© 2024 Buckland Newton Community Website Committee Last updated 2nd December 2024 12:15 Website design and update by Jeremy Collins
Lunch Club
Over 90 or 80? Maybe in your
seventies? Living alone and no longer
driving, except to potter around the
village? You have a disability or long-
term health problem, and would love
to get out to meet old friends or make
new ones? If so, we would be
delighted to see you at the Second
Friday Lunch Club, which meets every
month alternating between the Village
Hall at Buckland Newton and a local
pub. The cost is £8 for 2 courses.
For the few who have not heard of The Second Friday Lunch Club (so
named because it takes place on the second Friday of each month) it was
formed many years ago to reach out to people who were living on their
own, maybe feeling lonely, isolated or perhaps didn’t drive. We usually
arrive about 12.30 pm for a 12.45 pm start.
From the beginning it proved a huge success. Our members were, and still
are, able to enjoy a lunch in our village hall prepared and cooked by
volunteers. In the early days members paid £5 for a lunch which consisted
of a fruit juice, a choice of two main courses and also a choice of two
puddings. Lastly, they enjoyed a cup of coffee or tea. Nowadays members
pay £10 which is still very good value.
On alternate months there is an outing to a pub and as we all know, a meal
out would be hard to find for £10, although this is what our members pay,
and the rest is subsidised by the club.
That of course means fundraising. We are fortunate that we get a very
welcome boost from the annual Village Fete, and we have in the past tried
several ideas to increase our funds. As well as cooking many of the
lunches over the years our past Chairwoman has successfully held a
nearly new stall from her home and followed it by doing the same at the
Village Fete. She has also hosted coffee mornings and tea parties. Sadly,
for the lunch club Susan has now decided she needs a break, and she will
be much missed.
Friday 8th November, 12.30 pm for 1.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Second
Friday Lunch Club. This month we are at home in our local pub, The
Gaggle of Geese. Our AGM will follow after the lunch, giving members an
opportunity to raise any questions or concerns.
If you are planning to attend but have not already done so, please let Bridget
Hodges know on 01300 345493.
You do not have to be resident in Buckland Newton to join us, so
even if you live in one of the outlying villages do get in touch if you
would like to make new friends.
Could you help?
The team of volunteers who organise the lunch club are looking for new people to help. Once every two months the team cooks a meal for about 25 people which is served in the village hall and on the alternate months the club goes out to a nearby pub. The jobs for the village hall months are: laying up the tables; serving the food; cooking or preparing one of the dishes or vegetables; clearing the tables; washing up; tidying the kitchen; chauffeuring a member and having a good old chat to everyone there. It is a lovely way of getting to know some of the older members of our community and hearing their tales, including what life was like in Buckland Newton in their youth. So, if you have any of the skills needed and a couple of hours or so to spare on the second Friday of the month, we look forward to hearing from you.
Buckland Newton Community Website
in the heart of rural Dorset
