Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, has given the Alban Bun – the original hot cross bun and a cornerstone of St Albans history – what is believed to be its first mention in Parliament.
The Alban Bun has been a key feature of Easter celebrations at St Albans Cathedral for 700 years but has only just had what is believed to be its first ever mention on the Parliamentary record.
Daisy has tabled a Parliamentary motion celebrating its history and inviting other MPs to visit St Albans to enjoy this fantastic (and delicious) part of the city’s history.
To mark the occasion, Daisy also presented some Alban Buns to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Daisy said:
“All of us who live here know that St Albans is both a wonderful place to live and visit and our delicious Alban buns are a huge attraction for residents and visitors alike.
“Everything that brings people to enjoy our Cathedral, high streets and hospitality should be celebrated – including in Parliament!”
“So thank you to everyone at the Cathedral and beyond for working so hard to keep up this tradition and to keep up with demand.”
The St Albans Cathedral website says:
“It is said that the Alban Bun, the precursor to the famous Hot Cross Bun, originates in St Albans where Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a 14th Century Monk at St Albans Abbey, developed an original recipe. From 1361, Brother Thomas would distribute these buns to feed the poor on Good Friday.
“The original recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but ingredients include flour, eggs, fresh yeast, currants and grains of paradise or cardamom. The baker today stays faithful to the original 14th century recipe with only a slight addition of some extra fruit. The buns are distinctive in their appearance due to their lack of a piped cross. Instead, the baker cuts the cross into the top of the bun with a knife.”
As with every year, Alban Buns are available to purchase from St Albans Cathedral (from Abbot’s Kitchen Cafe) in the run up to Easter – do get them whilst you can!
The full text of Daisy’s Parliamentary Motion (EDM 960) is as follows:
“That this House celebrates that for nearly 700 years the Alban Bun has been part of the Easter tradition at St Albans Cathedral; recognises the Alban Bun’s status as the precursor to the famous Hot Cross Bun; notes that Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a monk at the abbey, is said to have developed the original recipe in 1361 and would distribute his buns to the poor on Good Friday; further notes that Brother Thomas Rocliffe developed an original recipe which remains a closely guarded secret; thanks all those involved in baking this year’s buns; further celebrates all the hard work of the team at the Abbot’s Kitchen Cafe in St Albans Cathedral for serving and selling Alban Buns throughout Lent; and encourages hon. Members to visit St Albans and enjoy this most wonderful tradition.”