Working together with the community for the community
New Forest Basics Bank have been undeniably busy the past few months as our community, along with the rest of the world, contends with the COVID-19 pandemic. They collect and receive food donations to share with our community and families in need and our local businesses and organisations have really stepped up with the goods. Chewton Glen Hotel in New Milton being one such business on a list of many being thanked by the Basics Bank for their generosity.
Unfortunately, last week Chewton Glen made the decision to close before New Year, just as many of our hospitality and restaurants had to do in line with prevailing government guidelines. They had a full stock of fresh food and vegetables, in anticipation of their new year guests, so with further lockdown restrictions the food could have gone to waste. New Milton Town Cllr Keith Craze liaised with Luke Matthews, the Executive Head Chef of Chewton Glen and arranged for the New Milton Town Council Estates & Facilities team, led by Mark Jeffries, Estates & Facilities Manager, to collect the amazing array of provisions and deliver to the New Forest Basics Bank in Lymington.
Cllr Keith Craze said “I was greatly heartened by the co-operation and generosity shown by The Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in donating a considerable volume of foods to New Forest Basics Bank for distribution to local needy families.
Their action clearly demonstrates the levels of assistance and positive participation shown by local businesses in support of the local community during these challenging and difficult times.”
One of the recipients of some of the Chewton Glen donation took to social media expressing her gratitude and now has a Facebook Page sharing tasty recipes and meals all related to cooking on a budget. (1) Lois’s Cooking With The Basics | Facebook
New Milton Town Council are delighted to have been involved and will continue to support the New Forest Basics Bank and community, working together and looking out for those in need.
New Milton Town Clerk, Graham Flexman said “Our Estates team are now well versed in this type of operation, collecting food parcels and distributing on behalf of the New Forest Basics Bank, and this is really a fantastic gesture from Chewton Glen, helping those in need locally during these difficult times”
For further information contact
Graham Flexman
Town Clerk, New Milton Town Council.
Email info@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Dated 6 January 2021
(1) Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa | Facebook
(2) New Forest Basics Food Bank: food & household items for those in need | Facebook