Over 600 plates of scones, covered in whipped cream and strawberries, plus a portion of sponge cake, were delivered to schools and businesses around the Valley during the annual Save The Children (SCF) ’Strawberry Delight Day’. Organised by the Rossendale Branch of SCF the treat has been a fixture in the summer calendar for nearly 25 years.

Eroica Kelly, SCF Rossendale Branch secretary, said “our delivery drivers tell me that when they arrive at the businesses everyone smiles and looks happy. Our customers are regulars and they look forward to seeing us every year.” Eroica continued “Thanks to Rawtenstall Conservative Club, who let us use the club as our base, and our two main suppliers, Mannings Bakers and Country Garden greengrocers, we get going early in the morning and can get all the deliveries done by noon. That’s what can be achieved with a regular team of thirty or so men and women volunteers.”

For the second year running the main sponsor for the day was Bosun’s Barbers at Antony & Patricia Hairdressing in Rawtenstall. Owner Tony Winder said “I used to be president of the Rossendale Branch of SCF and it has always been a cause I want to support.Plus, I like to treat my staff to the strawberry scones!” Other sponsors for 2017 were farmer Arthur England from Rishton and ASDA Rawtenstall who both donated the supply of cream. In total, £1,754 was raised which will go straight to SCF’s headquarters to be used in the charity’s work in over 120 countries around the world, including in the UK.