We weren’t able to provide Christmas Dinner in church this year, but instead Joe and her team cooked and delivered a meal to those who would struggle cook for themselves.

All the trimmings of a traditional lunch were prepared in a Santa’s hideaway: roast turkey (or nut roast), pigs in blankets, stuffing, gravy, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots (the Father David way,) sprouts, braised red cabbage, cauliflower cheese (luckily Revd Chris could not run off with it this year!). Followed by Christmas pudding and sherry trifle.

They also provided a snack for later in the day: sausage rolls, mince pies and Christmas cake.

On Christmas morning the distribution elves delivered meals throughout Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Feering, bringing cheer and Christmas spirit to people’s door.

We may not have been able to sit round a table and enjoy each other’s company this year, but we could reflect that we were not alone but were part of a group of 39 other diners enjoying the same meal. This year really did highlight one of the true values of Christmas, spreading kindness and hope for the future. May we all keep safe till we dine again together.

with thanks to our local shops, Buntings Butchers and the Fruit Box for their good deals. The Kitchen on the Green for the kind donation of the delivery bags. And thank you to the cooks and delivery elves: Anna Wright, Pan Wright, Revd Simon Garwood, Joanna Clark, Martin Dobson, Karen Harvey, Jackie Wren, Liz Lowen. And especially to Joe Birkin for organising it all.