A giant three tier fruit cake made to look like the Palace of Westminster was presented to Parliament to celebrate its 750th birthday.
The cake, presented by The Worshipful Company of Bakers and the National Bakery School, was gifted to mark the 750th anniversary of Simon de Montfort’s parliament (20 January 1265), which is widely recognised as the beginnings of the House of Commons.
The cake was 3½ft long and 1ft tall.
Master of the Worshipful Company of Bakers Paul Heygate said: “Our guild was established in 1155, so we are sure our forebears would have been there to support Montfort – and the Worshipful Company is keen to show its continued support today for our democratic rights and freedoms.”
Accepting the gift on behalf of the House of Commons, the speaker, the Rt Hon John Bercow, said: “We are truly grateful to the Worshipful Company of Bakers for this gift and for the talent and effort it took to create it. This magnificent cake really was testament to the excellent work of the National Bakery School.”
Representatives of the Worshipful Company, the City of London and Parliament were at the presentation, along with National Bakery School students and pupils from Sir John Cass primary school in the City.
The cake was eaten by visitors to Parliament, including school groups, tourists, visitors to the gallery and constituents visiting their MP, in Westminster Hall.
No comments yet