“Their work has embodied the very best of Welshpool’s community spirit”

Welshpool was stunned yesterday by the sudden closure of Welshpool & District Foodbank which has provided an incredible service to the community for the past 13 years.

Lead organiser Rob Field said that he and his wife Denise were no longer able to continue providing the service from Kingswood Church in town due to several factors, including a stint of ill health he had suffered.

There has been widespread praise for the couple but many people in the town have called for an organisation to step in and save the service.

However, Mr Field revealed that discussions for another group to run the Foodbank had been unsuccessful so the anti-poverty charity Trussel Trust, was doing its best to find an alternative.

But the shock reactions and and tributes continued to come in last night with Welshpool county councillor, Graham Breeze, telling us: “As a Powys County Councillor, I was deeply saddened to learn of the closure of Welshpool & District Foodbank.

“Rob and Denise Field have given an extraordinary service to our community for more than 13 years. Through their dedication, compassion and quiet determination, thousands of people have received support.

“Rob and Denise, together with their team of volunteers, have made a lasting difference to countless lives across Welshpool and the surrounding area.

“I was particularly proud to work alongside Rob and Denise during the Covid-19 pandemic through the Welshpool Community Angels initiative. At a time of unprecedented challenge, they stepped forward to help ensure that vulnerable residents received the support, food and practical assistance they needed.

“On behalf of the community, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Rob and Denise. Their work has embodied the very best of Welshpool’s community spirit, and their legacy will be felt for many years to come.

“Their contribution has been truly exceptional and they should be immensely proud of the difference they have made to thousands of lives.”

The Foodbank has provided over 121,000 meals to more than 13,000 people since 2013, with their shelves filled by public donations and support from local supermarkets and community groups.