Christmas cheer incoming to North East
Jan Rainbow, Sandra Mountney and Jo Kerr are preparing to welcome community members to the free Christmas lunch at Northbourne on Christmas Day.
December 4, 2024
The puddings have been made and the turkey ordered as the Scottsdale and Bridport Uniting Churches prepare for a free community Christmas Day lunch.
The church’s Sandra Mountney said that a team of volunteers including Jan Rainbow and Joanne Kerr have combined to bring back the initiative.
“Vicki Knight started it in the early 2000s when she was the coordinator at Dorset House, but it hasn’t happened as a free event since 2018,” Mrs Mountney said.
“The Church decided to do something for our community and Jan and Jo do a lot of catering and volunteering and they have stepped up to cook with a team of five in the kitchen.
“It will be a special occasion with anyone welcome. Especially for those who don’t have families around them - we don’t want them to spend Christmas alone.
“Our area is just amazing, so many people have come out of the woodwork to donate to make sure it’s a free lunch.”
With traditional Christmas fare including roast chicken and turkey, ham, new potatoes, baked pumpkin, honey carrots, mint peas and gravy it will be a feast topped off with lots of desserts including Lucille’s famous plum pudding and custard.
The Mountney family will be performing at the luncheon which will be held at Northbourne Hall from 12 noon.
RSVP by December 10 to Jan on 0417 644 864 or Joanne on 0428 328 510.
There are a host of other festivities being held in the lead up to Christmas.
• Late Night Shopping will feature local businesses in Scottsdale with a Christmas market at the Mechanics’ Institute Hall this Friday, with the McCallum family singing on the lawns of the Uniting Church from 6pm.
• The free Rotary Dorset Christmas celebration will be held at Scottsdalele Recreation Ground this Sunday from 11am -2pm with food and entertainment.
• Lilydale will host its Christmas Carols this Sunday, December 8 at Lilydale Bowls Club from 3pm-6pm with facepainting, a visit from Santa and performances by local musicians and school children.
• Springfield Carols will be held hosted by Friends of St Paul’s at Springfield Hall from 7pm pm Saturday, December 14 with special guest artists and music by Kell Cutler with a visit from Santa and a shared country-style supper.
• Scottsdale Community Carols will be held on Sunday, December 15 at Scottsdale Primary School Hall from 5pm featuring the songs of Christmas performed by the Scottsdale Choir with guest solo artists as well as children’s Nativity and performance by the Dorset Line Dancers. The evening will include a free barbecue.
• If you are seaside that evening, Bridport Lions Club is also holding its annual Carols by the Sea on December 15. The event starts at 4pm with a visit from Santa followed by carols from 5pm on the Village Green. Food and soft drink will be available to purchase.
• The annual Derby Twilight Christmas Market will be held on Friday, December 13 from 4-7pm. A wide variety of stalls will be on offer alongside live music. Free entry at the Derby Town Hall.
• North-Eastern Netball Association is presenting the Winnaleah Christmas Market at the Rec Ground on Sunday, December 15, 10am-2pm.
• Weymouth Fire Brigade will host a Christmas lolly run on Sunday, December 15. Santa will spread his sugary treats from Weymouth Hall at 10am, Tam O’Shanter Golf Club at 11am and Lulworth Community Shed at 12.
• After a successful Christmas in July gathering, Branxholm Events Committee is bringing back the festive cheer with a free, family-friendly event to celebrate the holiday season. Christmas in Branxholm will include live Christmas carols and a festive movie screening on the lawn at the Recreation Ground. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting future community events in 2025. The evening of holiday cheer will be held on Saturday, December 21 from 5pm.
• Santa will also be hitting the Main Street of Bridport on Christmas Eve throwing lollies from the Bridport Fire Brigade truck from 4.30pm - 6.30pm.