Why I invite 500 people

This festive season, Gloria Stewart, 70, won’t let anyone be lonely – or go hungry

Wearing my sparkliest​ dress, I rush between tables, adjusting floral centerpieces and making sure the cutlery is polished. Looking at my watch, I realize it’s 10am already. I’ve been up since dawn, but there's no time to sit down as I dash into the kitchen to check there are enough potatoes peeled and roasted, turkeys stuffed and puddings prepared. In just a few hours, our guests will be piling in for Christmas dinner – all 500 of them! Sometimes it’s more, as it’s my policy to never, ever turn anyone away…