Article by Pauline Goodchild, St Stephen’s, Hightown
Pauline Goodchild, a Souper Trooper volunteer, writes…Revd. Keith Thornborough, our Vicar at St Stephen’s, Hightown, asked last summer for volunteers to help with a new venture called Souper Troopers.
According to Google, ‘a Super Trouper’ is a type of spotlight used in large venues and referenced in a song by ABBA.
But that is not exactly what our Souper Troopers is about, though for some it may transform Mondays. Keith uses his Monday off to volunteer to make soup and provide it to whoever turns up. He says it gives him an opportunity to bring people together and to meet them informally:
“I was called to serve the community of Hightown and this is a positive way to use my free time. You can see that the fellowship we share together is lifting people’s spirits. I get a chance to mingle with people in a friendly environment as they chat to each other.”
Our first Souper Trooper lunch took place in September 2025. We had eight visitors. The word spread; now there are usually more than 20, and we have a core of some 30 regulars.
Part of the fun for a Souper Trooper (volunteer) is to take a tray to the table and to see faces light up when we say, “Two soups”. Soon that phrase will be temporarily redundant, as Keith plans to change the offer from soup to sandwiches in anticipation of hot summer days. The normal customer response is “Compliments to the chef.”
There’s no set charge, no bill, no tips, no receipt and no refunds! Instead, visitors are invited to donate what they can. People are generous and so far, there’s always been enough to pay for next week’s supplies and even to boost Church funds.
Alongside the diners we have a separate table where Sue offers confidential one-to-one Prayer Ministry for those who seek it. It’s a service that has been much appreciated by some of our visitors. As she says, “It’s good to share!”
Who would have thought that helping to make and serve soup would be such fun? Thank you, Keith.
