Founder of Melksham Free Dining, Louisa Lewis, opened the doors of Bowerhill Village Hall on Wednesday to the sounds of congratulations, as Melksham Free Dining reached its first birthday.
The weekly residents arrived to find Louisa and the volunteers in party mood. A lunchtime of good food, good company and an afternoon of fun was on the menu.
One year-ago, Louisa saw her vision come to fruition as she opened the doors to 14 lonely and vulnerable diners. Last Wednesday she opened the doors to 40 diners. Louisa said, “It makes me feel so warm seeing the same diners coming back each week and new ones constantly joining us. We have 62 people on our register to whom we offer a free meal every Wednesday, together with a nurture and care philosophy.”
The celebration was filled with laughter, song and activities. The diners were treated to an individual fairy cake complete with one candle courtesy of Lyn Barrow, a weekly volunteer.
Louisa said, “Lyn’s cakes have a reputation of their own. The diners are always putting in their requests for fresh cream cakes so Lyn is kept very busy keeping them happy.”
As the candles were blown out, everyone sang happy birthday to Melksham Free Dining.
Louisa thanked the many volunteers by presenting them each with a posy of flowers. The diners, led by Stephen, a weekly diner and karaoke artist, sang, ‘For they are jolly goods fellows’.
Louisa said, “Our volunteers are our backbone. They are the glue that keeps Melksham Free Dining together. Our volunteer group is so special. During our first year we have developed a strong bond with a common goal, to care and nurture the lonely and isolated residents of our community and to encourage friendship and give a sense of hope to everyone.
“A multitude of prizes donated by our generous, wonderful volunteer Pammie Jackson resulted in giggles and whoops of laughter resounding around the hall as pass the parcel and several raffles unfolded. Pammie is a very integral part of Melksham Free Dining. Not only does she cook scrumptious meals for us, she also hosts a table each week with her incredible sense of humour.”
A special visitor to the celebrations was Emma Scott, Asda’s Community Champion, who joined the many diners, enjoying a meatball casserole, with jelly and ice cream for afters. She took the opportunity to chat at length to the diners and discover their concerns over the cost of living. As Asda’s representative, Emma had donated many food items and promised to help Melksham Free Dining further.
Louisa said, “Emma was a breath of fresh air. She spent three hours with us and was genuinely interested in our charity and our diners. I am sure she will come and join in with us again. It will be a pleasure to see her again.”
The day was brought to a close with a final raffle for a very special birthday cake by volunteer Jilly Chittenden, designed and cooked especially for the occasion. It was won by diner Rosemary.
As Dawn Robinson, the charity’s dining supervisor, hung up the last tea towel, she smiled and said, “I so enjoyed today and something tells me, I was not alone.”
