Asda surprises community group with Christmas lunch

Christmas came early for whg customers in Darlaston when they were surprised with a three course festive dinner.

Asda Small Heath community champion Tracey Collins stepped in to spread Christmas cheer to members of WASPS (Wiley Avenue South People’s group) by upgrading their kitchen facilities and then throwing a three-course meal.

Thirty-six members, aged from 70 to 92, thought they were having a cold Christmas buffet when they arrived at whg’s Community Centre in Wiley Avenue. Margaret Sadler, who’s secretary/treasurer of the group, said they were all delighted when they realised that Tracey had other ideas.

She added: “Welcoming us in were carol singers all dressed in Victorian costume. It was all decorated inside with balloons and Christmas trees. It was amazing! All they thought they were getting was a cold Christmas lunch – and I couldn’t tell them as it was all a secret.

“We had a lovely three-course meal prepared by outside caterers – and the Christmas pudding was beautiful, I’ve never tasted one as nice. After our meal we were entertained by a crooner.”

“Our members love it here. It’s a nice place where they can come and be warm and socialise. We do bingo twice a week and a social evening once a month and now we have all these lovely facilities in the kitchen we are going to start doing a coffee morning in the New Year.”

Tracey said: “When the guests came in they were so surprised as they thought they were just going to have a cold buffet rather than a sit-down Christmas meal. It was lovely to sit and chat with them all too. It was an amazing day.

“They were all over the moon at the new kitchen too as it will make such a massive, massive difference to them. It’s a really warm place where the elderly can come and now have hot food rather than just a sandwich and a snack.”

whg’s Neighbourhoods Manager Ranjit Kaur said: “We closed our community room at the start of the pandemic to keep our customers safe, so it was great to be able to relaunch the centre and restart activities with the support of Asda. Building a stronger community happens when people come together.  We know many of our customers really value the opportunity to get together with their neighbours and it was lovely to see so many people reconnecting with their neighbours and celebrating the festive season.

“We’re looking forward to continuing this momentum at the centre with a number of events planned in the New Year to engage with our customers and work with them to create thriving communities.”