FROM the classic savoury steak and kidney to the delicious sweet apple and blackberry, families have been enjoying pies for years and last week was no exception as the nation celebrated British Pie Week.

Pies have become a symbol of British comfort food at its best and can be traced in history as far back as 2500BC.

To celebrate British Pie Week, residents from the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) care home, Cadogan Court in Exeter took part in a variety of pie-related activities organised by the Home’s Activities Coordinators, Angela Webb and Alison Parry.

With the help and support of staff and volunteers, residents baked pies and took part in baking quizzes throughout the week. Residents enjoyed making pastry from scratch and shared memories of baking pies as children and in their adult life.

Speaking about the activity, one resident at Cadogan Court said, “It was wonderful to bake all of the different pies. I had not tasted some of the pies for a number of years and the taste brought back many memories.”

Angela said: “Food is the perfect topic for reminiscence because it is something that everyone can relate to. Sharing memories and experiences of food is a great way to bring people closer, especially when many of our residents have grown up making pies using recipes that have been passed down through generations. Pie Week is a great opportunity to bring our residents together through their mutual love of food.”