Forty reasons to be cheerful
We’re getting ready for our road trip to Rheged this Saturday (19 November) for the Forty Farms Fair. Together with our Kendal Farmers’ Market gang we’re excited to part of this special celebration of Cumbrian farming, food and craft inspired by the Forty Farms exhibition at Rheged’s Gallery. You’ll find us and our Lovingly breads – made with British-grown organic and heritage grains – alongside lots of beautiful food and crafts produced by Kendal Farmers’ Market regulars and artisans featured in the exhibition – which tells the stories of 40 Cumbrian farms through photographer Amy Bateman’s stunning portraits and landscapes. The Forty Farms Fair is at 10am-3pm. For more on the exhibition see rheged.com.
Aidan Monks explores – How to Eat Good Bread – free event
As part of the Forty Farms Fair at Rheged, award-winning baker Aidan Monks of Lovingly Artisan debunks the myth that bread is ‘bad’, explaining why real sourdough bread is a nourishing staple that belongs at the centre of the table. Exploring the benefits of natural slow-fermentation techniques, Aidan also introduces the British-grown organic heritage-grain flours that have inspired him to bake breads that are good for the tummy, good for the soil and good for the soul.
To book your free ticket click – How to eat Good Bread
Find us here, find us there…
The Forty Farms Fair isn’t our only visit to Rheged this autumn. In fact we’re delighted to report that our Lovingly loaves are now being delivered fresh to the Filling Station next to Rheged’s petrol forecourt to buy any day of the week. It’s been a really exciting few months for our breads, which have now travelled as far as the Northbound and Southbound Farmshops at Tebay Services on the M6 (Rheged’s sister business) and the Kendal branch of Booths. Each loaf is a little ambassador for skilful sourdough baking and honest natural ingredients, spreading awareness of how good real bread can taste and how it can make you feel. Onwards brave loaves. We’re so proud of you!
Crumbs, it’s Stir-up Sunday
The last Sunday before advent is coming up (20 November). So it’s time to grab your pudding bowls and tie on your pinny for Stir-up Sunday. One of those gorgeous festive traditions for which we have the Victorians to thank, Stir-up Sunday was all about gathering round the pudding bowl, as a family – cute! – to stir the pudding batter (always stirring East to West in honour of the Three Wise Men).
Thankfully the tooth-destroying tradition of throwing silver coins and charms into the batter for people to find during the festive feast seems to have died out. The rich mix of dried fruit, spices, booze and breadcrumbs is treasure enough, and we reckon that if you’re going to the trouble of making your own pudding, you should stir in the best breadcrumbs you can find.
For us that means tasty, chewy sourdough breadcrumbs, which will give substance and depth to your festive centrepiece. We’re sure you’ve been saving the leftover ends of your Lovingly loaves – made with nothing but organic flour, a sprinkle of salt and lots and lots of time – to crumb up and stir up this Sunday. If not, you can pop onto our website or visit our Bread Stores in Kendal or Altrincham to grab a White Sourdough Tin, Heritage Miche or Pain de Campagne – perfect for the job.
Happy stirring x
