After 2 years of only being able to offer a delivery service - we were delighted to be able to offer our Christmas Day guests the option of having lunch at Wade Street or having a delivery.
In the end - we hosted about 25 guests in person and delivered about the same number of meals across the Lichfield area.
The delivery boxes contained the same as in previous years with a M&S roast chicken meal being the highlight along with a whole host of goodies - soup, Christmas pudding, custard, presents, chocolates, crackers and a bottle of grape juice.
It was wonderful to have people together on Christmas Day and as we were a smaller group - we used the smaller room at the back of the hall. This was much more informal and I think everybody felt that they had a good time.
We had arranged live entertainment in the form of a pianist and singer (Glen and Sonia from Whittington) and we had a true/false quiz. We had 2 new chefs (Jackie and Nigel) who prepared and cooked a really lovely meal.
When we were saying our end of day thank yous and goodbyes - one of our guests felt she wanted to thank everybody. She said that we made Christmas for her and if she was not at the lunch - she would be home alone. There was not a dry eye after this and it was incredibly appreciated by all the volunteers that she said this.
Finally - as always - we could not do this without our wonderful volunteers who are simply the best. From the drivers and the delivery drivers to the hosts, the kitchen team and the entertainers - they are all so kind.
And I could not do this without Caroline, who is my partner in all things Christmas Day and just the best person to work with on this."
Gaynor Baldwin