The Great Pompey Cake-Off Competition

Calling all creative cake makers – a new baking competition is being launched in Portsmouth and everybody is invited.

Whether you have been baking for years or want an excuse to see if you have got what it takes, the Great Pompey Cake-Off Competition is for everyone.

With ‘special guest judges’, the bake off is being held in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust.

Sponsored by The Co-operative Funeralcare, in North End, cakes will also be available for tastings sold by the slice.

Funeral co-ordinators at the Southern Co-op funeral home have been brushing off their flour skills but have been restricted to tastings on the day itself.

Nicki Button, Funeral Co-ordinator at the North End branch, said: “We felt it was only right that we weren’t allowed to enter the competition ourselves – although I can’t say I am disappointed if it means that I get to sample more cakes.

“We wanted to hold another fundraiser for Wessex Cancer Trust as it is a local charity really close to my colleague’s heart as Emily was supported by the Trust when she was diagnosed with womb cancer in 2016.

“The charity is incredibly special as it enables people like Emily to make lifelong friends through their support groups.”

It is being held at Buckland United Reformed Church, in Kingston Road, North End, on Sunday 5 May from 1pm to 4pm.

There will be two separate categories for Under 12s and Over 12s.

Entry to the Great Pompey Cake-Off Competition will be £5 per cake with special prizes for the winners and runners up thanks to donations from local businesses.

Shopping stalls and hot/cold drinks will also be available on the day.

Entry forms are available from The Co-operative Funeralcare North End at 52 London Road or Wessex Cancer Trust Cosham Support Centre.

To find out more pop into branch, telephone 02392 662534 or email northendfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

Free Local Bereavement Counselling

Regular coffee, care and cake group are continuing to offer free support to all individuals who have lost a loved one.

The monthly groups are organised by Southern Co-op’s Bereavement Centre and offer individuals the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation, in an informal and friendly setting.

Current coffee, care and cake group are held in Frome, Warmister, Fareham, Farnborough, Bognor Regis, Lake, Telscombe and Hassocks.

There will also be new groups starting soon in Portsmouth, Waterlooville, Havant and Basingstoke.

Ingrid McAllister-Derry, Bereavement Centre Manager and Counsellor, said: “We created the support groups to be inclusive and available to everyone – regardless of whether you are a customer of Southern Co-op.

“Bereavement can be a very lonely journey, even if you have people all around you. The group is deliberately informal. It brings people together who are in a similar situation and who understand what you may also be going through.

“It is intended to be relaxed and comfortable but with the opportunity to talk to a counsellor over coffee and cake or arrange a separate counselling appointment if this would help.”

The coffee, care and cake groups are open to everyone in the community and are free to attend.

Upcoming Coffee, Care and Cake groups are:

• Frome: Second Monday of each month from 10am-12pm at Frome Medical Practice, in Enos Way, BA11 2FH
• Warmister: Second Monday of each month from 1.30pm -3pm at Warmister Civic Centre, in Sambourne Road, BA12 8LB
• Fareham: First Wednesday of each month from 1pm -3pm at Community Action, 163 West Street, PO16 0EF
• Telscombe: Second Wednesday of each month from 10am-12pm at Telscombe Civic Centre, 360 South Coast Road, BN10 7ES
• Farnborough: First Thursday of each month from 10:30am-12pm at Southern Co-op Funeralcare, 68 Victoria Road, GU14 7PH
• Isle of Wight: Second Thursday of each month from 10:30am -12pm at Southern Co-op Funeralcare, No.1 Fairway, Lake, PO36 9EE
• Hassocks: Last Thursday of each month from 10am-12pm at Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground, in Brighton Road, BN6 9PD
• Bognor Regis: Fourth Friday of each month from 10am-11:30am at Laburnham Centre, in Lyon Street, PO21 1UX

To find out more, click here or call 07834 449069.

Join Our Macmillan Coffee Mornings

Coffee and cake lovers are being invited to join in with Macmillan Coffee Morning events being held across Southern Co-op funeral homes.

