Festive Christmas lunch for luncheon club

Three church members cooked the meal in the church kitchen, which included turkey with all the trimmings, vegetables and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce

Members of the Bamford Chapel and Norden United Church luncheon club enjoyed a special festive Christmas lunch takeaway the week before Christmas.

Luncheon club usually takes place once each week and serves up to 30 elderly people who live alone. Guests come from throughout the community and look forward to a two course home-cooked meal each week, along with an opportunity to chat and socialise with each other.

However, for the first time in its 35 year history, the club has not been operating since March because of Covid, and has been much missed.

Three church members cooked the meal in the church kitchen, which included turkey with all the trimmings, vegetables and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.

Guests also received a mince pie, a present and Christmas card  Fifteen drivers volunteered to deliver the meals, which were very well received and enjoyed on Wednesday 16 December.

Pat Stephenson, luncheon club co-ordinator, said: “A church member suggested the idea after a news report about Father Alex and Pastor Mick, who were organising food deliveries for vulnerable families in Burnley.

“Members were delighted when they were asked if they would like a Christmas lunch delivered to their home, as a gift. We've had so many lovely comments about the meal; it was well worth doing.

“Thanks to Wildbloods of Norden who kindly donated containers for the main course.

“Hopefully normal service will resume for the luncheon club in 2021.”