BUDDING bakers at the Humble Pie Cookery Kitchen in Hawes, some as young as five, have taken up their bowls and spatulas to create – and take home – a delicious supper for four.

The popular sessions for younger children are the idea of owner Elizabeth Fawcett, who set up the cookery school in the Dales market town just two weeks before lockdown forced her to close.

Now with renewed enthusiasm and a record number of “staycation” visitors heading for the Dales and other beauty spots, the classes are back on track and booking up rapidly.

Children in last Saturday’s Budding Bakers class – the next one is on August 26 at 3pm – made sausage rolls, pizza for four with coleslaw, and a tray of chocolate brownies in under two hours.

“They love it,” says Elizabeth. “They get a great sense of achievement when they can take home the food and share it with the family. I’m especially pleased that I’m getting as many boys as girls coming along: in this case actually more.”

The children must be accompanied by a grown-up as they work at their individual stations, and social distancing rules are strictly enforced, with every unit fully stocked with the necessary equipment and protective Perspex shields in place. “That way no-one has to move around the room to collect a bowl, or a spoon. It works really well,” says Elizabeth.

The children’s and Elizabeth’s aprons were hand-made by Rita Cloughton of Bainbridge, who will be opening a craft shop in the Askrigg Foundation building once work is complete.

Elizabeth is also running a course of four summer schools for local children aged 11 to 16, each Monday from 10am to noon.

“I feel this is a rather neglected group during the summer holidays. There are play schemes for little ones, but not a lot for older children. It’s so important that they learn to cook basic, economical meals, and have a lot of fun in the process.”