Festive fun and food at club

MORE than 60 people attended a Christmas party at the Henley 60+ social club on Monday.

Members of the club in Greys Road car park enjoyed a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, wine and mince pies.

The meal was cooked by the club’s chef Craig Mee and donated by funeral directors Tomalin and Son.

The Yoko Mainwaring Experience played Christmas songs and there was a raffle.

The clubs offers hot meals for older folk three times a week and bingo twice a week and provides companionship for those who live on their own.

Greta and Brian Cooper, of Bowling Court, moved to Henley from North Somerset four years ago to be closer to family and joined the club shortly after. Mrs Cooper said: “We have been coming for about three years now. We moved during covid so we came as soon as we could with the intention of making new friends, which we’ve done.

“We have fantastic lunches and occasional parties during the year, and it’s very friendly.”

Pat Crisp, of Western Avenue, said that she had been coming to the club for around six years and regularly attended its craft sessions on a Tuesday and chair yoga on a Wednesday.

Ms Crisp, who grew up in Henley and whose grandparents and parents lived in the town, said she enjoyed the atmosphere of the club and meeting new people each week. She said: “At our age, it gives you somewhere to go and a structure to your week. They work so hard to look after us and there is always a welcome when you walk in here.”

Victoria Pearce, who lives in Nettlebed with her daughter, was encouraged to join the club just over a year ago after moving from Watford.

She said: “Well, my daughter found it and she said you must come down here so I did and it has been great fun.”

Gwen Strudley, of Greys Road, has been coming to the 60+ club for 26 years and has made close friendships. She said: “When you’re on your own you are glad of them, aren’t you?”

Mr Mee, who lives in Caversham, said his favourite part of his job was the people. He said: “It’s nice to be able to give back to the community and have good food because some of them don’t go home and have another meal now. So we like to feed them well.”

The club is run by Mr Mee’s wife, Rebecca, alongside co-manager Jackie Handley. Mrs Mee said it was nice for everyone to celebrate the festive season.

She said: “A lot of them are regular members, so they always come in each week. Some come once, some three times a week.”

Gill Dodds, who is chairs the club’s management committee, said: “Our membership has gone up to 120, which is fantastic, and the word is spreading around places like Bowling Court and Albert Court.”

The club is open from 10am to 4pm on Monday to Friday. For more information call (01491) 574718.