SPECIAL AFTERNOON TEA DELIVERY ENSURES VISION IMPAIRED PEOPLE CAN CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE

Vision impaired people in Norfolk who find it difficult to get out are being given the chance to celebrate the Jubilee with a sumptuous afternoon tea – thanks to a special delivery from the county’s sight loss charity Vision Norfolk.

Staff and volunteers from the charity are delivering dozens of boxes containing sandwiches, savouries, scones and cakes this week to people living with sight loss right across the county.

The special deliveries are designed to ensure that even those who cannot get out to celebration events due to their sight loss can still share in the festivities.

“With Her Majesty the Queen being our Patron, we are holding a number of celebrations this week, including special afternoon tea events for clients and volunteers at our three community hubs in King’s Lynn, Norwich and Great Yarmouth – but we wanted to ensure that those who find it difficult to get out of their homes didn’t miss out,” said Andrew Morter, Vision Norfolk chief executive.

“Some of our staff said that if people couldn’t come to us for tea, then we should take it to them, and the idea has snowballed from there.

“The Jubilee is a truly national holiday, and we wanted to ensure that as many vision impaired people as possible were able to join in the celebrations.”

The afternoon tea boxes include four different types of sandwiches; savouries including a sausage roll, cheese scone and vegetarian quiche; a fruit scone with jam and clotted cream; lemon posset and shortbread, a chocolate and raspberry brownie, a strawberry and blueberry meringue, and a Jubilee cupcake.

One of the first recipients of the afternoon tea delivery service was 86 year-old Flora Hamill, who lives in Norwich – who remembers watching King George VI’s coffin leaving Sandringham for London in 1952.

“I am a real supporter of the Queen, I think she has tremendous values and sets a wonderful example,” said Mrs Hamill, who worked as a warden and cook at Vision Norfolk’s Thomas Tawell House care home many years ago.

“I was 16 and at school in King’s Lynn when the old king died.  I remember going to Sandringham to watch his coffin leave for London, and seeing the Queen and Prince Philip in a carriage.

“I will certainly be watching the celebrations – I love the pomp and ceremony, and the Trooping of the Colour.  But getting out is more difficult these days, so it’s wonderful to have such a lovely tea delivered to my home.  I will be sharing it with my friend as we watch the celebrations on TV.”

After years of restricted sight, Mrs Hamill is now recovering from cataract operations, which she says has restored her vision remarkably.