Page 7 - link magazine

GRSUP PROFILE 7

GOING STRONG AFTER EIGHT YEARS

"When we first came to Toothill
from Cambridge in 1978 there
was nothing for elderly people
who had moved here and there
must have been two hundred of us
at the time" reflects Mrs. Anne
Tweed, who is one of the first
pensioners to move to West
Swindon. "In fact there wasn't a
great deal for anybody," she
continued, "the Church, school
and Toothill Farm Centre had
just been opened; up till then the
only facility was the hut on
Dun wich Drive which is still there
- and that was half a playgroup
room and would you believe it,
the other half was a shop. It was
grim.
We had been very active in
community life in Cambridge, so
my husband George, and I
decided that we had to get
something going for retired
A line-up of Good Companions.
people; we got together with
Roger Ogle, the Community
Development Officer, and started subsidising special events like Nearly Ready
the Good Companions Club. At Christmas parties and the trips.
first we were just a handful, but Hiring coaches to take us away is
we were quickly up to fifty very expensive; nobody would be After weeks of stirling effort by a children will start on June 1st. To
members which was the capacity able to afford the real cost for any few hardworking volunteers, the discover whether there are
of the community room at of the outings, so we have to bring Oliver Tomkins Playgroup places available ring Janice
Toothill School. We soon had to in small amounts little by little." building at Kiln Park is nearly Gullon on 872953.
turn people away and that was "Recently we've been to ready. All being well the first
very frustrating; it proved we Bournemouth for the day, we've
needed a decent community had tour round the BBC studios TOE ia
centre in the area." and attended a recording of the
Anne and George Tweed Tom O'Connor Show, and we
now find if difficult to visit the regularly go to the Wyvern folikf"To
club from Elsie Hazel Court in Theatre in Swindon. Our trips are
Freshbrook. Nowadays, the not without mishaps," said Jean.
Good Companions number well "One gentleman walked into the Toothill Village Centre Tel: 487777
over one hundred members and public toilets with dark glasses
on average, seventy turn up on, tripped over a dog lying in the Traditional Family Butcher and Select Greengrocer
every Monday afternoon at doorway and broke his leg. It was
Toothill Community Centre. quite a business getting him home Try our delicious home made sausages: Pork, Pork and Herb,
The club is open to people in again. On another occasion th Beef 90p per pound.
their fifties upwards, the oldest coach was two miles down the Oyster bacon joints: 99p per pound.
member is eighty-six years old road when we realised we had left Farmshop bacon: Middle Cut 99p per pound.
and on average, most are one of our number behind. Short Back £1.40 per pound.
between seventy and seventy- But most of the time our Bacon Shanks 40p per pound.
five. outings are very enjoyable. We're Gammon Steaks £1.68, cut the way you wantthem.
After eight years in off to Turner's Night Club for an Cheese: Mature Cheddar: £1.20 per pound.
exsitance the club has a settled afternoon cabaret show. That From our cooked meat section: Farmshop D shaped ham 34p
programme of social activity in should be fun. And I'm arranging per qtr. lb. Farmshop natural cooked ham 48p per qtr. lb. A tasty ham.
the centre and a whole range of a mystery trip soon, but! can't tell Farmshop Cooked Rib Roast: 80p per qtr. lb.
outings and trips have been you as everybody will read about Pork: Pork Skirt 64p per lb. Netted Shoulder Pork 99p per lb.
organised; when 'at home' club it. Chicken Portions: 48p each.
rnembers get together to play Former Chairperson
table games like scrabble, Charles Blaxhall is reflective Grade A meat
dominoes and cards. Bring and about the success of the Good Lean Mince Beef: £1.24 per lb.
buy sales, auctions of home Companions. "The club runs Full selection of Topside and Silverside Roasting Joints.
made cakes, bingo and raffles very smoothly. Many of the Full selection of Fresh Fruit and Veg. daily.
are also part of the regular members did not have a lot of Potatoes: Try our 14 lb pre-pack at only £1.25.
fundraising activities. Speakers, social group contacts during their Eggs: Fresh Farm Eggs: Size 1 only 80p per doz.
film shows and musical working lives, but everybody is so Size 3 only 68p per doz.
afternoons are also arranged. friendly that it's easy for Tray of Pullet eggs (21/2 doz.) only 99p.
Present secretary of the newcomers to fit in. But when
Good Companions and you think about it, we've all been Opening Hours: 7.30 am till 6p.m. Monday to Saturday
something of a driving force is around quite a long time and
Jean Carey. "All the money we we've got a lot of experience of * Offers subject to availability.
raise is ploughed back into life."