Sunday 29 March 2009

They Knew That 150 Years Ago

Most people at some point in their lives have heard of Mrs Beeton, author of Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, and the most famous cookery writer in British history. I was intrigued to see her name mentioned in a recent article. The article in question related to a study carried out in Iran and concluded that drinking very hot tea can increase the risk of throat cancer. The Golestan Province in Iran has one of the highest rates of throat cancer in the world, despite its residents not smoking much and drinking little alcohol. However, nearly all the patients affected by throat cancer were found to drink very hot black tea, consuming more than a litre a day. What emerged from their findings was that people who drank tea at high temperatures were more likely to get oesophageal cancer. The scientists do not advocate drinking less tea but say tea should be left to stand for five minutes before pouring. There is no suggestion that drinking high volumes of tea is dangerous, and the fact that Western drinkers add milk to the tea automatically cools it down. What I found really interesting was a comment made by David Whiteman from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia who said: "We should follow the advice of Mrs Beeton, who prescribes a 5-10 minute interval between making and pouring tea, by which time the tea will be sufficiently flavoursome and unlikely to cause thermal injury." Amazing, it has taken a team of scientists in this day and age to come up with findings discovered by Mrs Beeton 150 years ago.

Today's Smile



Horseracing

Huzzah, our selection for yesterday's Lincoln Handicap, gave us a great run for our money when finishing fifth of the twenty runners, behind the classy hot favourite Expresso Star. Huzzah led the centre group at the two furlong pole before tiring and finishing one-paced.

Profit/Loss +2.25 Points

Fifty Years An Organist

I recently came across an old clipping, entitled Fifty Years An Organist, and dated 1932. It read as follows:

Fifty years' service by Mr. W. E. Edwards, a retired school master, as organist and choirmaster to Blankney parish church, under three rectors, was rewarded last night, when Mr John Cartwright (Metheringham) made the presentation of a sedan armchair on behalf of the parishioners.
When performing the ceremony, Mr Cartwright (vicar's warden) said he had been associated with Mr. Edwards all the time he had been in the village and he had a great respect for his long service. The Rev. C. H. Sibthorp, rector of Blankney, said that only a prior engagement prevented the Earl of Londesborough from being present. He warmly congratulated Mr. Edwards upon a marvellous record on not missing a single Sunday service and never being late, unless prevented by illness or holiday.
Mr W. F. Nunn (people's warden) announced that although they were not able to be present Lady Londesborough, Lady Carisbrooke, Miss L. A. James and Mrs. and Miss Gurney, wished to associate themselves with the function.
Mr J. E. West said he came to Blankney in 1882, the same year as Mr. Edwards and no-one realised better than he the excellent work Mr. Edwards had performed.
Expressing thanks, Mr. Edwards said he was deeply touched by the appreciation which he valued very highly. He received rather a shock on coming to Blankney as schoolmaster when he was asked to take over the post of organist and choirmaster without previous experience. At the time he said he would try and had just gone on trying ever since.