HAUGHTON Green showed its spirit as those who faced being lonely at one of the most joyous times of year were given reason to smile.
More than 100 members of the community – double the number in 2018 – got together for an annual afternoon tea organised by the Forever Green Community Group.
And despite concerns over whether the growth in size would affect the quality, once again people came good.
Each year, an afternoon tea is laid on for anyone who is bereaved, lonely, expecting to spend Christmas alone, a carer or cared for person or anyone who wants to socialise and meet new people in Denton South.
The Oasis Venue, Tatton Road, was decorated and everyone was served tea and coffee in china cups and saucers and treated to a feast of seasonal sandwiches, mince pies, Christmas cakes and all manner of Christmas treats from china cake stands.
Entertainment was provided by barbershop quartet The ConChords and music from Dave Dunne.
Forever Green Community Group chairman Cathy Newton said of the December 10 event: “We were totally overwhelmed by the support and help offered to us by members of the community to do this.
“We wanted everyone to take home a small, wrapped gift to open on Christmas morning. Not everyone has anything to open so it meant a lot to us to be able to do this, but with the amount of people doubling, we wondered if it would be do-able.
“We needn’t have worried as members of the community were fantastic and donated lots of gifts so that we had enough for everyone to get one each.”
Local businesses donated raffle prizes, including tea for two from The Village Chippy, two full English breakfasts from Vespa Cafe, a pamper voucher from Cleopatra’s Hairdressers, candle diffuser from Kay at Mello Melts and bottles of prosecco from The Green Funeral Services.
Forever Green also received hampers from Morrisons, Team Denton South councillors and individuals.
Cathy added: “We couldn’t have done it this year without some funding help from the charity Forever Manchester and again for the free venue use of The Oasis Venue from Irwell Valley Homes.
“It was a huge community effort but none of it would’ve happened if it hadn’t been for our fantastic volunteers Julie Doyle, Andrea Roach, Julie Hurley, Tracey Pugh, Skip Newton, Abigail Newton, Donna Turner, Tommy Healey, Beryl Coppock, Janet Heywood and Peter Woodier.”