Our Chairpersons Message

2025 was a very special year. The Victoria Centre celebrated 50 years as a lunch club in Lydney. Events were organised, to say a big THANK YOU, to all the organisations that have supported us over the years and continue to do so. A party for all of our volunteers to say a big THANK YOU to them, for making the Victoria Centre the success that it is today and special events for our diners.

The centre provides between 80 and 100 meals each week for the over 55s and people with disabilities. We have a dedicated team of 20 volunteers who do an amazing job and without them none of what we do would be possible. Carol and Pam (our cook) spend a lot of time planning the menus and ensuring that we provide the best meals, which are all freshly prepared on the day.

Carol (our Manager) works tirelessly to ensure that the Centre runs smoothly, organising fundraising events, raffles and celebrations during the year. Carol also donates a lot of time and effort to the Centre and also many of the decorations. These are used for our events during the year: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Wimbledon fortnight, which always includes strawberries and cream, Remembrance Day and Christmas Day Lunch.

 In 2025 I was able to attend the Christmas Day Lunch which was, as always, very well supported and once again we were able to provide a free meal for all the diners, music and singing with Ed Pruen, who generously gave his time free of charge. This special day is only possible with local support and the many people who give their time Christmas day and on Christmas Eve to prepare the food. It was especially good to hear, first hand, from many of the diners how much they always enjoy the day and how special it is and in particular to those who would otherwise be alone for Christmas.

 We would like to thank our Volunteers, who work so hard throughout the year, Pam, our cook, Carol, our coordinator and all the Trustees. We would also like to thank the many organisations who have supported us this year:  The Coventry Building Society, Forest of Dean District Council, Lydney Town Council, Forest of Dean Lions, Tesco Lydney , Albany Engineering, West Dean Parish Council, Gloucestershire County Council Thriving Communities and Rising Sun Community Hub, without all of their help and generosity a lot of what we have achieved throughout 2025 would not be possible. We are very grateful also to the teams from QTS and Network Rail, who spent a week repairing and painting all our fencing and the erection of a new and much needed storage shed, all of which is a real enhancement to our garden. They worked so hard and were also invited to enjoy a home cooked meal; they said “ It was meals like Mum used to cook”.

Our aim is to provide a comfortable environment for people to meet, socialise, enjoy games, coffee mornings, and other events throughout the year The Victoria Centre also plays a major role in preventing social exclusion, something that is so important in the difficult times that many people continue to face.

As Chairman, I would personally like to thank Carol, Pam, our volunteers and Trustees for their continued hard work and support they all help to make it happen. 

A letter from one of our diners:-

“Many thanks for the delicious meals you serve to the diners throughout the year, special congratulations to the cook. You are all so welcoming, cheerful and kind; this means so much to everyone especially those who live alone. “

Lovely comments from three of our volunteers:-

“At my age memories are usually “All our Yesterdays” The Victoria Centre has created much more.

“The Victoria Centre is my happy place where everyone is made welcome, a hub of friendship, food and fun.

“Volunteering at the Victoria Centre has been a lifeline for me since my husband died, I have made new friends, and it is so nice to be with such a happy go lucky band of workers and diners.

We are ”MORE THAN JUST A LUNCH CLUB.”

Glynis Halling (Chairman)