...But some people’s Salvation is Denyse and Jim’s way of saying ‘thank you’

If last year is anything to go by she guesses it will be between 20 and 30 who drop in to the hall in Chapel Street because they are homeless, lonely, or living in precarious accommodation.

Tinned tomato soup will serve as the starter for this free festive occasion which, despite first impressions and no alcohol, will be far from cheerless with singing at an informal café-church service from 11am onwards.

Great-grandmother Denyse, 66, has a strong religious faith although she is not a regular church-goer and laughingly admits that she and her 74-year-old partner, Jim Watson, are really “living in sin.”

She said: “We were both lucky enough to have long and happy marriages and then ended up meeting each other at a social occasion organised by Cruse, the bereavement charity.

“Of course, we will be spending time with our grown-up families and grandchildren over the Christmas holidays but neither of us feels ready to sit back and be catered for just yet.

“And we feel so fortunate to have found a new relationship together that we wanted to give something back,” explains Denyse, who in her youth completed two courses at the old Rugby Catering College followed by short work placements at restaurants like the Coach and Horses in Ashby St Ledgers.

This year the youthful great-grandmother is particularly pleased to have persuaded the Army’s Homeless Project leader Jonathan Chilvers to let her serve fresh mashed and roasted potatoes.

She said: “While Jim and I have been helpers for about seven years, last Christmas was the first time I was in charge in the kitchen.

“Shops make donations to the project and so you’re not always sure what you are getting but most of the vegetables are frozen.

“These usually taste fine except last year we had frozen mashed potatoes which thawed into pancake shapes and were disastrous.

“It’s sad because a generous lady had came into the hall at about 11am laden with food she’d bought at Marks and Spencer. But by that time it was too late for us to cook it.”

It turns out nobody has donated turkeys this year, so Salvation Army minister Leanne Wallis has bought two which are already cooked and sliced ready for Denyse to thaw out and reheat on the day.

She will add her own delicious gravy along with Yorkshire puddings, sprouts, carrots, peas, broccoli and parsnips.

At their home in Stockton, Jim confesses Denyse will trust him with little more than a tin opener in the kitchen. But he will still drive her in to Leamington and roll up his sleeves along with Jonathan, Leanne and a handful of other volunteers.

One problem is always the Christmas pudding. It’s almost impossible to find one without alcohol.

It’s a dilemma Denyse will solve with extra mince pies and a chocolate sponge, washed down with lashings of tea, coffee and fruit juice.

Then it will be time for the guests to step out into the late afternoon clutching a packet of sandwiches for supper and a small present. Some will return to the Army’s hostel in nearby Charlotte Street.

Denyse and Jim begin their own extensive rounds of visits to their two sets of children and grandchildren once the hall has been cleared up.

TOP TIP: Planning is essential - stuffing and sauces can be made in advance while a hostess trolley is really useful to keep food hot in the last few minutes after it comes out of the oven.