Festive Sidley

Almost 100 pensioners from the Sidley area were picked up from their homes and brought to Sidley House to be treated to a slap-up Christmas dinner and afternoon of traditional entertainment.

This is an annual event organised by Sidley Community Association, and as chief executive Margaret Lea said: "This is wonderful because once it is done, our Christmas really starts."

One hundred and thirty plates were laden with turkey, chipolatas, stuffing, roast potatoes and all the rest, soon to be followed by Christmas pudding and trifle, and dainty mince pies.

This was enjoyed by 98 pensioners seated around tables in the main hall, but also for the volunteers, friends and supporters who made it such a special day - from Glenda Humphreys who organised transport to

Hildy Lambert-Gorwyn who cooked the food, from John Izzard who handled the bar to 12 year old Megan Scotcher who helped by handing out drinks.

Margaret thanked 1st Sidley Brownies, who sang Christmas carols and played instruments, and the four piece group Quintasia, who performed seasonal songs beautifully but also got stuck in with the major task at hand, which was serving out plates of food.

"It's lovely," Margaret added.

"This is about supporting the older people in the community who don't normally get out, and don't normally get together.

"I think they really enjoy this day because it gives them the chance to meet up with their friends, have a chinwag and a decent meal, with wine and spirits, and have a really good day enjoying themselves. And then we take them back.

Preparation for the Christmas dinner begins back in July, and is a huge feat of organisational skill from organising nominations for guests, to buying presents for them, to sorting transport problems - minibuses and drivers were this year loaned by 73A Centre in London Road, and St Raphael's in Hastings.