This was one of the first things that I made John several centuries ago and we've just found it on a piece of very faded paper in an unused saucepan for some reason! I've noticed that my handwriting was a lot neater in those days.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz chopped dates
• 6 oz soft brown sugar
• 4 fl. oz water
• Grated rind of 1 orange
• 8 oz self-raising flour
• 3 oz margarine (or butter)
• 1 egg
• 1 rounded teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons orange juice

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 4 (350F/180C)
2. Grease a loaf tin 8 ½" x 4" (2 ½ pints)
3. Put dates and water into a saucepan, simmer gently until pulpy.
4. Add sugar, stir until dissolved.
5. Remove from heat, add margarine (or butter), beat well.
6. Add grated orange rind and juice.
7. Cool for a few minutes then beat in the egg.
8. Sieve flour and cinnamon together and add a little at a time to date mixture.
9. Pour into prepared tin and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes until ready.