Christmas Celebrations at Hexham Community Centre

For the 25th year, Hexham Community Centre opened its doors on Christmas Day to welcome people to celebrate together and enjoy a full Christmas dinner.

Every year the Community Centre staff and volunteers welcome around 40 people to Christmas Dinner. Many of the diners would otherwise be alone at Christmas but the Centre makes an otherwise difficult day, very special. And this year was no exception. 44 diners came to the Centre and were treated to a delicious meal prepared by Lunch Club chef Stephen Hope and Ann Reed, one of the Centre's wonderful Trust members and regular at our Lunch Club and Open Arms groups. Ann has cooked the turkey for each of the 25 years - and I think everyone agreed she did a great job!

 

The diners were welcomed by an excellent performance of carols, courtesy of Hexham Amateur Stage Society, getting the day off to a jolly start and getting everyone settled in for the meal. Turkey dinners all round (with a nut roast for the veggies) followed by puddings of every description, with leftovers to spare to take home for turkey sandwiches. Following dinner each diner was able to choose a stocking stuffed full of sweet treats, toiletries and winter essentials, thanks to donations of gifts from Waitrose and Centre users. Once gifts had been given we relocated to the smaller tables, topped up on mince pies and mulled wine and watched King Charles deliver his first Christmas Day address.

As our diners left for home the atmosphere was jubilant and many reported having an amazing day and thanked the Centre staff and volunteers.

Jill Goodfellow, Hexham Community Centre Manager, said

“Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for people living in isolation, without family nearby to celebrate the day with. For 25 years the Community Centre has been a place to come together, eat an amazing meal and I was so thrilled to be part of it and contuinue the tradition on my first Christmas here at the Centre.

None of it would have been possible without the support and funding from Egger UK and Karbon Homes who provided grants to cover our running costs and expenditure, and Waitrose Hexham who provided food for the meal and for the gifts that each diner left with. Thanks also to The Grapes, who provided enough mince pies and white wine to celebrate until New Year!”

As well as the funders and local businesses that supported the event, it would not have been possible without the amazing team of volunteers who gave up their time to drive, serve and even sing (huge thanks to Hexham Amateur Stage Society for kicking the day off with an amazing round of carols).

We can't wait to welcome everyone back next Christmas to do it all again, but we'll try not to burn the brandy sauce this time!!