School hosts Xmas lunch for Chelmsley pensioners

DOZENS of elderly residents have enjoyed a slap-up Christmas dinner at a Chelmsley Wood school.
Post 16 students at the Grace Academy served up the meal to 90 senior citizens from around the local area.
A total of 270 brussel sprouts, 60 carrots and more than 300 potatoes had to be prepared for the traditional dinner of turkey and all the trimmings.
Councillor David Cole (Lab, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) attended the event, which he said helped to break down barriers between the different generations.
"Young people sometimes think that older people have everything but this is really a myth and it doesn’t work that way. There are many elderly people who are living on the bread line.
"The best thing for me at Christmas is to see my grandchildren’s faces on Christmas day, as well as celebrating with my father who is 91 and mother who is 87. They like to see their great grandchildren too."
Year 12 student Charlie Tibbatts, among those who helped prepare and serve the food, said: "I cut my finger carving turkey, but it’s all been worth it!
"It’s such a proud moment when you have done something good for other people at Christmas."
Concerns about the number of elderly people who are likely to spend Christmas Day alone were raised at Full Council earlier this month.
Coun James Burn (Green, Chelmsley Wood) said that the country was facing a loneliness "epidemic".