news & book reviews - sixty plus surfers

Portrait of a Woman, 'La Bella', Palma Vecchio
Portrait of a Woman, ‘La Bella’, 1518–20, Palma Vecchio (about 1480–1528), © Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

The National Gallery’s landmark exhibition, Renaissance Faces, opens on October 15. This exhibition explores the dramatic rise of portraiture in the Renaissance.

It features works by the great masters of Northern and Southern Europe, including Raphael, Titian, Botticelli, van Eyck, Holbein, Dürer, Lotto, Pontormo and Bellini. Comprising over 60 paintings, alongside important sculptures, drawings and medals, Renaissance Faces provides fresh insights into 15th and 16th-century art and life. The exhibition runs until January 18 2009.

There will be a series of special events to coincide with the exhibition, including a film season, series of Wednesday evening lectures and several discussion groups.

The exhibition also makes a wonderful day out for families – including grandparents. In one of the rooms of the exhibition, a cheeky young boy, a future King of England perhaps, giggles to himself in a bright green outfit. A beautiful young princess plays with a small globe but she isn’t just holding a toy, it’s a message to a place far away.

Elsewhere, a kindly old grandfather hugs a very precious grandson. Children were treasured in the Renaissance and portraits became an increasingly popular way to express this.

An Old Man and his Grandson, Domenico Ghirlandaio
An Old Man and his Grandson, about 1490, Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449–1494), Musée du Louvre, Paris, © RMN, Paris. Photo Hervé Lewandowski

There is more half term family fun this October in the Education Department, where Magic Carpet storytelling takes pace from October 28 to November 1 for those with under 5s. Admission is free and sessions begin at 11.30am. Families with children aged 5 – 11 can attend free, hands on art workshops on the same days. The workshops last two hours and will explore space and colour through collage and stencilling techniques.

The Gallery’s talks this month focus on the theme of Triumph. Two talks explore the theme of triumph over adversity in the modern age: The National Gallery in Wartime, published this autumn, is the subject of talks on October 7 and 14.

The focus painting this month, Uccello’s Saint George and the Dragon, about 1470, also depicts Triumph. It will be the topic of discussion every Friday this month at 4pm and at the After Work talk on October 1 and Lunchtime talk on October 29.

As with every month, there are free lunchtime talks every day, Tuesday to Saturday at 1pm.

The National Gallery

Diwali in the Square comes to the National Gallery on Sunday 19 October 2008. Joining in with celebrations on Trafalgar Square, dancers from Annapurna Dance Company bring the colour and drama of Diwali into the Gallery to make their own response to a painting. It starts at 1pm. Short music and storytelling sessions from 12–2.30pm draw connections between National Gallery pictures and the legends of Diwali. The event is free and open to all.

Additionally, it is recommended to look out for a new gallery trail, ‘Festival of Light’ to be launched on 19 October to mark Diwali 2008. It’s free from the Information Desks and available to download by clicking on www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Black History Month is going to be celebrated at the National Gallery; highlighting and celebrating the achievements of the black community. Artist and storyteller Diana Olutunmogun leads two storytelling events for visitors of all ages on October 4 and 28. There will be a talk in front of a different picture each session to explore the hidden voices of characters in the paintings.

Everyone is welcome to draw in the Gallery all year round but if you’d like to join an artist-led session, there are Talk and Draw sessions for adults (every Friday) as well as regular workshops. Special events for The Big Draw take place on 22 October: artist Paula Rego talks about her drawing practice, followed by drawing sessions led by tutors from Camberwell College of the Arts.

October marks the last chance for art lovers to see the National Gallery’s touring exhibition, Love, which features artists from Raphael to Tracey Emin and their responses to love’s complexity and intensity.

Medea, Anthony Frederick A. Sandys
Medea, 1868, Anthony Frederick A. Sandys (1829–1904), © Birmingham Museums
and Art Gallery

And finally this month, three new acquisitions to the National Gallery will also go on display, from October 22. Three paintings from the Simon Sainsbury Bequest to the National Gallery – two paintings by Monet and a still life by Gauguin – will enhance the Gallery’s Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections. Admission is free.

For more details about the National Gallery click on www.nationalgallery.org.uk or telephone 020 7747 2885.

