3504 SHA Your Voice 15 - Spectrum Housing Group

SpectrumResidents’ GroupAletter and leaflet went outto all Signpost HousingAssociation and Signpost CarePartnerships residents at thebeginning of February askingfor expressions of interest forthe new Spectrum Residents’Group. Ways to be Involvedforms were also included inthe mailing and we have had aterrific response with morethan 60 sending in their forms.The selection process for membershipof the Spectrum Residents Groupon behalf of Signpost HousingAssociation and Signpost CarePartnerships will take place duringApril. The panel making the selectionwill be made up of resident Boardmembers, Michael Underwood, TonyKay, John Davies and Helen Lawson.You will be informed of the fullmembership of the Group in thenext edition of Your Voice.For further information about theSpectrum Residents’ Group orother ways of being involved, pleasecontact Liz Baker on 01258 484879,email Elizabeth.baker@sha.co.ukor Kate Weeks on 01392 354636,email kate.weeks@sha.co.uk.Improving our websiteWe are making improvements to ourwebsite and would like to know whatyou think would make it better. Whatinformation would you like? Would youlike to report repairs or view your rentaccount online? These are just some ideasbut we are sure that you have plentymore! You can contact us via a link onwww.sha.co.uk, drop us a line or phone –see our contact details on page 8. All takingpart will be put into a prize draw for £50.Alison Moors, Your Voice editor, is workingwith us to develop the site and is actingas your Resident Website Champion.For the cake110g/4oz butter or margarine110g/4oz soft brown sugar3 eggs, beaten150g/5oz plain flourpinch of salt½ tsp ground mixed spice (optional)350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas55g/2oz chopped mixed peel½ lemon, grated rind only1-2 tbsp apricot jam1 egg, beaten for glazingMethodRecipe:Simnel cakeFor the almond paste(Marzipan)125g/4oz caster sugar125g/4oz ground almonds1 egg, beaten½ tsp almond essence1. To make the almond paste: place the sugar and ground almonds in abowl. Add enough beaten egg to give a fairly soft consistency. Add the almondessence and knead for a minute until the paste is smooth and pliable. Roll outa third of the almond paste to make a circle 18cm/7in in diameter and reservethe remainder for topping of the cake.2. To make the cake: Preheat oven to 140C/275F/ Gas 1. Cream the butterand sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until wellincorporated and then sift in the flour, salt and spice (if using) a little at a time.Finally, add the dried fruit, peel and grated lemon rind and mix into themixture well.3. Put half the mixture in a greased and lined 18cm/7in cake tin. Smooth thetop and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixtureand smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the centre to allow for the cake torise. Bake in the preheated oven for 1½ hours. Once baked, remove from theoven and leave to cool.4. When you are ready to decorate the cake, preheat the oven to180C/350F/Gas 3. Brush the top of the cooled cake with the apricot jam.Divide the remainder of the almond paste into two; roll out a circle to coverthe top of the cake with one half and form 11 small balls with the other half.5. Place the circle of paste on the jam and set the balls round the edge. Brushall the top with a little beaten egg.6. Return the cake to the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or long enoughfor the almond paste to brown.Garages availableDid you know that Signpost Housing Association has over 600 garagesacross the North Dorset area and they are available to residents and nonresidentsof the Association to rent?If you would like to rent a garage please contact us on 01258 484800.12