Singing for our Supper

This is an update from our CEO Lucy Buck, who had the honour of hosting two of our local district councillors at Wednesday Supper Club in August.

Supper Club has now been running for more than three years. Even at the very first one we had over thirty people come along. Since then it has become one of the most loved parts of Good Company. We now run two Supper Clubs. The Monday group meets once a month at the Artful Grocers in Wadhurst. It is a cosy evening of hot food and familiar songs. The Wednesday group meets once a month at the Blue Anchor in Crowborough. It is known for fish and chips, karaoke, quizzes and plenty of laughter.

This August our Wednesday Supper Club welcomed special guests. We were joined by Councillors Jessika Hulbert and Martyn Everett from Wealden District Council. Neither of them had seen Good Company before and both were blown away by the atmosphere.

It was karaoke night with Paul on piano and Clive on guitar. Jessika had only just walked through the door when she was invited up to the mic. She sang with me before she had even sat down, which set the tone for the whole evening. From that moment the room was alive.

There were so many highlights. One of our members found the confidence to sing karaoke for the very first time in her 86 years. Another long-standing member is moving away and was given a beautiful send off with song, photos of our time spent together enjoying good company, and plenty of tears and smiles. We also celebrated a 98th birthday, complete with a full room singing happy birthday and a performance from the birthday guest herself.

What was really magical was that the spirit of Supper Club spread through the whole pub. People who were having a drink or a meal next door came over to see what was happening. Before long they were picking up the mic and joining in too. Everyone became part of it. That is what Good Company is all about. It felt so natural, everyone together in the same space, sharing food and music and making sure life feels normal, just as it should be.

Martyn enjoyed fish and chips and a pint with some of the men, while Jessika joined in with the singing and the fun. Both of them told us afterwards how much they had loved being part of it, and we were thrilled to receive £5,000 from Wealden District Council Councillor Ward Budgets scheme to help us fund Supper Clubs, Lunch Clubs and Snooker Clubs in St Johns Ward in Crowborough.

For me, it showed once again how important it is to invite decision makers along. You can tell people about Good Company, but when they walk into a room like that and see the joy for themselves, it makes all the difference.

Supper Club is food, music, laughter and friendship rolled into one. When you put all of that together you get something truly special.