CHRISTMAS is a time for families and friends to come together and for nearly 100 elderly residents this was made possible on Sunday.

A belly-filling feast was on the cards for many at the annual Chadlington Christmas Lunch.

Volunteers from the village put together a celebration for those who cannot always get out to see friends and family over the holidays.

It comes as the Oxford Mail is campaigning to end loneliness at Christmas, supporting Age UK Oxfordshire and its Phone Friends service.

Resident Winnie Tipping, 95, has lived in the village all her life and was the oldest guest at the Christmas lunch.

She said: “I have been to the Christmas lunch every year. It is great to come along and see all my friends I would not see otherwise because I cannot get about and when you get older you can’t always get out in the village.

“My daughter Alison Woodward has also come over all the way from Australia for today and she will be back home for Christmas.

“A lot of hard work goes into this lunch, it is all worth it because the people that come are always thrilled.”

The Oxford Mail’s Lonely this Christmas appeal is aiming to raise £5,400 by Christmas to support Age UK Oxfordshire and its Phone Friends service.

Helping to keep residents included and to ensure everyone in Chadlington has a Christmas are a group of residents who set up the lunch five years ago.

This includes a three-course meal of turkey and all the trimmings, Christmas pudding and tea or coffee laid on for free at the Chadlington Memorial Hall. A raffle, Christmas crackers and fudge favours are part of the celebration which ends with a carol service in the neighbouring sports hall by children in the village.

Co-ordinator Sorell Wilson said: “I had the initial idea after someone I had spoken to said they would be having soup for Christmas – because they could not get to their family.

“It made me think how many people are isolated at Christmas and miss friends.

“When you are older you can’t always get out as much, so this is like a reunion.

“It has grown in numbers over the years, last year we had 90 people and this year 84 – as well as 10 meals on wheels being delivered to the homes of those who can’t make it, are too ill or don’t have the confidence as it is a big thing.”

Resident Pauline Rhodes,73, added: “We come to the lunches every year and it is just so fantastic . . . the help and everyone that volunteers.

“I always bring five raffles prizes because I am a big supporter of the lunch.

“You always meet different people and it is important to get people together and I really enjoy it.”

The day is hosted with the help of volunteers and local business including The Diplock Trust, St Nicholas Church, Chadlington Memorial Hall, Chadlington Primary School, Chadlington Quality Foods, Chadlington Slide Show by Graham Thornton, Chadlington Sports Club, KMS Litho, and Off-Piste Wines Ltd in Cheltenham.

Oxford Mail:

  • Volunteer Nina Morgan serves some extra roast potatoes to contented visitors at Chadlington Memorial Hall

Opening the event was Rector of The Chase Benefice Mark Abrey. He said: “It gets people together who otherwise would be on their own.

“This is important because lots of people may have lost loved ones, especially the elderly, and they could be very isolated.

“It is a fantastic gesture to bring people together.”

If you’re organising a Christmas lunch for neighbours and older people who may not have anyone to share the day with, register it at communitychristmas.org.uk

HOW TO HELP
* Donate to the Lonely this Christmas appeal, which is aiming to raise £5,400 by Christmas to support Age UK Oxfordshire and its and Phone Friends service. Text AUKO22 £3 to 70070 to give £3 or visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/ageukoxfordshire/endloneliness to pledge an amount of your choice.
* Volunteer with Age UK Oxfordshire. 10 new recruits are being sought over the Christmas period. There is no set minimum age and Phone Friends can volunteer from just two hours per week. To find out more, e-mail volunteering@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk 
* If you’re organising a Christmas lunch for neighbours and older people who may not have anyone to share the day with, register it at communitychristmas.org.uk