On Wednesday May 15 th 2024, we set off by car from Somerset to Manchester arriving 5 hours later at the Church Action on Poverty head office, which is tucked away on an industrial site, where we were warmly greeted by Jessica Clark (Communication and Events) who gave us a much needed cup of tea and biscuits. Then together with Pete Duberly (staff) we carried in a total of 288 copies of our cookbook “The Fabulous Book of Dinners.” This is the first in a series of the Follow-The-Flow Cookbooks written and designed to instil confidence in cooking at all skill levels, to encourage healthy eating, economy, experimentation, and pleasure in the art of cooking.
The Church Action on Poverty is passionately concerned to help people to lead happier, healthier lives. It aims to build a movement that can loosen the grip of poverty in the UK and by distributing our books we hope that the cookbooks can advance such a cause, which would be
wonderful.
Continuing our journey, we set off to Scotland. A six-hour drive and unexpected delays resulted in a late arrival; the gates were closed at The Cottage Family Centre Big Hoose Fife Project warehouse. Fortunately, the team was still on site and very kindly re-opened the warehouse and we speedily unloaded another 52 boxes: 468 cookbooks in total. To our pleasant surprise, Scott McGill the warehouse manager invited us to return the next day to view the inner workings of the project, which is outstanding, it is a streamlined, well-organised establishment.
The fife project works closely with charities, social workers, health visitors and other organisations, who by way of a referral process, enable thousands of families to receive essentials such as bedding, kitchen items, towels, toilet rolls, nappies, rugs and other household furnishings and goods; all targeted to reach those who need them most.
As we were seated discussing the Fabulous Book of Dinners and our interest in offering a helpful cookbook guide to healthier and happier living, an entourage ushered in a tall distinguished looking gentleman,
Sir Gordon Brown. He greeted us eloquently and his presence engaged the entire room, he was captivating and charming and spoke persuasively about the children raised under UK austerity being smaller in height at age five compared to their European counterparts and the
number of tooth extractions among five- to nine-year-olds amounting to three and a half times more in poorer communities than in affluent ones. Financial constraints lead to items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste not being purchased. It was a privilege to listen to such a distinguished leader and speaker on the subject. We were delighted to show Sir Gordon our cookbook and he looked through with great interest and sincerely liked our book which was a great compliment.
It turns out that Sir Gordan Brown is the honorary Patron of The Cottage Family Centre Big Hoose Fife Project and has spearheaded the Amazon UK partnership with the Big Hoose Fife Project, which gives millions of pounds worth of household goods to the Big Hoose Fife Project to distribute to families in need across Fife, along with a substantial donation to recruit staff; all together with support from the Purvis Group led by Bob Purvis, making available the warehouse and transportation facilities of this busy operation.
With families struggling to feed themselves adequately and to heat their homes, not having the means to purchase essential items that make a house a home, plus the associated stress, perhaps fear and desperation hanging like a dark cloud over their lives, it was a joy and
privilege to meet some of the heroes who work so hard to introduce a measure of hope, kindness and love. There is hope with heroes among us.
I brought the book at launching and I wanted to say I really love the fact you've been giving back to the community. The recipes in the book are so great I'm sure they'll love the donations!