A BAKERY founded in Wylam has celebrated its 10th birthday.

Big River Bakery, based in Shieldfield in Newcastle, was launched by Andy Haddon in 2013.

To mark the major anniversary, the bakery has joined forces with Locality, which supports social enterprises nationwide, on a nine-minute film celebrating how far the business has come in ten years.

READ MORE: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/19691137.hairy-bikers-visit-big-river-bakery-founded-wylam/

"Affordable, healthy, local food should be for everyone, not just the affluent", said founder and director Andy. "The bakery is a symbol of that, it's a practical model of showing how that is possible.

"In the North East, it's embedded in the culture of the people to come up with solutions to challenges.

"For me, the bakery is a fantastic way to keep you grounded and connected into the community - whether it's just someone coming in and they're hungry and they want to buy an affordable loaf or they want to come in for a chat, or they want to come and have a workshop."

The community enterprise supports local people through a number of initiatives including employability courses and pay-as-you-feel days. It also acts as a warm hub and supports homeless people and school children unable to access breakfast clubs with daily breakfast bags.

Lewis Garland, of Locality, added: “Visiting Big River Bakery and seeing the difference they make in their local community was truly inspiring. 

"We hope that our film captures the passion for social change that sits beneath their work – the passion that keeps them baking for a better world."