Festive meal was a cracker

Big-hearted volunteers served up a Christmas Day dinner for more then 78 people in Horncastle and Woodhall Spa.
Some of the volunteers who cooked the meals on Christmas Day in the kitchen at Horncastle Community Centre.Some of the volunteers who cooked the meals on Christmas Day in the kitchen at Horncastle Community Centre.
Some of the volunteers who cooked the meals on Christmas Day in the kitchen at Horncastle Community Centre.

The volunteers gave up their Christmas Day mornings to cook the meals and then a team of nine volunteer drivers delivered them to households in the area.

One of the organisers, Sue Fitch, told the News: “Seeing so many happy faces when we dropped off the meals on Christmas Day was amazing.

“It made all the hard work seem worthwhile.

“Some of these people might not have had a hot meal - or not seen another face - on Christmas Day , if it hadn’t been for the volunteers.

“It was brilliant and I can’t thank everyone who made it all possible.

“It’s another example of the fantastic community spirit in this area.”

The project has been running for four years and is usually based at the town’s community Centre.

Because of the Covid 19 pandemic that could not happen in 2020.

Sue explained: “We ummed and ahhed about what to do but we didn’t want anyone to miss out so we came up with the idea of a home delivery.

“We contacted all the people who enjoyed a dinner last year and the majority replied saying ‘yes’.

“We also had district nurses, the Horncastle Crisis Support Team and carers putting some names forward.”

Sue thanked Tesco, the town’s two Co-op stores, the Lions and the Laurels Service Station for donations. She also thanked those who helped the volunteers distribute 78 festive parcels - as well as piping hot meals including turkey and all the trimmings.

The head cook was Mary Taylor who runs a cafe in Woodhall Spa and ensured no-one missed out,

Although the meals were free, several people donated money which will be presented to a local charity later this year.

Related topics: