Thatcham Church reintroduces coffee mornings for first time since lockdown

A church in Thatcham has reintroduced its long-established coffee mornings for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown came into effect.

The event takes place weekly at the United Reformed Church but had a sudden unprecedented stop in March 2020.

A place where residents, many elderly members, could socialise and remain active in the community was empty, for the longest period that it had ever been – but it’s soon to return.

Minister John Lee has announced that the Tuesday morning meets will be back this March, every day from 10am to noon in the hall next to the Church.

He said: “It’s been going for about 30 years, started by previous members of the church.

“There are regulars who come down and have done for many years, it is for people to bring their friends and get together in a safe and warm environment.

“It is a good place for people to come along. It means a lot to people.”

He said that many people miss the church and look forward to events coming back to the premises, adding: “Some people who are friends of the church may not come on Sundays but they’ll come on Tuesday. They look forward to when it starts up again.”

Mr Lee noted that churches have been particularly cautious in reintroducing events, but believes that it should now be safe enough to return – though there will still be some members who will be nervous to attend.

He said that, upon return, attendees can remember those who have been lost to the pandemic,

Mr Lee said: “Sadly, a few people have been lost to Covid or other serious health issues, which were delayed because of Covid. I think four to five people that were regulars have since passed away. It'll be interesting to hear how people will react to that.”

The coffee morning will officially return on Tuesday, March 1.