A Frightfully Good
Day Out at the Imperial War Museum North

A Frightfully Good Day Out at the Imperial War Museum North

The Imperial War Museum North (Manchester) is mounting two free special exhibitions this Autumn, which in the current climate of watching your pennies offer a thought-provoking day out without having to be out of pocket.

To mark the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War this November, the Museum (who hold unrivalled collections about the First World War) have teamed up with Horrible Histories (the world’s best selling history series for children) to mount an unmissable exhibition which is ideal to explore with younger family members.

Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War - The Exhibition is based on Frightful First World War, one of the most popular books in the Horrible Histories series by Scholastic Children’s Books, (the world’s best-selling history series for children) the exhibition sets author Terry Deary’s powerful words and artist Martin Brown’s acerbic illustrations alongside Imperial War Museum’s unrivalled collections, to tell the stories of the men and women, servicemen and civilians, who shaped and endured what was described as the war to end all wars.

Horrible Histories: Frightful First World War - The Exhibition

Follow the Frightful First World War timeline and see rare objects, art, film and photographs to find out dire details of a war that affected everyone - from peace-loving protestors to suffering soldiers and civilians. See, hear, smell and learn about the First World War through ropey rhymes and sad songs, sinister superstitions and frightful facts in a great free day out for all of the family.

Highlights include Kaiser Wilhelm II’s greatcoat (especially made for him to accommodate his shorter left arm) on public display for the first time, the helmet which King George V wore to visit the Western Front, a letter from Siegfried Sassoon (written in Craiglockhart War Hospital while being treated for “Shell Shock”), a collection of documents relating to the famous Christmas truce, the pen which signed the prolongation armistice, original signs from trenches and even German toilet paper!

View unique footage of female munition workers playing football in their leisure time in 1918, extracts from the UNESCO World Heritage Status film, The Battle of the Somme and much, much more.

If younger family members are Horrible Histories fans there is also a chance to meet the Horrible Histories author, Terry Deary on 25th October at the Museum. Be one of the first to own the new Horrible Histories “Trenches” Handbook and get it specially signed by Terry. Available to buy in our shop on the day.

Enjoy a frightfully good day out at the Imperial War Museum North

Also new in October is Stranger In The House (25 October - 1 March 2009). Told from the women’s perspective, this small display brings together personal stories from new research and existing unpublished testimony, revealing the moving experiences of families readjusting to life after husbands, fathers and sons returned home from the Second World War.

For some, home no longer physically existed and other soldiers encountered the loss of family and loved ones on their return. For a fortunate few nothing much at home had changed, although many soldiers had. An accompanying book, by curator and writer Julie Summers, is published by Simon & Schuster.

Admission details

Imperial War Museum North is open 7 days a week from 10am - 6pm (Nov to Feb 10am - 5pm). Admission is free.

For details call: 0161 836 4000 or click on www.iwm.org.uk/north for details of events and activities.

Unsigned Bands Cash in on Kerchoonz

Indiana Gregg

Looking for a record contract? Well, you’ve just found one - that’s the message to unsigned musicians from Kerchoonz.com - a brand new social networking site.

Kerchoonz.com will also allow music lovers to download tunes for free – legally. The service is also the first to address the music industry’s biggest problem: how to pay recording artists for their work and keep it free for fans.

The Scottish based site is the brainchild of Singer/Songwriter Indiana Gregg and producer Ian Morrow (Wet Wet Wet, Rod Stewart, Seal) who have already received thousands of requests from artists wanting to sign up - and the site is yet to go live.

“Kerchoonz takes the world of online music to a completely different dimension by allowing musicians to earn money from their work without being exploited” says Indiana Gregg.

To take a look at Kerchoonz, just click on www.kerchoonz.com

News & Book Reviews

Sixtyplusurfers Giveaway

Enjoy an Evening Class at Home

Enjoy an evening class at home

As your children or grandchildren return home from school everyday full of tales of interesting lessons and subjects, have you ever hankered to improve on your own general knowledge, or learn something new? Perhaps a new language, maybe improve on your maths skills, find out more about complementary therapies or even start your own business?

To help you on your way, Sixtyplusurfers has teamed up with the original self-improvement publishers, Teach Yourself to offer ten lucky readers the chance to win your evening class.

