Glenn launches Big Devon Bake Off

Celebrity TV baker Glenn Cosby officially launched the Big Devon Bake Off at Powderham Castle urging bakers to roll up their sleeves.

In a Great British Bake Off style marquee tastefully decorated with patriotic bunting, flowers and herbs Glenn gave details about this fundraising event which will help an essential local charity – Hospiscare.

Glenn is a passionate advocate of the hospice movement. The burly baker, who took part in last year’s GBBO show, recognises Hospiscare’s work; having worked previously as a teacher and seeing the importance of good end of life care.

Glenn encouraged bakers to organise their own bake off competition, bake off tea party or coffee morning this September 13-21. He is hoping bakers will persuade their friends, family, and colleagues to get together to join the baking craze and hold the bake off at home, work, at school or in village or community halls.

Already there are 64 bake offs planned in a variety of locations including staff from Middlemoor police headquarters, council staff, hair salons, a primary school, a Brownie Pack, Exeter University staff and several departments from the RD&E Hospital. There are also a number of events are planned across East Devon for the East Devon Day Hospice Appeal.

Also attending the launch was proud grandmother Penny whose granddaughter Martha is one of this year’s GBBO contestants. “I’m very proud of Martha,” said Penny who lives at Cowley Bridge and is a member of the Hospiscare Exeter Friends fundraising committee said: “Martha loves food and she started baking around seven years ago when she was 10-years-old," said Penny.

“ She reads cookery books like novels. I have enjoyed sampling some of her food when she has been practising for the show and I’ve been staying with her family in Berkshire.” Penny was delighted to meet Glen who teamed up with award winning food teacher, Joe Mann of Fun Kitchen, to host the evening.

Hospiscare provides free and specialised nursing to the terminally ill in Exeter, Mid and East Devon; looking after 650 patients and their families at any one time, supporting patients in their own homes, in the Exeter hospice and three day hospices. It relies on the generosity of the community to provide this vital service which costs £5m a year.

The Big Devon Bake Off is one of Hospiscare’s major fundraising events this year. For a Hospiscare Bake Off fundraising pack either email: fundraising@hospiscare.co.uk or phone, 01392 688020 or visit www.hospiscare.co.uk