The coffee mornings will help raise vital money for people living with cancer and support Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning which has become a British institution over the years.

Last year alone Macmillan raised over £27 million and it is hoped that this will be another successful year.

All of Southern Co-op’s funeral co-ordinators will be taking part in the Macmillan Coffee Morning either by holding their own or supporting their community event.

Events include:

  • Bishops Waltham – Friday 28th September from 9.30 to 11am at Southern Co-op’s Bishops Waltham Funeralcare at 24 High Street, SO32 1AA

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Beth and Catrin via 01489 896305 or bishopswalthamfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Bognor Regis and Felpham: Friday 28 September from 11am to 1pm at Southern Co-op’s Rose Green Funeralcare at 6 Nyetimber Lane, Rose Green, PO21 3HG

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Shirley and Lindsey via 01243 268681 or rosegreenfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Bracknell – Wednesday 26th September from 1pm to 3pm at Southern Co-op’s Funeralcare at 12 Rectory Row, Easthampstead, RG12 7BN

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Nicola and Luci via 01344 454398 or bracknellfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Cosham: Thursday 4th October from 2pm to 5pm at Southern Co-op’s Cosham Funeralcare at 47 High Street, PO6 3AX

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinator Louise Bliss via 02392 383460 or coshamfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Findon: Friday 28th September at Southern Co-op’s Findon Funeralcare at 202 Kings Parade, Findon Road, BN14 0EJ

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinator Debbie via 01903 877035 or findonfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Gosport: Friday 28th September from 10am to 12.00pm at Southern Co-op’s Gosport Funeralcare at 147 Stoke Road, PO12 1SE

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinator Kyela via 02392 581032 or gosportfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Isle of Wight – Wednesday 3rd October from 12pm to 2pm at Southern Co-op’s Funeralcare in Avenue Road, Freshwater, PO40 9NP

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Sue and Eve via 01983 756503 or freshwaterfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Isle of Wight: Wednesday 31st October from 1pm to 5pm at Co-op’s Funeralcare in St Johns Road, Ryde, PO33 2RN

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Sam and Lesley via 01983 615746 or rydefuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Liss – Wednesday 26th September from 10am to 12pm at Southern Co-op’s Liss Funeralcare at 3 Lower Mead, Hillbrow Road, GU33 7RL in branch

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinator Karen via 01730 895593 or lissfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

  • Portsmouth – Friday 28th September from 10am to 12pm at Southern Co-op’s Fratton Funeralcare at 157 Fratton Road, PO1 5ER

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Sally and Claire via 02392 863031 or frattonfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Portsmouth – Friday 28th September from 9am to 12am at Southern Co-op’s Paulgrove Funeralcare at 181 Allaway Avenue, PO6 4HG

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinator Joanne via 023 9237 2106 or paulsgrovefuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Portsmouth – Friday 28th September from 10am to 1pm at Southern Co-op’s Southsea Funeralcare at 128 Albert Road, PO4 0JS

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Lucy and Laura via 02392 832151 or southseafuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Shaftesbury – Friday 28th September from 10am to 12pm at the Town Hall

Contact: Shaftesbury Town Council via 01747 852420 or enquiries@shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk

  • Shoreham – Tuesday 2nd October from 11am to 2pm at Caring Lady Funeral Directors at 68 High Street, BN43 5DB

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinator Claire via 01273 464647 or shoreham@caringladyfuneraldirector.co.uk

  • Uckfield: Friday 28th September from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Southern Co-op’s Uckfield Funeralcare at 65 High Street, TN22 1AP

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Nicola and Jan via 01825 764125 or uckfieldfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

  • Westbury and Warminster: Wednesday 3rd October from 10am to 12pm at Southern Co-op’s Warminster Funeralcare at 3 George Street, BA12 8QA

Contact: Funeral Co-ordinators Michelle and Nick via 01373 858142 or Westburyfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk

Find your nearest Southern Co-op Funeralcare.