FEBRUARY 2024 GLENFIELD GAZETTE ONLINE

FEBRUARY 2024 GLENFIELD GAZETTE
10 18 NOVEMBER 2023 GLENFIELD GAZETTE
THE TECHNICIAN
AT AN AUTOMATIC
half Makes barrier 10-12 crossing Preparation time about 1 hour Cooking time 1-1½ hours
on a countryside line
in Leicestershire, a car
Whether you’re reducing your meat intake 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C / fan 140°C / gas mark 3.
approached
or catering for
the
plant-based
crossing
friends and Grease a deep 20cm round cake tin and line with nonstick
baking paper.
down family the over country the festive lane. holiday, this classicturned-vegan
car pulled is into the the perfect lay-by centrepiece. just 2. Melt the vegan butter or coconut oil in a saucepan along
The
before the crossing. John the car
with the brown sugar, citrus zest and juice, and rum
driver Ingredients picked up the camera that
or brandy (if using). Bring to a boil and simmer for 2
was • 250g on the vegan seat beside butter him. or coconut oil, minutes, then remove from the heat.
The plus reason extra this for man greasing is at the
3. Add the dried fruit and candied peel to a large bowl, pour
crossing • 175g with soft his light camera brown is sugar that he
over the vegan butter/coconut oil mixture, and stir well.
is • expecting Finely grated a certain zest train of 2 to oranges pass and 4. Whisk together the fl our, ground almonds, baking
in the
juice
next
of
few
1
minutes. Not the
powder, salt and spices in a separate bowl. Mix the
ordinary
• Finely
sort
grated
of diesel
zest
unit
and
train
juice of 1 lemon apple purée into the dried fruit mixture, then fold in the
that ran on this line most days of
(reserve 1 tbsp juice for the icing) of white fl smoke our mixture could be until seen. just combined. the crossing barrier from someone
the year today there was an extra
• 150ml rum or brandy, plus extra John 5. put Pour his camera the cake to batter his eye into the lined wanting tin, to smooth know who the the person
special train due.
(optional) for feeding
and set himself surface up with for a some spatula great and bake was. for 1½ hours. Remove
All of a sudden the alarm bells at
• 875g mixed dried fruit of your choice, shots of the approaching cake from the train. oven and let John it cool replied completely telling that in the all he
the crossing start and the red lights
such as sultanas, raisins, currants, The thundering tin. Once express cooled, train pierce holes knew all over was the top man of was the called Len
flash. In the next few seconds the
cranberries and chopped fi gs and roared past cake John with and a skewer, his camera, drizzle over and 2 he tbsp disappeared rum or brandy, as soon as the
barriers drop.
apricots
the steam and loco let whistling it soak in. loudly. Make sure the train surface had passed. is fully dry
John walks to the open side of
• 100g chopped candied peel As quick before as it appeared decorating. it was He got another reply saying that
the crossing and aims his camera
• 175 g plain fl our
gone leaving 6. When the you crossing are ready in a to decorate, the man whisk he together met as Len the was a
towards the railway line.
• 125g ground almonds
haze of locomotive icing sugar, steam. aquafaba As it and lemon Railway juice Technician, in a large but bowl if it was
The diesel train rattled by and the
• 1 tsp baking powder
cleared John until looked you have at his a stiff camera and glossy the icing. same Cover man he with was killed at that
barriers go up and the bells cease.
• ¼ tsp salt
to see what clingfi sort lm of until pictures needed. he had crossing over a year ago.
John looks at his camera sliding
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
obtained. 7. Heat the apricot jam in a small John pan, replied then brush that even over if the the
through the pictures he has just
• ¾ tsp ground ginger
He was top very and pleased sides with of the cake. man in the picture looked like this
taken.
• ½ tsp ground mace
results 8. he Roll had out more the than marzipan one into a rough technician circle called about Len 2.5mm it could not
“Any good?” asks a voice behind
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
excellent thick picture. on a He work turned surface to lightly have dusted been with him. icing sugar.
