Fenland: 147 guests celebrate 2nd anniversary of village coffee mornings

It was all hands-on deck on Tuesday as an amazing 147 people turned out to celebrate the 2^nd anniversary of a weekly coffee at a village hall. All the more spectacular since when it began just six to eight attended but over the weeks and months that followed, villagers flocked to the social event.

The coffee morning is held on Tuesdays at Walsoken Village Hall near Wisbech and on its 2^nd anniversary guests welcomed Dr Bharatkumar Khetani, the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, who shares the same values as the coffee morning organisers “communities come first”.

It was initially the brainchild of Olivia O’Neill, originally called Walsoken Community Action Group, later becoming Walsoken Village Hall Community Coffee Morning.

On Tuesday there was a free prize draw ticket for everyone who signed in, music by the ever-popular Roy McManus, a selection of fruit pies from Gagens, apples from PK Goodale and son, Kesh’s Shop & Save for milk, and some tasty sausage rolls by a volunteer who was up at 5.30am baking.

There were also cakes provided by the guests and a special birthday cake from Teresa Dent.

Two officers from the Fenland local policing team also popped by and a woman, described as “our little mascot” Julie Bush from Tesco arrived with a bag of goodies.

The high sheriff had the honour of cutting the special birthday cake before touring the hall and speaking to many of the guests.

One volunteer said: “Today was about celebrating all of our wonderful guests, and most importantly celebrating all our loyal volunteers, so a special thank you, I think that’s about it for today, next week back to some normality.”

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The coffee mornings regularly attract between 80-100 and often beyond every Tuesday.

Walsoken Village Hall Community Coffee Morning was well and truly established last year winning the Pride Of Fenland Award.

The coffee morning is completely self-funded and is generously supported by local businesses.

They believe their route to success has been their team of dedicated volunteers, without them this would have never been possible, they are proud to say that they haven’t lost a volunteer and indeed the numbers have grown.

In the last two years, they have created a safe warm hub that everyone is welcome to enjoy as they are an all-inclusive venue free from any outside influences, their aim is to continue to provide all of their services, free of charge for as long as they are needed, check them on their Facebook page, Walsoken Village Hall 2021 to see exactly what they are all about.

A Fenland police post on Facebook said: “We were pleased to join the Walsoken Village Hall coffee morning today to meet local residents.

“It’s much easier discussing local concerns over tea and cake.”

“We will be working to address some of the issues raised today over the coming weeks.