Serving up a tasty treat for ladies who lunch, Teesdale Mercury

Serving up a tasty treat for ladies who lunch

May 14, 2008

WHILE most of the country is feeling the effects of the closure of bingo halls, working men's clubs and day centres, one Teesdale pub is proving that community spirit is best served with ice and a slice, and a home cooked meal, every Thursday afternoon. 

Sandra and Dave Sawden have been the licensees of The Queen's Head, in Cockfield, for two years and for the past 18 months, the couple have been serving up lunch for the village's elderly residents. 

The Mercury was told about the thriving weekly get-together by the nephew of one of the ladies who attends the Thursday lunch club. 

Robert Close said his aunt Prim loved her regular jaunt to the Queen's Head to meet her friends, adding that the work of Sandra and Dave was much appreciated in the village. 

He said: "Sandra and Dave make the day special by charging very low prices, playing bingo and celebrating events, like birthdays. Dave, the landlord, even chauffeurs the ladies back to their homes.

"In today's world where people tend to think that everyone is on the make, it's nice to see a licensed business doing something for its community."

Sandra, who dons her chef's whites for the day to cook the homemade meals, said: "They all seem to really enjoy themselves. It's gives them somewhere to meet and chat to their friends - they could talk for hours. 

"And it's not just for the older folk - anyone can come along. One of the ladies brought her granddaughter along when she was on school holidays."

WEEKLY GET-TOGETHER: Members of the Thursday lunch club at The Queen's Head, in Cockfield. From the left: Catherine Bardon, Jennie Denham, Betty Dent, Grace Gargett, Prim Watson, Mary Armstrong and Doris Adams  TM pic

Grace Gargett, 82, who has lived in Cockfield since she was a little girl, goes along every Thursday to meet up with her friends. She said: "We have a nice meal and a game of bingo. I've only missed it twice. 

"You get a good few people coming along here, you can get up to 20 some weeks and there's usually at least 10 of us."

At 92, Betty Dent is the oldest lady at the club. She puts her health down to the Cockfield Fell air and says she loves her weekly trip to see friends. She said: "We get a lovely home cooked meal and get to have a good chat. 

"We have known each other for years and we all get along really well - we never differ with one other."

Grace and Betty's friend, 87-year-old Catherine Bardon, said one of the best bits about the Thursday lunch club, apart from getting to see her friends, is not having to do the washing up after her meal. 

Many of the ladies who attend the lunch club are widows and they say that it is nice to get out and see friends who they might not normally get to see. 

Mary Armstrong, 72, enjoys the club so much, she walks all the way from her home in Lands every week. 

She said: "I had a heart bypass a few years ago so I have to walk for exercise - it's a mile and three-quarters and it's not a problem. 

"At first it took such an effort to come here, but it gets you out and its good to spend time with other people who are in the same boat."

As well as being the chauffeur, Dave also takes on the role of bingo caller, as the ladies who lunch get their eyes down for a full house. Dave said: "I really enjoy it. They have a good day out, they really appreciate it and, of course, when someone appreciates what you're doing, it makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?"

SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Sandra and Dave Sawden

The lunch club is so popular one regular, Prim Watson, even rushed back to see her friends after a shopping trip with her family. 

Sandra said: "She came in and said: ‘I've had my dinner, so I don't want that', but she had a sweet sherry and played her game of bingo!"

Prim, who used to come with her husband Reuben, until he passed away, said: "I love coming here every Thursday. It's nice and friendly and I love seeing my mate Mary. I love the bingo too, but I'm not bothered about winning, as long as I'm here."

Mary said: "Sandra and Dave are great. They put on a lovely meal and everyone enjoys being able to come here."

Grace's daughter, Sue Proud, is the barmaid at the Queen's Head and said: "They love it here. They really look forward to coming and are really disappointed if they can't get here one week. And once they do get here, they never stop chattering. 

"My mum is a great cook but it's lovely that she and the others can get a home cooked meal that's been prepared by someone else - it's a really good thing that Dave and Sandra are doing."

Friends, Jennie Denham and Jennie Neasham, said they love the company they get from going to the club, adding that the good-looking landlord helped too!

Mrs Neasham joked that her friend enjoyed being able to have a brandy and ginger. Mrs Denham said: "This is the first time I have had a drink here and I'm never going to be able to forget it!"

Dave and Sandra say that other people are welcome to come along to the pub for the Thursday lunch club - the more the merrier. Men and women go to the group and other members of the community can pop along too. 

Anyone interested can either go along on a Thursday or call Sandra or Dave on 01833 710981. 

Mr Close added: "Cockfield gets a lot of bad press, so I think it is nice to see that something good is being done in the village. And it is something that needs recognition in this world of doom and gloom."

KAYE JEMMESON