John.
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
show Len Lay the it photos over the but cake there and was gently He smooth got a reply it onto back the saying top that
John
• 225g
turned
apple
round
purée
to see who had no sign of and him down - it was around if he the had sides, so this that was there not the is no first air time Len had
asked the question. Behind John
For the icing
disappeared trapped into thin inside. air or Neaten worse by smoothing been seen over at this with crossing the fl at and of each
was a man in overalls.
• 625g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting been swept your away palm by or the the steam rolling pin and time trim he away seemed any to excess. disappear into
“Yes,
• 75ml
a good
aquafaba
shot” John replied train! 9. Spread over the icing in swoops thin and air! flicks Was to this look what like happened snow
and showed the man the pictures
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
John looked using at a the spatula pictures. or the back of
this
a spoon.
time?
Let the icing set
he had just taken. “Let’s hope I can
• 4 tbsp apricot jam
The third completely picture he had for a to few take hours before John cutting. replied Decorate that Len did with seem to
get the same for the Special.”
• 500g vegan marzipan
a second frosted look at. redcurrants As well as the and rosemary have sprigs vanished (if liked). but surely he could
“The Special the steam train? train thundering past, there in the not be the same person otherwise
Asked the man. “I am Len by the photo shot was Len standing by the that would make the person he
way I work for the railway as a crossing barrier. So where had Len saw at the crossing a Ghost! John
technician.”
gone?
meant that to be taken as a windup!
Before he could say anymore the Now John was in the habit of
automatic half barriers started to putting his photos on a Railway He got the reply ... Now you
descend.
Group on Facebook.
believe!
“Here we go!” John excited by not He had a few “Likes” for his
Ted Cook Recipe extracted from A
only the barriers going down but photos but then got a query over
Very Vegan Christmas by
the fact that in the distance a crest the photo showing Len standing at
Sam Dixon, published by
Hamlyn, priced £16.99,
with photography by
Charlotte Nott-Macaire.
Swim22 - swim the equivalent of
crossing the Channel - for charity
DIABETES UK is inviting
people across the East
Midlands to dive into a
sponsored swimming challenge
that raises vital funds
for diabetes research and
helps us support people living
with the condition.
Swim22 runs between 22 March
and 22 June and involves swimming
a total of 22 miles – the same width
as the English Channel. Participants
can take on the challenge at their
own pace, accumulating the miles
across the course of the 12 weeks.
Swimming really is a fantastic way
to help you get fit and healthy, have
fun, and set yourself a challenge.
And if you take on Swim22, you’ll
not only be swimming towards a
fitter, more confident you – you’ll
be raising money that will help
Diabetes UK to support people with
diabetes in living well with the condition.
You can take on the challenge in
your local pool alone or with family,
friends, or colleagues.
In addition to the popular 22-mile
distance, there are two other options
to choose from. Participants
can do ‘The Half’, covering 11 miles
– half the distance to France and
still an impressive feat. More experienced
swimmers may wish to
take on ‘The Double’ – swimming 44
miles, the equivalent of swimming
to France and back again.
To register for Swim22, visit
swim22.diabetes.org.uk
There is no registration fee and no
minimum sponsorship. So, please,
sign up to Swim22 this year and
make a splash for Diabetes UK.
Peter Shorrick, Head
of Midlands and
East, Diabetes UK
Glenfield
Friendship
Group
Are you retired
and want some
company with
local people?
Why not give
our friendship
group a go!
Come and join
us, you will
be more than
welcome!
We meet at
Park House
Stamford St.
Glenfield
EVERY FRIDAY
1PM-2.30PM
We look
forward to
seeing you!
I accidentally Day went 1 of my grocery diet: shopping I removed on all an fattening empty stomach, food from and my am house. now the It was proud delicious. owner of Aisle 4.