The lunch is free to all who walk through the church’s doors, and includes a range of soup, cakes and drinks.
‘I thought we should probably do something and use the building because it’s used by people who want warmth, shelter and so on.
‘The church is so central, we get so many people in here at all times of the day, I thought we’d try and expand that throughout the winter months, and we’ll see how it goes,’ said organiser Martin Priest.
At its launch yesterday, the team had almond shortbread, fruit cake and two soups on offer, including minestrone and potato and leek.
The ‘menu’ is expected to vary week to week, and will come down to whatever inspiration strikes the organisers the day before.
Angela Davis, a member of the church’s congregation enjoyed the minestrone soup with a parmesan topping.
‘It was delicious. I think it’s a terrific idea, and everybody is very friendly. If it’s a wet and horrible day, people can come out of the rain and be warm and comfortable,’ she said.
Also present at the launch was retiree Wendy Lane, who first heard about the lunch on Sunday and decided she had to come along. She went for the unusual option of combining both soups in one bowl.
‘I’m quite experimental,’ she said. ‘It worked very well.’
The lunch will be available between 12pm and 2pm every Tuesday until 16 December.
If successful, it will return in early 2026 until the spring.
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