WHOEVER thought up the title deserves a round of applause for a start because That’s A Turnip for the Books! is a cracker.

The second congratulations go to Gwillam’s Farm Shop at Bevere, Worcester, for publishing this mouthwatering set of customers’ recipes to raise funds for cancer charities.

The 50-page cookbook contains delights ranging from ginger stout cake and Canadian butter tarts to poacher’s roll, millionaire’s marrow jam, spicy plum and apple chutney and homity pie – which I am reliably informed is cheese pie with added nettles.

Reflecting today’s more exotic tastes there are dishes such as Thai chicken curry, tortilla pancakes with chilli and cheese and stir fry prawns with pak choi, none of which would have featured on a British farmhouse supper table even 10 years ago.

The book was the idea of Neville and Mary Gwillam of Bevere Green Farm, who began their farm shop beside the A449 near Hawford traffic island back in 1996.

Although it started in a small way, selling home-produced vegetables, fruit and eggs, it has expanded greatly since than and now attracts customers from far afield. Much of the produce is still grown on the farm, but now you can also get locally made jams and cakes, as well as wines, beers and ciders and a lot more. Mary said: “We pride ourselves on quality, freshness and friendly service. Nothing is too much trouble.”

It was back in the late summer that the Gwillams decided on the idea of a charity cookbook and asked their regular customers if they would like to share some of their favourite recipes to go in it.

The response was quite amazing with a whole host of goodies coming in.

One of my favourites in the cookbook is one for rich bread and butter pudding submitted by Ann Smith from Cornmeadow Green, Worcester.

A retired civil servant, Ann collects recipes for a hobby and this one knocks the standard bread and butter pudding into a cocked hat.

She said: “For a start it uses brioche bread, which has a high egg and butter content, making it rich to start with.

“Then you add coarse cut marmalade, cream, up to five eggs and cointreau.

“It is definitely not a slimmers’ pudding. Top it with custard for perfection, but don’t be greedy and take too big a portion.

“I first came across this version more than 20 years ago and it is always well-received.”

Another of Ann’s favourite recipes is for crab apple jelly and this also features in the book.

Mary Gwillam said: “We had so many recipes sent in it was quite a job making the final selection.

The book was designed by Claire Charlwood from Worcester and printed by Malvern Hills District Council. We are very pleased with the result.

“It looks very colourful.

“We would also like to thank all our customers for their participation and hope the cookbook sells well over Christmas.

“It costs £5 from the shop and half the profits are going to Cancer Research and the Prostrate Cancer Charity.”

So don’t be a turnip, do your bit for charity this season of goodwill.