Subjects to choose from are Improve Your Maths, Setting up a Small Business, Spanish, French, and Complementary Therapies.

your evening class is a collection of brand new self study courses packaged and designed to suit your lifestyle without emptying your wallet. Its unique teaching method gives you an in-depth understanding of your chosen subject at a time, place and pace that suits you. For only £49.99, less than the price of a single term's course at college, this is the perfect way to learn.

your evening class - complementary therapies your evening class - improve your maths

Each course contains 30 structured lessons - the equivalent to a year's worth of classes, extensive audio CDS or DVD-Roms, the voice of a real tutor to guide you through the course, comprehensive workbooks, an additional reference book to help you make the most of your knowledge and an online community to help you with your learning.

How it Works

These courses work because they are flexible. A year's worth of lessons combine workbooks and audio for you to follow at a time and pace that suit you.

Expert

The unique audioteach method features the voice of a real tutor. Each tutor guides you through the course, giving you tips and advice based on years of experience and helping you to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls.

Content Rich

Each course is packed with cultural tips and information. Audio or visual lessons allow you to learn alongside students, and reference books offer all the help and support needed.

Time Saving

The course will also take you far less time than a formal course, as you don't have to travel and you can learn in smaller chunks to suit your lifestyle.

Sociable

You will get exclusive access to a dynamic online community of fellow learners with additional exercises and answers to common questions. You can extend your knowledge and meet other learners online by visiting www.youreveningclass.com

Great Value

And of course your evening class is great value. You will get a year's worth of learning for less than the price of a term at college.

your evening class - starting a small business your evening class - french

For your chance to enter the Draw

If you would like to enter the draw to win your evening class in the subject of your choice simply send in your name, postal and email address to: teachyourself@hodder.co.uk

* Don't forget to mark clearly which course you would like to win.

You can also post your entries to:

Your Evening Class Competition

(Sixtyplusurfers)
TEACH YOURSELF
338 Euston Road
London

NW1 3BH

Please ensure your email or letter is clearly labelled with the title Your Evening Class Competition (Sixtyplusurfers) to ensure your entry is included in the prize draw.

Hodder will not pass your details on to any third parties. Closing date is 1 November.

Swap Recipes to GENErate Money
for Jeans for Genes!

Antony Worrall-Thompson makes Kedgeree for Jeans for Genes Day (photo by Nick Ayliffe)

The MyDish.co.uk is teaming up with the children’s charity that brings you Jeans for Genes Day. Jeans for Genes is offering supporters the chance to share and swap their favourite recipes to raise money for children with genetic disorders.

Cake sales, special lunches and after work barbeques have become an integral part of Jeans for Genes Day, which this year takes place on Friday 3^rd October. The annual dress down day invites people to leave their uniforms and suits at home and go to school and work in their jeans, in return for a small donation.

Now, with MyDish.co.uk, fundraisers can collect their favourite recipes together and create their own cookbooks, with a proportion of the cost going to Jeans for Genes.

Jeans for Genes funds vital care for children with genetic disorders as well as supporting research into the causes and cures of these disorders. There are more than 4,000 recognised genetic disorders and they affect one in 33 children born in the UK. More than half of all childhood deaths in the UK are related to genetic disorders.

MyDish.co.uk was created after its founder, Carol Savage, discovered precious recipes from her husband’s family, scribbled on pieces of paper.

Lisa Pettifer from Jeans for Genes says, “Our fundraising theme for this year is all about the GENErations; what families share and pass down to each other. Together with our supporters’ love of cooking, this is a perfect fit with MyDish. The team here have created a cookbook to start everyone off with favourite family recipes of our own, as well as recipes our celebrity chefs such as Antony Worrall Thompson have inherited.”

Through the dedicated Jeans for Genes page on the MyDish website, supporters can upload recipes, search for specific dishes or ingredients and chat with other chefs. People with specific dietary needs can search for suitable recipes and compile their own tailored cookbook.

As part of Jeans for Genes Day, celebrity Chef, Antony Worrall-Thompson has created a delicious recipe for Kedgeree that you can try at home. He explains, “This is a recipe I inherited from my grandmother. It’s about the only thing she new how to make, because cooking was something the servants did!”

