Pewsey Parish Councillor and SSAFA (the armed forces charity) volunteer, Gillian Sharpe, is publishing a book of Wiltshire tea-time recipes from the last 70 years to help raise awareness of the work that SSAFA do. The book is entitled, ‘Everything Stops for Tea’ and the recipes, sweet and savoury, come from a 1958 archive notebook that records what was served at a SSAFA Bazaar in Salisbury Guildhall as well as from contributions from many Wiltshire residents. Also included with the recipes will be snippets of information about the work SSAFA do to support the armed forces.
Gillian, who is Publicity and Awareness Co-ordinator for SSAFA Wiltshire and an ex-army officer, told Marlborough.news, “The recipes include those served in the 1950’s such as tomatoes in aspic, anchovy whirls, bridge rolls filled with haddock cream. This was the period when rationing was just ending and the SSAFA Bazaar was trying to raise money. My book will also include echoes from the past, reproduced from the notebook, such as Lady X sending her chauffeur to collect cups and saucers for the bazaar, and Lord Folkestone supplying the milk. I will also be including information about SSAFA. Did you know, for instance, that SSAFA offers adoption services for forces families?
The title of the book, ‘Everything stops for Tea, harps back to the old music room song. I’m aiming for the book to be something of a cross between, ‘The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady’ and ‘The Great British Bake-Off’.”
Gillian is grateful to Tesco blue disc scheme for financing the publication of the recipe book. Wootton Rivers’ artist, Anne Swift, has designed the front cover and other illustrations. The book will include a foreword by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sir Andrew Gregory, and will be available to buy in June.
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