Church is more than just for Christmas as millions are in touch with church community action amid cost of living crisis

Over seven million people had contact with their local church for community support such as food banks, parent toddler groups and lunch clubs, new figures suggest.

Polling by Savanta ComRes for the Church of England shows almost half the population reports having been in contact with their local church, at 46% , with the most popular reasons for doing so being attending weddings, baptisms, and funerals (50%) worship and services (42%) and carol services (39%).

But the figures also show 30% of those in contact with their local church, or 13.7% of all UK adults, have done so via community services like a parent toddler groups, lunch clubs and food banks. 

The figures also reveal twice as many agree (47%) as disagree (23%) that the local church is an important part of their community and just over a half (52%) agree the Church is an important part of British society. 

The findings come after Church of England statistics from 2019 show its churches running or supporting 35,000 social action projects. 

This includes 8,000 food banks and in excess of 4,000 parent/carer toddler groups. Over 5,000 churches run or support lunch clubs, coffee mornings or similar hospitality for older people.

The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, who speaks for the bishops in the House of Lords on welfare issues, said: “These figures show the extent to which the Church of England is providing not just spiritual and pastoral support but practical help to communities throughout the country. 

“Jesus’s commandment to love your neighbour as yourself is evident in the care and service provided by churches in so many ways.

“The biggest source of practical support provided by Church of England currently is through running or supporting around 8,000 food banks throughout the country and many of our churches are now opening up as ‘warm spaces’ through the ‘Warm Welcome’ campaign, as people struggle to pay their energy bills.

“Sadly we anticipate that these services will come under increasing pressure this winter.”

(The image shown is credited: Profile of woman in a food bank, volunteers working in the background Diocese of Birmingham)

Christmas lights to buy? Ikea is the place

Christmas is coming and perhaps you have moved into a place of your own and you need to buy some Christmas lights? 

Or perhaps you looked at your existing Christmas lights and they aren't really going to be doing it for you this Christmas? Perhaps someone forgot to take the batteries out and the terminals became corroded or the mains wiring isn't looking too safe? 

Either way, you will be requiring some new Christmas lights and what better place to buy them from but Ikea? After all, Ikea's HQ isn't that far from Santa's home so you'd expect Ikea to know a thing or two about Christmas light, right?

What has Ikea got? They have a new range of  festive lights called  STRÅLA LED lights. Ikea guarantee that they'll certainly be able to create a cosy winter atmosphere in any room with. In fact they say: "Their festive forms make a stand-alone style statement that brings warmth and cheer to cold nights."

There are lanterns, LED lighting chains, LED garlands, charming illuminated Christmas scenes for your table, mini Christmas trees, star table lights, etc.

Want a new Christmas tree? Ikea has a 210cm (6.8 feet) artificial Christmas tree for under £100.

There are also festive gift wrap, baubles and much more besides. Also, they sell batteries, too.

www.ikea.com for details or to buy online

Co-op says "No! to big TV adverts this Christmas

To offer backing to communities during the cost of living crisis, Co-op has decided to pull its traditional main Christmas advert to instead focus on national community food initiatives

The leading convenience retailer will instead host a live stream from “Your Local Pantry,” to highlight community food initiatives, which provide long-term dignified support to those facing food insecurity all year round, exacerbated this Christmas by the cost of living crisis.

TV Chef and Rapper Big Zuu will bring the Local Peckham Pantry community together, to host a live cookalong, with special guests, members and volunteers.

Chef, Presenter and Author, Miguel Barclay will join Zuu to share useful tips and tricks to make groceries go further in a unique live stream broadcasted across Big Zuu’s Instagram at 7pm.

Co-op partnering with Your Local Pantry to bring 150 more UK neighbourhoods together around food and support 32,000 households manage finances over the next three years

The partnership will see sites triple to 225 across the UK, owing to the funding from Co-op Members

By not spending multi-millions of Pounds on TV advertising this Christmas Co-op is instead channelling funds into wider cost of living support for its colleagues, member customers and their communities.

