Potters fired up to benefit New Forest Basics Bank
LOCAL potters have created 100 handmade soup bowls that will be sold at venues around Lymington next week to raise money for the town’s Basics Bank.
The Empty Bowls project has been inspired by Downton potter Jules Carpenter of Jules Ceramics who has joined forces with more than a dozen other artists to create an a stunning collection of handmade soup bowls which will be filled and sold for a minimum donation of £10 to New Forest Basics Bank.
Jules explained: “We have 100 bowls that will be distributed between the four participating restaurants and cafes in the town. Customers will be able to choose their bowl and then enjoy a serving of warm soup before having it wrapped to take home.”
The handmade bowls filled with soup will be on sale at The Larder café and coffee shop from Tuesday to Thursday; The Old School Café at St. Barbe Museum on Sunday; Stanwell House Hotel from Monday to Friday and Greedo Dining from Monday to Saturday.
Jules said: “Not only have our four fantastic soup venues agreed to host the event but they are also donating the all-important soup which will be served in the beautiful hand crafted bowls that have been donated by potters in and around the New Forest.”
During Soup Week, customers will be asked to give a minimum donation of £10 in cash which will go directly to the New Forest Basics Bank. At the end of the meal they will be able to keep the bowl or donate it back.
Jules said: “We have some very well-known local potters who have donated bowls including David Rogers from Vinegar Hill Pottery and Jackie Giron, as well as some up and coming potters.
Some of the bowls could cost £20 to £30 or even more to buy individually so customers are getting a beautiful handmade bowl for a bargain price as well as raising much needed cash for the food bank.
A number of local businesses have also contributed to the costs of launching the initiative via sponsorship to cover printing costs and other expenses.
Empty Bowls is a worldwide initiative which began in America almost 30 years ago as a way of raising money for food banks and homeless shelters.
Jules recalls she was inspired to arrange a local event after chatting to local artist and New Forest Basics Bank volunteer Trina Hart who runs the Local Art Scene Gallery in Lymington.
Jules works as a nurse and spends her spare time creating pottery so she was keen to use her skills to help others.
She contacted several ceramics artists last year and invited them to take part in the project, by donating as many bowls as wanted. Many of those taking part have given three or four bowls but one prolific potter has donated 22!
Money raised will be used to fund perishable items such as bread, milk and butter, which are added to food parcels before they are delivered.
Trina said: “People often wonder why the Basics Bank needs money when the food is donated and it is run by volunteers. But when we make up a food package, there are certain perishables that we need to purchase just before they go out.”
Trina also believe the roll out of Universal Credit in the New Forest in September 2018 has led to an increase in referrals.
She said: “Although we live in an affluent area, there are many many people who have food insecurities. We mainly see referrals from New Milton, Lymington and Pennington but also help people from other Forest villages like Burley and Brockenhurst.
"In my experience demand on the food bank has increased since Universal Credit was rolled out.”
Individuals and families who are referred to the New Forest Basics Bank by various agencies are provided with seven days’ worth of food, which is often delivered by volunteers to their homes.
The group helped around 1,000 individuals and families last year; and also delivered a further 450 Christmas food parcels to those in need in December.
Empty Bowls Soup Week runs from 4th to 10th March. For more information, visit www.thelocalartscene.com/event-empty-bowls-lymington or to find out more about New Forest Basics Bank, visit www.basicsbank.org.uk.
