Surrey Downs Magazine August 2016
Emily Horton
Editor, Sheengate Publishing
Gandys August 2016
Emily's hello – Surrey Downs Magazine, August 2016
There’s a classical feel to our content this month. And who better to provide a fresh perspective on the celebrated Latin poet Catullus than Surrey scholar Daisy Dunn? From a shady base beneath the tree in her Fetcham garden, the glamorous writer and academic has brought interest in her subject to a new pitch with her debut book Catullus’ Bedspread: The Life of Rome’s Most Erotic Poet.
Not everyone was impressed with Daisy's use of expletives in translating the poet’s racier fare. But hey, why not tell it like it is? Human nature is one of life’s few constants, and the works of Catullus remind us that the ancient world was replete with the same temptations and frustrations as our own.
We like to think that we have come a long way since classical times. Well done, Daisy, for reminding us that, in some ways, we have hardly moved at all.
GEAR UP GANDY'S
Great to see the growth of the flip flop company set up by Rob and Paul Forkan. I interviewed the Purley-raised siblings on the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami that claimed the lives of their parents. Now their little sister, Rosie, has joined the Gandys team and helped me compile our beachwear page with some hot shots from their latest range – now on sale in John Lewis nationwide. Great work!
A NEW TWIST
Bake Off’s youngest ever contestant, Martha Collison – who competed in the 2014 series aged just 17 – is publishing her first book, Twist: Creative Ideas To Reinvent Your Baking on July 14. Discover Martha’s refreshing takes on traditional recipes so that you too can turn regular cupcakes into caramel macchiato, or whip up peach Bellini macarons and macaron shell ice cream. Martha recently spoke to our Craft and Country writer Emma Pritchard (interview to be posted online soon) and shared one of her favourite recipes with us...
Over and out 'til next month
Follow Emily on Instagram and Twitter
For more Emily Horton articles
"If sexual themes make the classics more accessible, it's silly to ignore that..." Daisy Dunn > The August interview
Martha Collison Twist
Martha’s favourite chocolate cake
• 125g plain flour • 225g caster sugar • 50g cocoa powder • 1tsp bicarb of soda -• ¼ tsp salt • 125ml buttermilk or 110ml milk + ½ tbsp lemon juice • 60g butter • 1 egg • 125ml coffee (or water)
1 Preheat oven, 180C; grease 20cm tin and line with baking parchment. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, bicarb of soda and salt in bowl.
2 As a buttermilk substitute, pour milk into a jug and add lemon juice. Leave to stand for five minutes until thickened.
3 Whisk buttermilk/acidified milk into melted butter and egg, followed by the coffee or water.
4 Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, whisking to a smooth batter. If making more than one layer, divide between the tins using a jug – use the markings to measure the amount going into each tin, or put the tin on the scales and measure by weight to ensure layers are the same height and cook at the same rate.
5 Bake 25-30mins until risen and a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool in tin for 10 mins before turning out onto cooling rack.
***Watch this space to win a copy of Martha's delicious new book!***
