Grease and line a 9x5 inch ( 23x13cm) loaf tin with baking paper /parchment paper Heat the oven at 320°F (160°C). Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), ground ginger, cinnamon and allspice/pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Add in the diced butter and rub it into the flour
Measure out the molasses and syrup into a small pan and warm gently until melted and runny but not hot. SEE NOTE 5
Set aside until lukewarm.
Put the sugar and milk into another pan and heat gently, stirring well to dissolve the sugar. Leave to cool until lukewarm.
Then whisk the milk into the flour mixture, followed by the molasses mixture
Mix in the buttermilk to form a smooth thick batter.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Bake in a preheated oven at 320°F (160°C) for about 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the loaf comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and leave in the tin to cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.