Rye Community Shop, which helps to support local charity and community groups, recently organised a Christmas Day event providing those living or spending Christmas Day on their own, the opportunity to come together and share the day with others in the same situation.
A total of 36 people came to share the festivities which took place on Christmas Day at St Mary’s centre in Lion Street. The day started with a glass of sherry, followed by a fabulous feast of prawns or pate, Norfolk turkey with all the trimmings and traditional Christmas pudding. Santa had been and left everyone a chocolate effigy of himself as well as a gift under the tree.
There was a Christmas quiz and keyboard entertainment which was followed by the Queen’s speech being projected across the wall of the old Rye FE Centre. Tea and coffee with mince pies and Christmas cake polished off a most enjoyable day for everyone.
The Trustees and volunteers of The Rye Community Shop would like to thank all those who helped to make the Event such a success. Special mention must go to the fabulous chefs Jonathan Emson and Karen Honey from Hastings College, to Chris Emson and Janet Sherwood and to all the other volunteers who helped to ensure that everyone felt welcome.
Our thanks also must go to all those who made a financial contribution, supplied items for the free raffle and especially to JB Fruiters at Rye Harbour for donating the vegetables. A final but very special ‘thank you’ must go to the Secret Santa who had unexpectedly arrived overnight with a gift for everyone.
As Rye Community Shop is run by entirely by volunteers, 100% of our profits are ploughed back into the community. We would therefore like to thank everyone for their continued support which in turn enables us to undertake community initiatives such as this.
[Editor’s note: a first-hand account from one of the diners can be found in the ‘Living’ section]
Photos: Kate Sims, Rye Community Shop
Proud to live in a community that cares for its local residents….well done to all involved
Such a shame ex volunteers who worked so hard to get The Rye Community Shop up an Running were not treated the same as local residents !
Volunteers give up their time and ask for nothing in return apart from being treated with More Respect!!!
Do they not deserve a Thank You……it’s a shame they don’t care about their
Volunteers in the same way. Proud should be replaced with embarrassed .:(