Inn's festive lunch will support MRI scanner appeal

PEOPLE going to a free annual Christmas buffet and carols are, for the first time, being asked for a donation to help fund a crucial piece of kit for a hospital.
The event at Rokeby Inn, off the A66, has been put on for several years by Newsham farmer John Bainbridge, in conjunction with inn landlords Charles and Lindsey Hall, to put the spirit of Christ back into Christmas.
This year he also wants to raise cash for an MRI scanner at Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital in memory of a woman from the area who died of cancer.
Mr Bainbridge, who is also church warden for Kirby Hill and Dalton, said: “I do it, really, to try to connect the church with people and to proclaim the Christmas message. This is the first year we are asking for donations. They (the hospital) are not that far off the money they need.”
The suggested donation is £5.
Although last year’s event was free, people were generous with donations and Mr Bainbridge said a substantial amount of cash was given to the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute.
The 2015 event was marked by the arrival of new vicar for the area, Revd Antony Kirby, who wowed everyone with his bagpipes.
While the vicar has not had the pipes out since then, he has had his arm twisted into bringing them along again.
Mrs Hall said people would be welcomed to the event on Wednesday, December 14, at 7pm, with a glass of mulled wine.
She added that while the buffet menu had yet to be finalised, people could look forward to dressed salmon, salmon pate, sliced turkey, quiches, chips, coleslaw and tossed salads.
Along with traditional Christmas cake, desserts include trifle and cheesecake.
For more information,
contact the inn on 01833 627334.