Antony Worrall-Thompson's Kedgeree with Poached Eggs

Ingredients

·  2lb Smoked Haddock
·  2 Lemons
·  Peppercorns

·  A Sprig of Parsley
·  1 Bay Leaf
·  2 oz Butter
·  4 oz Chopped Onions
·  1lb Long Grain Rice
·  2pt Fish Stock
·  4 Hard Boiled Eggs
·  Salt and Pepper
·  Curry Powder or Grated Nutmeg
·  Chopped Parsley to Garnish

Method

1. Put the haddock with the parsley, the bay leaf, one of the lemons, sliced, and a few peppercorns into a pan. Cover with water, bring to the boil and simmer until the fish is tender.

2. Drain the haddock and remove the skin and bones. Break the flesh into flakes and set aside.

3. Melt the butter in a deep pan and fry the onions gently for 5 minutes. Add the rice and fish stock; bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Stir the flaked fish into the rice with three of the hard boiled eggs, sliced.

5. Add salt, pepper, curry powder or nutmeg to taste and the juice of the remaining lemon.

6. Pile into a hot dish and garnish with parsley and the remaining hard-boiled chopped egg.

The Jeans for Genes MyDish page can be accessed at www.jeansforgenes.mydish.co.uk

See the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Steam and Vintage Rally

Gloucestershire's best steam and old vehicle event proved so popular last year that it has moved to a new, larger venue for 2008 - Cheltenham Racecourse. Taking place over the weekend of 11 and 12 October, the GWR Steam and Vintage Rally has abundant attractions for all the family. There will be traction engines, showman's engines and steam engines; classic cars, buses and motorcycles; vintage lorries, tractors and a fun fair; military vehicles, emergency vehicles and caravans.

The show includes motorcycles

The main arena will host non-stop demonstrations and parades and there will be ploughing, stonemasonry and farriery. In addition, the GWR Steam and Vintage Rally will have craft and trade stalls, a model tent and a refreshments marquee.

Visitors can even arrive at and depart from the rally by steam train, as the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) will be operating a special service departing from and returning to Toddington (see www.gwsr.com for the timetable).

This will be the 23rd GWR Steam and Vintage Rally. After a break of four years, it ran in 2007 and was such a success that the organisers chose the larger venue of Cheltenham Racecourse for 2008. The Racecourse has many advantages - there is plenty of space, excellent facilities (whatever the weather), lots of parking and the adjoining fields can be used for working demonstrations.

Although the GWR Steam and Vintage Rally encompasses a wide range of interests, the steam vehicles are the main attraction of the event. Steam section leaders, Matt and Rachel Shipton, say, "As engine owners ourselves, we want to educate people to take an interest in the steam movement, to ensure it survives through generations to come. The fun, informal atmosphere shows off the owners' personalities! The sense of humour and enjoyment of the custodians rubs off on the public, which is what a steam rally should be about."

Among the many historic traction engines will be Pride of the Walk, a Robey vehicle which will be 100 years old. It is the only single-cylinder, of this make in England. Steamrollers will include an 1899 Aveling & Porter, which was purchased as scrap and has taken 33 years to restore.

Other highlights among display vehicles will include Bedford coaches and Bristol buses (2008 is the 100th anniversary of when the first Bristol bus entered service), a collection of vintage caravans dating from 1940 and a fantastic array of classic cars including a 1936 Lanchester 18 - one of only two known, the other being built for King George VI. Fitted with Lanchester sports saloon coachwork, and powered by a 6 cylinder 2500cc engine. Also of special interest is a 1975 BLMC Mini 1000, originally used as publicity car for the BLMC, and bought by the current owner's father in 1976 when it featured in a television advert.

Members of the public can judge the display vehicles for themselves and influence who wins the Kath Greening Memorial Trophy for the Best in Show and
the winners of prizes for Best in Section.

The GWR is an all-volunteer steam and diesel heritage railway in the English Cotswolds. Since 1981, the volunteers have restored more than 10 miles of line, together with platforms, buildings, steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock.

In addition to a scheduled service, the GWR hosts a number of galas, enthusiasts' events and events for all the family throughout the year, including its popular Santa Specials, Paddington Bear, Fish and Chips specials and dining trains.

Admission information

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Steam and Vintage Rally takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October.

