Once again this Christmas dinner was a really happy event, with 28 of our older neighbours having a wonderful roast dinner cooked by Isobel and Leo at Laxeiro on Columbia Road. Many of the guests were either born or grew up on Jesus Hospital Estate so, as well as well as being voted the best meal of the year, this get-together provided a great opportunity to catch up with childhood friends – seldom seen despite the small scale of our neighbourhood. As proof of its popularity, guests were invited for 12.30 but by 12 noon every seat was taken, noise levels were rising by the minute and, as usual, there was no rush to go home!
The traditional meal of home-made soup, roast turkey and pork with all the trimmings, and apple pie with cream (plus drinks and coffees), is only possible because Isobel and Leo give up their only day off to open up Laxeiro exclusively for the Freedom Passers. This year, in addition to the guests in the restaurant, ten meals were also delivered to housebound neighbours and we’ve already heard back how pleased they were not to be left out and what a treat it was to have a proper home cooked meal.
On behalf of everyone who enjoyed the day, special thanks go to:
– Isobel and Leo for giving up their free day and producing the wonderful meal (with an extra vote of thanks for the roast potatoes!).
– JHERA for subsidising the costs which make this possible.
– The volunteers who escorted neighbours to Laxeiro and then ran around delivering hot meals to 10 people at home.
– Finally, a welcome and thank you to Josie, a relatively new resident in Baxendale Street, who has put in time getting to know local people, including several who are housebound.
