This month, we spoke to Mandy Jinkerson who is very well known in Royston as the Community Champion at Tesco Extra Royston.
Most people in Royston recognise her due to the full size cardboard cut out of her in the store! Mandy’s role is to support local schools, charities, care homes, food banks, community groups & charity events. She’s lived in the town for 32 years and has worked at Tesco for an incredible 30 years.
Tell us about your role as Community Champion and some of the projects you’ve been involved with?
My work is very varied and no two days are the same. I regularly support care homes & Age UK groups with activities including bingo & flower arranging. I really enjoy the interaction with the residents, we always have fun. Another day may find me in a local school promoting healthy eating and encouraging children to taste a variety of fruits.
Our Community bookshelf in store is a huge hit with our customers and has so far raised over £10,000 for our charity partnerships including British Heart foundation, Diabetes UK and Cancer research. Our customers tell me how much they love browsing through the books when they have finished their shopping.
I am also responsible for managing the distribution of donated food to our local food banks on a weekly basis.
Many people will be unaware that Tesco has its own Community Garden at the front of the store next to the roundabout. I work in conjunction with Royston Environmental Group and we hold an open day every second Saturday of the month between 2-4pm for anybody who would like to come along and offer their help or just come down to see what’s growing. Everyone is welcome.
What is your favourite thing about living in Royston?
It’s the community feel, the range of social activities on offer and the fact that I will always bump into somebody I know whilst out shopping in the town. I enjoy walking on the Heath too!
What’s your favourite local place to eat?
My favourite places to eat are The Old Post Office – I love the family vibe & Ashiana Spice is always very welcoming. For a coffee, I love meeting up with my friends at the Nest where in the nice weather we can sit outside and watch the world go by.
What’s your favourite independent town centre shop?
I enjoy visiting Laura at Number 3 as she is always willing to help me with my attempts at crocheting. I like to browse in Bella Vita & Kisses where I have been known to purchase a dress or two (ask my husband!)
What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was Freida McFadden – Dear Debbie
What is your favourite place in the world?
I don’t have a particular favourite place in the world, but Malta holds a special place in my heart as that is where my husband proposed to me 38 years ago. I also celebrated my 60th birthday in Santorini which was fabulous!
What makes you happy?
Things that make me happy are being able to relax with my family and friends, whether it’s a meal out, a family party or just simply being at home all together.
What are you looking forward to most this summer?
A holiday with my husband in Portugal and the arrival of our first grandchild in October.
Which four people you would invite to dinner and why?
I would invite Alan Carr and Dawn French as they always make me laugh, Robbie Williams so that he can serenade us, and Ben Fogle who would entertain us with stories of his travels!
