GRATEFUL residents said a fond farewell to the organiser of a popular lunch club at two special events.
Debbie Herbert helped bring dozens of people together each week at Startforth Community Centre.
The lunch club was launched in 2017 and once established, more than 40 people enjoyed a two-course meal. Guest speakers were also a regular feature of the club.
However, the club was forced to close when the first lockdown was imposed in March last year.
“We stopped. I thought it would be for a fortnight but we never came back,” said Mrs Herbert.
It was during the lockdown period that she opened a shop in Barnard Castle called Wild Daisy – which meant she was unable to restart the lunch club once Covid restrictions were eased.
To say thank-you, Mrs Herbert received vouchers from residents attending Startforth's monthly coffee morning.
Later the same week, almost 50 former members of the lunch club and guests met for a farewell lunch at the Three Horse Shoes, in Barnard Castle.
However, all is not lost for the Startforth lunch club.
It has been taken under the wing of the Association of Teesdale Day Clubs, which operates lunch clubs across the dale.
Andrea Hobbs, strategic manager for the association, aims to relaunch the Startforth lunch club early in the new year. She outlined what was planned to Startforth residents who attended the December monthly coffee morning in the community centre.
Ms Hobbs explained that each of the association's lunch clubs had a part time paid leader to organise the weekly get-together, and a chef, supported by a team of community volunteers who help to set up the hall, serve and wash up afterwards.
“Leaders are responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly. The chefs do all the preparation and are fully certified,” she said.
Lunch costs £6 for three courses, and the association can also help with transport, added Ms Hobbs.
She said members of lunch clubs also benefited from a free community support service.
The association is currently advertising for a leader and chef for Startforth.
Ms Hobbs said it was hoped interviews would be carried out in early January with a view to launching the club later in the month or early in February.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed,” she said.
Full details of the Startforth Lunch Club roles are available at www.teesdaledayclubs.org. uk.
