A GROUP that aims to prevent elderly people from feeling isolated celebrated its 35th anniversary yesterday with a visit from the mayor.

The Beechcroft Thursday Club provides a meeting place as well as activities for anyone aged 50-plus.

A party was held to mark the occasion, which was attended by many of the club’s 30 members.

Patsy Hopper, who is both the treasurer and secretary of the group, said everyone was proud the club had reached this landmark anniversary.

She said: “I have been working with the group for about eight years and it is wonderful to have made this date.

“I don’t think when you set something like this up you expect it to go on for this long but it’s great. We had a party to coincide with our harvest celebration. People brought in food and there was also a raffle.

“We also had wine because of the special occasion.”

The Beechcroft Thursday Club provides a place for people to meet up and take part in a wide variety of activities.

From trips away to guest speakers, nothing is off the table if that is what the members want. “Over the years we have had all sorts of entertainment,” said Patsy.

She said isolation among the elderly is something that is increasingly becoming a problem and lunch clubs like this provide a great way of keeping people in contact with their friends.

l The Beechcroft Thursday Club meets every alternative Thursday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Meadowcroft Community Room. For more information on how to join, call 01793 692143.