This is one you must not miss
Last week on a visit to Derbyshire, to renew old acquaintances and to visit places I used to hike round when I was a lad, we ventured in to Bakewell. Friends reminded me about the pudding shop in the town.
So we parked the car in the relevant car park just outside the main shopping area and perilously made out way over the narrow bridge into town. I never got as far as the famous pudding shop – instead I was attracted by a light purple plaque on what looked like a rather inconspicuous Georgian house. ”Sweet Shop” it said. Thought I could do with something to chew – to keep me awake on the rest of our journey – so I sauntered it.
What a surprise! – there were jars and jars of sweets – not the really rather boring munchies you get in the supermarket, like the a Twix or packet of Polos. Here there were real sweets.
Some I knew, some I remembered, but most I had never even heard of – “Sour Apple Jellies,” “Orange and Lemon Jellies.” Of course there were coffee creams (haven’t seen those for years) but also “Sparkling Wine Creams,” “Tropical Creams” and, would you believe, “Iron Brew Creams!” I’ll bet they came from Scotland. Now, of course most of my readers will know about sweets like “Sugar Coated Jelly Pyramids” but have you ever come across, “Sugar Coated Foam Bananas” or “Liquid Filled Ice Cream Bubble-gum?”
If I sampled the contents of some of those jars, I suspect I might become hyper for the rest of the day. Would it be safe to take a child in to a shop like that? The owners, I believe have thought of everything – namely a selection of sugar free sweets. And if the “Sugar Free Apple Custard” jar which was nearly empty, was anything to go by, then it would seem that these too are popular.
My advice is go to Bakewell – by all means seek out the popular Bakewell Pudding shop but seek directions for the Georgian House Sweet Shop.
It is near the centre of town and all the locals will tell you how to get there, but allow yourself plenty of time to browse. The shop is a wonderland for anyone with a sweet tooth. (Just don’t tell your dentist you are going.)
I’ll be back.
