Veterans were treated to a Christmas lunch cooked by Highfields students.
More than 35 veterans from the Army, Royal Air Force and Navy were joined by representatives of Age UK Wolverhampton and Rotary Club members for the three-course lunch.
Students prepared a butternut squash and sweet potato soup, full turkey dinner and trimmings, along with a Christmas pudding cheesecake under the supervision of Mitchell Burrows, Head Chef of the Mount Hotel in Wolverhampton.
The lunch was funded by Wolverhampton St George’s Rotary Club to give students the chance to gain practical experience in catering and hospitality.
Colin Hole, Chairman of Wolverhampton St George’s Rotary club, said: “It was superb. Considering none of the students have had experience of catering for a large number of people, I think they did a wonderful job.
“It’s quite a formidable task for an established restaurant, let alone students of this age, so it was excellent.”
The event formed part of the friendship scheme run by Age UK Wolverhampton and funded by Armed Forces charity, SSAFA, to ensure veterans are not left alone.
Jack Bhutta, one of the students involved, said: “There was a lot of work involved but it was great fun and we’ve developed a lot of skills.”
Food Technology teacher, Miss B Chima, said: “It was a huge undertaking and we have been planning the event for months, but it’s been great and we have enjoyed every minute of the process.
“It went really well. The students did a fantastic job, and it was really nice to be able to give something back to the veterans.”
One of those in attendance was Ken Nightingale, who spent 12 years in the South Staffordshire Regiment and a further 13 in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He said: “The day was absolutely wonderful. The Wolverhampton Rotary Club are unbelievably kind and generous, and the things they do for us old comrades is brilliant.
“The school has been fantastic. I’ve never been here before, but was very happily surprised by what I saw.”
The veterans were also treated to entertainment by members of the school choir.
