Emmaus Mossley welcomed HRH The Duchess of Cornwall for a special celebration to mark its 25th anniversary.
On Tuesday 3 May, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of Emmaus UK, visited Emmaus Mossley for a Big Jubilee Lunch and tour of the social enterprise. The visit was part of Emmaus Mossley’s 25th anniversary celebrations and to build excitement for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend this June.
The Duchess was met and hosted by Gary Barton, one of 26 companions who live and work at Emmaus Mossley. He said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to my home for this special Big Jubilee Lunch. For all companions, volunteers and everyone involved at Emmaus Mossley, this day is a very proud moment and a fitting tribute to everyone who has supported our charity over the past 25 years.
“Everyone had a fantastic day. I showed Her Royal Highness around the Emmaus Mossley Secondhand Superstore and introduced her to fellow companions and volunteers. As Patron of Emmaus, she has met many companions and it was great that she took the time to attend this Big Jubilee Lunch to help us celebrate our 25th anniversary.”
Her Royal Highness met volunteers and companions who were reupholstering donated chairs and recycling fabric to make bunting in preparation for a second Big Jubilee Lunch at Emmaus Mossley, planned for Wednesday 1 June. A tour of the charity’s large bric-a-brac room highlighted a low-cost treasure trove of crockery and materials perfect for Big Lunch events.
Celebrations this June
Welcoming Her Royal Highness to The Big Jubilee Lunch at Emmaus with giant puppets, music and dancing, were local performers from Global Grooves. With around 250 people from across the Manchester area, Global Grooves are preparing to perform as part of the Platinum Pageant in central London on Sunday 5 June, passing by Buckingham Palace.
The Big Lunch, invites people to come together across the UK to celebrate and get to know their neighbours and communities better on the first weekend in June. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has been Patron since 2012 and supports The Big Jubilee Lunch as an official part of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this summer.
Peter Stewart, Executive Director of the Eden Project in Cornwall, home of The Big Lunch idea, said: “Today celebrates everything The Big Jubilee Lunch is about; people, community, connection – an opportunity to give back with a lovely sense of relaxed occasion. It’s a privilege to meet the companions here at Emmaus and wonderful to see our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall enjoying one of our very first Big Jubilee Lunches this year.
Now it’s time for the rest of the country to get planning as we invite the nation to join in the fun on 2-5 June in this very momentous year.”
Across the country communities are gearing up for their #BigJubileeLunch to celebrate the Queen's #PlatinumJubilee 🥳@MichAckerley went to see how plans are coming along at @emmausmossley and got a surprise visit from the Duchess of Cornwall!@edencommunities @ClarenceHouse pic.twitter.com/ICBQaNPMig
— BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) May 3, 2022
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