Lunch is served once again

JUST ADD PEAS: Paddy Tracey at work in the kitchen, long before the first lunch guests arrived.

The annual community lunch at Victoria Valley Hall is one of the big events of the community's calendar, and this year's was especially gratifying for Paddy Tracey, kitchen hand and champion of tradition.

"We used to call it the oldies' lunch but half the people here don't admit to being old so we changed it," Leanne Walker as she prepared huge bowls of fruit salad."

The full menu, for those who weren't there, was spit-roasted mutton and beef, hot glazed ham, roast potatoes, kumara and pumpkin, glazed carrots, cauli and brocolli, home-made stuffing and garlic bread, peas and corn with home-made gravy, followed by Joe Carter's famous chocolate log, (and steamed pudding) meringues, pavlova, cheesecake, fruit salad, steam pudding and custard, icecream and cream horns.

As usual, Paddy said, it was a lovely day.

Fifty-two guests arrived - how many would accept the invitation was always a mystery until everyone was seated - the best turnout for ages.

"They seem to use it as a day to catch up on each other in a relaxed place that reminds them of days gone by," she said.

"We even had three brothers who used to live at the bottom of the gorge. One of them has been before, and comes from Auckland now, I think, but his brothers were from as far away as Tauranga. I think they were staying around the area for a couple of weeks.

"I had to laugh because one took a photo of the dessert table and sent it to his wife. Apparently it was one of the best we have put on, so we must be getting better with practice."

As far as she could tell the annual function began as an 'Over 60s Dinner' in 1990.

"I do remember everyone in the area either cooked a roast (that was provided) or did a vegie dish or their famous dessert. Ormy Edwards was in the first photo I could find, and is still coming; he does love his puddings!" she said.

"Eventually it must have been too much to round everyone up to do their bit, so after a while it was all cooked at the hall. We changed it to the Annual Luncheon a few years ago, as half of them didn't want to admit they were that old. I honestly think our average age would be getting to 80 now, but we are starting to see the next generation coming too."

The organisers were blessed with strong support from members of the community, especially Valley residents, many of whom had well and truly done their bit already. Doreen White got the ball rolling with her contacts and the bush telegraph kicked in after that. Flyers went into the letter boxes of people who were seen as likely acceptors of the invitation, and some just kept their eye on the Northland Age from around early to mid-May.

"We do our best not to forget anyone," she said.

"It has made a difference with Ross Blythe being so well set-up for cooking our meat; he started at 4.30am. We all work together well, which makes a difference, and there's always a good bantering session in the kitchen."

The lunch was the biggest function of the year, and made an important contribution to meeting costs like insurance and maintenance.

Easter, Guy Fawkes and Christmas were also celebrated there, and some casual barbecues were organised. Thought was being given to hosting a mid-winter Christmas this year, as everyone was so busy in December, but energy levels were still being assessed.

"We are only here for a time. There have been many people before us with their vision and energy (especially with the extensions to the hall), and I hope there will be many more people after us," Paddy added.

"It's important that the hall be kept alive and made good use of. We have hired it for weddings, birthdays (60th and 80th mostly), 50th wedding anniversaries and funerals. We are very reluctant to hire it for 21sts though - got our fingers burnt once.

"We really enjoy seeing everyone and doing something for people, and it is so much nicer than when a funeral is on."