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Steam and Vintage Rally takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse

Opening times are 9.30am - 4.30pm each day. Admission is: Adults £6.00, Senior Citizens £5.00, Children between 5 & 15 years £3.00 (2 adults and up to 3 children) £15.00. There is also disabled car park access and camping is available.

For further information regarding the GWR click on www.gwsr.com

Sixtyplusurfers Book Reviews

All Balls and Glitter
By Craig Revel Horwood
Review by Jenny Itzcovitz

All Balls and Glitter by Craig Revel Horwood

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing will be delighted to hear that Craig Revel Horwood, one of the judges on the show, has written All Balls and Glitter, an autobiography of his life.

Craig Revel Horwood is no stranger to controversy. As the most outspoken judge on Strictly Come Dancing, he's notorious for his cutting put-downs and frank analysis. But in All Balls and Glitter, he's at his most honest yet as he turns the spotlight on himself to tell you all about his rise to fame.

With typical forthrightness, Craig recounts his remarkable story, describing how a shy, overweight boy from Australia battled against the odds to achieve his dreams. His inspirational account unflinchingly relates his abusive family background and treachery in his personal life, yet he remains uncompromisingly positive.

Featuring Craig's sparkling wit and acerbic humour, All Balls and Glitter is filled with diverting stories of theatrical excess, explosive revelations and breathtaking theatrical gossip, and paints an intimate portrait of the man behind the 'TV villain' we all love to hate.

Whether regaling us with exclusive Strictly stories, spilling the secrets of his murky past, or cataloguing his countless altercations with celebrities, All Balls and Glitter is a memoir guaranteed to score a perfect 10.

I really enjoyed All Balls and Glitter. I'm a great fan of Strictly Come Dancing and I've always been intrigued by the judges and wanted to find out more about their dancing experience and careers before the show. This book is a truly warts and all autobiography and is packed with details of all the blood, sweat and tears which goes hand in hand with being a dancer and judge. I loved the colourful photographs in the middle of the book and Craig's fearlessness and honesty. This is a must-read book for all Strictly Come Dancing fans.

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood is an internationally acclaimed dancer, director and choreographer. He is the judge on the award-winning BBC entertainment programme, Strictly Come Dancing and also adjudicates the New Zealand show Dancing With the Stars. He has been twice nominated for Best Choreography at the Laurence Oliver Awards. And his numerous theatre credits include Cats, Miss Saigon, West Side Story and Spend Spend Spend.

All Balls and No Glitter: My Life is published by Michael O'Mara Books. Price is £18.99 for the hardback.

For more details click on www.mombooks.com

The Comfort
of Saturdays

By Alexandra McCall Smith
Review by Jenny Itzcovitz

The Comfort of Saturdays by Alexander McCall Smith

As many of you know I am a great fan of Alexander McCall Smith and really enjoy reading his stories, so I was delighted to receive a first manuscript of his new book, The Comfort of Saturdays.

The Comfort of Saturdays is the fifth title in Alexander's hit Sunday Philosophy Club series and centres around the delightful character of Isabel Dalhousie who lives in Edinburgh.

In this new book, Isabel is a recent mother to son Charlie, but she is plagued with insecurities. Her boyfriend Jamie who is also Charlie's father is much younger than Isabel and when he becomes friends with composer Nick Smart, Isabel feels threatened and left out.

Isabel has unique qualities of empathy, spirit and undisguised nosiness and a chance conversation at a dinner party draws her into the familiar role of amateur sleuth. Stella Moncrieff asks her to investigate what she perceives as a miscarriage of justice with her husband Marcus whose career has been destroyed as a result of his medical research.

And we see a return of all our favourite characters in this beautifully written book. Grace, Isabel's housekeeper is trying to monopolise little Charlie. Kat, Isabel's niece has found a new boyfriend while on holiday in Sri Lanka, but is he the one? And Eddie, Kat's assistant in her delicatessen has been borrowing money from Isabel, but will he really spend it on his sick father?

In this gripping new book, Isabel treads a difficult path between trust and gullibility, philanthropy and interference, while keeping in her sights the small but certain comforts of family, philosophy and a fine Saturday morning.

