British Yorkshire Pudding Day

British Yorkshire Pudding Day is the first Sunday in February each year - this year it's Sunday 7th February 2016.

The Yorkshire pudding is a traditional British dish which is enjoyed by most Britons at least once in their lives. Although its name would suggest it was created in the North-east of England, its ancestry isn't really known, but it has become a firm favourite across the UK.
Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding is one of the most famous of British meals, however, many people in the UK eat Yorkshire puddings with other meats such as chicken, pork and turkey to name but a few. Its safe to say the Yorkshire pudding is here to stay.

No-one really knows how far back the recipe goes, as some form of batter or dripping pudding as it was originally named, has been enjoyed for centuries.
Originally, it was flatter than today's version, and was cooked in a tin underneath meat which was being roasted over a fire, this allowed it to catch all the drippings from the meat.
It was often served before the meat with some gravy to part-fill the stomach so that less meat would be needed. If there wasn't sufficient meat to go around, children were often fed Yorkshire pudding and gravy as their main meal.

The name change to Yorkshire Pudding took place in 1747. Hannah Glasse wrote a cookery book called 'The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Simple' and she is credited for having changed the name.

Yorkshire puddings were traditionally made in a large tin, today many prefer individual-sized puddings, which are made in special 4-hole tins. In Northern England, some pubs serve individual puddings with onion gravy as a light snack.

 
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Blackburn's festival and events programme

Blackburn has an exciting calendar of family-friendly festivals and events planned across the town centre in 2016, thanks to Blackburn BID. These festivals and events will be funded by local businesses and will complement events which are being held by Blackburn Council, Blackburn Cathedral, The Mall and Blackburn Market.

Saturday 25th June will see a flower theme take over the streets with a day filled with family activities and the return of 'Countryside comes to Town' featuring CBeebies favourite, Mr Bloom. This event was a finalist in last year's Lancashire Tourism awards and attracted over 76,000 visitors to the town. This year will also feature a pop up farm yard, travelling insect circus museum, 30 foot sleeping pig, the BID summer bash, and an evening programme of home grown talent. The event will be officially opened by The Great British Bake Off winner, Nadiya Hussain.

Blackburn Cathedral Flower Festival runs from 23rd - 26th June, and main sponsor the BID are hosting a Friday night twilight event. 'The Secret Garden' will include a licenced bar and live music where visitors will be able to enjoy cocktails, wine and speciality beers amongst stunning floral displays.

The Easter trail around the shops will be launched by Plucky the Hen, and takes place between 12th March and 1st April, when a dozen 3 foot giant chocolate eggs will be hidden across Blackburn with a series of clues. The star prize will be an edible 3 foot jewel-encrusted golden egg and £500 worth of shopping vouchers to spend in town centre businesses.

Saturday 23rd April is St George's Day, and visitors will be invited to follow the dragons trail to see live street theatre and musical performances with human size puppet actors from different internationally acclaimed production companies. 'Here Be Dragons' includes shows in The Mall, Blackburn Market and on the Cathedral grounds, and feature a visit by the Thwaites Shire Horses, the distribution of roses by the Royal Society of St George, clog dancing, a town crier, roundabouts, rides and street food stalls.

Sunday 9th October is Steam Sunday. Local specialists, Heritage Painting bring together a convoy of enthusiasts from across the county, who showcase their personal collection of steam powered vehicles from the workshops in Darwen to Blackburn town centre.

BID Manager, Harriet Roberts who is organising the events explained, ''The festival programme is part of a five year business plan to market the town and attract new visitors by animating the spaces with high quality, vibrant events. We're keen to move people around the town to experience some of the independent specialist shops a stone's throw away from the main centre. There is also a will to extend the daytime events into the evening by experimenting with twilight activities to encourage dwell time beyond 5pm.''

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This week's golf round-up!

John P Stirs Up a Storm!

