Church lunch club celebrates 40 years
A lunch club in Cringleford celebrated its 40th anniversary this week. The club, run by St Peter’s church, has been providing a sociable place and a hot meal for people who might otherwise be lonely. It was started in 1983 by two local residents, Jean Glaseby and Dr David Carle, along with the vicar Revd Sturdy. Since then, it has grown from a monthly gathering to a weekly event. The club relies on a dedicated group of volunteers who serve as drivers, cooks, washer-uppers, and servers. Isobel Brewin, who helps to organize the club, attributes its success to the strong sense of community it has fostered.
Norfolk County Council provided a subsidy of 18p per diner in the 1980s, allowing the club to offer meals at a cost of 80p per person. Today, the cost of the meal remains low at £5, thanks to a generous donation from a member of the club who left a gift in their will. This ongoing financial support has ensured that the club can continue to provide affordable meals to its members. A celebration was held on October 17 to mark the club’s forty-year milestone. The event featured live music from the church organist, who played songs from the 1940s and 50s. Local baker Judith Chater also contributed to the festivities by creating a special anniversary cake in the form of a beautifully crafted plate of food.
Over the years, the organization of the club has evolved to better meet the needs of its members. When Rev Andrew Braddock was the vicar, a mobile phone was introduced to help members stay in touch and allow organizers to easily check in with them. During the pandemic, the club temporarily transformed into a meals-on-wheels service, providing soup, a bun, and a pudding to its members. Throughout this time, the club remained an important social connection for its members, who exchanged letters, poems, and shared memories of their early days as children.
One of the highlights of the year for club members is the Christmas celebration. This festive event brings everyone together to celebrate each other’s birthdays and serves as a focal point for the week. The club’s continued success can be attributed to its dedicated volunteers and the sense of community it has built over the past forty years. The Lunch Club in Cringleford serves as a shining example of how a simple idea can transform into an enduring source of companionship and support for those in need.