KINGSWOOD Village Association`s 18th senior citizens` New Year`s Eve Lunch has been hailed by its guests as “the best yet”.

Free of charge, the guests, present and former residents of Kingswood, were greeted to the village hall with a choice of sherry or Prosecco as an aperitif to a four-course lunch, much of it courtesy of Waitrose, Chipping Sodbury`s Green Token scheme, washed down with unlimited white or red wines, the kind gift of Accolade Wines, Ria Kendall`s legendary hand-made truffles, finishing with port and cheese. 

All this was put on by KVA`s 2017 fundraising comedy nights, Come Dine With Me, open gardens, show day and wine festival. None of it would have been possible without its sponsors, Leyhill Open Prison, and the Kingswood WI.

If the food and drink were much appreciated, so too were the songs from the shows by mother and daughter Rachel and Charlotte Howgego, who kept the guests enchanted between the courses. The guests played their part by singing along and raising £330 for Kingswood Playgroup and the village defibrillators through a raffle of prizes, sponsored by Renishaw. 

The night was captured by the wildlife photographer, Iain Green, whose photos will be available at the next event.

Over the year, K.V.A.has raised £5,500 for such events and for over a dozen village organisations. It will be delighted to see requests for its donations as well as new members or helpers to make it all happen.

The next event will be a comedy night at the hall on January 26. Tickets £10 are available from Dave Werrett 07970 100304.