Emergency Contacts

Council Emergencies (Out of Hours) Telephone: 0161 912 2020

Household Emergencies National Grid Gas (if you smell gas) - 0800 111 999 United Utilities (leaks) - 0800 330 033 United Utilities (water supply) - 0845 746 2200 Electricity North West - 0800 195 4141

Police Greater Manchester Police (Non-emergencies) – Dial 101 Greater Manchester Police - 0161 872 5050

Health North West Ambulance Service - 01204 498 400 NHS Direct - 111 Trafford General Hospital - 0161 748 4022 Altrincham General Hospital - 0161 928 6111

Fire Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Ser-vice - 0161 736 5866

Age UK Trafford - 0161 746 9754

CarringtonCarrington

January 2019January 2019

Your To Do List

In FocusIn Focus

January 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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Variety of Conference/Meeting room types available, including:

Full multimedia Facilities - Wireless Internet - Hearing Loop - Presentation Materials

Refreshments - Free Parking 7 days a week - Rooms catering from 2 - 100 people

On site catering in the Carrington Lounge which is open to the public.

Breakfast: 7.15 - 10.00am - Lunch: 11.30am - 1.45pm. Available Monday - Friday.

We also provide a full catering service for any buffets you may require when using our

conference rooms.

For further details contact

Lynn McCabe

0161 776 4140

E mai l : i n fo@ carr ing tonpar i shcounc i l . o rg .uk

Twi t te r : @ carr i ng ton_pc

FaceBook: www. facebook.com/

carr ingtonv i l l age

We bs i te : ww w.c arr ingtonpar i shcounc i l . o rg .uk

Welcome to the January edition of

Carrington in Focus.

Happy New Year to all our readers! We

can’t believe how quickly 2018 came and

went. Another busy twelve months that

seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. We’re sure that it felt the

same for many of you. For us, this is always a time for reflection

and preparation; looking back at the year gone by and planning how

we can work toward a better year ahead.

January is traditionally a time to start new things, or give up old

ones. Approximately 60% of people make New Years resolutions

but why? We look into where this tradition started and how it

flourished.

If you are clearing the clutter, or starting a new project then you

may need a skip to help clear the mess. Check out our article to

give you the best hints and tips before you hire.

This month also gives our Scottish family and friends the

celebration of Burn’s Night. Who was the man behind this and how

do we celebrate him? Our article will help if you are having your

own Burn’s Night party. Don’t forget the haggis!

We also have our regular features including News from the

Council, the puzzle page, seasonal food and great tips for your

garden.

If there is something that you would like to see in the magazine,

then please get in touch. Its great to hear your feedback and we

look forward to adding your ideas.

Prince's Trust Team Programme with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue

Service

Course starts Monday 14th January 2019. Stretford Fire Station 246-248 Park

Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8RJ.

If you’re unemployed and between 16 and 25, you can meet new people, gain new skills and

train on our Team programme. Join Team, our 12-week personal development programme,

for the chance to gain new skills, take a qualification and meet new people. When you come

on board, you’ll be challenged to:

• Take on your own group community project, making a positive difference to the place where

you live.

• Take part in an action packed residential trip.

• Get two weeks’ work experience in something you’re interested in.

• Gain qualifications and certificates such as; First Aid at Work, Food Safety and Manual

Handling.

As part of the course, we also spend some time developing your interview and CV skills to

ensure your confidence is sky-high for when taking the next step. You can apply on the Future

Heroes Facebook page or through Twitter. Alternatively you can call for free on: 0800 555

815 or text your name, age and postcode to 07580 698 595.

To access the programme you must be 16-25 years old and not in employment, education or

training.

Telephone: 07780531515

E-mail: heywoodm@manchesterfire.gov.uk

Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/get-job/boost-your-

confidence

Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/GMFRSFutureHeroes/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/futureheroesuk?lang=en

Sleep Tight Trafford - 1 to 1 Sleep clinic

Partington & Carrington Childrens Centre, 106 Central Road, Partington.

Tuesday 22 January 2019, 8.45 am until 3.30 pm

Is your child having difficulty falling asleep at bedtime? Do they wake in the night?

Do they wake up early in the morning or do you have trouble getting them out of

bed in a morning ?

These sessions are available to any Trafford parent who is struggling with their

child’s sleep. Appointments are with a member of the Sleep Tight Trafford team and

last 60 minutes and parents do not need to bring their child to this appointment.

