Last year’s Alyth Christmas Day Lunch was such a success that it is being repeated this year, with the help of a £500 grant from Alyth Development Trust’s community projects fund.
The inaugural Lunch last year brought together a team of volunteers to provide a full traditional Christmas meal for members of the Alyth community who would otherwise have been on their own on Christmas Day. Around 20 guests enjoyed a proper Christmas feast and good company in Alyth Town Hall.
The ADT grant will enable organisers Eunice Rodger and Linda Martin to start the serious fund-raising and planning for what they are confident will be an even bigger and better event than last year.
Eunice commented: “We believe the event embodies the true spirit of Alyth, caring for neighbours and reducing social isolation. Social isolation at Christmas can be very difficult to those on their own, especially the recently-bereaved. This event gives an opportunity to bring people together to share a meal along with company, thus improving the quality of life for local folk who would otherwise spend the day alone.”
This year, Eunice and Linda are moving to the Airlie Street Hall to take advantage of its larger kitchen, so that they can cater for up to 30 or more guests. The plan is still for a full traditional Christmas lunch, with broth or lentil soup followed by turkey with all the trimmings (vegetarian option if preferred), and then trifle or pavlova and finishing with tea/coffee and Christmas cake or mince pies.
The ADT grant kick-starts fund-raising over the next few months, beginning with a coffee morning in the Airlie Street Hall on Saturday 3rd October. There will be a selection of stalls, raffle, tombola, home baking and hampers, as well as tea and coffee, and booking forms for the Christmas Day Lunch will be available.
Eunice said: “As well as taking bookings, we’ll be happy to chat about volunteering opportunities and donations towards this community event. We’re specially keen to hear from anyone willing to volunteer either as a server in the Hall or as a driver giving lifts to guests who need it. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 3rd.”
ADT’s Community Projects Fund distributes the community benefit funds provided for Alyth by the operators of the Tullymurdoch Windfarm, some five miles north of the town. Applications to the fund are judged by an independent panel of volunteers drawn from across the community. Apply at https://lovealyth.org.uk/projects/alyth-community-projects-fund/.