Entertainment Swindon

Wiltshire’s High Sheriff Martin Nye had an early start when he visited Swindon’s Big Breakfast Plus, as part of his focus on food, exploring the theme of farm to fork.

Martin, who took over as High Sheriff in April and who is also chair of the Soil Association, spent time at the charity, which opens seven days a week, from 7.30am, offering a cooked breakfast and warm welcome to homeless and hungry people in Swindon.

Big Breakfast Plus is based at the Pilgrim Centre, and fits perfectly into the farm to food theme, using locally sourced food where possible. This includes 800 free range eggs a week from Beechwood Eggs in Berkshire.

They also get organic milk from 10 Green Bottles at Berkeley Farm Dairy in Wroughton, and some of the sausages come from Helen Browning’s organic farm in Bishopstone. Donations of fruit are also brought in, from a local allotment.

Martin said: “I was really impressed with the well-oiled machine of Big Breakfast Plus – the speed, efficiency, and very high standards, all delivered with good humour and kindness. The charity and its volunteers are doing some really valuable work that is evidently a vital part of the lives of the people who use the service.”

Big Breakfast Plus trustee Charlotte Mannion said it was wonderful to welcome the High Sheriff.

She said: “He spent a lot of time talking to the team, volunteers and guests and seemed really interested in what we are doing. We absolutely agree with the principle of using local produce where we can, and are always interested in hearing from potential suppliers. We get through a lot of food, here, often serving well over 100 breakfasts in a day!”

Big Breakfast Plus relies on volunteers to help run the café and also donations to fund its services. For more information about how to support the charity, visit https://bigbreakfastplus.org.uk/.