If your child has additional needs you can request a double appointment so we have

plenty of time to help you improve your child’s sleep..

Tel: 0161 286 4201 Website: www.togethertrust.org.uk/sleep-tight-trafford

In the Garden ... Whatever the weather there are always things to do

Get potatoes on the go: Home grown potatoes are a taste sensation,

far better in flavour than any spuds available to buy in shops. To enjoy

your own, snap up some seed potatoes – miniature tubers – for planting in

pots or the ground. Before planting, encourage them to form shoots using

a technique known as chitting. Place individual tubers in the empty cups of

an egg carton, making sure the rose end is facing upwards – this is the area

marked with a cluster of ‘eyes’. Place the carton in a cool, light, dry place

for about six weeks until they have produced lots of 2.5cm long, stubby green shoots.

Avoid putting them in a warm, dark place or you’ll end up with lots of spindly white shoots

that will snap off easily.

Beds and borders: Tie in wayward stems of climbing plants to prevent any wind damage

and give a light maintenance prune to shrubs before vigorous growth in the spring. Plant

bare root roses, shrubs and fruit to allow them time to establish before flowering or

fruiting this summer. Begin to plant lily bulbs now for displays this spring - we highly

recommend the tremendous Jumbo 'Skyscraper' Lily for incredible towers of flowers!

Undercover gardening: Open greenhouse doors and vents once a day to allow fresh air

to circulate. Keep house plants in good shape by snipping off dead flowers and tatty foliage.

Check indoor plants for sap-sucking mealy bugs and scale insects. Control by wiping off

with a cloth or bud dipped in alcohol.

Around your garden: Comb your hand through soft leaved ornamental grasses to

remove dead or dying foliage. Remove decaying plants and old leaves from ponds by

twirling it out with a garden cane. Tie in wayward shoots of climbing plants to prevent

damage by wind. Keep off lawns in frosty weather.

In the kitchen garden: Harvest winter veg as required. Cut back all

stems of autumn fruiting raspberry plants to ground level. Rewrite fading

plant labels in the herb garden before names fade during rain and snow.

Order vegetable seeds and organise varieties by their sowing date. Prune

apple and pear trees whilst still dormant over the winter but leave other

fruits such as plums and cherries unpruned until the summer to avoid

silver leaf infections.

Wildlife: Keep birds feeders full of food such as peanuts, sunflower hearts and suet

products. Put seed mix, chopped apples and grated cheese on ground-feeding stations for

ground feeders like robins, thrushes and blackbirds. Check bird boxes to make sure they

are still safely fixed to the fence or wall and haven’t rotted. Remove any nesting material

from previous years. If you need to replace the box or have space for more, bird boxes are

available to buy and easy to make. You can recycle your Christmas tree by removing

branches and bundling them together to make wildlife habitats. You can

also chop up the trunk and add the pieces to your log pile. If you

accidentally unearth a queen bee while digging, don’t rebury her. Gently

put her somewhere cold and dry where she can continue hibernating and

offer her a sugar solution of equal parts sugar and water in a bottle top

or something similar. This will boost her energy to provide a new

hibernation site and she may even establish an early nest.

Burns Night 2019: When is it, how is it celebrated and

what's in the traditional supper?

What is Burns Night? Burns Night might conjure up immediate images of washing down a forkful of peppery haggis with a wee dram of scotch but far less is known about the historical origins of the ritual. Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and enduring legacy of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. While it was organised by his close friends and family after he died as a memorial it has morphed into a country wide event. People celebrate the evening in their homes or in

restaurants with traditional Scottish fare, music, and renditions of Burns‟ poetry.

Who is Robert Burns? The poet, who is also known as Rabbie Burns, penned more than 550 poems and songs before he died in 1796. A massive source of inspiration to the founders of Liberalism and Socialism, the 18th-century writer is known for his astute social commentary and focus on all things political. Scotland‟s national poet is deemed something of a revolutionary figure there and beyond. Dubbed the “greatest Scot of all time” by STV in 2009, the writer from Ayrshire died of rheumatic fever at the young age of just 37. His funeral was held on the same day his son Maxwell was born. Burns‟ body was transferred from a churchyard grave to a mausoleum in Dumfries where his wife Jean Armour was also laid to rest after her death in

1834.

When is Burns Night?

