Dame Mary pops in to mark cancer charity coffee morning

DAME Mary Berry attended a charity coffee morning in Henley.

The cook, TV presenter and author, who lives in Henley, joined more than 50 residents and guests at Bowling Court, off the Fair Mile.

The event was part of the annual Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, which raises funds to support almost 3.5 million people in the UK living with cancer.

Residents indulged in a selection of homemade cakes and tea and coffee, served in the communal area of the retirement complex.

The event, organised by resident June Grindley, raised £1,005.

Dame Mary contributed a signed cookbook towards a raffle, with other prizes including champagne, gin and chocolates.

She said: “I come every year as all the people who live here are lovely and baked something and have a wonderful selection of cakes, tray bakes and sponges.

“Everyone gives to cancer causes and they always do well here because they’re a lovely group of people.”

Ms Grindley, 87, who has lived at the complex for 12 years, baked a lemon drizzle cake and said her favourite cake is coffee and walnut.

She started the coffee morning with the help of her friend, Anne Burtt, after her nephew passed away from oesophageal cancer at the age of 55. This year, she was helped by her friend, Greta Cooper.

Anita Morey, 80, Ms Grindley’s cousin, baked a gooey chocolate cake. She said: “June didn’t think that there were going to be many chocolate cakes, so I made one with a chocolate butter icing.

“Sadly, I have lost many friends [to cancer] and it’s something June has done for years, so it felt only right to help.”

l Dozens of people attended the Macmillan coffee morning in Medmenham village hall in Henley Road last Friday, which raised £885.