Celebration Showstopper: Coffee Cream Heart Cake Makes: one cake of approx. 16 slices Prep time: 1 hour Cook time: 25 minutes Ingredients: – have all at room temp before mixing up the cake and frosting Sponges: 200g spreadable butter or margarine 200g caster sugar 4 medium eggs 225g self-raising flour whisked with 1 tsp baking powder 125g buttermilk 2 tbsp Camp Coffee 2 tsp vanilla bean paste Frosting: 350g softened unsalted butter 750g sifted icing sugar 200g cream cheese 2 ½ tbsp Camp Coffee 2 tsp vanilla bean paste You’ll need: 2 x 20cm round cake tins, base and side lined Stand mixer ..read more

With everything getting more and more expensive, including the cost of care, we’re all looking for ways to save money in the short-term and as we look to the future. When it comes to caring for elderly family members, we have to weigh up costs with choosing the best solution for everyone involved, when options are typically limited. A few years ago, as I looked at ways to keep a family member out of a care home, I found a way that, not only saved money but maintained my relatives personal household space. The future of caring for our older generation lies with multi-generational living. Havin ..read more

Ebikes sales are catching up with standard bicycles and fast becoming mainstream due to the practicality of the humble bicycle with the addition of an electric motor and battery. It’s not surprising with no road tax to pay, no insurance, ease of parking, exercise, health benefits, I could go on… This year could be the year to buy one. It seems the supply issues of the past two years have now largely disappeared, and if anything there could be an oversupply of some models. With manufacturers needing to clear the decks for model year 2023 bikes arriving soon, we are likely to see some good deal ..read more

Q&A with former MP turned children’s author Anthony Coombs Bobby & Bubba’s Small Adventures By Anthony Coombs, illustrated by Adam Share   “Adorable, gorgeous, amazing” – just three of the words regularly used by friends and strangers, wherever British Bulldog brothers – Bobby and Bubba – go! Dividing their time between the town (London) and the country (Warwickshire), the dynamic duo have already starred on television shows, in magazines, and naturally (have you seen those faces?) have their own growing fanbase on social media. Now, they’re the stars of a beautifully-illustrated ..read more

American Buttercream American buttercream is the one you will likely be most fur-miliar with. Use any electric whisk and simply whisk the butter and sugar together until very light in colour and fluffy. This buttercream is very sweet, quick to make and delicious. Naturally gluten-free and/or can be made vegan   350g [1½ cups plus 2 tsp] salted butter, at room temperature, cubed (or vegan butter – use one that’s close to 80% fat content) OR unsalted butter and fine salt to taste 650g [4⅔ cups] icing [confectioners’] sugar 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste 2–3 Tbsp milk (or plant-based milk, altho ..read more

ICE CREAM CONE COFFEE CUPCAKES   Prep: 15 minutes plus cooling Cook: 30-35 minutes Makes 12   12 ice cream cup cones 150g butter, softened 150g golden caster sugar 2 tbsp Camp Coffee 2 large eggs 150g self raising flour   For the icing: 175g butter, softened 300g icing sugar, sifted ½ tsp Camp Coffee plus extra for drizzling Few drops pink food colour Sprinkles and chocolate flakes to garnish   Preheat the oven to 180oC, gas mark 4. Wrap the outside of each ice cream cone with foil and place in the holes of a muffin tin. Whisk together the butter and sugar until pale and fl ..read more

THERE is a striking new addition to our roads here in the UK in the shape of the newly-launched mid-sized Peugeot 408. Few new cars have managed to exactly nail their design brief as well as this fastback newcomer… which looks great from any angle. With prices from £31,000 it is value for money too with an impressive list of standard equipment and there is a plug in hybrid version that gives up to 40 electric miles on a full charge starting from £38,400. I got to test the near range-topping GT Hybrid 225 (£43,200) at the UK launch event and found it to be quick, comfortable and griped well in ..read more

G4 LIVE Tour 2023 The UK’s No.1 classical vocal quartet, are back with another exhilarating tour – G4 LIVE! The G4 LIVE 2022 tour has been extended into 2023 due to popular demand, with a further 40 shows across the UK between April and August. This tour extension sees the boys perform in many towns and cities that they’ve never performed in before! Having exploded into the industry and the public’s hearts back in 2004 on the first series of the X-Factor, G4 continue to blow people away, year after year, with their unique style and impactful harmonic vocals, which are incomparable to any othe ..read more

With so much uncertainty in the world, it’s easy to feel weighed-down by day-to-day worries. But in times like these, living in a thriving community, and being surrounded by good friends and a helpful team, can make a world of difference. When you move to an Adlington Retirement Living community, you can cast off your worries and enjoy a way of life that brings people together to enjoy good company and good times. Practical support Your well-being is at the heart of everything they do. The management team are like a good neighbour and are on-site and available 24hours a day, 365 days a year w ..read more

Sparkling Spicy Rosé By ThinK Wine and Cooks&Co Serves 1 Ingredients ThinK Wine Sparkling Rosé Cooks&Co Tri-Colour Jalapenos Ice cubes Method 1. Take your chilled ThinK Wine Sparkling Rosé and pour over ice in a wine glass (small or large, your choice!) 2. Pick out 4-5 slices of Cooks&Co Tri-Colour Jalapenos (add or decrease amount depending on how much of a kick you want to give your fizz) Shop the ingredients Think Wine Sparkling Rosé is available direct from ThinK Wine RRP £20.99 (75cl). Cooks&Co Tri-Colour Jalapenos are available direct from Cooks&Co RRP £2.69. Also av ..read more