Mayfield Bakery help Harlow Churches celebrate Harvest in traditional style.

AWARD-winning Mayfield Farm Bakery, Sheering Road, have brought happiness to twenty of Harlow’s churches, by providing them with traditional Harvest Loaves, for the centre pieces of their Harvest Festival Celebrations

Mayfield Bakery believe in wholesome, traditionally made food, using the very best ingredients from the closest source, keeping food miles and impact on the environment to a minimum.

Harvest loaves – large, highly decorative, plaited bread in the form of a stylized wheat sheaf – have been produced for hundreds of years and would quickly die out if it wasn’t for artisan bakeries like Mayfield Farm. Jane Anderson, Bakery manager, explained that as well as serving Harlow’s community it also helps with inhouse training.

Two of Mayfield’s Bakery team are native to Italy and Spain, and for them the skills and tradition of Harvest Loaves was completely new. In return the bakery regularly wafts with aromas of superb continental breads, pies and pastries.

Reverends Ernie Guest, Christian Okeke and Richard Attew collected the loaves for the South Harlow Covenant of Churches, St Stephens, Bush Fair, St James, Staple Tye, and St Mary’s, Great Parndon on Saturday morning. Rev Guest said “Harvest is a great time to remember and give thanks for all God has provided for us over the past year. We’re delighted to receive these harvest loaves from Mayfield Bakery, it really shows their care and generosity for our community”

Jane Anderson gave the local clergy a tour of the premises, including the open plan bakery itself, and was keen to highlight the new look café which now aims to support local charities by hosting bespoke lunches and afternoon teas. Jane said “Our business ethic is not just to be part of the community but to find new and innovative ways of supporting them.”

More information about the bakery can be found on their website mayfieldfarmbakery.co.uk, and specific enquiries can be made by email [email protected] or by phone 01279 411774.