Villagers’ thanks as JCB food project helps community at its heart

Villagers living on the doorstep of JCB have said a big thank you to the company for helping feed some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

More than 400 meals and sandwiches have been delivered to the homes of 100 people in Rocester to the delight of the elderly, sick and young families being supported during the current Lockdown. It is all part of JCB’s ‘Food for our Communities’ initiative which has produced around 22,500 meals and sandwiches since the project inspired by Carole Bamford, the wife of JCB’s Chairman Lord Bamford, started last month.

Church Warden Susan Maiden-Dalton is co-ordinating the St Michael’s Church volunteer group, which is delivering the meals, and says the support has been “hugely appreciated.” She said: “When we knock on people’s doors with the meals everyone is so pleased to realise they are being looked after in this way and are so grateful to JCB for supplying the food and to the kind volunteers who are delivering it.”

Marjorie Thompson, aged 64, of Edes Farm Drive, added: “I really do appreciate the meals. They are just so lovely and fresh.”

Audrey Pegg, aged 78, of Riversfield Drive, said: “My favourite out of all the meals is the cottage pie. I really appreciate what is being done as it really helps me out.”

The meals are delivered to the village’s Premier Store ready for volunteers Richard Howells, Chris Sheldon, Scott Beaton and Frank Dalton to deliver. The sandwiches are kept in the shop’s chiller and handed out to key workers in the village.

Since the launch of the JCB scheme, catering staff at the World HQ in Rocester have been preparing meals and sandwiches for distribution to communities in Stoke-on-Trent, Rocester and Uttoxeter during the Coronavirus crisis.

Above: The Vicar of Rocester, the Rev Liz Jones, volunteers Frank Dalton, Susan Maiden-Dalton, Scott Beaton and Richard Howells and the owner of the Premier Store in Rocester, Dee Ranavaya.