Western Morning News (Saturday)
Meat delivery will help feed the vulnerable
MEAT and game that will make almost 10,000 meals for vulnerable people has been delivered to the Plymouth base of a regional food charity.
The Country Food Trust, which also supplies charities with ready meals such as pheasant curry and venison bolognese, donated a pallet of game meat – the equivalent of 9,500 meals – to the Plymouth distribution centre of Devon and Cornwall Food Action.
The delivery was made by Andy Gray, of Crediton-based MC Kelly, the official meat supplier for the CFT, to Alan Dunne, a trustee of the charity.
The donation means that the CFT has given 56,600 meals to the charity since its inception in 2016, with distribution hubs in Lostwithiel and Exeter as well as Plymouth.
The CFT says all its game meat comes from an approved dealer and is checked twice for lead during processing for ready meals.
Its venison comes from deer shot with copper and not lead, and is mainly from the Forestry Commission.
The latest CFT delivery comes after the donation of more than 9,400 game-based ready meals in November. They were given to people experiencing food poverty, which the charity says is a growing problem.
Mr Dunne said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive delivery of this meat. It will make a huge difference as we fight hard to support the vulnerable in our area.
“In November, we received 9,440 game-based ready meals from the Country Food Trust, so with today’s delivery this means we will have supplied 18,940 meals this winter to those in food poverty in Devon and Cornwall.
“I cannot thank all those at The Country Food Trust enough for helping us in these troubled times.”
Mr Gray, the owner of MC Kelly, said: “It is a pleasure to be helping out Alan and his team by supplying enough meat to feed 9,500 meals to those in need in his area. Coming here today and making the delivery myself feels rewarding, but also makes me acutely aware of the problems faced by thousands, not only in Devon and Cornwall but also nationally.
“Our partnership with The Country Food Trust continues to grow and it is clear that it will be another busy year ahead for charities such as them and the likes of Devon and Cornwall Food Action.”
Tim Woodward, CEO of the CFT, said: “We are delighted to be able to make this delivery to Devon and Cornwall Food Action. Thanks to Alan and his team, we know that this meat will be distributed fairly to charities and organisations around Devon and Cornwall and ultimately to feed those who need it most in the area. Many thanks to our registered game-dealer Andy Gray.
“Since 2016, we have supplied Devon and Cornwall with 70,606 ready meals; nationally, we are about to reach two million meals.
“The current demand for our food is extraordinary as more and more people fall into food poverty, adding to the eight million already classified in that category.”
UNEMPLOYED people in South East Cornwall are being offered the chance to learn conservation skills to help them find a way back into work – while preserving some of their area’s heritage.
The Monuments Matter to People scheme offers unemployed residents in Torpoint, Saltash and Liskeard a programme covering everything from maths, English and IT to archaeological survey techniques.
The course is being funded by a range of bodies including the European Social Fund, and will take place every Wednesday from March this year, depending on pandemic restrictions.
The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are teaming up with Adult Education, the Rame Conservation Trust, Samaritans and the Cornwall Archaeological Unit to offer bespoke workshops as a part of the programme.
As well as learning valuable skills, those taking part will also be supporting the work of a project which aims to preserve historic monuments at Maker Heights.
The Monumental Improvement Project aims to stabilise 40 scheduled monuments in the Cornwall AONB which are on the Heritage at Risk Register or considered vulnerable. Last year, the scheme secured project development funding of £88,900 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund with match funding from Historic England, Cornwall Council, National Trust and Cornwall Heritage Trust.
As part of its social arm, the Monuments Matter to People scheme is aiming to engage with local residents and identify barriers to AONB access, allowing more people to get involved with their environment and heritage.
Workshops included in the course include half-day courses in Maths,
English and IT from Adult Education, with the option to gain a qualification.
The Samaritans will also host mental health and wellbeing workshops to support participant development, and outdoor-led activities such as heritage walks and site clearance training will help build connections to nature and landscapes.
Ursula Stevenson, chair of the Rame Conservation Trustees, said: “Monuments Matter will be invaluable in creating learning and training opportunities for local people.
“By providing these opportunities, we can benefit our communities, whilst also conserving our historic environment.”
Gill Pipkin, chairperson of the Cornwall AONB Partnership, said: “This is a great initiative for people in Cornwall, especially those who don’t often get the chance to visit their local AONB. These places are integral to our heritage and wellbeing.”
The project can fund travel expenses and childcare costs incurred and will provide lunch. Contact the Monuments Matter to People project team by emailing MMadmin@Cornwall-AONB.gov.uk