CAPTION: Stella Scoins says she has been making and delivering cream teas as a way of staying positive during the pandemic
Serving Cream Teas With Joy In North Devon Raises Over £3000
A church mission community in North Devon has been making and delivering cream teas as a way of cheering people up during the pandemic and raising funds.
Stella Scoins, from St Mary Magdalene church in the South Molton Mission Community, has been offering cream teas for special occasions including Easter, the May Day bank holiday and Father’s Day.
People pre-order a cream tea for one or two, complete with “lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam”. These are then prepared by Stella and her Mum and delivered to local villages in the back of her car.
“Having my faith has given me strength to take each day as it comes and to look forward to tomorrow.” Stella Scoins
Other members of the church have stepped-in to do deliveries further afield.
Stella and her mother have been making and delivering cream teas at weekends
Stella said “Last year I made and delivered hot cross buns on good Friday and gave the money to the church.
“I then decided to make and deliver cream teas to raise money as we had no money coming in during lockdown and also, importantly, to help cheer people up.
“During 2020 we made and delivered teas for 12 Sundays while I was on furlough from work . We raised £2000.”
This year, Stella has scaled-back the cream tea operation to seven alternate Sundays as she is now working full-time again and helping care for her grandchildren. Her efforts this year have raised another £1045 for the mission and ministry of the churches in the mission community.
Stella was widowed for the second time in October 2019 and said the baking project had helped her during the pandemic, as well as helping others:
” I needed to do my bit to contribute during very difficult times, to remain positive and upbeat myself and to have some social stimulation during a time when we were all very isolated.”
Stella declined to reveal whether she was a jam first or cream first person, but said her faith had played a big part in coping with difficulties she has faced.
“The church, my faith, my family and friends have helped me through these sad times over the years and I wanted to give something back.
“I believe if you stay positive or as much as possible, positive things will happen. Having my faith has given me strength to take each day as it comes and to look forward to tomorrow.”
