IT was great to see my old friend former Bolton News’ food columnist Patrick Trodden still passing on cookery tips to all ages.

Now retired Professor Trodden, formerly Director of Culinary Arts at the University of Salford, was at Holy Infant and St Anthony RC Primary School in Bolton helping youngsters mix Christmas cakes – ensuring everyone had a great time baking.

He was sharing his enthusiasm and talents for cooking before The Great British Bake-Off was even a twinkle in a TV producer’s eye so it’s lovely to know that the next generation is learning to have baking fun today.