Saturday saw a small break in the rain which favoured the low handicap players in the gale force winds but despite recording the lowest gross of 68 John Berry (8) was relegated to third place in the individual medal competition; John Parkinson (10) recording a net 59 to take the honours; tied on nett 60 along with John Berry was playing partner Tony Cross (12) who chipped in twice for birdies to take second spot. John did however take a share of the two's on the first and recorded another two birdies on his card. His downfall was the seventeenth where it took him seven shots to complete the hole after successfully finding the fairway with his drive.

In the doubles, early starters Wayne Iverson (4) along with John Welch (14) again recorded a creditable 37 points. Phil Ryan (15) and Peter Fox (14) recorded 34 points as did Paul Clegg and John Whittaker.

2016 Women's Daily Mail Foursomes Competition

The draw for the first round of the 2016 women's Daily Mail Foursomes competition has been completed and Mytton Fold Golf Club has been given a bye through to the second round. The first round matches are due to be played by Sunday 20th March. The club will be sent details of the second round draw shortly after that.

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The real taste of Lancashire

Lancashire has so much more to offer than hotpot and black pudding - even though they are delicious. Is a county of taste and is home to some of the nation's finest food producers, chefs and traditional brewers. It is famed far and wide for its traditional produce and dishes, here's some to get those taste bud tingling.....

Lancashire Cheeses: Most are familiar with the tangy crumbly Lancs, but there are also tasty and creamy varieties of this premier food produce. It's made from the milk of cows raised on rich pastures of the county and the art of cheese-making in Lancashire goes back centuries. Today's cheese-makers can all be found in and around the Forest of Bowland and many are family businesses stretching back three or four generations, meaning the art of cheese-making has passed down through time.

Lancashire Hotpot: A dish which has warmed the hearts and filled the stomachs of Lancastrians for generations. It is named after the brown dish used to slowly bake in the oven. The main ingredients are neck of lamb, onions and potatoes, which come together to produce a steaming, savoury delight. It is best served with pickled red cabbage. Hotpot suppers are still popular at many social events around the county.

Lancashire Black Pudding: Dating back from Roman times, Lancashire black pudding has become a popular delicacy, pudding makers guard their secret recipes closely. Competition is fierce and awards for pudding making highly prized. Black pudding can be found on many menus throughout Lancashire - often as a starter and on the plate of any self-respecting English breakfast.

Goosnargh Chicken: The picturesque village of Goosnargh sits on the edge of the Ribble Valley. For 30 years local farmers Johnson and Swarbrick have been producing their top quality, corn-fed poultry, which can be found at many eateries throughout Lancashire.

Morecambe Bay Shrimps: Another historic Lancashire dish which is great as a starter for any meal. The brown shrimps are harvested by the hardy fishermen of Morecambe Bay, who brave its wild and treacherous sands for the world's finest seafood. The shrimps are then potted to create a buttery, full-flavoured dish that's as breathtaking as the spectacular coastline it comes from.

Sarsaparilla: Once a very popular non-alcoholic drink, similar to root-beer is brewed to a secret recipe. The teetotal movement has its origins in Lancashire and Sarsaparilla was served in temperance bars across the county. The last one still exists in Rawtenstall.

Pendle Witches Brew: Created in honour of the famous Lancashire witches of Pendle Hill by a local brewer - Moorhouses. This hand-pumped beer has a touch of magic and is served in pubs across the county.

Lancaster Bomber: Created in Blackburn by independent brewers Daniel Thwaites, is a real winner with its chestnut-coloured, full-flavoured beer. It shot to fame in 2015 when Lancashire cricket legend Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff endorsed it during the Ashes series.

There are many award-winning rural restaurants to enjoy throughout Lancashire, you'll soon come across an historic inn or majestic country hotel serving up great food. They pride themselves on using the finest, local ingredients to create delicious, home-cooked dishes.

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Dog Friendly Lancashire

Did you know, Lancashire is one of the most dog-friendly places to visit in the UK. Maybe its being able to take to our coast and hills for fresh-air fun with your dog or that we have some of the best outdoor activities around.

It isn't any wonder that many of our visitors return year after year and are now staying for longer breaks and holidays with their dogs because a day visiting Lancashire, just isn't long enough!

