Mary Berry has ‘enormous pleasure’ in public appearance

The 91‑year‑old food writer and presenter has lived in Henley with her husband Paul Hunnings since 2019.

She joined the BBC show as a judge alongside Paul Hollywood when it launched back in 2010 and stayed until 2016, before the programme moved to Channel 4.

Now, Dame Mary has formally opened the 72nd annual Nettlebed Art and Craft Show at Nettlebed Community School.

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The event, held over two days earlier this month, featured work from about 60 artists from across South Oxfordshire.

Visitors were able to browse and buy mosaics, crafts, paintings, photographs and jewellery, while refreshments were also available.

Money raised from the show will support charities in the local area and Dame Mary met artists and guests as she toured the displays before officially opening the show.

She told the Henley Standard: “I am very, very fortunate to be here. We’ve got more artists here than ever before, as I understand it, which is due to very good organisation by the show’s committee. For the show to have been going for 72 years is wonderful.

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“I can’t think of many things that have been going on in the village for that long and it’s lovely that the show is continuing. There is something for everyone here.”

The former television judge was presented with flowers by the show’s committee and received a handmade handbag, designed to resemble a strawberry cake, from secretary Kirsten Jones.

Dame Mary added: “I am very honoured to be here. I had no idea that there were going to be so many ceramics and different paintings.

“It is my enormous pleasure to open this show and I hope people tell their friends and family to come along.”