Burns Night falls on 25 January every year without fail to mark the iconic writer‟s birthday.

How is Burns Night celebrated? The main attraction of Burns Night is undoubtedly a Burns supper. This traditionally involves people donning tartan, listening to bagpipes, crooning Auld Lang Syne, which is also sung at New Year‟s Eve, and reciting the great writer‟s songs and poems. Celebrations - whether at home or at a themed evening - often incorporate the Saltire, the national flag of Scotland. While the first Burns supper was held way back in 1801 and new rituals have been appended since then, the crux of the celebration

remains unchanged and revolves around paying tribute to Burns in whatever way feels fitting.

What‟s in the traditional dinner? The jewel in the crown of any Burns Supper is always haggis. For the uninitiated, haggis is a savoury pudding containing sheep‟s heart, liver and lungs, which is minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, stock, and a veritable plethora of spices. It is traditionally sheathed in the animal‟s stomach. Burns describes haggis as the “great chieftain o‟ thepuddin-„race” and a traditional Burns Night kicks off with a host reading his "Address to a Haggis". Haggis is served with the classic side of mashed neeps and tatties (swedes and potatoes). The food is of course accompanied by whisky. Vegetari-ans and pescetarians - or those who want to try something a little different - can choose haggis made

without meat and seafood such as Cullen Skink soup made from smoked haddock.

The poet, who was a tremendous source of inspiration to the founders of

Liberalism and Socialism, penned more than 550 well-known poems and

songs before he died at the age of just 37.

News from your Council

Noise Complaints: The Council has received complaints about

excessive noise around the School Lane area of the village. We are

looking into this and will be discussing the matter with Trafford Council

for advice. If you are having any issues within the village, please contact

us and let us know.

Airport Car Parking: As many of you will be aware, a new parking

facility business for the airport has been opened on the former

Millhouse car park. We welcome them to the village and wish them well

in their new venture.

Manchester United: We have been contacted by locals who have

expressed concern at the amount of cars parked on Sinderland Road at

the rear of the training ground. Unfortunately, as this is a public highway

not within the Parish boundaries, there is little we can do. We have

advised that these concerns should be raised with Manchester United

Football Club, the local police and with the Council that covers the area.

Residents Wanted: We are still looking for local residents to join the

Council. Do you have some spare time to help the village? Please

contact us for more information, or why not join us at the next meeting.

Next Council Meeting: January 16th at Carrington Business Park.

Meeting starts at 7.30p.m. (subject to change, please check Facebook for

updates).

If you have any issues that you would like to raise, please contact

us on Facebook, Twitter or via the website. Alternatively contact

one of our councillors; Roy Gaskill, Gavin Lees, Tony Marsh or

Joanne Neild.

Monthly updates from the Parish Council about issues

important to our village

KIDS CORNERKIDS CORNER

Why not colour the picture in as you go?

Online service helps residents find right treatment

Trafford residents are being urged to help ease the pressure on the NHS by seeking the right

help if they fall ill. The 111 online service – www.111.nhs.uk – is available for all Greater

Manchester residents but Trafford has one of the lowest uptakes in the area.

111 online helps people get urgent healthcare using their smartphone, tablet or computer.

People answer questions about their symptoms and receive tailored advice on what to do next

and where to go. Depending on the situation, the team can connect people to a nurse, an emergency dentist or GP.

The online service is fast, free and easy to use and offers the same help as the 111 phoneline.

Residents can use the service to:

• Answer questions about your symptoms

• Find out where to go for help if you can’t see your GP or dentist, or get a call back from a nurse

• Get advice on self care

Dr Mark Jarvis, Clinical Director of Trafford CCG, said: “I would strongly urge people to use 111 online – it is quick

and easy to use and delivers the appropriate advice for residents who need it. This is about people receiving the

right care swiftly and efficiently. We want to avoid people making unnecessary visits to A&E or their GP when there

are more appropriate alternatives. By using 111 online, people can be advised on their best course of action.”

Trafford Music Service wants to know if your band rocks

Householders Are you the next young Beatles, Rolling Stones or Oasis? If you dream big and your band rocks in more

ways than one then you could be on the road to fame with the help of Trafford Music Service. The Service is on the

lookout for the borough‟s best young bands for this year‟s glittering Battle of the Bands competition on Saturday, 2

February, 2019, at the Claremont Centre, in Sale. Trafford Music Service is also hosting a Rock School Showcase event

earlier on the same day.

