‘A wonderful day for people who would be on their own’

Dozens of people, many of whom might otherwise have been alone on Thursday, enjoyed a carol service, traditional Christmas Day lunch and entertainment at The Fortress at Le Picquerel, before watching the King’s speech, and leaving with a generous parcel of gifts.

They tucked into a meal of vegetable soup or melon, followed by roast turkey with all the trimmings cooked for the first time by corps Sergeant Major Roy Romeril, and then Christmas pudding or pavlova, but the companionship was as important as the food.

Corrine Joy was delighted to be there for the first time, with her friend Jenny Richmond, who was enjoying the event for what she believed was the 42nd year.

‘It was Jenny who suggested that I should come along this year, and I am enjoying it very much,’ she said.

‘A lot of us would be on our own if we weren’t here, and we’re fortunate to be together enjoying a nice day.’

Mrs Richmond, who for many years attended the event at Clifton, was always pleased to recommend it to friends.

‘I often bring someone here on Christmas Day and today Corrine is my passenger,’ she said.

‘I was here yesterday to help prepare the vegetables, and soon I shall go to Rodley Park to take some food there, before coming back here to finish my meal.’

After enjoying the food and company, she was also looking forward to returning home in the evening to feed her cats and watch some television.

Each table of seven included a host, many of whom were well-known faces in the community, such as former deputies Jenny Tasker, who was pleased to return after a couple of years when she could not attend, Lester Queripel, who was there for the 15th consecutive year, and Lord Digby Jones, who was volunteering with his wife, Pat, for the first time.

‘It is a wonderful day for people who would be on their own. There are so many happy faces. I always love it every year,’ said Mr Queripel.

‘At the end, everyone gets a bag of goodies, like tuna, salmon, cake and biscuits, which is also wonderful.’

Lord Digby said he and his wife were often out of the island at Christmas, but since they were around this year they had offered to assist.

They collected several guests on their way to the event and Lord Digby had also agreed to say a few words after the meal.

‘We just thought it would be lovely to come and help support an event which prevents people being lonely on Christmas Day, and we are thoroughly enjoying it,’ he said.

‘As a host of a table, it’s about listening, talking and providing company to people who all have their stories and want to tell them. But this is the easy part – the organisers have got to run it with almost military precision, and they do a great job, with a real can-do attitude.’

n See Monday’s Press for an interview with Salvation Army chef Roy Romeril.