Major employers join forces for Picnic on The Pitch 35Oth anniversary event

HUNDREDS of South Cheshire employees were given a day to remember as Mornflake and its sister company HJ Lea Oakes staged a giant 350^th anniversary event.

The family-owned milling businesses, one producing breakfast products of global repute and the other animal feeds for the nation’s farms, welcomed more than 800 members of staff and their families to ‘Picnic on The Pitch’ at Crewe Alexandra FC.

Mornflake, the football club’s long-standing sponsors, arranged special Sunday afternoon access to the pitch and function rooms, where families enjoyed entertainment and food.

The night before, there was a football match between Mornflake and HJ Lea Oakes employees, cheered on by colleagues.

Players in Mornflake’s trademark orange colours and HJ Lea Oakes in its green brought friendly rivalry to the pitch, normally only graced by the Railwaymen and visiting sides.

Mornflake were the triumphant winners, beating the ‘greens’ 3-0. Their trophy was on show during the Sunday celebrations.

There were a host of family attractions, including a funfair, magicians, face-painting and soft play area, as well as games on the pitch such as beat the goalie and crazy golf.

Families were treated to wood-fired pizza, hog roast, fish and chips and ice cream, and many braved the blustery weather to lie out picnic rugs on the pitch.

As part of their 350^th anniversary celebrations, Mornflake in Crewe and HJ Lea Oakes at Aston near Nantwich have joined forces to plant 350 trees at selected sites and employees were each gifted a sapling.

Mornflake managing director James Lea said: “Our heritage is important, but equally so is the loyalty of our employees, and we wanted to make it a special day for them.

“Family values are at the heart of what we do and their welfare is key.

“We’re proud so many local people have chosen to spend their whole working lives with us and our reputation as an employer on both sides of the family business is an enviable one.”

The sister companies trace their history back to 1675 when William Lea first began milling in Cheshire.

A remarkable 15 generations later, his descendants are still at the helm, helping to support the livelihoods of British farmers who grow the oats used in their products.

The Lea family, including Mr John Lea, a former High Sheriff of Cheshire, and his sons James, who heads up Mornflake, and Edward, managing director of HJ Lea Oakes, were delighted with the turnout to the event, including employees past and present, children, grandchildren, contractors and long-standing friends.