Local businesses are being invited to join TV presenter George Clarke, homeless charity Oasis Community Housing and lots of gingerbread at The Biscuit Factory on 3 December 2024, as part of an exciting new event this Christmas: Gingerbread Street.
The first of its kind in the region, Gingerbread Street is a gingerbread building competition with a difference. Local businesses will deploy their best amateur – or professional! – bakers and builders to create a gingerbread house, factory, shop or other everyday building.
The confectionary constructions will be judged by architect and TV presenter George Clarke and head pastry chef at 21 Hospitality, Helen Doyle. All competition entrants will be invited to the exclusive judging event at The Biscuit Factory on 3 December.
All of the biscuity buildings will be displayed alongside each other to make up Gingerbread Street, an edible installation that will remain on display for families to visit throughout December.
Local schools will also be constructing small non-edible houses for the exhibition, thanks to workshops organised by George’s own charity, MOBIE (Ministry of Building, Innovation and Education).
Gingerbread Street is being coordinated by Gateshead-based Oasis Community Housing and sponsored by Lovell Homes, aiming to raise awareness of homelessness and the community that is needed to make people feel they have a home.
Oasis Community Housing’s Chief Executive, Sarah Lister, explains: “Ending homelessness is about more than putting a roof over someone’s head. Building community around people is at the heart of what we do, so every individual feels safe and like they belong. We wanted to bring that message to life and so, with a dusting of Christmas spirit, we have Gingerbread Street!
“Already a project with real community support, we can’t wait to see businesses’ creations and the public’s feedback to this exciting new event – which will help us continue making life-changing differences to people facing homelessness across the region.”
Spaces are still available to get involved in Gingerbread Street, with applications closing on 20 November 2024. All competition entry fees will go towards Oasis Community Housing’s ‘Giving a Home’ Christmas Appeal and will also be doubled, thanks to the charity’s partnership with the Big Give. Three plot sizes are available on the street, ranging from £400 to £1,000.
To find out more about the competition, contact Hazel Ditchburn on 07869 283728 or visit bit.ly/GingerbreadStreet