Dame Vera’s birthday is the icing on the cake

There were bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover for Dame Vera Lynn as she celebrated her 99^th birthday this week (Sunday) – thanks to the extraordinary sugar craft talents of a Sussex baker.

Mia Taggart was invited to create a cake to remember for the woman who immortalised the south coast in song and seared the picture of Blighty on the hearts of thousands of troops listening to Armed Forces Radio in 1942.

The ‘Forces Sweetheart’, who is nine years older than the Queen and was a close friend and favourite of the Queen Mother, chose to mark her 99^th year with a small, private gathering at her home in Ditchling, East Sussex.

But 20 miles away in Billingshurst, the families of infants with cerebral palsy, who have been helped by the Dame Vera Children’s Charity, shared in the celebration with special Dame Vera cupcakes, also baked by Mia.

A former nutritionist who taught herself sugar craft, Mia’s previous celebrity bakes have included the entire Strictly Come Dancing judging panel moulded in sugar for Zoe Ball.

“Dame Vera is so strongly associated with the White Cliffs of Dover that once I had the image in my mind, nothing else would do,” said Mia, who specialises in creating one-off designs at her kitchen in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

“Even though Dame Vera isn’t of my generation, of course, everyone knows her and it was just such a huge privilege to be asked to create a surprise cake for her birthday.

“For me, it’s one of the most memorable and it’s definitely the one my grandmother and mum are most proud of!”

…end…                                                                                            21 March 2016

FURTHER INFORMATION: Lea Graham Associates – 01444 235475/07885 373394