Hello friends

Earlier this week, I went on a quick tour of some of Maison Blanc’s patisseries in the South East. We visited the Maisons Blanc in Guildford and Winchester, and it was wonderful to see that they are thriving – busy and buzzing, and all sorts of most wonderful treats to enjoy. It is a real pleasure for me to get out on the road and see how the different businesses I am involved in are getting on.

Afterwards, I made a visit to a very different – and very special place – Naomi House in Winchester. Naomi House is a hospice which specialises in the care and support of terminally ill children and young people who are unlikely to live to become adults. 
This was a very sobering visit: to see young people affected by neurological illness, often terminally ill and in great pain, is always distressing.

I was there to cook with them and help them to decorate their Halloween cakes. It was very touching to see how these children responded, and a lesson in humility for me.

I also was also there to judge the Naomi House pumpkin soup  and soda bread competition, and I am pleased to announce that the winner was Anna-Marie Bannell and her ‘Team Pumpkin’.

I saw first hand the incredible work of this charity, of people like their chief executive Ray Kipling and the whole team, who devote a huge part of their lives to making someone’s life more bearable. They deserve all of our respect.

I have promised to go back next year and take part in a fundraising event for Naomi House. But in the meantime, if you would like to know more about their work, visit their website www.naomihouse.org.uk, where you can also make donations to this wonderful charity.

Best

RB

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