Baking becomes hip

EVERYONE I know is baking again, it’s become quite a phenomenon, and suddenly it’s the coolest, hippest thing to be able to whip up a Victoria sponge or a sticky gingerbread.

Grans suddenly find themselves in demand to teach us how to make a few fluffy crumpets or transform fairy cakes into butterfly buns.

Old-fashioned cakes are making a big comeback; people are tiring of slick fondant covered confections and elaborate gateaux that look impressive and luscious but rarely deliver on flavour.