Veterans embrace Christmas spirit at festive party

Festive fun with friends was the order of the day at the Alnwick Veterans Group Christmas lunch today as Councillor and Gordon Castle explains:“Today was the second Christmas Lunch for Alnwick area veterans that I’ve been privileged to organise. It seemed to be a great success with 60 seated and many helpers.”

“It was made possible by generous funding from Northumberland Estates, ALNCOM, Alnwick Town Council and Northumberland County Council, whom I must thank again as everything provided was free.”

“Veterans can be relied on for immediate camaraderie and the atmosphere was alive with good humour, entertained superbly by Alnwick Allstars, Carol Rob, Jamie Rob and Ron Creasey. The festivity was maintained with excellent food and refreshments from Northumberland County Council and I also thank Greggs for supplying sweet treats at no charge.”

“Lindisfarne Cafe staff, Claire and Liberty, were outstanding and worked tirelessly under much pressure, and I thank RAF Boulmer for supplying several smartly dressed serving personnel who looked after our veterans for hours, showing that veterans are remembered and respected as once part of the vital national defence effort that continues to this day. Not only that but along with others they played a major role clearing up – the least glamorous part of the occasion.”

“Some youngsters from Northumberland Skills added to the inter generational mix and obviously enjoyed helping and engaging with their elders, as did the veterans themselves. There were others present to help, too many to list by name, but who all made the whole occasion very memorable.”

“Finally, an excellent Christmas cake was baked for us again by Margaret Dixon and possibly the highlight of the day was to watch the oldest veteran present, 99 year old Laurie Robinson, cut the cake. We look forward to continuing our veterans breakfasts in the last Thursday in each month, beginning again in January.”|

The Mayor of Alnwick, Councillor Geoff Watson thanked Gordon for organising the event saying “The smiles on the faces of the veterans said it all. What a wonderful way to celebrate the season with this fantastic groupof people.”