One of the “traditions” in Rushcliffe, is that the Mayor visits the Friary Drop-in Centre in West Bridgford on Christmas Day to help serve Christmas lunch, prepared and provided by the volunteers.
Rushcliffe deputy mayor Cllr Richard Butler said:
‘As Deputy Mayor, I visited The Friary, and what an experience. Over 40 guests attending aged from in their 20s to 70s.
‘Yes, some had done things that they shouldn’t have in their past, and others have served for their country, run businesses but things went wrong for them.
‘Some had a home but no family. I spoke to everyone who was happy to chat.
‘There was little in the way of “bitterness”, even from those who had their worldly goods with them in their rucksacks ready to head back to their tents on a sunny but very cold day.
‘They insisted on taking a photo. I loaned my phone to someone who had never used one before to take a photo. Truly humbling. And the work that is done by the staff and volunteers here is, quite rightly, recognised.’
