3 days ago
'Big Table volunteers feed the spirit as well as the body'
The selfless efforts of a group of volunteers who combine their efforts to provide a weekly community lunch have been praised for their "spirit of welcome and inclusion".The Big Table initiative was set up at Cathedral Isle of Man, in Peel, almost a decade ago, offering a three-course meal for no set June, the team behind the project became the first recipients of the inaugural cathedral volunteer of the year server Carol Fox said: "We come every Monday, to not only feed the body, but feed the spirit and enjoy each other's company."
The award was presented to those involved in the project by Anna Pitt, executive director for the Association of English Cathedrals, earlier this said the judges "couldn't ignore" the Isle of Man's nomination, adding they were "so impressed by the work that they're doing" they had wanted to see it first-hand."When we had all the nominations through, what we saw was hundreds and hundreds of accumulated volunteer hours that were being given across the year," she said."These awards are our opportunity to really acknowledge that volunteers in churches and cathedrals are the lifeblood that keep the doors open, and keep that spirit of welcome in these places."
Held in Corrin Hall in the cathedral grounds every Monday, the ethos of The Big Table project is one of is welcome to join in, and is asked to pay only what they feel they can Dean the Very Reverend Nigel Godfrey said the policy ensured the lunches attracted "a huge variety of different people".He said poverty on the Isle of Man was "sometimes very hidden", and the nature of the project meant it could support those in need of assistance, while also allowing other members of the community to help with funding to keep the lunches going."There are people here who might be in dire need, and other people who are quite well off, so it's a mix," he explained.
Peter Girdler said he had become involved after attending the lunches following the death of his recalled offering to help on one occasion after being told they were "a little short-staffed", and has now become part of the close-knit team in the said: "We all know what we're doing - it's a very small in the kitchen, and there's quite a bit of work involved."I was going to say it keeps me out of mischief, but no, it doesn't – it keeps me in it!"At the helm in the kitchen is Fenella Costain, who draws up the menu each week, ensuring a wide variety of meals are served throughout the not a trained chef, she said, "I do like cooking and I love good food, and it's just grown from there".Receiving the award was a real achievement given the scope of the competition, she added."The fact that it's a national award for all the cathedrals in the UK - I think it's absolutely incredible that our little Big Table in the little Isle of Man has won an award out of every cathedral in the UK. "It's fantastic!"
Chef Costain's delight at the award is echoed by fellow volunteer David Eastaff, who said the whole team was "very proud"."It's a lovely community," he said."It's just a wonderful thing that we do, I thoroughly enjoy it. And people keep coming back."Jackie Hughes, who has been involved for several years, and has the task of taking the orders each week, said there was a place for everyone in the team."Because of my hips I can't get round the tables like everyone else, but I enjoy doing it - we all club together," she said.
Ms Fox, who got involved after attending one of the TT breakfasts held in the project's early days, said it "always felt like this was more than just a place to volunteer"."You could just volunteer any place and do a task - this is more than a task, this is coming and feeding the spirit as well as the body, and be in company and be in the presence of care for one another," she said."People do care about one another and that's the important thing."
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
