As Christmas at Holker draws to a close spare a thought for Holker’s baker Lynne Hornby. By the time the cafe closes on Christmas Eve, Lynne estimates that she will have made over 4,000 minces pies for cafe customers and for special events at the Hall. Lynne literally sees stars by this stage in December as she tops every dainty pie with its pastry star. The mincemeat is homemade too – with her own secret recipe attracting particular acclaim from customers. Apples are her secret ingredient and not too much sugar – giving a light, non greasy fruit and citrus flavour to the mincemeat rather than the synthetic taste of the mass produced fillings favoured by so many cafes and supermarkets. It’s a family affair too as Lynne’s husband is to be found peeling the apples from Lynne’s orchard to add to the mix.

So spare a thought for Lynne as she hangs up her apron on 24th December ..... we suspect that mince pies will not feature on the menu in the Hornby household this Christmas!