Volunteer groups in Pewsey have joined forces to make sure everyone in need can get a turkey dinner this Christmas

There were fears of a turkey shortage after one supplier sent all its birds to another group - leaving a shortfall for thirty three people on the books of the Pewsey Community Coronavirus Assistance group.

But the team who usually do the annual cook up at Bouverie Hall saved the day, having collected enough donated cash to buy enough turkey for everyone.

In return, the PCCA set up this year during lockdown, will now drive and deliver the meals - cooked by the team of people behind the Bouverie Hall festive lunch.

“It is all very different this year,” said Nigel Lihou, who has done the annual sit-down Christmas dinner with his colleague Rob King at the Bouverie hall for the past five years.

“No one can come here for their Christmas dinner this year, so it is great that we can do all the cooking and the PCCA can get everyone’s meals out to them.

“We heard that the PCCA was looking for some turkey,” said Nigel, also a local butcher. “But we have 26 kg of turkey breast meat in the fridge, so we have plenty for everyone.”

He said cash donations from Cossor’s shop and vouchers from Waitrose coupled with fund raiser Brian Hollands’ efforts mean they can easily front the 70 or so covers.

“The sadness of it all is that so many of our very elderly residents won’t get out this year. One 96 year old we had in even got a bit too refreshed last year. It is such a shame for them.”

But their is a silver lining, as Phil Brady of the PCCA explained: “We have about 15 drivers on hand to deliver the food.

“They can hopefully spend a bit of time at the doorstep of those they are delivering too, for a bit of company.

“We will also be delivering gift wrapped presents with the meals. These are all donated gifts, and we could really do with some more. they are given out usually at the sit down dinner, but this year we can’t do that.

“If anyone can spare a goft wrapped present to donate that would be great. They can drop them to us at the scout hut. We will be there every morning this week.”

The Little Lunch Box cafe are also putting out a call for any surplus Christmas food.

“If people have bought too much stuff, and want to donate, we will be redistributing this to people who need it between Christmas and New Year,” said Lisa Brindley.

The cafe, at the centre of the village, has also co ordinated more than 200 gifts donated to vulnerable families.

The effort was made under the Cause for Christmas.

“We have given 30 hampers to the primary school, and the Pewsey Vale secondary school said they had enough food from the food banks but wanted to give the vulnerable children a gift as well.

“We had a list of the ages of the school kids, and who they lived with, and have managed to get enough gifts donated to wrap a present for the children, and include a present for them to wrap up and give too,” she added.

“We are also wrapping presents for Meadow Court who will get a gift and a box of chocolates.

“The community have enable so many people to have a better Christmas and the response has been amazing.

“What this pandemic has done is made us realise how many vulnerable people there are, and it has been great to see the community get together to help them.”