Preheat the oven to 170oC (325oF) and line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment.
Put the dates and water in a pan and bring to the boil. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
Sieve the plain flour, baking powder and mixed spice into a bowl. Add the wholewheat flour, mixed fruit and ground almonds and stir to combine. Stir in the wet date mixture and the orange juice. Mix well.
Spoon into the loaf tin. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Turn out onto a wire rack and cool.