Groups in the Battle of the Bands competition will be battling it out for an amazing prize – playing a live gig at

the iconic Manchester music venue Band on the Wall on Sunday 10th February.

Suzanne Waller, Acting Head of Trafford Music Service, said: “Our Rock School performance followed by our Battle of

the Bands is our celebration of rock music in Trafford. Trafford Music Service has a fantastic Rock School, based at

the Claremont Centre on Wednesday evenings, where Trafford students can learn from some of the very best teachers

and equipment on our Jam Pods. Battle of the Bands on the 2nd February, is an evening where we invite all bands

run by Trafford pupils, whether they learn with us or not, to take part – with the winner going on to participate in

the Greater Manchester Music Hub‟s final contest at the legendary Band on the Wall. It‟s great to be able to raise

the profile Trafford‟s talented rock musicians and we encourage children to take part. Any bands wanting a

performance opportunity should visit Trafford Music Service‟s website for entry details.”

To take part in the Battle of the Bands, please make sure that all competing bands (and members) are available on

Saturday 2 February and Sunday 10 February. Band members must be under 18 and live or attend school in

Trafford. Entries will be accepted if the majority of the band lives in Trafford. Competing bands must perform at

both events. We may also take photographs at the event and entrants must understand that we will use the

photographs for publicity purposes.

Trafford Music Service provides high quality music making opportunities to thousands of children across the borough.

For more information on the service and to apply to perform as a band go to traffordmusicservice.co.uk

NEWS

Why Do We Make New Year's Resolutions?

Every time a new year rolls around, people set out to better

themselves. They promise they will lose weight, find a new job,

or maybe even take that holiday they've always talked about. But

why do we make these promises to ourselves, and where did this

tradition come from? Why does this tradition live on when so

many people fail to keep the resolutions they make? Well, we can start by blaming the

ancient Babylonians.

Around 4000 years ago in Babylon, the earliest recorded celebration honouring the coming

of a new year was held. Calendars weren’t as they are today, so the Babylonians kicked

things off in late March during the first new moon after the Spring Equinox. The collective

ceremonial events were known as the Akitu festival, which lasted 11 days. The festivities

were dedicated to the rebirth of the sun god Marduk, but the Babylonians made promises in

order to get on the right side of all of their gods. They felt this would help them start the

new year off on the right foot.

Resolutions continued on with the Romans. When the early Roman calendar no longer

synced up with the sun, Julius Caesar decided to make a change. He consulted with the best

astronomers and mathematicians of the time and introduced the Julian calendar, which

more closely represents the modern calendar we use today. Caesar declared January 1 the

first day of the year to honour the god of new beginnings, Janus. The Romans celebrated the

New Year by offering sacrifices to Janus.

To this day, the traditions of the ancient Babylonians and Romans continue on around the

world. However, the numbers are bleak when it comes to the amount of people who

maintain their resolutions; only eight percent of people are successful in sticking them out.

The most popular resolutions:

Lose Weight

Get Organised

Save More Money

Enjoy Life

Get—and Stay—Healthy

Learn Something New

Quit Smoking

Help Others Pursue Their Goals

Find Love

Spend More Quality Time With Family Members

If those failed resolutions above look familiar and remind you that the whole concept is a

bust, or if they inspire you to create your own list of promises for 2018, just remember that

this tradition is destined to live on. We have 4000 years worth of history telling us so, and

that's a statistic that's hard to argue with.

Answers in next month’s edition

Across

1. Seafarer (7)

4. Attain (5)

7. Catlike mammal (5)

9. Type of rock (7)

10. Respire (7)

11. Gaze (5)

12. Resembling a

horse (6)

14. Unit of time (6)

18. Pandemonium (5)

20. Melodious (7)

22. Elusive (7)

23. Fibbing (5)

24. Foe (5)

25. Distinguished (7)

Down

1. Gruesome (7)

2. Variety show (5)

3. Elevated (6)

4. Parts of a ladder (5)

5. Fruit (7)

6. Precipitance (5)

8. Colossus (5)

13. Unwitting (7)

15. Tripod (5)

16. Joy (7)

17. Hinder (6)

18. Pancake (5)

19. Glossy (5)

21. Percussion instru-

ment (5)

Answers to last month’s edition

Time for a Clear Out?

