On Thursday 25th September, Make It Market Drayton hosted a very special afternoon tea to celebrate and thank the wonderful volunteers who give their time to support local charities, community groups and initiatives.
More than 50 volunteers gathered in the welcoming Parish Rooms at St Mary’s Church, a delightful venue to host an afternoon tea. The event was funded by Market Drayton Town Council as part of the Make It Market Drayton programme, showing their commitment to recognising and supporting the people who make such a difference to our town.
Guests were treated to freshly baked scones, a delicious spread of handmade cakes, and of course – some gingerbread men! These were added to the menu as a nod to Market Drayton’s famous gingerbread heritage and to tie in with the Ginger & Spice Festival, of which the tea party was an official event. Plenty of tea was poured, conversations flowed easily, and the room was filled with warmth and community spirit.
The afternoon began with a welcome from Mayor Cllr Tim Manton, who thanked volunteers for the incredible contribution they make to local life.
The programme continued with guest speaker Claire Louise Chapman, who gave an inspiring talk on the importance of social value, sharing practical advice and tips for community groups on measuring impact and writing successful funding bids. Her session gave volunteers and group leaders tools to strengthen their projects and ensure their work can continue to thrive.
Helen McCabe from Make It Market Drayton then took the opportunity to highlight how local charities and community groups can get involved with the Make It Market Drayton platforms – from creating profiles to promote their work, to sharing their events and news on social media. This is vital because by working together and raising awareness, we can make sure residents know about the amazing opportunities, services and support available in our town. Promoting these initiatives not only strengthens community spirit but also helps attract new volunteers, funding and partnerships.
Volunteers also heard about the exciting launch of a new Make It Market Drayton podcast series later this year, where they will have the chance to feature and share more about their work and stories.
To round off the afternoon, groups were invited to share their own experiences, projects, and future plans. Among those represented were Community Resource, Canal Trust Volunteers, Men in Sheds, Enable, and Baby Bank – to name just a few.
A recurring theme throughout these conversations was the importance of simply getting people together. There was also strong interest in exploring the idea of hosting a Volunteers Fair in the future – a wonderful opportunity for residents to learn more about the wide range of volunteering opportunities in and around Market Drayton.
The afternoon tea was not just about tea and cake – it was about celebrating the people at the heart of our town, recognising the difference they make, and strengthening the connections that will keep Market Drayton thriving for years to come.
You can view photographs from the event here:
no images were found
