MEMBERS of a dale lunch club celebrated the efforts of a trio of helpers who have clocked up more than 60 years’ service.
Middleton-in-Teesdale lunch club, one of eight run by the Association of Teesdale Day Clubs across the dale, bid farewell to its leader Carole Holliday, who stood down last week after 18 and a half years in the job.
However, she is not planning to cut ties with the club and after a short break will return as a volunteer helper.
The lunch club also recognised the efforts of volunteers Joan Staley and Christine Mason.
Ms Staley has clocked up 25 years helping out and Ms Mason has been a volunteer for 20 years.
Both are relinquishing their roles, but will remain members of the club, which meets weekly on a Wednesday.
Ms Holliday said she had loved every minute of her time as lunch club leader, joining after a change of career.
“I left Glaxo at 50 after 15 years and retrained. I looked after a lady with Alzheimer’s for three years and then I saw this job, which was one day a week, three days a month.”
When she joined, the club met three Wednesdays in the month at the Masonic Hall, missing a week when the hall was used for other purposes.
That system continues, but the club now switches venue to The Pathway when the Masonic Hall is not available, ensuring lunch can be served every week.
“I came to see if I liked it and I liked it so much I have stayed,” said Ms Holliday.
“It will take me a while to realise I am not coming – I will miss them all.”
Gordon Thompson, chairman of trustees at the Association of Teesdale Day Clubs, paid tribute to Ms Holliday’s efforts.
He said she had been responsible for overseeing lunches on 900 days – with more than 15,000 meals served.
“That’s a lot of roast dinners, nice meals and good company,” he said.
Mr Thompson said it was also great to recognise the efforts of the long-serving volunteers.
“Without them, our clubs would not run,” he said.
Madeleine Walton, the association’s club and community services manager, said Ms Holliday “embodies everything the days clubs are about” .
Ms Walton added: “We were delighted when she came to work her.
“She has always shown her caring side, how well organised she is and how much fun.”
Mr Thompson and Ms Walton presented flowers and gifts to all three on behalf of the Middleton club and the wider association.
