Last week new Come Eat Together members attended the launch of the brand new lunch ‘Dining by the Boundary’ at Durham County Cricket Club.
Guests were greeted by our volunteers Jen and Yvonne, who welcomed everyone. The excited guests then had an opportunity to chat and mingle, enjoying the stunning view from the Castle View Suite looking out to the immaculate cricket pitch and across to Lumley Castle before being officially welcomed to the lunch and the club by Richard Dowson, Chief Operating Officer of Durham County Cricket Club.
Our hungry diners then enjoyed a delicious two course meal with a choice of either:
- Chicken and Leek Pie or
- Beef and Vegetable Stew with a Herb Dumpling
Followed by
- Apple Pie with Ice Cream or
- Chocolate Brownie with Chocolate Sauce
The tables were full of enthusiastic conversation with topics of discussion ranging from how lovely it was to eat in company, to an upcoming wedding and the most recent win from the Durham cricket team! Some participants also chatted about “the trouble with attracting men”, especially sharing their concerns that men can be wary of attending social occasions where they don’t know anyone. However, as Yvonne our volunteer pointed out there are other Come Eat Together activities such as the Gentlemen’s Breakfast at Durham Indoor Market which are specifically aimed at men.
Everyone also chatted enthusiastically about the amazing banner on display that the ‘Caught and Sewed’ project has been working on. A fun quiz based on the banner had everyone looking closely to find the answers. It is so long that we managed to photograph just one section of it with some of the cricketers joined by enthusiastic participants (pictured above).
Three of the County Cricket Team cheerfully helped to serve the lunches and chatted to everyone before heading off to prepare for their match the following day (pictured left).
After lunch Harriet Gibbon Chief Executive of Age UK County Durham and Sara Collins the Come Eat Together Project Coordinator spoke about all the different ways in which the project brings people together.
Dave Ross from Durham County Cricket Foundation explaining about how the hard work of the Foundation, the Cricket Club, Riverside Events and Age UK County Durham have made the lunch possible. The lunch was then closed with a final word from Geoff Cook, Director of Cricket and former head coach.
Shirley (who is a wheelchair user) came to the lunch with her husband Denis. It was her birthday and everyone wished her a Happy Birthday whilst Denis produced a small cake with a candle. Denis contacted us afterwards to tell us “We really enjoyed coming together to an accessible environment for such a lovely meal, beautifully served in good company. Shirley told me she felt like a princess!”
We were thrilled to have coverage from the Northern Echo, Durham Advertiser and Durham Times
We welcome more members to this wonderful new lunch club. If you are interested please contact us on 0191 374 6577.
