A COUPLE from Cockfield are hoping to serve up some festive cheer to those in need this Christmas.
Kirsty Lowther, who runs Joey’s Waffle House in St Helen Auckland with her wife Stephanie, has decided to open up the doors of their business on December 25.
With the help of volunteers, the couple will be offering free turkey and stuffing sandwiches and hot drinks from the shop on Christmas Day.
Mrs Lowther said: “It is for those people who are in need such as those with financial difficulties, veterans, homeless people and the elderly.”
The dessert shop, which opened on Abraham Enterprise Park in May, will be open from 9am to noon.
Sandwiches and hot drinks will be offered free of charge.
Mrs Lowther said: “I was at my mam’s and we were chatting and I just said, ‘why don’t we do it?’ I don’t think people realise how difficult some people find Christmas time.
“There is this big stigma that it is all about all these big presents that have to be bought but not everyone can afford to do that.
“We put the idea out as a feeler and it went crazy. We are overwhelmed by how much support we have had.”
The couple, who have a two-year-old son called Joey, are also hoping to reach out to those who are unable to travel to the shop.
Mrs Lowther said: “We have got a lot of people who are interested in helping so we are looking to deliver some sandwiches as well. I think we will have plenty of people to help deliver.
“I just hope we have enough people who come forward to let us know they will need a delivery.”
Deliveries will be made to all surrounding areas in Bishop Auckland as well as Cockfield, Evenwood and West Auckland.
Mrs Lowther said: “Joey is at that age now where he doesn’t really understand Christmas and we don’t have Christmas dinner until later on in the day anyway.
“I want everyone to feel included. Everyone should be able to eat all the time but especially on Christmas day.
“It is not just for people who are financially struck. It is for lonely people too so they can come down to have a chat.”
The couple thanked everyone who has come forward to offer donations so far.
For information or to book a Christmas day delivery contact Mrs Lowther on 07708 753255 or email kirsty.lowther@aol.co.uk.
![A COUNTY councillor is backing a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing in Staindrop. Frustrated parish councillors in the village summoned their county council representative Cllr George Richardson to their latest meeting to discuss several issues, including the call for a safe way to cross the A688. Earlier this year their request for a crossing was turned down by the county council’s highways officers. Parish council chairman Jonothan Raper described the reasons for the refusal as “spurious” and called on Cllr Richardson to support their campaign. He added: “One of the arguments they made was there is no clear line of desire when they studied the village – well this isn’t a clear line of desire because there isn’t a crossing, people cross whenever they can. “When the lollipop person was there, one of the things I noticed was people would walk all the way down to the lollipop person to cross the road to go to the shop or to go to the school.” He added a problem of parking at the primary school is exacerbated because people are too afraid to walk their children across the road. Cllr Richardson said he had supported previous attempts for a crossing point with the first being made about 15 years ago. He added: “We went fairly well down the road with that and they looked into it. The only recommended place was where the bus stop is and to get the visibility splays, people on the other side of the road would lose their parking. “That didn’t go down well so it just died a death.” Cllr Raper said he suspected the real reason for the officers’ refusal was the cost of installing a crossing. He added that much of the cost could be recovered from savings made on not having to employ a lollipop patrol. Cllr Raper said: “A lollipop person only provides a benefit of crossing for three hours of the day. You are getting 21 extra hours of crossing time [with a pedestrian crossing].” Cllr Richardson said he would raise the issue with the county council’s cabinet member for highways, Cllr John Shuttleworth.](https://teesdalemercury.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/georgeR-120x86.jpg)
