Karen Wright: ‘A special day and a special cake’

“We were staying on the Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Brighton and had the local news on TV.

“It said it was the funeral of Dame Vera that day and there was to be a fly past by two Spitfires over the village she lived in, ten minutes’ drive from the campsite. It was a beautiful morning, so we set off to hopefully get a glimpse of the Spitfires. They were going to do three circuits to represent the Army, Navy and the Airforce.

“We found the car park full but managed to park on the roadside. Our plan had been to watch the planes then go back the campsite. However, the police put roadblocks in place. The Spitfires arrived bang on time,.You could hear the spine-tingling sound of engines before they came into view. Then they were gone again, as if by magic!

Within minutes we could see a police bike, followed by the funeral cortege. Dame Vera’s coffin was draped with the Union Jack and a spray of flowers. We felt very honoured to be able to pay our respects. It was extra poignant as the day was the anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

“Before lockdown I was commissioned by the Caravan and Motorhome Club to create a cake for their VE Day celebrations. I made a start well in advance as I had a colossal cake in mind. The plan was to do three tiers, a bottom tier representing a street party, a second shaped like a 1940’s radio playing Vera Lynn songs and a third tier hand-painted with white cliffs of Dover.

“Unfortunately, the VE Day celebration could not go ahead. I had made the bottom tier and had hand crafted all the sugar food. The Club gifted it back to me. I replaced the VE Day logo with one for Wakefield Hospice and made the bunting appropriate for a thirtieth anniversary. The Hospice will auction it off to raise funds. Win win all around! Next week I shall share a favourite campsite recipe with you, until then #staysafe. www.karenwrightbakes.co.uk.”