From kitchen refits to garden clearances, if you are undertaking a DIY task that will produce waste, skip hire may be the easiest and cheapest rubbish removal solution. In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about hiring a skip in the UK.

How much does skip hire cost? Skip hire is one of the most affordable and convenient waste removal solutions available in the UK. There are many variables that can influence the cost of a skip, including your location, the skip size you require, hire length and whether or not you will require a skip hire permit. The placement of your skip will also effect the price. If you need to place the skip on council land, you may require a skip hire permit, which can cost in excess of £60. The skip size you require has a direct impact on the price, with bigger skips costing more than smaller skips. Mini skips normally start around £60-80, whereas larger builders skips can cost upwards of £120. To ensure you receive the best possible skip hire deal, it is a good ideal to request at least 3 different skip hire quotes for the same sized skip. If your favourite skip hire company doesn't provide the best quote, you can normally use any cheaper quotes to negotiate a

better deal.

What skip sizes are available? Skips are available in a wide range of different sizes and shapes, to suit an assortment of different jobs. The smallest skip sizes available are mini skips and skip bags. Mini skips are normally available in 2-3 yard sizes, and are perfect when you will only be producing a small amount of waste. For larger DIY projects, a builders skip may be the best size. Builders skip have a capacity of 6-8 yards, which is the equivalent of approximately 65-80 black bin bags. If you need to keep your waste secure, or prevent un-wanted waste being added to your skip, you can consider using a lockable skip. They can also be used to protect your waste from the weather, which is important for waste that should be kept dry, such as plasterboard. Lockable skips are available in a range of different sizes. The largest skips are known as Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) skips. These skips are normally used for industrial sized jobs, where a considerable amount of waste will be generated. These skips

require a specialist loading truck, due to their weight and shape.

What can I put into a skip? Whilst skip hire is useful for most DIY jobs that generate waste, there are some limitations on what you can put into a skip. Items that are permitted in a skip include organic waste, soil, wood, rubble, plastic, domestic waste, furniture, metal and much more. Some of the most common items not allowed in a skip include tyres, asbestos, paint, solvents, fluorescent bulbs, electricals and hazardous waste (such as explosives). Plasterboard is another item that is not allowed in a skip with mixed waste, as it must be disposed of separately. Most skip hire companies will

provide a separate skip bag to keep your plasterboard waste separated.

Do I need a permit? The placement of your skip will determine whether or not you require a skip hire permit. If you need to place the skip on council land, such as a road, you will normally require a skip hire permit, however if you are placing the skip on your own property or driveway, you will not require a permit. Skip hire permits are issued by your local council, and costs can vary from £15 to more than £60. You can check local regulations regarding skip permits for your location using the government skip permit register. In most cases, your skip hire company will arrange your skip hire

permit for you.

Is skip hire environmentally friendly? A majority of skip hire companies are extremely environmentally friendly, with high rates of recycling. Whilst many skip firms have always been focused on sustainability, recent increases in landfill charges has meant that almost all companies achieve high levels of recycling. Most skip hire firms achieve recycling rates of more

than 80%, with many aiming for zero waste to landfill.

What should I look for in a skip hire company? There are two very important items every UK skip hire company should have – public liability insurance and a waste carriers license. These items are both essential to ensure they are legally compliant and are also required to obtain a council skip hire permit. Insurance will protect you and your property from any damages that occur as a result of the skip or skip hire company's actions. A waste carriers license is required by anyone who carries waste. It is illegal for a skip hire company to remove your waste if they do not have a current and

valid license. The license should be carried at all times.

Bit much perhaps?

January January may seem like a time of slim pickings for seasonal food, but there

are still lots of lovely treats available.

Leek crumble by Marcus Wareing

Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Add the butter to a large frying pan and set over a medium heat. When foaming, add the leeks and fry until almost cooked with a slight colour. Pour into 4 individual oven dishes, or one big ovenproof dish and leave to one side. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the flour and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to avoid lumps. Whisk in the stock followed by the milk and cook until thick, making sure you stir continuously. Add the cheddar, salt and two mustards and mix to combine. Pour the sauce over the leeks to cover. To make the topping, combine the oats, flour, sesame seeds, thyme and seasoning in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub the mixture together until the it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the cheese and mustard, mix again and sprinkle over the leeks. Place in the oven for 20 minutes until the

topping is a nice golden-brown and the filling is bubbling. Serve with tomato chutney and salad.

