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Villagers in Coxheath enjoy a stay-at-home afternoon tea

If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.

That was the thinking behind a grand Coxheath village bake idea at the weekend.

Just some of the items baked for the Coxheath afternoon tea
Just some of the items baked for the Coxheath afternoon tea

Lottie Parfitt-Reid explained: "There was a group of us called the Village Virus Volunteers who did what we could to help during the first lockdown, organising shopping trips for the house-bounds, collecting prescriptions and so on.

"With the prospect of the second lockdown and the possibility of restrictions carrying on till Christmas, we became concerned that people would begin to feel lonely and isolated, as once again they were unable to meet up.

"It seemed that many events such as Christmas lunches for the elderly would be cancelled, so one of our number, Edna Dennison, had the idea of preparing a Great Big Stay At Home Afternoon Tea Party - and taking it round to people's homes."

And that is what happened.

A Facebook appeal found no end of residents ready to bake something for the village tea - others donated money.

Sylvia Davies enjoys receiving her Coxheath afternoon tea
Sylvia Davies enjoys receiving her Coxheath afternoon tea

Then on Saturday, all the food was collected together, wrapped up with a ribbon in a box and distributed by a team of volunteers - observing social distancing - to the homes of the elderly and vulnerable people across Coxheath and Hunton.

Added to the goodies was a Christmas cracker and a card from the children at Coxheath Pre-school.

Mrs Parfitt-Reid, who represents the area on Maidstone council, said: "We had cheese straws, sausage rolls, biscuits, cakes, quiches, muffins, cup cakes, doughnuts - the response was amazing!

"And people were so delighted to receive their box!"

Kathy Smith preparing a delivery
Kathy Smith preparing a delivery

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Kathy Smith preparing a delivery
Kathy Smith preparing a delivery
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