Community cafe in Easington marks two years of serving up £1 meals

Eating well... Rev Christopher Wood-Archer joins local residents from Easington Colliery at The Together Cafe in Seaside Lane, along with the team of volunteers who have helped to may the venture a big success.

The Cafe Together project in Easington Colliery sees the club open its doors to all as it brings people together for a lunch in good company.

Based in the hall of the village’s methodist church, off Seaside Lane, it offers people the chance to enjoy a healthy and filling meal for £1, with soup served as a starter.

The sessions also give visitors the chance to seek advice on a host of issues.

A credit union for the area is among those to make visits, with the team in charge helping to point people in the right direction if they need support.

The cafe has also helped teach people how to cook meals and inspire them to try out new foods and recipes at home.

Julie Laidler, who co-ordinates the project, said: “When we started we had about 12 or 13 people, but the other week we had 39 now people are getting to know us.

“We have the local connections, so we go to the grocers who are cheaper than the supermarkets.

“We get people in who are young and old and everyone sits together in a group.

“It’s funded through our own funds, and the £1 goes towards the shopping.

“A lot of people have dropped in things and we’ve had donations.

“It’s all run by community volunteers.

“Some people have been with us from the beginning, but it’s been growing over time.

“People come in because it’s friendly and they can be themselves.”

The second birthday session saw the group hold a party.

The lunches are held from noon each Thursday.-