Good News Page— The Crondall and Ewshot Village Pump group

The Crondall and Ewshot Village Pump group runs coffee mornings, singing for fun sessions, brunches, outings, pie and a pint lunches and Christmas lunches – over 40 events a year for older people in our community. For some of these trips we hire a minibus from Rushmoor Voluntary Services. All are on hold!

However, with most of the Village Pump helpers having to self-isolate along with pretty much all the members, we decided that the least we could do was to make regular telephone contact with members.

When the Hampshire Arms pub in Crondall (where we meet monthly for coffee and a chat) approached us a week into lockdown and offered a free scampi and chips to all Village Pump members the team of helpers jumped into action, called members, organised delivery drivers and within 48 hours some 55 members were enjoying a hot lunch delivered to their front doors.

This was so well received and appreciated that the Village Pump group decided to fund the initiative for a second and third week with the Hampshire Arms preparing the food. We also looked to identify and make contact with other local older people who were self-isolating hoping they too would enjoy the treat of a delivered lunch. In week two we served 65 and week three 74 older people! We are now delivering nearly 100 free lunches a week and by 2 July we will have served over 1,200 meals which, along with a similar number of cakes produced by over 25 bakers, have been delivered by a team of another 20 volunteer drivers.

We have successfully applied for grants from local District and Parish Councils, Hampshire CC and other grant giving organisations and have received various donations.

Each week the Village Pump and the Hampshire Arms get lots of fabulous messages of thanks from the many very appreciative, and I must add, very resilient, older people in our villages.