The making of sweetmeats for special occasions is an old tradition dating back centuries.

As with the gingerbread men and meringue decorations they were simple yet highly coloured.

These simple to prepare candies can even be delegated to the children who will, hopefully, delight in such things.

This particular article dates back to the early fifties when it was possible to procure decent quantities of sugar after the austerity of the war years.

In recent times the rise in the quantity of ready-made sweets available in the shops would stun the fifties housewife

I shall add to the recipes here as time goes on.