Proud Galleries hosts ‘cupcake camp’ to raise money for North London Hospice

Published: 23 September, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

POST offices in pubs, libraries in sports halls, barbers in bookies: diversification is the new economics.

Camden nightclub Proud Galleries is taking the trend for twinning to the next level after inviting hundreds of cake-bakers to whisk up the dance floor.

Cupcake Camp London, where bakers from across the capital show off their finest creations, is the brainchild of Gospel Oak teacher Daisy Coole. 

She is organising the event to raise money for the North London Hospice in Finchley, where her father, the Fleet Street journalist Bob Coole, was being cared for before he died earlier this year.

Primrose Bakery in Primrose Hill is helping out at next month’s event, with staff making up the judging panel.

Ms Coole, 26, a music teacher at Hampstead and Haverstock schools, said it was the perfect way to pay tribute to her father. 

“A serious addiction to baking cupcakes and my connection with the North London Hospice came into my life at the same time,” she said.

“Dad was a patient at the hospice and the nurses were simply amazing. They were caring and supportive to my Dad and my family, offering cups of tea and a shoulder to cry on as we sat with him for up to 24 hours a day. 

“After Dad died, baking was a huge comfort and the physicality of it was very therapeutic so I went on a baking frenzy. We had his favourite ginger cupcakes – which I first made from the Primrose Bakery cookbook – at his funeral. When Dad died I never got to say thank you to our nurses. This is my way.”

Ms Coole got the idea for the event from America, where cupcake camps have become popular. 

Bob Coole, who died in March aged 80, was one of the most respected sub-editors in the industry, working on the Daily Mirror, The Sun and Daily Express. He was famed for his ability to transform dull news copy into a gripping story without missing a fact – regularly turning stories around in minutes. 

Cupcake Camp London will take place at Proud Galleries on Sunday October 31, and will feature live bands, competitions, prizes and a “create your own cupcake” stall. 

• To find out more or to donate a cake or prize please visit www.cupcakecamplondon.co.uk or email cupcakecamplondon@gmail.com