Colleges to serve up Coronation lunch and afternoon tea for communities
Fourteen colleges from around the West Midlands and wider Midlands area will be serving up a Big Lunch or Afternoon Tea for special guests from their community.
College students are inviting people who might struggle joining in a later weekend celebration to the events on May 3, 4 and 5. These include the elderly, homeless, carers, volunteers and some younger children.
It is anticipated that over 1,000 people will be served celebration menus created by a variety of students including those on catering, hospitality, graphics and tourism courses.
The colleges are going the extra mile with decorations, entertainment, building a bench with a plaque and planting a coronation border with local children.
Dawn Ward CBE DL (pictured), who is leading the initiative from the West Midlands Lieutenancy and is chief executive of Burton & South Derbyshire College, said: “Colleges are central pillars of their local communities who collectively serve hundreds and thousands of learners annually, whilst also having excellent relationships with many public, private and third sector organisations.
“This Big Lunch will see our West Midlands Colleges commemorate the Coronation and its significance by celebrating with those individuals and institutions they work so effectively with. ”
The project is being endorsed by the West Midlands Lieutenancy that has developed links with schools and further education across the region and will be attending some of the planned events.
Sir John Crabtree OBE, Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands said: “The colleges are a great example of the outstanding community spirit we are seeing across the region and how young people are making such a positive difference to others. It is heartwarming to know that so many are doing wonderful events and including those that might not be in a position to take part in other Coronation activities. Well done colleges! ”
The colleges taking part include:
Birmingham Metropolitan College -guests include St Basil 's, YMCA, Elderly at Matthew Boulton, Sutton Coldfield College, James Watt College . Contact Kay.Burton-Williams@bmet.ac.uk
Burton and South Derbyshire College will be serving Afternoon Tea in the Mulberry Bistro and Restaurant from 12:15pm to 2:30pm to community volunteer groups. Contact Ryan.halford@bsdc.ac.uk
Coventry College will be serving Afternoon Tea for the homeless from 1:30pm Contact Gemma Knott at gknott@coventrycollege.ac.uk
Dudley College will be serving Afternoon Tea at the Broadway Campus for elderly, carers and volunteers. Contact Kathryn Jones at kathryn.jones@dudley.ac.Uk
Halesowen College are preparing afternoon Tea for the elderly at the Bistro from 2pm. Contact Jacquie Carman on jcarman@halesowen.ac.uk
Sandwell College will be recreating a street party on Friday 5 May. Contact michelle.king@sandwell.ac.uk or angela.tombs@sandwell.ac.uk
Solihull College and University Centre are inviting elderly and young children to their Stratford Campus. Contact Rebecca.gater@solihill.ac.uk
South and City Birmingham College will be serving Afternoon Tea on fives campuses in Bordesley Green, Handsworth, Bournville, Digbeth and Hall Green. Contact kevin.herbert@sccb.ac.uk and mandy.kendrick@sccb.ac.uk
South Staffordshire College are serving Afternoon Tea for the elderly on Thursday 4 May at their Perrycroft Restaurant in Tamworth and are making a bench with an engraved plaque to donate to a local care home. Contact Karen.turley@southstaffs.ac.uk
Walsall College are organising a day of crafts and Afternoon Tea for the elderly at The Hub.
Contact Jo Thomas on jthomas@walsallcollege.ac.uk
Please contact the colleges direct for further details on their events and the West Midlands Lieutenancy on visits and Coronation activities in the region
West Midlands Lieutenancy contacts are:
Julia Willoughby email julia@wpragency.co.uk or 07739403951
David Clarke email david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk or 07808 735255
Christine Arthur email christine.arthur@mccann.com or 07875 200474