Local bakery and churches support kids’ play scheme

Kind-hearted parishioners and a bakery have teamed up to feed a group of energetic children enjoying some summer holiday fun.

Members of two local churches are making packed lunches with bread rolls from the Jones Village Bakery for the children attending the free playscheme in Coedpoeth.

Up to 50 youngsters attend the twice-weekly sessions organised by Wrexham County Borough Council on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the grassed play area on the Adwy housing estate.

Now, the bakery is also going to be stepping up to the plate during term time as well.

The mouth-watering plan was suggested after Tom Breeze, manager of the Village Bakery’s factory in Minera, and sales brand manager Tracie Edwards, stopped by to deliver extra shopping bags full of freshly made rolls.

When the pair heard that play workers Tina Edwards and Emma Jones also run a popular youth club during term time they formulated a plan to donate some of the company’s award-winning Welsh Cakes as well.

Delighted Emma said: “That would be fabulous. During term times on Mondays, we run an after school playscheme here from 4-6pm followed by a youth club from 6-8pm.

“Unlike the holiday play schemes we don’t offer the kids any food for those sessions, but we do provide hot and cold drinks.

“Welsh Cakes would go brilliantly with hot chocolate or coffees. The kids would love them.”

Tracie Edwards said: “It is part of Village Bakery’s ethos as a company to support the local community in any way it can.

“In addition to the bread rolls for the summer playscheme, providing the youth club with our delicious original recipe Welsh Cakes would be a great way of doing that.”

Tina and Emma have led the play schemes and the youth club for about eight years  on behalf of Wrexham County Borough Council with the Village Bakery chipping in with the bread rolls.

Emma said: “The play schemes are always popular. Often the children are here early waiting for us ahead of time. Sometimes we have up to 50 kids take part, especially if the weather is warm and we set up the water slide. That is one of their favourite activities.

“After using up all that energy they enjoy refuelling with the delicious filled bread rolls for lunch. There’s ham, cheese, tuna, a variety of options.”

Tina agreed that the existing free bread rolls scheme is a bumper success.

She said: “The rolls are collected from the bakery by volunteers from the local churches who then add fillings and turn them into delicious sandwiches which we collect from them to give out as lunches. It’s a real community effort with everyone helping each other.”

The bread rolls project was initiated after Village Bakery was approached by volunteers from St Mary’s Church, Minera, and St Tudfil’s Church, Coedpoeth, which both support the Saint Asaph Diocese Holiday Hunger Scheme.

St Mary’s Church warden Sylvia Partington explained: “The church committee is very grateful to the Village Bakery for their regular support to the church, including the contribution of fresh bread rolls towards the lunches provided during school holidays.”

She said: “The church provides all other provision including sandwich fillings, fresh fruit and chocolate biscuits and indeed, committee members’ volunteer their time to make-up the lunches for the children throughout the holidays.”

Wrexham County Borough Council Playscheme co-ordinator Karianne Harston thanked the Village Bakery, church volunteers, play workers and everyone involved for their part in making the lunches happen.

She said: “The children come and go as they please and help themselves to the sandwiches as and when they feel. It makes a big difference to the success of the play schemes at Coedpoeth.”

Local parent Jessica Richards, of Coedpoeth, said her three children all love the tasty lunch rolls.

Mum to Caleb, 14, Noah, seven, and Eli, four, she said: “They all really enjoy attending the playscheme. It is a safe, fun space for them where they get to see their friends and have fun. To have free lunches provided as well is a real bonus.”

Abbie Davies, mum to Summer Isted, aged four, said the playscheme is much loved by the whole village: “Everyone works extremely hard to make it a success, from the leaders on site to the local churches and the fact that Village Bakery has supported it for so many years is hugely appreciated by all the parents as well as the kids who attend.”

Neveah Griffiths, aged eight, said: “The sandwiches are delicious. They give me lots of energy between playing with my friends here. We love the playscheme.”

Neveah’s mum Emily Griffiths, whose youngest, Arthur Grace, also attends the playscheme, said: “Without the playscheme there would not be a lot for the kids round here to do during the school holidays. It is a real lifeline, the whole community is proud of it.”

“We are all grateful for how the Village Bakery give back to the community through schemes like this, giving free bread rolls for the church ladies to make the lunches, and otherwise supporting local organisations. I know they also support the local youth football teams.”

Bakery manager Tom Breeze, said: “It’s great for Tracey and I to see first-hand how much the children get out of this playscheme.

“As a local employer we believe it is hugely important to engage with the community on which we rely and which has been the backbone of our growth story.”