Double celebration for social club members

It's double celebration time for members of a social club who have marked its first anniversary and landed a grant to secure its future for the next couple of years.
The Over Wyre Social and Activity Club at Preesall.  Jean Gregory, Jean Richardson, Vonnie Thomas, Judith Bingham and Eileen Smith.The Over Wyre Social and Activity Club at Preesall.  Jean Gregory, Jean Richardson, Vonnie Thomas, Judith Bingham and Eileen Smith.
The Over Wyre Social and Activity Club at Preesall. Jean Gregory, Jean Richardson, Vonnie Thomas, Judith Bingham and Eileen Smith.

Set up to alleviate loneliness, the Over Wyre Social and Activity Club is open to men and women and now has 60 members.

The club has been awarded £1,000 by Orsted through their Walney Extension Community Fund to help with the cost of activities and speakers.

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Christine White, secretary to Over Wyre Social and Activity Club and Pilling Lane WI, said: “It’s a year since some members of Pilling Lane (Preesall) WI created the Over Wyre Social and Activity Club, to alleviate loneliness in our local area.

“Loneliness is a big issue in our area as there are many elderly people who have lost a partner or who cannot get out and about.

“Initially we applied for funding from the Co-op local community causes and we were successful.

“This enabled us to get started and hold the first meeting.

“We had over 30 people come to find out what it was all about.

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“We continue to be grateful for all the extra support given to us by our local Co-op.

“We have been very lucky in being awarded £1,000 from Orsted through their Walney Extension Community Fund.

“This award will help us to keep going until 2020 and will provide materials and the cost of speakers, tutors and any other activities we undertake.”

The club is held monthly at St Oswald’s Church Hall in Preesall.

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Christine added: “During the year our membership has grown from strength to strength with 60 members.

“During a three-month period we hold a musical afternoon, where the members love to join in and sing.

“We have a creative meeting where activities ranging from making cards to assembling a handheld posy take place and finally we have an afternoon where someone will come and talk about a subject or demonstrate a skill, from learning about Gilbert and Sullivan to learning how to create one pot meals.

“At Christmas time we held a party with crackers and Christmas presents.

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“The helpers all dressed up as elves and saxophonist Sue Sporton provided the music.

“We try and give everyone a variety of interesting things to do and chat about.

“We have noticed that since joining many of them have made friends or renewed old friendships and are now going to other clubs and groups.

“We initially didn’t charge as the costs came out of the funding from the Co-op, but many of the members wanted to contribute so we agreed they could donate towards the cost of the tea and cakes.

“We can’t thank Orsted and the Co-op enough for their generous donations and all I can say is ‘watch this space!’”

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