Councillors host Alternative Oyster Feast in Greenstead

While the great and the good gathered in Dedham for the annual Oyster Feast, on the other side of the city people were gathering at the Greenstead Social Club to enjoy an afternoon of bingo.

The alternative version of the Oyster Feast has not been running quite as long as the traditional Oyster Feast, which has its origins in the early days of King Edward VII (or the 1840s, for those who know their history).

But for many, the alternative oyster feast, which has run since 1985, is just as important.

Councillor for Berechurch and Shrub End Ward, Dave Harris and councillor for Greenstead ward, Elizabeth Alake-Akinyemi put on a day of entertainment alongside their team of helpers to bring together elderly residents and have some fun.

Residents were treated to some fish and chips and a bar tab, as they took part in activities such as bingo and a raffle and a singer performing.

Together - plenty came down to attend the Alternative Oyster Feast (Image: Credited) Mr Harris said: “It puts a big smile on my face to see all these people from the community coming together to join us.

“Sadly over the years we lose members who attend.

“One part of the day is, I’ll find the oldest people in the room and give out a bottle of wine to the oldest man and oldest woman.

“We have a game of bingo and we host a raffle where everybody gets a prize.”

National president of the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), Ronald Douglas, 90, was also in attendance.

Representative - Ronald Douglas, 90, of the National Pensioners Convention (Image: Credited) He said: “I think it's very important, I've been a national president of the NPC for some 40 years ago.

“Numbers have declined, when we first started, we saw about 100 groups and now it’s down to 70.

“Covid wasn’t the best thing as it put a lot of people off coming out to meet others.”

The money for the alternative Oyster Feast is raised through charitable donations throughout the year.