Ready for the Wroot Bake-off

The Great Cross Keys Cake Bake Off is on Easter Sunday and Wroot villagers have all kinds of recipes in the mix.

The event will benefit cancer charities and Help for Heroes, and is hosted by Cross Keys couple Barry and Beryl Tonkinson.

“Judging will all be a matter of taste,” said Mr Tonkinson, 61. The only rules are that the cakes must be home-made and that all entries will be shared, eaten and enjoyed after the judging.”

Entries must be in by 4pm on the Sunday, he added, and everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

An Easter Egg hunt for youngsters will take place around the same time, outside the pub.

It will be 10 years in July since the Tonkinsons took over the Cross Keys. Last year they were thrilled to be awarded the Doncaster CAMRA District Pub of the Season Award for Winter,

The Inn is a traditional ‘beer and crisps’ pub with Theakstons Best Bitter and guest beers. It opens from 7pm every weekday except Friday, when the doors open at 5pm, 4pm on Saturday and all day Sunday from noon.

“We love it here, Wroot’s got everything and we are well supported by villagers,” said Mr Tonkinson. “People are really motivated to contribute towards events, and we tend to be a bit of a village hub.”

The couple, who are grandparents, have been in the pub trade for most of their lives and have run several hostelries around Doncaster. These included the White Bear, the Flying Childers at Bessacarr and the Harvey Arms at Finningley.

“We have done bake-offs before and they have proved popular,” said Mr Tonkinson.

We actually did them before they were put on television. We have a children’s section too so everyone can have a go at producing a winning cake.”