Further to the feature about the Indian lunch at The Pines, staff from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Trust have now held a successful Coffee Morning at the Gloucester Centre, Peterborough on 18th January 2005. The hall contained about 10 or 12 stalls, manned mainly by patients helped by staff members, and there was a tea room just off the hall. The idea was that you paid £1 on entry, which would entitle you to tea or coffee and a biscuit, and then browse around the main hall, which included stalls selling bric-a-brac, books, toys and soft furnishings. Hand made craft items were also on sale. There was also a "bonus ball" game, a raffle and further food available, notably home made cakes and Indian vegetable samosas.
Below: Much more efficient than the "caff" on EastEnders, these staff stay at their post and deliver service with a smile - and who pinched the last Bourbon Cream?
Below: Refreshment for the weary, as a couple of stallholders stop for their tea break.
Below: The most important part of the logistics, keeping a steady supply of clean cups, our friend manfully attacks the washing up.
Below: And if you have not eaten enough, or in my case you have brought a doggy bag, some extremely yummy home made cakes on offer:
Below: A closer look at the goodies in the nearest Tupperware boxes in the last photo, Neera and her friends have been up half the night making Indian vegetable samosas for us.
Below: Continuing around the hall, you can try your luck on the Bonus Ball game...
Below: Pick up a present for any imminent birthdays...
Below: Better still, support the work of the patients who have been making craft items for sale...
Below: Lots of unusual and interesting books turn up on stalls like this...
The event was very well attended, with a great variety of goods on sale. It is sure to make a lot of money for the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal. Due credit must be given to the staff at the Gloucester Centre for organising and promoting this event at fairly short notice.
Organiser: Annette Williams.
Photography: Janette Walker.