Crystal glass with patterns, porcelain animal characters, some painted with fruits and flowers.

For 40 years, Katikati resident Alice Gumbley has sprinkled a little bit of eclectic generosity over the tables of the Katikati Lions’ Lone Diners Luncheon.

When guests walk into the Katikati War Memorial Hall for the annual charity event, they sit at a table dressed with a menu, flowers and a quaint set of Gumbley’s salt and pepper shakers.

“I supply them every year,” said the 69-year-old, who has handed over “two basket-fulls” of the condiment shakers of all sizes, shapes and colours annually, for four decades.

The tradition began as part of the first Lone Diners Luncheon in 1978 at Katikati’s St Peter’s Anglican Church hall.

These cheery-looking characters were set on a table at Lone Diners Luncheon, thanks to the generosity of Alice Gumbley. Photo / Merle Cave

“Well, my mum [the late Rona Gumbley] and I were in the Katikati Red Cross – and the Lions came to mum to borrow plates, knives and forks from the Red Cross for the first luncheon,” said Gumbley.

“Then they came back saying they needed salt and pepper shakers. Mum said: ‘Don’t worry about that – it’s all under control’. Then she turned around and told me to supply them!”

Last year, Katikati Lions honoured Gumbley for her long-lasting, kind gesture at Lone Diners Luncheon.

With the event drawing between 120 and 150 guests annually, Katikati News estimated Gumbley has about 40 sets that she lends to the event.

While some she inherited from her mother, others she’d pick up along the way – as the luncheon grew – from op shops and different places. Gumbley stores them at her house and the Lions pick them up. She even hands them over topped up with salt and pepper!

Why does she keep the tradition alive? “Well, I’ve been brought up that you help people where you can,” said Gumbley.