Afternoon Tea Party To Thank Worplesdon Covid Volunteers

Published on: 5 Aug, 2021
Updated on: 5 Aug, 2021

There was a cream tea celebration at Fairlands Community Centre on Sunday (August 1) to thank local volunteers who have helped many vulnerable people during the pandemic.

Around 70 volunteers and their guests attended the vintage tea party themed celebration hosted by Worplesdon Parish Council.

Hosted by Worplesdon Parish Council, around 70 volunteers of the 134 invited, and their guests, attended the afternoon tea party.

At the start of the pandemic, residents from Broadacres, Fairlands, Jacobs Well, Normandy, Park Barn, Perry Hill, Stoughton and Wood Street Village contacted the parish council to offer their assistance.

Volunteers were put in touch with the Fairlands, Liddington Hall and Gravetts Lane Community Association (FLGCA); Fairwood Helpers; and the rector of St Mary’s Church, Worplesdon (who also delivered food parcels); and help was then co-ordinated and given when needed.

Volunteers and friends were able to chat as the jazz trio played.

Shopping was done and food parcels delivered, socially distanced befriending took place, and other support was provided whenever needed.

The clerk of Worplesdon Parish Council, Gaynor White, said: “Some of this is still ongoing particularly the befriending. It is so heartening to see.”

She added there were too many volunteers to mention individually, but typical of the kind of help provided included Debbie Foster. She co-ordinated thousands of prescription medicine deliveries from the Rowlands Pharmacy in Fairlands, and Lara Foster assisted with the prescription sorting.

Volunteers walked hundreds of miles to ensure those in need did not go without their essential medication.

“Just like that”, Bob McShee entertained with his Magic Bob act.

Jan Messinger and Debbie Foster were honoured in the 2021 Mayor’s of Guildford’s awards for community service. Jan, herself, walked more than 500 miles while delivering prescription medicines to those in need.

For the party, Fairlands Community Centre was transformed into an old-fashioned tea room with vintage china, table decorations and floral table arrangements.

There was a jazz trio and a magic act from Bob McShee, whose tricks were said to have “exceeded the expectations of those who attended the event”.

Jazz trio of Andrew, Marianne and Roger performed for the Worplesdon volunteers who had helped during the Covid crisis.

A raffle raise £185 for the Royal Surrey Charity, for NHS staff.

One party attendee said: “Thank you for a brilliant afternoon and for transforming the hall into a very pretty tea room”.

Another said: “The food was delicious and it was so nice to enjoy some live music as well.”

Thanks went to parish council staff and helpers who organised the event, florist, Mollie May-Flower who provided the table decorations and Not Just Hampers, who provided the food.

Wendy Grimmond and A Nice Cup of Tea provided a charming array of vintage china. Bespoke cake tier stands were created by Chris White. FLGCA made a generous contribution to the event and provided the hall free of charge.

The chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Dr Paul Cragg, read out messages of thanks to the volunteers.

The chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Paul Cragg, read out two speeches, one from the FLGCA thanking the volunteers for all they did, the other from the parish council who offered its wholehearted thanks to all the volunteers for putting the health and wellbeing of their fellow residents at the forefront of their efforts.

Cllr Cragg said the parish council was deeply touched by the amazing work carried out by the volunteers. He said: “It clearly demonstrates the resilience of the Worplesdon community during unprecedented times.”