Pulborough lunch club to get £6k grant for kitchen upgrade

Volunteers from the Pulborough Lunch Club (L-R) May Jupp, Ann Kaiser, Joyce Woods, Gina Spain and Jill Jones
A £6,000 grant from West Sussex County Council will enable them to install a new dishwasher, sink and storage - picture by Dave Boys LRPS, www.whywhatwhere.com — Volunteers from the Pulborough Lunch Club (L-R) May Jupp, Ann Kaiser, Joyce Woods, Gina Spain and Jill Jones A £6,000 grant from West Sussex County Council will enable them to install a new dishwasher, sink and storage - picture by Dave Boys LRPS, www.whywhatwhere.com

Last week the Pulborough Community Care Association found out their grant application submitted last September to West Sussex County Council had been successful.

The club, held at Pulborough Village Hall, is attended by residents from Pulborough, West Chiltington and Nutbourne who enjoy a hot lunch every Wednesday.

The grant will also pay for fitting of the dishwasher, a new sink, taps and storage.

Ann Kaiser, who has run the club for more than 18 months, said: “It’s going to such a help. I’ve been running the club for one and half years now and I thought if we could get something that helps us and other users, it would be wonderful.”

The current machine was fitter about 15 years ago and is not suitable for the current demands on the hall.

Ann explained: “That machine has done very well. We wanted one which passes through, which doesn’t involved people lifting things in and out.

“We have 56 people come every week - 70, 80, 90 year olds. We do a home made soup, bread rolls and cheese and three different people make a pudding every week.

“Then we have tea and coffee. Once a month we have a cooked meal.

“You can imagine the washing up when you have 50-60 people. I have a wonderful team of volunteers. It will make so much easier.”

The village hall is also used for wedding receptions, conferences and other events.

Hall manager Denise Newson said: “The Trustees and staff of Pulborough Village Hall are delighted to hear that funding has been agreed for the new dishwasher. This will make a huge difference to the hirers of the hall, especially the larger groups who were struggling with the existing machine.

“We hope that the better facilities will encourage more events, such as weddings where an efficient dishwashing system is essential to the smooth running of the occasion.

“The new machine includes new sinks, work tables and some storage, so we are able to upgrade and modernise a whole section of the kitchen.”

For more information about the lunch club call Ann on 01798 872819 or go to www.pcclub.org.uk/pdcca/lunchclub.

To find out more about activities at the village hall call Denise on 01798 874647.