Who can share the secret of world class, short crust pastry?

[hawleybits]

I can't make nice pastry. I have tried in various ways but it's never lovely. Everything is cold and I handle it as little as possible but still it's not crisp and short. The only ingredient I can't use is lard as we're vegetarians but I'm sure this can't be the only route to good pastry.
Will someone please tell me what it is I am doing wrong?

Lard and in blender. Only way.

@hawleybits that looks really good!!!

I use butter - half fat to flour and I add quarter icing sugar for sweet crumbly shortcrust. Everything (bowl, hands, butter) must be really cold and I mix with a cold metal butter knife when I add the cold water. When I’m doing the breadcrumb bit I make sure I lift my hands right out the bowl to rub the butter and flour together to let the air get in there and make sure not to handle the pastry to much when forming a ball. I always chill the pastry for an hour or two before using too.