Hello, darlings!
Since our last culinary rendezvous, and by a sheer stroke of serendipity, I discovered Patricia Matthews of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England via social media (How spiffing!).
At the grand age of 67, Patricia became an author of her first cookery book (bestowed the title of Grandma’s Antique Recipes), a YouTube sensation, and a local celebrity.
Suffice to say, Patricia and I have many things in common, one being we’re extremely gung-ho at reviving recipes and cooking practices from a bygone era. Therefore, I relished the opportunity to interview Patricia, which has been featured in my monthly column – The Whidbey Weekly. And purely for your delectation, I have included a few excerpts here from my interview with Patricia.
Now, here’s a little insight into this magnificent lady. Patricia entered this world in 1946 and grew up in Bolton, which during such time was considered part of Lancashire. Along with a plethora of siblings, she was raised in a red brick, two up two down terraced house, which one would lovingly describe as a “bijou” residence.
Patricia being a strong-minded kinda lass managed to avoid the cotton mill. She eventually worked for William Walker & Sons leather factory, where at the tender age of 20 years old Patricia met her husband to be – the handsome Ronnie.
You see darlings, during those glorious days of courting (American translation: dating), Ronnie introduced his sweetheart to his legendary Grandmother Sarah, who was born in Salford, Lancashire during the reign of Queen Victoria (curtsey please!). Patricia affectionately described Grandmother Sarah as, “Strait-laced, but with a wicked sense of humour!”
Grandmother Sarah was an excellent cook, who whipped-up an abundance of culinary delights in her 1950s style kitchen. In fact, Grandmother Sarah handwrote a gem of a book which comprises of 160 recipes for cakes, cures, medicines, furniture polishes, and handy hints.
This book was bequeathed to Patricia in Grandmother Sarah’s Will, along with her wedding ring, trifle dishes, rolling pin, and weighing scales.
Darlings, for 40 years this book laid safely tucked away within the comfortable surroundings of Patricia’s most impregnable drawers (Oh, I say!). It stayed there until plans were made to revive Grandmother Sarah’s handwritten legacy, and Patricia enthused, “It gives an insight into the lives of women from Grandmother Sarah’s era.”
Patricia recalled many fond memories, including her favourite kitchen maxim (kitchen rule of conduct) that Grandmother Sarah would often trumpet when trotting around her 1950s kitchen.
Patricia giggled a little before she recited, “Oh no, no, no, no, here it goes again, the biggest hurry, the least speed!” She then explained to Miss Windsor, “If you rush and splutter, mistakes will be made, then you have to start all over again” – of course, one couldn’t agree more.
During the revival of Grandmother Sarah’s gem of a book, together with Patricia’s husband, and an SLR camera in hand, they set about filming a YouTube Channel called Grandma’s Antique Recipes.
Funny thing is, Ronnie had no idea how to edit the footage, therefore, he patiently reshot each episode until his darling wife got it right – apparently, the outtakes are absolutely hilarious! Darlings, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll be treated next to a comedy outtake series of Patricia’s blunders……watch this space!
Following Patricia’s enormous success, her local radio station, Bolton FM, invited her to guest star in their Community Corner show where she talked about all things “old-fashioned” (How spiffing!). She also appeared on the Mel & Sue Show at Princess TV in London, where fellow guests Jack Whitehall and his father absolutely adored Patricia’s Corned Beef Hash Pie.
Darlings, please click on the image below for Miss Windsor’s spiffing article and interview – Memories of a Lancashire Lass.
Also, why not purchase Patricia’s book, Grandma’s Antique Recipes via Amazon. All proceeds go to charity.
Cheerio for now,
Hello, Miss Windsor !
Thank you very much for the article and blog post you wrote on Grandmas Antique Recipes. Both are beautifully written, and very entertaining to read. I just love your style of language and the way you write your blogs and articles.
Patricia X
Darling, Patricia!
You are so very welcome. You were a pleasure to interview, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your stories of days gone by, and sharing your memories and legacy of Grandmother Sarah – she was such a character!
Cheerio for now,
Miss Windsor X
Hello again. A really good and interesting read. My grandmother also scribbled down lots of her recipes, but unfortunately I have no idea where the book vanished to! Patricia is a very beautiful lady. Thank you, Brian.
Well, hello again Brian!
It’s a pleasure to meet you here again. Thank you for reading my work and your delightful comment is most appreciated.
I agree – Patricia is a very beautiful lady.
Good luck trying to find your grandmother’s handwritten cookery book!
Cheerio for now,
Miss Windsor X
Wonderful write up. Would you happen to have the Mel and Sue link – I have tried everything to search for it. As for the recipes I have made so far, every one of them have been perfect. As I said to Patrica, I have tried to make/recreate my Grandma’s meat pie for around 30 years without any look, but finally found Patricia’s book/video’s on YouTube. Put it this way – better than grandma’s and brought back childhood memories.
Well, hello Dr Marcus!
It’s a pleasure to meet you here – How do you do?
Thank you very muchly for your kind comment – so glad you enjoyed my wonderful write-up. And I’m over the moon that the recipes you’ve tried so far have turned out perfect – well done, darling!
I tell you what, I will pass on your message to Patricia directly. Hopefully, together, we’ll be able to help you find the link to Mel and Sue.
Thank yo for popping by.
Cheerio for now,
Miss Windsor X