Volunteers gave up Christams Day to provide a meal for residents who would otherwise have been alone
An army of volunteers have been praised for bringing festive fun to lonely people.
Around 100 guests and helpers attended last year’s Christmas Day lunch at The Guildhall, open to all local people who would otherwise have spent the day on their own.
Local businesses which provided food and services have also been thanked for making the event another huge success.
The lunch was organised for the third year in a row by the Axminster Christmas Together group.
Its chairman, Lesley Frankau, said everyone tucked into a delicious turkey lunch cooked by talented chef Kathy Colman, assisted by Mary Hughill, and Trudi Colly, with a superb vegetarian option from Jill Vanderwolfe. Christmas pudding or trifle was supplied by Tesco.
She said: “The ladies did us proud and made so many people happy. The hall was a buzz of activity and good humour. Our thanks to Le Pisani and the Conservative Club for their support.
“Our gratitude also to Colyton Butchers, Tesco, Millers Farm Shop for supplying the food, Paula Grant who cooked the turkey crowns, Fernhill Hotel who supplied the Christmas cake and all our wonderful volunteers who helped as greeters, bar staff, waited on tables, cleared up afterwards or who collected and more importantly returned people to their homes and generally made the whole lunch such a wonderful occasion.
“And special thanks to all those who dressed in festive costumes including Douglas Hull, the Green Man cum elf, aided and abetted by other elves, plus Mother Christmas, Valerie Warner with husband David dressed as a 6ft elf.
“The Mayor, Jeremy Walden popped in followed by the Rector, Clive Sedgewick, who chatted to guests.
“Later many guests still found an appetite for the delicious mince pies and cream, kindly donated by the Co-op.
“A massive thank you to everyone for their enthusiastic support, with special thanks to Sue Reynolds, Maria North, Alan and Di Kennard volunteers since the first lunch, not forgetting Geoff Enticott, the Guildhall caretaker, a massive help before and after the lunch. “
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