I really enjoyed reading The Comfort of Saturdays. Alexander has affectionately created warm and extremely likeable characters with charm, wit and deft touches of gentle humour. This is a book to savour in front of the fireside on a cold Autumn evening with a cup of steaming hot chocolate and a plate of biscuits. But beware the hot chocolate will go cold and the biscuits will go untouched as this book will keep you thoroughly engrossed!

Author Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world's most prolific and popular authors. His career has been a varied one. For many years he was a professor of Medical Law and worked in universities in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith, photo by Graham Clark

Well known for his No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series of books, Alexander McCall Smith has received numerous awards for his writing, including the British Book Awards Author of the Year Award in 2004 and a CBE for service to literature in 2007.

The Comfort of Saturdays is published by Little Brown. Price is £17.99 for the hardback.

For details click on www.littlebrown.co.uk

Cupboard Love
By Laura Lockington
Review by Jenny Itzcovitz

Cupboard Love by Laura Lockington

I've been savouring the delights of Cupboard Love as a welcome break from working and finished reading it on a rare sunny afternoon in September in the garden. And I have to tell you, I relished every bit of it from start to finish.

This wonderfully warm book is a humorous and evocative memoir of life, love and impeccable taste. Laura Lockington treats us to a delicious recipe at the beginning of every chapter and tells the story of her childhood through to the present day together with her memories of the food which make up her rich and varied life.

We find out about a perilous picnic with Laura's Aunts, her two Uncles who whisk her off for a romantic meal in Paris for her twelfth birthday, a very unusual dinner party with friends, her fabulous grandmother Grace Helen who eats flowers, and her special relationship with her mother 'Strawy'.

The simple and fun recipes included in the book are an inspiration and take us back to a time when we prepared more home cooked meals and snuggled up with comfort foods, rather than eating microwaved or ready cooked meals. Laura's special relationship with her mother is also interwoven throughout the book which is full of laughter and tears, making the book delightfully honest and heartwarming.

I loved this witty, fun and nostalgic book full of wonderful stories and recipes. Charming and uplifting, this is not just a recipe for cooking, it's a recipe for living a full, happy and carefree life. If you only treat yourself to one book this Autumn, buy this one. I guarantee you'll laugh out loud. I'm planning a dinner party now with Laura's Good Tempered Lamb. I hope it runs a bit more smoothly than her rather wild meal with over enthusiastic guests and dogs.

Laura Lockington, author of Cupboard Love

When she's not in her kitchen or mentally cataloguing the contents of her cupboards, Laura Lockington is a writer and playwright. Random House published her first two books, Capers in the Sauce and Stargazy Pie. She has also co-written several plays for Radio 4. Laura lives in Brighton and shares a flat with a Frenchman, a wire-haired fox terrier and a greedy fridge that demands feeding with monotonous regularity.

Cupboard Love is published by Book Guild in hardback. Price is £9.99.

For more information about the book click on www.bookguild.co.uk

Mary Berry Desserts
By Mary Berry
Review by Jenny Itzcovitz

Mary Berry Desserts

Indulge your taste buds with this array of mouth-watering desserts from one of the UK's best known cookery writers, Mary Berry. The new edition of this kitchen favourite comes with a stunning new look, and is ideal for both culinary experts and kitchen beginners alike.

Whip up the perfect dessert with this enticing and instructive guide. The step-by-step recipes and delicious photographs means it's easy to impress, whether you make fancy cakes and gateaux, pies, tarts, pastries, hot puddings, ice cream or biscuits.

Ideal for today's dessert loving generation, Mary Berry's Desserts contains over 200 delectable treats from Mocha Cream Butterfly Cake and Raspberry Sorbet to Cherry Pie.

Mary Berry's Desserts is a beautifully presented book and one that you will treasure and dip into again and again. Full of mouthwatering recipes with easy to follow recipes and tempting pictures, this is a great book to buy if you are planning a special dessert for a dinner party or a family treat. There's something in this book for everyone such as delicious Coffee Cheesecake, Rhubarb Crumble, Pineapple Pancakes - surprise your guests with a treat from this luxury cookery book.

Mary Berry

Mary Berry is a regular contributor for Radio 4's Woman's Hour and BBC1's Saturday Kitchen. Her delicious, home cooked, easy-to-follow dishes have made her a favourite with the 21st Century household.

Mary Berry Desserts is published by DK in hardback. Price is £18.99.

For more information click on www.dk.com