Platinum Pudding winner creates a special dessert to celebrate 100 years of Southport Flower Show

TO celebrate 100 years of Southport Flower Show, Southport baker Jemma Melvin, creator of the Platinum Pudding, the official dish of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, has created a special dessert for the centenary celebrations.

Honouring all things floral, the dessert is an Elderflower, Honey and Lemon Posset, served with Lemon Custard Biscuits, a dessert that celebrates the vibrant flavours of the garden. It's the perfect Summer pud!

Jemma will demo the dessert on the Thursday and Sunday of the show in the Cookery Theatre sponsored by Lancashire Tea and Nationwide Produce, showing guests exactly how to make the delicious dish.

The dessert will also be served at Wednesday's Gala Dinner preview night, and Friday's Ladies Day celebrations.

Jemma Melvin said:- "I'm so excited to be creating a special dessert for this year's Southport Flower Show, to celebrate 100 years of the show! The show and everyone who attends has been so supportive and kind to me over the last couple of years and I have loved sharing my recipes each year. This year will be extra special and I'm happy to be playing a part."

Jemma Melvin, a baker and chef hailing from Southport whose passion for pudding has earned her a place in history. Crowned the winner of Fortnum and Mason's prestigious Platinum Pudding Competition with the irresistible Platinum Jubilee Trifle, a dessert that's earned its place in British food history alongside timeless favourites like Victoria Sponge and Coronation Chicken.

Her Lemon Swiss roll and Amaretti creation triumphed over thousands of entries, earning the esteemed title of the official pudding for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The competition, aired on the BBC and overseen by Dame Mary Berry, catapulted Jemma into the limelight on both national and international stages.

Since her triumph, Jemma's culinary escapades have taken her far and wide, gracing the screens of This Morning, Good Morning Britain, The One Show and international platforms like Good Morning America and TF1 France.

Jemma's also been on a whirlwind tour, sharing her renowned recipes at countless events across the country. From captivating audiences at:- The Cake and Bake Show, in London, to charming crowds at:- Bake International, in Birmingham, plus of course, Southport Flower show.

Jemma has partnered with charities to create recipes for good, such as:- Macmillan Cancer Support for their annual Coffee Morning Campaign, crafting a special Macmillan Trifle recipe for hosts nationwide. As well as working with and creating recipes for The Eden project, FFLAG and The Big Lunch charity campaigns.

Recipes by Jemma have been published in top publications such as:- The Daily Mirror, Notebook Magazine and The Radio Times.

Her culinary expertise has also caught the attention of major brands, leading to exciting collaborations with the likes of:- Hilton and Ford.

Jemma also bagged a regular contributor spot on BBC's Morning Live where she shared fun, easy and cost effective recipes for all occasions, live on primetime TV.

Recently, Jemma received a prestigious honour; a portrait by renowned artist David Remfry, proudly displayed at Fortnum and Mason Diamond Jubilee Tea Station, commemorating her culinary achievements.

Today, Jemma shares her culinary creativity on Instagram, with fun and original recipes.

Southport Flower Show, sponsored by the Seventy Ninth Group, is the UK's largest independent flower show and attracts over 55,000 visitors across 4 days.

Visitors to this year's show can enjoy:- inspirational show gardens, spectacular floral displays, gardening advice, a pop-up shopping village with everything you need for the home and garden, cookery demonstrations, live music, entertainment and so much more!

This year's show runs from:- Thursday, 15 August to Sunday, 18 August 2024, to celebrate 100 years of Southport Flower Show. For more information and tickets to this year's Southport Flower Show visit the official website.

If you go down to the coast...!

IF you're heading to National Trust Formby, on:- Monday, 15 April 2024, you will have the chance to get some top tips on taking care of your canine companion.

The Dogs Trust team from the charity's Huyton based re-homing centre will be on hand at the Victoria Road Woodland Car Park to meet and greet dog lovers and their 4 legged friends and give them the chance to get top tips on dog ownership, as well as find out more about how the charity supports dog owners. The team will be on site from:- 10.30 am to 1.30 pm.

Then from April the team will head to National Trust Formby Car Park on the last Monday of every month, until September 2024, excluding the May Day Bank Holiday.

A shift in workplace dynamics as new flexible working rules come into force

DID you know since:- Saturday, 6 April 2024, all UK employees have the legal right to request flexible working? This does not mean you will get it, but an employer can still refuse an application if they have a good business reason for doing so.

For those looking to embrace this new flexibility, there are procedures to follow. Workers must provide a 3 month notice to their employers, signalling their intent to opt out of say Sunday working hours. During this notice period, employers can still request Sunday attendance. After the notice period, the employee's Sunday obligations cease, if the employer does not handle the requested the change in a reasonable manner. Also if it isnt handeled correctly, the employee can take them to an employment tribunal. Under the new rules, a ‘reasonable manner' or 'handling' of the request should include the employer:-

• Assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the application.
  

• Discussing possible alternatives to the request.
  

• Offering an appeal process.

Also it should be noted that employers must now inform their employees, in writing, about the opt-out option within 2 months of their start date. Failure to do so reduces the employee's notice period to just 1 month!

An essential aspect of this policy is the protection it offers employees when requesting flexible working hours, for example, asking to opt out of Sunday work cannot be grounds for dismissal or unfair treatment. The only exception is if they were explicitly hired to work solely on Sundays or Weekends.

This provision ensures that employees can make their choices without fear of retribution or job loss.

Workplace expert, Adam Bennett from Digital ID says:- "This new policy empowers employees with greater control over their work life balance. It's a step towards acknowledging the diverse needs and commitments of today's workforce. This update is more than just a policy change; it's a nod to the evolving dynamics of the workplace, where flexibility and employee well being are increasingly prioritised. As businesses and workers navigate this new landscape, the focus remains on creating a more accommodating and humane work environment."

what do you think about this new change and do you think it will help you and your work life balance?

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:-  Mastodon, Facebook or Twitter.