Speaker 1: Hello.
Speaker 2: I'm Ray Lee and this is the Gillingham Podcast for
anyone living in the Gillingham and Spa area. I'm talking
to Barbarahurst, who's the organizer of the Gillingham Community Christmas Lunch. Barbara,
can you tell us what it's all about?
Speaker 1: Yes.
Speaker 3: For many years the church organized a Christmas Day lunch
for people who are on their own or perhaps don't
have the means to celebrate in style, and unfortunately it
was one of those casualties of COVID, so by twenty
two twenty three it had ended. So last year, under
the leadership of Bob Messer, we resurrected it and we
held it that year at the Scout put in Milton.
We had about fifty guests on that occasion and we
judged it a great success. And the great thing about
it last year was that we had the support of
Three Rivers Partnership and that's made it a sustainable project.
They handle our finances for us and support us in
any way possible. We've also had the support of Gillingham
Carling who provide us with drivers to and from the
venue and to organize all the drivers because a lot
of old tiers other than Carlink drivers to offer this service,
so they organize all that for us. All of this
means that we are now on very firm ground. This year,
unfortunately we weren't able to book the Scout Hut, so
we're now going to the Rugby Club and the North
Dorset Rugby Football Club.
Speaker 1: It's on Christmas Day, but.
Speaker 3: A lot happens beforehand, So on Christmas Eve we've got
some thirty volunteers coming along and they will be preparing
vegetables and setting up the room so that it all
looks very festive. And then on Christmas Day we've got
another thirty who have volunteered to come along and do
all sorts of things pot scrubbing, serving, handing out gifts
and providing entertainment. Last year we did have Liz Dua
come along and she led us in community carol singing,
which was wonderful. It's really uplifting. This year she's coming back.
Absolutely delighted that she's agreed to come back again. But
we've also had an offer from David Ball who does magic,
and he's going to do magic tricks on the tables
you to entertain our guests this year, so very excited
about that.
Speaker 1: So how did you get involved with it?
Speaker 3: I was lent on by Bob Messer. He and I
know each other from a number of different organizations were
involved with and yes, he asked me. And I'm not
very good at saying no. So last year I actually
did the role of quartermaster, so I organized all the donations,
made sure that they arrived at the destination in good time.
Love And is there a cost to the diners? No,
it's absolutely free. We can do this because we actually
do have some funding left from last year, but we
have everything donated by very generous businesses in the in
the organized it really is a community.
Speaker 1: Yes. And all the meals are prepared on site.
Speaker 3: Yes, our chef, Yes, our share We have a professional chef,
Vicky Adamson. She she did it last year and we're
delighted that she's back this year. Yes, everything cooked fresh.
It is the full traditional Christmas dinner with all of
the trimmings. And and for those who don't like, for instance,
Christmas pudding, we and offered cheesecake and you know we
do try and and also there'll be a vegetarian offer
for those who I'm.
Speaker 2: Just just looking down the menu that you've given me
and it's quite a comprehensive list.
Speaker 1: You know, things that you can that you can provide.
Speaker 3: We have again this year, in fact, a donation of
a cash donation from the Reeds Charity. I don't know
if you know about it. I've heard it, yes, so
that they support us financially too.
Speaker 2: Lovely And you mentioned that you're offering transport through Carling.
Is there a charge for that? No?
Speaker 3: There Isn't this all volunteer work. Yes, it's remarkable how
generous the people of gilling them up. I'd really like
to thank some local businesses who have been very generous
in donating to the Christmas Lunch, which of course enables
us to offer this for free, as the Gillingham branches
of Asda, Waitrose and the co Op, Orchard Park Garden Center,
down Farm Meets, Victoria O'Brien Cakes, Bakes and Catering, Riverside Garage,
Johnson Stourbridge Linen and plant World and as you can see,
it's really a community effort. One other huge thank you
I need to make, and that is for the Ladies
of Kilmington and Stourton WI who are providing again this
year gifts for our guests to take home all beautifully
gift wrapped and that I can't tell you. It is
just the best way to end this land.
Speaker 2: So if anybody wanted to get involved, either volunteering or
would like to even book a meal, what's the best
way to do it.
Speaker 3: We have a dedicated section on the Three Rivers Partnership website.
You can download an application form there and it gives
information about where you can reach us to volunteer. We
do still need drivers. We have plenty of other volunteers,
but we do still need drivers. So I would direct
everybody to the Three Rivers Partnership website. Everybody is welcome.
We're particularly aiming at people who might be isolated, cut
off and miss out and everybody welcome all ages. But
booking is essential.
Speaker 1: And I understand as a deadline.
Speaker 3: Yes, the second of December is the deadline of yes now.
Application forms can be collected at Gillingham Library, the Post Office,
Gillingham Town Hall, Saint Mary, the Virgin Church or the
Eden Cafe when that's surrounding coffee and Canines, and the
Gillingham Community Church and Food Bank. And as I say,
they can be downloaded from the Three Rivers Partnership website
now the completed application forms can be dropped into the
box at the church at Saint Mary's Church and also
there's another at the town Hall, but I do urge
everybody to book their place as soon as possible.
Speaker 1: A lovely well, that's great. Thanks us about for your
time this morning. You're very welcome.
Speaker 2: If you're a member of a group or organization that
would like to be featured on a future Gillingham podcast,
then you can email me at lig On podcast at
gmail dot com. Thanks for listening.
Speaker 3: Oh