Marlborough’s Christmas Day lunch will take place this year albeit in a very different way. Organiser Vicky Ellis told Marlborough.news, “Due to Coronavirus and the social distancing rules it looked like we might have to cancel the event especially because many of our guests are elderly and fall into the vulnerable group. However, as a team we have wracked our brains and we decided if our guests couldn’t come to us, we would bring Christmas to them.”
A two course Christmas meal will be delivered to recipients together with Christmas treats and presents. Vicky commented, “35 people have already signed up and I’ve been phoning people who attended in previous years. They are over the moon. A lot thought that nothing would happen this year but are now really chuffed that this is going ahead. The delivery drivers will be more than happy to have a chat with people at their doors. To those living alone it means a lot that people will be willing to chat.”
Vicky’s grandparents, Nigel and Joy Kerton, started the Christmas Day lunch eighteen years ago after hearing that a Marlborough resident had been alone with a tin of salmon and a piece of bread on Christmas Day.
The organising committee of Jessica Nixon, Mark Shire (chef), Claire Ellis (Vicky’s mum) and Vicky are working hard to prepare. They are looking for volunteer delivery drivers with their own cars, and also for present donations (male and female) to the value of around £3 which can be wrapped up and taken to recipients of the Christmas meal. If you would like to volunteer as a driver or have a present to donate please contact Vicky on vellis@thomasmae.co.uk or send her a private message on Facebook Messenger.
This year, because of social distancing and rules about different households mixing, the committee are not looking for volunteers to help in the kitchen. Chef Mark Shires will be doing all the food preparation on Christmas Eve. The meals will be cooked on Christmas Day in the Jubilee Centre by Vicky and boyfriend, Jamie Amor. “We’re not very good chefs but we’ll give it a go,” commented Vicky. “If Mark preps it we can’t ruin it and we’ve been practising roast dinner cooking with the family. Fingers crossed!”
Sumblers have agreed to donate all the meat. Vicky said, “It’s brilliant that local businesses are coming together to support this even though times are hard. Thank you as always for the support. This event couldn’t continue every year without the assistance of very generous local people and businesses.”
If you are going to be alone at Christmas and are elderly, vulnerable or shielding please contact Vicky as there are still Christmas lunch delivery spaces available.
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