1000 fruit trees to be cut down by Cambridgeshire CC for a new road – madness. Road to cost £160 million – just ban cars from the city and use existing roads just for buses and bikes and pedestrians.
NHS
NHS doctors offered £5000 to move to private hospitals. Was poor pay deal planned to encourage this further demise in the NHS? Govt. incompetent and corrupt.,
SPRING SEEDS
Pots primed for seeds, but I decided to make sure I had done the labels first – Itried last year, but still ended up with random plants! So planting seeds tomorrow – daylight is now 50-50 so hopefully we will see all systems go. Tomato seeds are Garden Pearl (cherry), Marmande, San Marzano (plum), Golden Sunrise, Red Cherry, Tigrella. All in today. I will keep 2 of each in the greenhouse and maybe sell some at the shop? But probably give them away (if they all sprout!). 30 small pots with 2/3 seeds each – we will see. Basil on kitchen window sill? Chillies in conservatory.
Filling the tomato pots with water ready for transplant later. Plant rest of seeds tomorrow – temperatures should remain above 5C at night from now on – heater if necessary.
Garden needs tidying over next week – green wheelie to fill. And cut back around raspberries and greenhouse.
NHS STRIKES
A negiotiated settlement is agreed (although the funding remains opaque. Other disputes rumble on and some are just starting. Clueless.
Tax allowances remain frozen so we will all pay more tax and living standards will continue to fall. And the Chancellor gives the top 1% a pensions boost with the excuse that it will keep doctors in the NHS – so why is ot open to. all. He did a seperate one for Judges? Someone with a £2 million pension pot gets a £250000 tax cut. Just what they need!
BUDGET
First of all – why bother. Just about everything was leaked in advance anyway! We love in the 21st century where the markets and business operate 24/7/365 – yet it is seen as appropriate for the British Government to issue a budget every spring (apart from the Autumn one which they really fucked up!)
A strange one. Why give people with a £2 million pension pot a £250000 tax cut? Will people really go back to work/ stay on for a few extra quid in this bracket? It obviously does not affect the working person 11p a pint less for beer will not encourage people to return to the pub – that ship has sailed and pubs will continue to shut. The cut in petrol tax is extended – but who will notice that it has not gone up? 30 hours of free childcare for those who can find anywhere able to take their children and pay the extra cost that most charge (and certainly will for 1-3 year olds??!!??. Defence spending up is expected and possibly necessary but procuremnent procedures need to be sorted. The investment zone stuff still needs clarification (talk of 12 new “Canary Wharfs” is obviously bullshite).
So he has pleased the top 1% and will rely on the Mail and Sun and Express and Telegraph to con as many people as possible that he has helped them.
What was more interesting was what he did not say! Nothing about the green economy apart from nuclear; nothing about public services. No outlining of why basic tax payers will have to pay £500 more a year. Nothing about infrastructure.
Anyway I suppose it is unsurprising that the budget was dull. Living standards for most continue to fall faster than ever since records began and given the paucity of talent in their ranks what could we expect.
However I am perturbed by the fact that there seems to be a consensus that raising living standards for the poorest is seen to be counter growth in the economy? Surely the poorest spend money at home and raise the economy more than those who squirrel it away in off shore tax havens. I suppose it is an us and them scenario?
TACTICS
For once I have to applaud the ingenuity of the government. They come up with a policy that is illegal knowing it will not work due to international law. They know labour will oppose it. But thrust of the policy is populist – when it is opposed in Parliament they can spend weeks claoming that Labour believe the opposite of their policy as they opposed it in Parliament. The Mail and Telegraph, Express, etc. echo this view. The people are conned into thinking the problem is therefore created by labour. Genius! The Illegal Refugees Bill is a perfect example. It will never get past the courts – but the political gain will have been made.
The trashing of EU laws we often created and supported could lead to trade bans by the EU – who will then blamed (I am thinking agricultural and food products here). Perhaps something like some American products being banned by the courts – blame leftie lawyers rather than the attempt to subvert food standards and undermine farmers. State that Labour wants to increase food prices rather than the greedy supermarkets who have massively increased profits this year.
The Trade Union Bill to undermine and inhibit strikes is probably against Human Rights Legislation – make it more onerous so it will definitely fail in the courts and then blame Labour for supporting Union Barons and strikes that disrupt peoples lives, thus totally diverting attention fromnm their poor wages and restrictive policies.
PRIORITIES
Braverman tells us that only some refugees are ‘supposedly’ good people – I fail how not to see this as incredical words. She relies on the Police for her information, of whom 1539 have been accused of domestic violence (and probably at least double this due to fear). Fiona Bruce defends Stanley Johnson for breaking his wifes nose – just the once. I guess it did not go to the police, the rich can pay people off.
Meanwhile we have energy costs spiralling, mortgage and rent costs rising, food prices rising, sewage polluting our streams renering them unsafe to swim in, agriculture in dire straits, transport networks in an unplanned mess (unless in London), voting rights restricted.
CHRIS SKIDMORE
Is he really the only Tory MP who will refuse to vote for the illegal migration bill on the grounds that it breaks international law and human rights conventions we helped establish.
The British Public in general want the refugee situation sorted to stop the deaths to migrants and the cost of hotels, etc. BUT not at the cost of breaaking laws and treaties or failing to meet our international obligations. Can someone also point out to Braverman that we have a labour shortage and a demographic situation which will make it worse. Most of the refugees are young fit and healthy.
BBC
Reinstates Lineker and says it will produce new guidelines. I wonder who they chose for the committee to decide new guidelines? I understand a need for impartiality, but surely only in news and current affairs departments. It certainly should not apply to free lancers. Will all paid members of the BBC have to state their political allegiances? If the list was biased towards labour (likely given the lack of talent revealed by Tories), would they encourage positive discrimination?
Basically the Government seems to have pushed/manipulated the BBC into supporting its Culture Wars. This one seems to have misfired – very few are suggesting that Lineker shouldbe muzzled – freedom of speech. I have not heard a sensible argument in sipport of the BBC. If he was a bit out of order (in some peoples opinions) with his wording – would he still be in trouble for stating that “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people …….?” .
Meanwhile Lee 30[ Anderson shows no remorse at the photo od a DEAD YOUNG CHILD on a beach – stating that he should not have been here anyway!
EASTER COOKIES
EASTER BISCUITS (COOKIES)
Published: Mar 28, 2020 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Jacqueline Bellefontaine ·
Sharing is caring!
434SHARES
These classic old fashioned biscuits are called Easter biscuits because they were traditionally baked and given as gifts at Easter time. Lightly spiced and speckled with currants they are delicious and make a change from the usual chocolate confections.


