We were recently pleased to award our annual Citizen of the Year for 2023.
The award went to Mark and Beverly Gilmartin of BJ Bakery, Blidworth.
BJ Bakery provide a wide range of hot and cold food for takeaway or eat in service. We made our award not for the quality of their food but the service and commitment they give to the local communities around their premises in Blidworth which they have occupied for the last 16 years.
BJ Bakery have supported their community in a number of ways. They see this support for the less fortunate as a way of paying back, saying thank you for using their business.
Christmas is coming and BJ Bakery will be preparing lunch and feeding the homeless people in and around our area, running alongside will be an appeal for clothing, toiletries for adults and items like selection boxes, biscuits all coordinated from their premises.
A meal on wheels service is provided in the Rainworth and Blidworth areas providing a hot meal for some of the more vulnerable members of our communities. Some only see Mark from one day to the next when he delivers their lunch/dinner. This service is 7 days /week/52 weeks a year.
School children whose main meal may be from school have benefitted from the Helping Hands initiative where children were able to have a lunch for £1 while on their school holiday.
Ever mindful of the of the labour market work experience has been provide to those who have seen the catering sector as their chosen career.
Where could you get an afternoon tea? Quite recently BJ offered St Andrews Church Hall in Blidworth free afternoon tea as a means of raising a donation for the refurbishment of the hall. Supporters of the hall bought the teas and the hall made a profit from the generosity of BJ Bakery
As the writer of this piece, I feel that the community has benefitted from the work BJ Bakery have committed themselves to and our award is just a small thank you for their work.
Michael Lee - Community Service Chair