Barton residents tuck into a bumper breakfast (From Oxford Mail)

Barton residents tuck into a bumper breakfast

4:55pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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A BUMPER breakfast was the perfect wake-up call for dozens of Oxford residents.

More than 50 people gathered in the Neighbourhood Centre, in Underhill Circus, Barton, on Saturday for a traditional English fry-up.

For a small donation, everyone who dropped by was given eggs, bacon, beans, toast and hash browns, washed down with tea or coffee.

Cereals, muffins and juices were also on offer to latecomers who had missed the hot option at the centre’s community cafe, Eatwells.

Manager Lynn Grandi, 48, said: “We had between 40 and 50 people through the doors, including a lot of families.

“It was a really good way to start the weekend and it was a good thing for the cafe to be involved in.

“It was satisfying to know people had walked away with a bit of sustenance.”

The breakfast was followed by songs and prayers led by congregation and ministers from St Mary’s Church in Bayswater Road and Headington Baptist Church.

The idea to have a big Barton breakfast came from a city-wide event last month where worshippers of all denominations held breakfast events in their homes and churches.

Father Jonathan Sewell, of St Mary’s Church, was at the event with some of his congregation.

He said: “It was nice to see so many people there.

“I think they had catered for around 30 but nearer 50 people came in the end.

“No-one went hungry, though.”

Organiser, the Rev James Bloice Smith, minister of Headington Baptist Church, said the morning had gone so well he was already thinking about putting on another.

He said: “There was a great atmosphere. We hope to do something similar soon but nothing is set in stone yet.

“Eatwells in particular were fantastic.”