Christchurch Lunch Club volunteers

Story: Ben Kirby and Lydia Flanagan Photos: Richard Hanson

After twenty years of serving the community, Doug and June Clarke have stepped down as volunteer co-ordinators of Christ Church Pitsmoor's Lunch Club.

The Lunch Club, in the Welcome Centre on Nottingham St, is a place where people can get out of the house to meet up and socialise over lunch. Doug and June have been the mainstays of the club but, after twenty years, the couple decided it was time to give their feet a rest.

A typical Lunch Club day for Doug and June means arriving at 9am on a Thursday morning to set up until volunteers clear up at about 2.30pm. Pye Bank School’s kitchen supplies a tasty main course and sweet, including quiches, pies and chocolate puddings. At Christmas, there is a full Christmas dinner, with crackers and music from Pye Bank school children.

The charges are £3.50 for transport and food. Extra funds come from the Club’s jumble sale and tuck shop and the occasional bingo and raffle – it’s much more than a meal and a chat! Every so often, speakers and other activities add a twist to a Thursday afternoon.

Doug and June will still be attending Lunch Club. “They’re great friends,” says June. They hope to spend more time with their grandchildren. June also knits and sells her creations for charity and Doug will enjoy spending more time at the allotment.

Doug and June are safe in the knowledge that the Club will be left in the trusted care of good friends. “I hope the Lunch Club prospers and keeps growing,” says Doug. June adds, “it’s been going for over 30 years and it'd be a shame for the community to lose it. It gives people a few hours out of the house.” They both take this opportunity to wish Nick and other volunteers every success for the future!

If you are interested in attending the Lunch Club, please contact Nick Edmondson on 275 7240, or e-mail him at nick@christchurchpitsmoor.com.