No waste as Much Wenlock residents tuck in

Well hello, Dolly. Head chef Stuart Phillips meets the eldest resident of a Shropshire nursing home at the climax of the Shropshire Star's War on Waste.

Ninety-four year-old Dolly Gordon was the guest of honour at a celebratory Christmas lunch yesterday at the Lady Forester Home in Much Wenlock.

Thirty residents and members of staff enjoyed a turkey lunch to celebrate the Shropshire Star's War on Waste campaign, which has encouraged readers, restaurateurs and retailers to save thousands of pounds by not throwing away good food.

Mrs Gordon said she was thrilled to meet Mr Phillips and to enjoy a turkey dinner, followed by Christmas pudding and custard.

She said: "When we were growing up, we didn't waste food because it was too precious. We had to make do on next to nothing. The idea to tell people not to throw away food, or waste left overs, is something that we were brought up on. We always made the best of things."

Mr Phillips, who is the multi-award-winning head chef of the Hundred House Hotel, in Norton, near Bridgnorth, said he was delighted to provide his services free of charge.

He said: "The Shropshire Star's campaign has been a great success and it's been interesting to read the many tips and suggestions sent in by readers on how to avoid wasting food.

"It was great to round off the six-week drive yesterday by cooking a delicious dinner for the 'waste-not-want-not' generation."