Libraries

Julia Donaldson, the new Children's Laureate and best-selling author, has spoken out against the Government's plans for closing libraries.

The Haverfordwest Library opens Monday to Saturday, when it closes at 1 pm. It has two 'late' nights a week, closing at seven o'clock  When I was a child  my local library opened all day on a Saturday afternoon, giving those who worked in the week time to browse.  I've wondered for years why library opening hours are not more flexible.

Wittgenstein, the philosopher, called language a 'key skill', providing access to other areas of learning and helping us to order our thoughts. We have four vocabularies: listening, speaking, writing and reading.  Reading exposes us to a wider vocabulary than we might otherwise have. The more books we read, the greater our language facility becomes.

  

I'm fond of  people's published diaries.  Nella Last's  'Housewife 47' gave me hours of pleasure. Nella's writing was part of a survey during World War II and she describes the monotonous dreariness of her life.  Frustrations in her marriage become apparent and she worries about one of her sons.  The war gives Nella  a role but when it ends she slips back into housework again and loses some of her vivacity.

  

'Housewife 47' comes in a DVD, too, but nothing can replace the written word and the feeling of solitude that being alone with a book gives.

Why don't libraries open on a Sunday?  Leisure centres do.  More people might use them then. As it's a question of money, libraries are probably doomed.  I suspect that  if they'd opened for longer hours, more people might have used them and they would not be facing closure now.

Ginger Slabs and Medieval Fairs

The Great Fair of Saint Thomas Ye Martyre is held in May and October in Haverfordwest. Until recently it was situated on the Green, (loads of complaints in the local  paper), close to St Thomas a Beckett's Church, before moving to the edge of the town.

Fourteen years ago I took my twin grandsons to the opening of the May Fair, when they were four years old. Suspended above the crowds, they watched as the Town crier rang his bell, the vicar said a prayer and a richly caparisoned Mayor declared the revelry could begin. Harry and Oliver twirled round and around, unaware they were taking part in an ancient custom.

There were hot dogs and candy floss, but no bear baiting or cock fights and no slabs of sticky gingerbread either, which were a feature of the medieval fairs.

To provide sweetness and moistness, iron rich molasses or golden syrup was used in the gingerbread. Nita does not have a gingerbread recipe in her book but she does have one for Ginger Cake.

As well as ginger, cinnamon is used. Spices, highly prized and priced in the Middle Ages were introduced to this country by the Knights Templars when they returned from their foreign travels. (No Gifte Shoppes then).

  

Nita's recipe is undated, but the inclusion of powdered egg suggests it was wartime. I've substituted a fresh egg.

Ginger Cake

Method: Take 

12 ounces of Self Raising flour, 

half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, 

1 ounce of powdered ginger, 

1 ounce of cinnamon,

half a pint of hot water, 

1 egg, 

2 tablespoonfuls of treacle or syrup, 

quarter pound of lard (butter for me, darlings), 

quarter pound of brown sugar. (I would add a good spoonful of marmalade for the flavour and the chewy pieces of peel).

The next part is simplicity itself, which is what I like. Put butter, sugar, treacle in a bowl and pour over the hot water. Mix and allow to cool. Add beaten egg and the rest of the ingredients. Mix again. Bake in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes. (Molasses burns easily, so be careful). 

I have made this with honey instead of treacle and it's good. I mix the juice and grated rind of an orange with icing sugar and pour it over the cooled cake. 

This is not Atkins, so don't worry about the carbs girls.