Sutton Bridge embraces Pippa's Pantry run by former children's charity worker

A self-confessed "RAF girl" is laying on teas, coffees and cakes at a new cafe in Sutton Bridge.

Pippa's Pantry is the vision of former children's charity worker Pippa Bridge who decided to follow her heart for baking and change careers after 21 years.

The cafe, in Bridge Street, took four months of work by Pippa and husband John Gale, with its bright colours and sunflower emblem serving as a lasting tribute to Pippa's father David Burrows who passed away of prostate cancer five years ago.

Pippa said: "It's a traditional pantry where everything is home-baked and nothing is bought in.

"The decision I made to do it came when I wanted to have a change of career after working as a team leader for a support work team of Action for Children.

"I'd been working in the social care sector for 21 years but before he died, my dad said: 'If you want to do something, always give it a try'.

"Dad had spent his whole life in the RAF so my childhood was just amazing, having previously lived in Cyprus, Germany and Hong Kong.

"I'm an RAF girl who travelled the world when I was younger, never settling anywhere until I moved to Sutton Bridge 14 years ago.

"Initially, it was me and my husband who built the pantry up inside, using recycled wood and furniture which was bought from different charity shops."

As well as people from Sutton Bridge, Pippa's Pantry also draws passing trade, ranging from cyclists to families looking for a place to stop off while going to and coming from holidays in Norfolk.

Pippa said: "My customers are amazing and everyone who walks through the door says how friendly we are."