Ingredients 4 leeks, white part mainly, cut into 2cm rounds

25g of butter

Sauce 50g of butter 50g of plain flour 200ml of chicken or vegetable stock 200ml of milk 50g of smoked cheddar, grated 1 tbsp of wholegrain mustard 1 tsp English mustard

1/2 tsp salt

Delicious alongside a roast or bangers and mash, Marcus Wareing's leek crumble recipe is the perfect

side option. This savoury version of the classic dessert includes cheese and thyme for added flavour.

Topping 100g of rolled porridge oats 100g of wholemeal flour 25g of sesame seeds 2 tbsp of thyme leaves 25g of butter 100g of cheddar, grated 1 tsp wholegrain mustard 1/2 tsp salt black pepper, freshly

ground

January, the month of new beginnings, resolutions and (if your Christmas was anything like ours) diets. Most people will have overindulged during the festive period, emerging the other side of it a little

worse for wear and swearing off alcohol, fatty foods and sugar for good – or the next couple of weeks, at least! However it’s not all doom and gloom; kale smoothies and protein balls aside there is a

wealth of lovely fresh produce to look forward to in January.

While we can rely on British soil for vegetables, meat and fish there are no new homegrown fruits in season at this time of year, with the majority of this month’s fresh crop coming from neighbouring

countries with warmer climates. January sees the start of the vast citrus season from Europe and further afield, with blood oranges, Seville oranges and bergamot all starting to appear. Look out for more

unusual fruit such as bergamot, the fragrant yellow citrus used to make Earl Grey tea, and the striking yellow citrus known as Buddha’s hand. The latter, so named because of its resemblance to a human

hand, is perfect for preparing candied fruit and can commonly be found in China and Japan.

Forced rhubarb also begins in January, the majority of which is grown in Yorkshire’s ‘Rhubarb triangle’ after being awarded Protected Designation of Origin status in 2010. Quintessentially British, this

bittersweet vegetable is commonly paired with sweet, creamy flavours such as warming crumble or rhubarb and custard, that much-loved nostalgic dessert. For a slightly more elegant take on a rhubarb

dessert try Victoria Glass’ Rhubarb and custard panna cotta. Vegetables in January are still mostly roots such as potatoes, parsnips, parsley roots, chervil roots and swedes. New season leeks begin

to hit the shelves in January, just in time for hearty bakes and stews. Marcus Wareing’s homely Leek crumble makes a great vegetarian main course option. Fish can still be scarce this time of year,

but the best to look out for this month are pollock and whiting. January is sadly the last month of game season for wild birds, although on the plus side prices will be low so take the opportunity to stock

up for game pies, stews and casseroles.

Rhubarb and custard panna cotta by Victoria Glass

Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Bake the rhubarb with the water and sugar at 180°C for about half an hour or until soft, but not squidgy. Leave to cool. Place the cream (or milk if using) in a saucepan with the vanilla pod and gently bring to the boil. In the meantime, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy and pop a sieve over the bowl ready. Once the cream has come to the boil, pour it through the sieve over the eggs to strain off the vanilla pod and any woody bits that have come off it in the cream. Whisk it all together and pour back into the saucepan. Place the saucepan over a gentle heat and whisk constantly until the custard thickens enough so that it can coat the back of a spoon and if you draw a line through the custard with your finger, the line remains. Transfer to a jug. Squeeze any excess water out of the gelatine and whisk into the hot custard until it has completely melted. Pour the custard into oiled ring moulds with their bases covered tightly with cling film to set, but you can use ramekins or just set it in glasses. Whatever your chosen vessels, once cool, pop them into the fridge for at least 6 hours - overnight is easiest. If using ring moulds, remove the cling film before placing one on a serving plate and blasting round the edges with a blowtorch to make sliding off the mould easy. A hairdryer will do the same job, or you can simply run a knife round the inside edge. For ramekins, dunk them quickly in boiling water to release and upturn on to a plate. Top

the panna cottas with the cooked rhubarb.

Ingredients 150g of forced rhubarb, the pinker the better 35g of caster sugar 4 large egg yolks

100g of caster sugar, or vanilla sugar if possible 350ml of single cream 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out

3 gelatine leaves, soaked in cold water for 10 minutes

This rhubarb and custard panna cotta recipe makes the most of the season's most colourful crop, a

delicious graceful dessert for any dinner table.