Local bakery and parishioners team up to feed children at Coedpoeth playscheme

Kind-hearted parishioners and a local bakery have teamed up to feed a group of children attending a free playscheme in Coedpoeth.

Up to 50 youngsters use 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 members of two local churches have teamed up with the Jones Village Bakery to make packed lunches for the children attending the playscheme.

The Minera-based 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.

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

“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 and Tom Breeze of the village Bakery with Play scheme worker Emma Jones and Summer Isted (Picture Mandy Jones)

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.

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.”

“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,” she said.

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.

Summer Isted (Picture Mandy Jones)

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’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.”