Wokingham

Roast lamb, corned beef hash and treacle tart are favourite foods at the St Peter’s Luncheon Group in Earley. And Wokingham Cllr Iain Brown, the chairman of Wokingham District Council, enjoyed steak and kidney pie when he visited the club to present the volunteers with flowers on January 27.

The Wokingham chairman usually presents a small gift and a plaque each month to a person or group that has given good service to the community. The volunteers of St Peter’s Luncheon Club won January’s award for their incredible fundraising achievements and lively lunch meetings, which are renowned among Earley’s retired community for their good value food and friendly atmosphere. Volunteer helpers lay all the tables and serve the meal. The food is cooked by Mrs Jean Howard, of Falstaff Avenue, and Mrs Wright, of Chiltern Crescent.

“A lot of people living on their own do enjoy having a meal in front of them and an opportunity to talk to their friends,” said Mrs Olga Wright, one of the club’s volunteers. “We are all delighted to receive the chairman’s award, and I think we should include our husbands. They do all the shopping and carving.”

The luncheon club began in 1995, to raise money for a Flower Festival at the Church Hall. When it was recognised as a valued service to local retired people, it was continued, and soon had over fifty people attending regularly. Over the years the club has raised thousands of pounds for St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s School, Cancer Research, Children in Need and many other charities. The club has also presented a donation of £50 to the Wokingham chairman’s charity, Sebastian’s Action Trust.

Wokingham Cllr Brown said: “The group provides an important service to local people living alone. I am delighted to be able to recognise the enormous effort put in by volunteers. It was also wonderful to receive a donation to my civic charity during my visit. I look forward to seeing the club again at their celebration of the Queen’s 80th birthday on April 21.”

Wokingham District Council