Despite being an event for the over-65s, Wanstead’s annual Cakes and Carols brings together residents of all ages, spreading warmth and joy in the community, say organiser Suzi Harnett and volunteer Jude Kent
Living in Wanstead really shows you what being part of a genuine community looks and feels like. From the strength and spirit of all our local, thriving sports clubs, to the street parties, the hugely loved farmers’ market and the juggernaut the Wanstead Fringe and Festival have become, there is constant delight in all this locale puts together.
One of our favourite events of the year is the annual Cakes and Carols celebration. Customarily held on the last Saturday before Christmas, it encompasses everything that is wonderful about this time of year, the spirit of the season, and most of all, the spirit of our community. Its premise is to honour and indulge the older residents living in and around our area, especially reaching out to those who can find themselves alone.
We ask for donations of homemade cakes, biscuits and festive treats, as well as shop-bought for the hard of baking! These sit alongside support from our sponsors, who provide the all-important teas and coffees.
What is showcased here is the willingness of our community to step up and volunteer their services, and it’s that service which is at the heart of what we do here. Our guests are individually welcomed and seated at one of the group tables, where our volunteers then wait on them with hot drinks and selections from all the delicacies on offer. The buzz of conversation and laughter starts to develop, and warmth and positivity fills the hall.
One of the great things to note about our volunteers is that many of them are children and teenagers, either on their own or as part of a whole family helping out together. Last year, a group of youngsters decided to make festive cards for all the guests to take home with them, alongside a generous goody bag.
So, that’s the ‘cakes’, but what about the ‘carols’? These have come in many different guises over the years. We always invite choirs from local primary schools to participate, who are an absolute joy to have with us; we’ve also been blessed by an operatic take on festive songs. This year, we’re looking forward to those beautiful operatic versions again, along with local community choir Ultra Sound. Youngsters are represented by a group from Redbridge Drama Centre and the Elton John of clergymen, The Rocking Rev James, will be on the piano, giving us all a chance to sing along to some classic Christmas favourites.
Whilst all our guests leave with that goody bag, collated by us and financed by our generous sponsors, we mainly wish that one and all will leave with a festive feeling of warmth, a slight sugar rush and joy at being part of one of the greatest suburban communities around.
Cakes and Carols will take place at Wanstead United Reformed Church on 21 December from 1pm to 4pm. For more information, call 07917 670 664
