Tuesday Lunch Club

May 2022: Plans to reinstate the Lunch Club are still on hold.

March 2020 - 2021: To comply with regulations, Helmdon's Tuesday Lunch Club is suspended during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Tuesday Lunch Club Introduction

Tuesday Lunches

Tuesday Lunches are open to all, whether you come frequently or only to meet us sometimes.

We provide these lunches for the pleasure and health of elderly people, but there's no minimum age. The lunch is a good place and time to meet old friends or make new ones, and to laugh together. Come in any time from 12.30 pm; we serve at 1pm (or thereabouts). To Summarise:

• Lunches are on the third Tuesday of every month (times as above)
• cost is currently £5.00
• there is normally a choice of two main courses and two sweets

The menu is put up in the Reading Room on the notice-board opposite the door. (Reading Room is open during Helmdon Post Office hours). To the list, add your name plus choice of main dish and sweet (tick below the menu options). The list is taken down on the Tuesday prior to the following week's lunch date.

Please get in touch with one of us to ask questions, make complaints, raise difficulties of diet or transport, or offer help – or, if you can't get to the list, contact Judith Elkington to book your meal.

Tuesday Lunch Club News

Thank You's All Round - posted 20 December 2017

December 19th was the date of the Christmas meal of Tuesday Lunches. The fifty or so people present could not fail to say a big thank you to the cooks who gave us a splendid turkey lunch with all the trimmings, accompanied by wine, and members gave them each a present of Margaret Reardon's hand-made chocolates. Jean Spendlove was thanked for the table flowers she manages to find month by month, even in December, and Chris and Alan Thorpe were given gifts by the cooks for their unfailing help and support.

Live music was played throughout the occasion, and later in the afternoon it was great to have a visit from the Helmdon School choir who entertained the audience royally.

Not to be forgotten is a thank you to Chris and Alan for running the Christmas raffle, which raised £185 for the Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service. They wish to thank all who supported the raffle.

Cancellation Of Lunch On Tuesday 15 August - posted 12 August 2017

Due to significant maintenance work currently being carried out in the reading room we have unfortunately had to cancel this Tuesday's lunch club.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 19th September.

Please confirm your attendance with Angela or Judith. Sorry for any inconvenience.

A Very Enjoyable Christmas Meal - posted 22 December 2016

Sue Lidgley (left) and Judy Cairns (right) giving out presents to the cooks and helpers

Almost the final Christmas diary date after the parties, the carols, concerts, bazaars, Church services, the pantomime and all the rest of the Christmas events, was the Tuesday Lunches Christmas meal, and what an excellent meal it was, worthy of any top restaurant. No-one could fault the excellent turkey meal with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding and trifle, accompanied by sherry and wine.

Angela Goodall gave tribute to all the cooks and helpers and then gave gifts to Chris and Alan Thorpe who see to the chairs and tables each month and to the entertainer, Alan Lauren, and also gave special mention to Jean Spendlove, who unfailingly puts flowers on the tables whatever the season. Ann Smith thanked Angela herself who makes sure that all runs smoothly every month. Finally, Judy Cairns thanked the whole team of helpers and Sue Lidgley joined her to give them presents as a token of thanks from members.

Music was played on the keyboard throughout the meal, and after coffee members of the church choir led the carol singing before all the diners went home replete and happy to have been part of such an enjoyable occasion.

Tuesday Lunch Club History

In September 1998, after an initial period of serving lunches for the ladies of the old Baptist Chapel, Lindsey Glassett started offering lunches in the Reading Room. Thirteen people attended that first lunch of chicken, carrots, peas, cauliflower and potatoes, followed by apple pie and custard. In 2004, when Lyndsey gave up as leader, that number had risen to thirty-nine. After a short break Jean Spendlove and Helmdon Church took up the cudgel, and today Wiggy Smith leads a band of helpers who serve monthly lunches to around forty people, both men and women.
Audrey Forgham

At the Easter 2015 meeting of the Tuesday Lunches, Wiggy Smith stood down as Leader. We are pleased to report that Angela Goodall and Judith Elkington now organise this popular monthly lunch.