The guiding force behind the Hub @ BA15 has retired after almost eight years of selfless voluntary service.

Avril Clarke was one of the founders of the Bradford on Avon community hub back in 2014 when a group of charitable-minded people got together and decided to set up a foodbank in the town.

It officially opened in March 2015 with Avril as coordinator at the former Lloyds Bank building in Church Street rented from the Diocese of the Catholic Church, which owns the

Together with her team, she created what is now, a thriving community hub, dispensing food and advice to local residents and the boating community on the nearby Kennet & Avon Canal.

Mrs Clarke said: “I have had an amazing time at the Hub, met some wonderful people and have been privileged to be able to help and support many in the local community.

"I will be supporting my elderly parents when back from visiting my daughter and her family in Australia. But I will miss the Hub and the time spent there."

Once simply a foodbank, The Hub now offers so much more to the whole area encompassing Winsley, South Wraxall, Trowbridge, and Studley Green.

There is the Debt Advice service, help with benefits applications and appeals, a drop-in centre for signposting and advice, and a hot lunch on Thursdays for anyone who needs it throughout the winter months.

The Hub @ BA15 also offers a space for meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous, Citizens Advice, Ukrainian refugees and Julian House Homeless Project.

The new Hub manager Cathy Hearn said: “The warmth and welcome has been created and developed in large part, by the energy, drive and commitment of Avril.

“She has extended the foodbank offering to 10 local schools which now receive around 125 food parcels four times a year. The Christmas box and bag of goodies being a mammoth logistical exercise relying on volunteer drivers and packers.

“Meanwhile the voucher system for food parcels now includes 81 agencies including Selwood Housing, Rough Sleepers Team, Wiltshire Council, Julian House, and The Medical Centre.

“Avril has been the guiding light in this vast development of the Hub’s reach and her service to the community will be sadly missed.

“From a kind chat and cup of tea with the lonely or distressed, to her tireless dedication to inclusivity of all people in need, she will be a hard act to follow."