The Long Wittenham Lunch Club recently celebrated its twentieth birthday with a slap-up meal and wine, and fifty members raised their glasses to toast the next twenty years.
It was in December 1997 when principal organiser June Woodage spoke to villagers to see if they would be interested in joining a lunch club. Late in January 1998 a note was delivered to every home in both Long and Little Wittenham, inviting people to a get together on 12th February. On that first menu for thirty-eight members was soup, bread and cheese and a hot drink for 50 pence.
The original lunch club team was Margaret Bishop, Claire Brown, Daphne Garth, June Gilbert, Sylvia Harrison, Pat Lay, June Strange and June Woodage. The current team is Barbara Edwards, Jenny Garlick, Sylvia Harrison, Isabel Henderson, Pat Lay, Pat Leatham, Joan Walker and June Woodage.
The team prepares the meals and Clive Ancliffe, Bill Harrison, Barrie Henderson, Peter Surridge and John Wright help in erecting and laying tables. Clifford Bosley looks after finances. Membership costs £1 and the monthly two-course meal costs members £3.
June Woodage said: “To have achieved twenty years is remarkable. We never thought that the club would be so popular. Our thanks go to all our hard working team and to villagers who have supported us.”
Parish Council Chairman Gordon Rogers added: “The lunch club is part of the fabric of the village and plays an important role in bringing people together. We are fortunate to have the Lunch Club and the Good Neighbours Group where people can get together and help each other.”
More details about the Lunch Club from June Woodage who can be contacted on 01865 407900 or email: junewoodage@gmail.com
