In December 1975, the eight residents of 11 and 12 Tolmers Square decided to hold a Christmas banquet for their friends. This was a very ambitious project. Each person was allowed to invite up to 12 of their friends to make a supper for about 100 people. The menu was to be roast turkey, potatoes, peas and gravy followed by Christmas pudding. The venue was specially chosen – the Social Services Supply building at 142 Drummond Street, which was empty with a large ground floor space.

Corinne Pearlman designed the invitation:

We took possession of 142 Drummond Street, swept it out and prepared it for the banquet. Four 20-pound turkeys were bought from Smithfield and these were to be cooked in four separate houses in Tolmers Square, then carried to the banquet and carved. We mistakenly considered frozen peas to be an easy option for a vegetable. We bought wine in large bottles from Oddbins. There was to be live music while people arrived – a wind quintet featuring me on flute and Nick Wates on French Horn. After supper there was to a be a disco and dancing.  

On the day we prepared the premises. We laid an open fire and set out long tables and chairs. We put up balloons and Christmas decorations. A large Christmas tree was installed and decorated. The turkeys cooked all afternoon in the four separate houses and were then carried across to Drummond Street with potatoes and gravy. Guests started to arrive. The peas were not as quick as we had thought  – I was desperately stirring a vast saucepan of frozen peas, trying to get them to the boil in a kitchen on the north side of Tolmers Square as guests were sat waiting. 

Finally the peas boiled and with help I carried the huge vat of peas from Tolmers Square to Drummond Street.

The quintet started up. Christmas dinner for over 100 people was served and was delicious in every respect.

After dinner, the tables were pushed back and the dancing began in front of the open fire.

Read more about the author Patrick Allen