In the interests of building alumni relations, we paid a visit to Fred's of Worcester for a chai latte and a catch up with former AOS and RGS pupil Annika Silvester (2002-2011).

This rather lovely community asset on The Tything is the latest venture for Annika and she is thoroughly enjoying the challenge. After leaving RGS, Annika travelled to Australia to study Event Management, returning to the UK to organise events at a premier venue in the Midlands. She then went on to help develop the family business at Stone Farm Rural Escapes - lakeside safari lodges in the grounds of the family farm on the outskirts of Worcester.

Fred's Deli offers fresh, farm-to-table food using produce from local Worcestershire suppliers. We were delighted to find wine from Astley Vineyard, owned by the Haywood family - Chris (RGS 1999-09) and Daisy (AOS/RGS 1999-10).

Annika is busy managing the cafe, as well as project-managing the refurbishment of rooms above the cafe, which will be available to book in the spring via Airbnb.

We wish Annika well with all of her business ventures and look forward to visiting Fred's again.