Co-op has partnered with TV Chef and Rapper Big Zuu, to stream live from Your Local Pantry in Peckham. The unique activation will bring the local community together through food, by demonstrating simple and nutritious recipes for only a few pounds, as well as meeting the Local Pantry volunteers and members who are helping their community grow and thrive.

The live stream will also see special appearances from Chef, Presenter and Author, Miguel Barclay - the brains behind One Pound Meals, to share useful tips and tricks to make your groceries go further.

The partnership, which is funded by Co-op Members, will see the Your Local Pantry network triple within three years from 75 to 225 Pantries across the UK, with the addition of 150 new Pantries.

Pantries are run by uniformed staff and volunteers, are open to all and work like any other grocery store, in that you choose the food you want from the shelves. Members pay a few pounds a week, and in return can choose groceries worth many times more.

This Christmas, and all year round, those looking for financial support can become a Local Pantry Member and pay as little as £3.50 for around £10 worth of food. At the Peckham Pantry, it costs just £4.50 for around £15 of food.

To date, Your Local Pantry has helped tens of thousands of households improve finances and access more affordable food. Through the new partnership, Co-op and Your Local Pantry aim to support over 32,000 households over the next three years, saving Local Pantry members almost £5million on shopping bills. Regular members save an average of £1,000 a year.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO at Co-op: “Whilst many of our competitors are also adapting their Christmas ads to reflect the mood of the nation in a cost of living crisis, we are going further by pulling our ad altogether. In doing so we will be shining a light on the need to support vital community causes, throughout the year and not just at Christmas, especially with a deep recession looming.”

Our unique Co-op membership continues to drive our thinking and through our members incredible support, we are able to channel our resources and make local differences in ways no others can match. Through their ongoing commitment we can make society fairer and more co-operative.”

James Henderson, Your Local Pantry Network Development Coordinator, added: “Pantries are fantastic places. They bring people together around food, soften the impact of high living costs, and strengthen the power and potential of neighbourhoods. Communities have long wanted to improve food security while upholding dignity, choice and hope, and Pantries are a proven win-win solution. We're really excited to be teaming up with the Co-op, so another 150 neighbourhoods can open Pantries of their own."

Big Zuu, TV Chef and Grime Artist added: “Everyone deserves access to great quality food at affordable prices. I hope that by visiting the Peckham Pantry and cooking up some healthy, tasty and more affordable meals with the team, more people in need will seek out community initiatives like Your Local Pantry.

Your Local Pantries are open to all and work like any other grocery store, in that you choose the food you want from the shelves. The pantries are run by uniformed staff and volunteers who manage the stores with hand-held technology. Members pay a small subscription of a few pounds a week (ranging from £3.50 - £7 dependent on location), and in return can choose groceries worth many times more.

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Ideal for Christmas gifts for the foodies in your life from La Peninsula

Introducing a brand-new range of unique textured walnut and carbonised ash serving boards and homeware, handcrafted by small family run Spanish wood craft workshop Estudio Sangiovanni.  

The company is famous for producing tableware within the area of haute cuisine and working with successful gastronomic restaurants throughout Europe. 

These pieces are 100% handmade, normally from a single piece of noble wood. Shaped from what nature produces, they don't have an expiration date, because they are timeless and blessed with a rustic sophistication. 

Their imperfect, natural aesthetic adds a layer of simple elegance to any table and make them ideal for entertaining. 

These handcrafted boards have the durability to wear over time and take on a new patina as they are enjoyed, used and shared, to become future vintage pieces. 

Serving Boards: Available in three different styles and sized boards with two different wood finishes:

Floreal Carbonised Ash or Walnut Round Plate £60 

Dunya Carbonised Ash or Walnut Rectangular Serving Board £68

Jigugu Carbonised Ash or Walnut Rectangular Serving Board £70

Decorative Bowls:

Twins Bowl – Carbonised Ash £120

Svart Bowl – Carbonised Ash £85

A spokesman said: "La Peninsula Ltd is a new brand showcasing inspirational products and endeavouring to become the 'home of Spanish and Portuguese design and homeware in the UK. Our collection encapsultes the fusion of traditional techniques with modernity and contemporary design - all originating from the Iberian Peninsula."

