TWO questions. What makes a women fight her way through terrifying trauma and what makes fudge so irresistible? After all it’s just a mix of sugar, milk and butter. Ah, but it’s how this young crafter mixes it, the amounts and the little extras she adds that makes all the difference. I know that because I’ve tasted Cat Briggs Evans’s Classic Confections.
There’s a remarkable story behind this Co Antrim-based entrepreneur. Catriona, known as Cat, was a nursery school assistant for 10 years and then a special needs classroom assistant.
Sadly, in 2015, at the age of 43 she lost her voice and was eventually diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid, papillary carcinoma, a slow-growing condition confined to her throat; immediately treatment began, bravely she continued to work through it.
“Then one night when I was watching Harry Potter I turned my head and there was this terrible pain.”
Hospitalisation followed, checks, a more intense drug regime and eventually an operation to remove the thyroid.
The treatment she was receiving involved radioactive iodine which meant she wasn’t allowed within a metre of anyone, which was difficult at home, so she slept on the floor in one room and cast-off clothes were binned.
She laughed when she told me that on her birthday that year she got gorgeous scarves from all her friends.
“To cover the scar which is so small you can hardly see it. As a result I developed a scarf fetish!”
Dark Time
It was difficult for her and her husband and their two sons, aged 10 and 14, because, after the operation and when she was in remission she went into a deep depression and couldn’t leave the house.
“I was self-harming and unable to cope with social situations. I’d either cry off or leave the company after the first few minutes. But you either lie down under these things or get up and get going.”
She didn’t lie down under it, she kept going, finding an escape in baking, for which was always a passion. The Great British Bake Off TV programme was an inspiration and she began to study and spread her wings as a confectioner.
Once she was feeling better, Cat went to Italy to her cousin’s wedding and when she was there the warm weather, walking and baking gave her strength to come home and concentrate on her sweet making.
This gave her a focus but as she was still on sick leave from her school employment she began thinking that people were saying there was nothing wrong with her and she was taking someone’s chance of a job and so the depression got worse. However, this lady doesn’t give up easily. She decided to hand in her notice, take a chance and develop her sideline into a business.
At first truffles were on the agenda but with a twist. She made bespoke sweetmeats, taking customers' memories and adding flavour combinations to make a special product. One client liked to remember a boyhood Christmas with his family so she featured his story with the Clan MacArthur, linked with Arthur Guinness and his product, mixed with juniper reflecting gin distillers and seasonal flavours like cinnamon. It was a major hit!
Soon she had developed her business and was selling at markets and as it took off, she realised she had a second chance at life.
The truffles were a success but the fudge was even more popular, people loved it and shops began to stock the little bags of delight flavoured with raspberry, garden mint, lime, spearmint, orange and cardamom. She even has a vegan range.
“At the moment the kitchen is my workplace but I plan to convert part of the garage in order to keep up with the demand. I’m almost five years free of cancer now and I know how to cope with depression. I’m now focusing on the positive and finding the positives.”
With Christmas approaching, she will be targeting wedding favours and corporate events as well as shops and hotels.
“Using locally sourced ingredients is important and this gives the product a special taste which is best when eaten fresh.”
I can vouch for that!
Cat has turned her life around; she even takes on public speaking about her experiences and recently spoke at a Fearless Women Summit. It’s obvious that despite all she’s been through Cat Briggs Evans is really excited about her new life and her future. Her face lights up when she talks about her family and her classic confections.
“I’m self-taught and I’m proud of doing it for myself and of what I’ve achieved."
For more visit catrionaclassicconfections@gmail.com
Itsy Bitsy Spider
THE must have Christmas present this year is a T-shirt emblazoned with a sparkling silver spider on the front. The inspiration comes from television appearances of the president of the Supreme Court of the UK, Lady Brenda Hale, who announced that Boris Johnson had made some dubious decisions. I feel I must say, Lady H, I’ve been there and worn the T-shirt. I’ve had my spider for over 30 years.
Do You Know Of This Woman?
An appeal from Paul D Wilson who is researching the life of Belfast writer Robin Bryans, more familiar under his pen name Robert Harbinson.
“Time and time again he refers to a Belfast actress called Jean Hamilton, whom he says was a good friend of his. But I can find no information about her anywhere bar a reference in a programme dated January 1935, Gand Opera House Annual Dramatic Feis, where she played Liza Dolittle in Pygmalion. I believe she was married to an actor/artist Humphrey Knight. If you can help I'd really appreciate it.”
:: If you can help please contact Paul at paul@wordstock.co.uk