Never miss a recipe!
Subscribe to my newsletter Recipe Crumbs for all my latest recipes, posts and more straight into your inbox. (NB It may be a couple of days before you get the 1st one)SUBSCRIBEI consent to receiving emails and personalized ads.
These days when it comes to Easter baking our thoughts often turn to chocolate (at least I know mine does) and hot cross buns. But these biscuits make a delicious change and of course, there is no reason why you can not bake them at any time of the year.
Making biscuits and cookies gives very quick rewards, especially with recipes that do not need chilling. So if you fancy a quick treat this is the recipe for you.
Easter Biscuits originated in West Country, some traditional recipes from the Somerset region used cinnamon flavoured cassia oil that was thought to had been used to embalm Christ’s body.
This recipe is adapted from an old WI recipe book of mine from the 1970’s and I have made them many times over the years.
You will like these biscuits because:
- Quick and easy to make
- Keep well – store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks
- Freezer friendly – Freeze for up to 6 months.

Hints, tips and Variations
Spice – I’ve used ground cinnamon for the spice which has a similar flavour to cassia (Cassia is often misnamed and mistaken as cinnamon though these are two different spices.) but you can use nutmeg or mixed spice if preferred.
Currents – are the traditional dried fruit and I think they work best (but also works well with raisins or sultanas)
Mixed Peel – I like the mixed peel in these biscuits but many modern recipes use grated lemon zest or even orange zest and omit the peel.
Cookie Cutters – I’ve used a fluted cutter because they look pretty but you could, of course, use plain round cutters or if you don’t have any cookie cutters use an upturned cup or glass instead.

MORE EASTER BISCUITS AND COOKIES FROM MY FRIENDS
- Hot Cross Shortbread Cookies -– Farmers Girl Kitchen
- Vegan Easter Biscuits – Jo Kitchen Larder
- Double Chocolate Mini Egg Cookies – Curly’s Cooking
- Easy Cream Egg Cookies – Fab Food For All
- Easter Simnel Cookies – She Eats
- Easter cookies – Cooking with my Kids
MORE EASTER CRUMBS



Easter biscuits step by step

NO TIME TO MAKE IT NOW – PIN FOR LATER
Recommended
- Lime Meringue CupcakesRead More
- Homemade Fig RollsRead More
- Baked Bengal Curds with Macerated BerriesRead More

Easter Biscuits
A classic old English recipe which takes it name from when they were traditionally baked. Delicious to enjoy at any time of the year.
Course afternoon tea, Snack
Cuisine British
Keyword biscuits, cookies, Easter, traditional recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 18 mins
Servings 18
Author Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Equipment
IngredieMTS
- 75 g (3oz) butter
- 75 g (3oz) golden caster sugar
- 1 egg separated
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 50 g (2oz) currants
- 15 g (½oz) mixed peel
- 175 g (6oz) plain flour (all purpose)
- 3 tablespoon milk
- golden granulated sugar to sprinkle
- My take on this – double cinnamon and add ginger and mixed spice- leave out mixed peel (Katie) –
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180℃ (160℃ fan)/350°F/gas mark 4.
- Beat 75g (3oz) softened butter with 75g (3oz) caster sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in 1 egg yolk.
- Add ¼tsp cinnamon, 50g (2oz) currants and 15g (½oz) mixed peel and mix to combine, then beat in 3tbsp milk.
- Add 175g (6oz) plain flour and mix to a stiff dough. Roll out the dough to 6mm (¼in) thick then use a 7cm (3in) round cookie cutter cut out biscuits and transfer to a baking sheet. Gather up the trimmings, roll and repeat.
- Lightly beat the egg white and brush the surface of the biscuits with the egg white, then sprinkle with a little granulated sugar.
- Bake for 15 – 18 minutes until pale golden.