To learn more and to place your order please visit www.la-peninsula.com.

Hampers are not just for Christmas. Ask the experts, Farrer and Tanner

Whilst it's certainly true that hampers are not just the Christmas season, although they are undeniably a festive favourite, the hamper is a part of custom with origins dating back as far back as the 11th century. 

The concept was first introduced to England by the French, parcelling food and drink together in boxes and baskets while travelling on long journeys or on hunting expeditions.

But it wasn't until much, much later, when wealthy Victorians started giving hampers as gifts at Christmas, mainly to their staff members, that the meaningful tradition that we recognise it today really took off.

Let's face it, who doesn't love unwrapping a bundle of luxurious gourmet delights? A hamper is always guaranteed to be very much appreciated, and when looking for the perfect present to spoil that special person in your life at Christmastime or for any other special occasion, what better gift to give to make their day even more special with a gift box hamper?

A spokesman for Farrar and Tanner said: "Choose from our expertly curated hamper gift sets with a selection of delectable gifts, including the finest wines, champagne, port, artisan chocolates, cheese and more. And please remember these are exclusive combinations only available at Farrar & Tanner, beautifully presented in wooden gift boxes ready to be personalised with your message and delivered directly to the doorstep of your choice. Maximum luxury, minimum fuss."

The example shown is their Calvet Chateauneuf Du Pape Red Wine with Artisan Cheese and Duck Rillette Personalised Hamper at £75.

www.farrar-tanner.co.uk

Do Goodly Launches New Market Plant-Based Dips Into Ocado

This is something that we feel would be a great addition to your Chirstmas table and Christmas and New Year parties. Because they'll be great for vegetarians, vegans, coeliacs and everyone else, too. 

Because unlike other vegan cheese-style dips, Nacho Cheeze Dip is 100% natural, gluten free, super healthy and also high in protein. 

It's got all the taste and texture of a cheese dip, but is made with wholesome cannellini beans, carrots, herbs and spices.

The new Roasted Red Pepper Dip is made to a unique recipe based on the classic Catalan romesco sauce, blending red peppers, garlic and onions with cannellini beans in the place of almonds for a tasty healthy twist.

These are the latest additions to Do Goodly's ever-growing range of natural, plant-based dips, which also includes Superstar Salsa, Mighty Beetroot Borani, Smashed Pea Guacamole, and Tasty Tomato and Bean Houmous.

Do Goodly Dips Superstar Salsa has been awarded the highly acclaimed Great Taste Award and all four existing products in the range have won Farm Shop and Deli awards. Earlier in the year, Do Goodly was crowned Wales Food and Drink Start-Up Business of the Year at the inaugural Wales Food and Drink Awards.

The company was formed in Cross Hands, West Wales in 2021 by businessman Richard Abbey and Michelin-trained chef Scott Davis after they discovered a shared ambition to create a range of healthy, feelgood food.

Made with an emphasis on being plant based, being filled with flavour and nutrition, the dips contain no added sugar and nothing artificial at all.

The dips are currently available nationwide in farm shops, delis and independent stores and from www.dogoodlydips.com priced £2.59.

For trade they're available from wholesalers Cresco, CLF and Holley's in cases of six, retail price per pot £2.59, Pack weight: 150g.

Do Goodly Foods co-founder Richard Abbey said: “We're excited to add these two unique dips to our growing range. We love creating dips that are totally natural and healthy, and also delicious - and these definitely fit the bill. 

Our Nacho Cheeze Dip can be enjoyed hot or cold and is perfect with tortillas or as a topping, while our Roasted Red Pepper Dip works beautifully as part of a spread or to add interest to your cooking.”