You don’t get much for £6.50 these days, a couple of drinks maybe, a supermarket pre-prepared meal deal or a day’s parking at an NCP carpark? None of these sound too appealing but if you want to get real value for money, put your name forward for the next Hands of Hope lunch at Peasmarsh Village Hall, you can’t go wrong.
Last Monday, February 3, I was invited to follow up on my preview in Rye News and come along to the monthly lunch. By the time I had arrived the car park was full and the minibus collecting some of the guests was just unloading its eager cargo. Once inside, the hall was warm, inviting and smelt fantastic as the aroma of a professionally cooked lunch (provided by Paul Webbe from Webbes Fish Restaurant in Rye) wafted around the building.
There was an air of anticipation as the guests were greeted by Sosi Kaskanian who organised the event with James Doran from Hands of Hope, a local charitable organisation tackling loneliness in local communities.
Once seated the chatter began to flow, old and new friends joined in the conversations, nobody felt alone or left out and the team of volunteers made sure everyone was looked after very well. The £6.50 covered a delicious lunch of roasted oxtail with winter vegetables, bread and butter pudding with custard, teas and coffees but also live entertainment by Fred “Frank Sinatra” Gardner who not only sounded like the great man himself but also looked like him.
The event, which ran from 11am to 2pm, was a real success with 51 guests of all ages seated on the day, more than had been anticipated and unfortunately, such is the success of these lunches, the event was oversubscribed and some will have to book earlier if they want to enjoy the next one.
Guests came from various locations including Northiam, Beckley, Peasmarsh, Rye and New Romney and for those who found it difficult to get there, the organisers laid on transport for them.
Sosi is working hard on securing new additional venues to cater for the demand, watch this space for further updates, there could soon be a luncheon club arriving near you, when it does, get your £6.50 at the ready as not only is it very good value it’s also a chance to meet people, to enjoy being part of something worthwhile and to have a bit of fun without breaking the bank.
Image Credits: Nick Forman , Sosi Kaskanian .