A FOODBANK which serves Newent and the surrounding district has received a £1,000 from well-known farmer and broadcaster Eric Freeman.

The donation comes from the proceeds from sales of the DVD Sweet Memories of Newent in which Eric recalls growing up in Newent between the 1930s and 1950s, blending story-telling with archive images.

“We’re so grateful to Eric for supporting us and our causemand we’re endeavouring to spend the monies donated locally, said Lord’s Larder food distribution co-ordinator Roger Beard.

Eric is delighted with the success of Sweet Memories and said: “I’ve enjoyed making the DVD and I hope, if you haven’t got one already, you might like to buy one as it’s for a good cause.”

Producer Tish Faith said: “I’ve lived locally for many years and Eric revealed so much about the town that I’d never even imagined.

“The only problem was we kept on bumping into so many people he knew as we were recording around Newent.

“The shoots lasted much longer than planned but the result was worth it.”

Mr Beard said the Lord’s Larder has helped 707 people since April with numbers gradually increasing.

He added: “It is operated by volunteers who give their time to assist others, who are often in a position of needing help through no fault of their own.

“The Lord’s larder operates now in these difficult times with a self-certification system, but of course operates within current safety guidelines to ensure safety of our volunteers and clients.

The Lord’s Larder, Newent thanks all who have generously donated, food, monies and help over the past years, for which we are so grateful.”

The DVD costs £10 and is available at newsagents Seymours, Parkers, All Seasons Delicatessen, Country Corner, Co-op Market Square, Wyedean Healthfoods and Spar and further proceeds will go the Foodbank.