Most dog owners will know the common struggle of accommodation providers being unable to cater for pets. Here at Mytton Fold Hotel, we are dog-friendly! We understand how important it is to have your canine friend stay with you and to both be comfortable. This we can promise during your stay. We have a selection of dog-friendly bedrooms which all have patio doors which open up straight onto our courtyard garden - perfect for those muddy paws. In your room you will find a dog bed and treats plus a doggy pack waiting for you to ensure you make the most of your time with us.

 With the flat plains in the west through to the rugged moorland of the Forest of Bowland  and on to the west Pennine Moors in the east, there is no shortage of choice for places to walk your dog. You'll also get a warm Lancashire welcome at almost all our pubs, with many allowing dogs indoors as well as outdoors, with water bowl provided and maybe even a treat or two.

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Warming Winter Breakfasts

To celebrate 'Breakfast Week' we thought we would share with you some breakfast ideas to warm up these chilly winter mornings!

Porridge, it's the ultimate winter warmer at breakfast time. The oats are not only a strong nutritional source but there is lots of choice for different flavours too! Why not try:

Marbled fruity yoghurt

Chocolate orange

Cranberry spice

Hot drinks are another way to warm up your winter mornings, but they don't offer the same nutrients which healthy breakfasts do. A couple of alternative hot drinks for you to try are:

Hot chocolate and raspberry shake

Warm porridge smoothie

Then, there's always the family favourite...toast! A couple of different options to try are:

Roast tomato rubbed toast

Smoked salmon and egg brunch

Chutney toast with scrambled egg

Whether your favourite breakfast choice is hot or cold, make sure it is part of your morning routine - its the most important meal of the day!

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This Week's Golf Round-Up

This Weeks Competition
Playing on the winter course with temporary greens due to the recent sub-zero temperatures, the scoring was unexpectedly very high in Saturday's medal competition. Two players were tied on nett 54, Gary Aldred and Steve Worral. Gary emerged the winner and retains top spot on the order of merit table. Steve Worrall would have had a much lower score had he not recorded a TEN on the tenth hole, followed by a birdie two on the 11th. Don't feel too bad for him, as his scooped the 'Two's Pot!' Third was Keith Fitzhenry with a nett 57.
In the doubles, early starters Phil Hammond and Peter Main, recorded 39 points, matching fellow big hitters Wayne Ivinson and John Welch, with Paul Clegg and John Whittaker close behind with 38 points, the same score as Club Captain Nick Avino and Martin Holden.

Quiz and Pre-Season Get Together
Don't forget that Friday 5th February sees the Pre-Season Get-Together and Quiz starting at 7.30pm. Teams of four (maximum) and an entry fee of just £10 per team. All proceeds are in aid of the Captains' charity, Anxiety UK, so come along for a light-hearted fun evening and contribute to a great cause. It would be very helpful if you could indicate your intention to bring along a team (or teams!) by completing the list on the Club's Noticeboard. This will help us in planning for the evening.

Charity of the Year!
Published in the latest Anxiety UK newsletter, Captain, Nick Avino and Ladies Captain, Tarja Wilson explain how events and fundraising will raise funds and awareness of Anxiety at Mytton Fold Golf Club.
'Golf Club captains ''Pitch'' in for Anxiety UK.
Anxiety UK is delighted to have been chosen as the Captain's Charity for the year by both the Men's and Ladies' Captains of Mytton Fold Golf Club for 2016.
Nick Avino (Men's Captain) and Tarja Wilson (Ladies' Captain) will be organising a series of fundraising events during the course of their tenure at the Mytton Fold Golf Club, and will use the opportunity to not only raise funds for Anxiety UK but also to raise awareness of who we are, the services we offer and how important these are to those experiencing anxiety.
Anxiety UK Chief Executive Nicky Lidbetter said: 'We are delighted that Nick and Tarja have both chosen Anxiety UK as their nominated charity during their year as respective captains at Mytton Fold Golf Club. It is a wonderful gesture and we look forward to working with them both to maximise and promote the good work we do.''

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