. In England bread defi ned the social hierarchy. The word “Lord” comes from the AngloSaxon hlaford meaning “loaf ward”, the master who supplies food.

Bread-making is chemistry-you-can-eat. Our ancestors discovered that ground grain mixed into a rough porridge with water could be transformed into a tasty, moist, puffy, mass that was crisp on the outside, simply by placing it near a fi re. It was an extraordinary discovery. These fl at breads as they are called are still meal staples in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Somewhere along the way we also discovered that if the porridge mixture was left in the open air for a few days it magically began to rise and could then be baked into the most wonderful cloud-like substance, leavened bread. 24 Although bread has occupied a central role in our lives and diet it hasn’t all been plain sailing. The rise of ultra-refi ned industrial bread in the middle of the last century led to mass-produced tasteless dough devoid of much nutritional benefi t. Then there was the bread boycott led by Dr. Atkins and his low-carb, high protein comrades. But real bread - naturally leavened, long-fermented, and hearth-baked is enjoying a comeback, thanks to bread pioneers in artisan bakeries across the country. They use an array of fl ours and traditional grains, like emmer and spelt. It’s now possible to buy high quality, beautiful, tasty loaves on many high streets.

More of us are making our own bread too. There are bread-making classes and online tutorials. At the most basic level, it’s fairly straightforward to transform fl our, water, salt and yeast into a loaf of bread and this is why the Real bread Campaign is keen to get children involved. The joy of nursing their fi rst loaf from raw ingredients to mouthwatering yumminess slathered with butter and jam should not be underestimated. From then on it becomes a highly addictive pastime: fruit loaf, crusty rolls, focaccia…the urge to experiment and perfect the dough takes over. It’s the perfect family activity…and you can eat the results. What could be nicer?

Having grown up in Bedford Eleanor set up Tutor Doctor in 2019 having previously worked in a local school as a Careers Officer. She has been helping students grow in confidence and ability within Bedford and the surrounding villages ever since. Tutor Doctor Bedford offers a tailor-made tutoring service which is designed to meet the child where they are and get them to where they want to be. Eleanor thoroughly assesses a student’s needs and then carefully selects the best-fit tutor based on goals, personality and learning level. As a working mum of two school age children, Eleanor completely understands the constant juggling families are facing and also recognises just how hard it can be for children at the moment. The online provision provided by schools has improved dramatically since the previous lockdown, but Eleanor is seeing first-hand how some children are struggling to maintain focus and motivation. This is where one-to-one, bespoke tuition can really help. Eleanor’s tutors are all hand-picked, experienced and well qualified. All of them have an enhanced DBS check and will help students with their studies in addition to helping develop those allimportant executive functioning skills, add routine to the week and help maintain resilience during these challenging times.

All tuition is currently delivered online via a purpose-built virtual learning platform and can move to in-home once it is safe to do so, at times which are convenient to you and your family. If you would like to speak with Eleanor about your child’s education then give her a call on 07837 268217 or contact her at efox@tutordoctor.co.uk

“My son is studying A level Spanish and really needed some help in order to improve his grade for Uni applications. I researched the options for tutors locally and decided to contact Tutor Doctor. And I’m so glad I did. The service provided right from the start has been nothing but professional. There was an initial phone call and then a meeting with my son to establish his requirements in detail so the best match to a tutor could be made. He has indeed been matched with a fantastic tutor and in just a few weeks has already gained confidence which has been reflected in his schoolwork. I also receive feedback following each lesson so I can keep track of progress. All in all Tutor Doctor is a service worth investing in and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it again or recommend it.” 25