Page 7 - link magazine

A final farewell from the Good Companions Cooking for over 55s
Despite efforts to attract new people as numbers declined, the Good Companions social club - West Swindon’s With a Let’s Get Cooking grant
longest running community group - closed on 28 January. from the Health Lottery Emma
It’s almost 37 years since a group of Most recently numbers attending go; I’d like to see some kind of group Tanner is running small group
older Toothill residents came together have dropped away. Organiser Kath taking place.” classes for older people to learn
in each others’ homes, when there Grayhurst said it was time to call it Jo Slocombe added: “I’m sad it’s how to prepare quick, tasty, low
were only 500 houses occupied in the a day. “I’m afraid the bank account not continuing. It’s been a day out for cost meals.
town’s western expansion. was being used up on the hire fee for me, coming down to the centre for a She promises the groups will be
The group quickly moved into the the community centre hall and all my coffee and lunch in the cafe, then an fun and friendly and provide you
hut that served as the area’s commu- efforts to attract new members had afternoon in the club.” with confidence to have a go at
nity centre, then into the first Toothill not been working. Paul Thomas said: “I’ll be sorry not home.
Primary School in late 1978. Founder member Jean Carey, 98, to come out on a Monday afternoon The four week courses will take
In the 1980s the group had about who was at the first meeting of the but there it is. I hope something else place at Freshbrook Community
90 members with over sixty regularly Good Companion said it was a pity can get going.” Centre between March and Sep-
turning up at weekly meetings to play that new members were not joining. Members enjoyed a party together tember.
cards, board games and bingo. “Older people need somewhere to for their last meeting. For details call Emma on 01793
870526.
Good Companions, together for the last time at Toothill Community Centre,
after 36 years, back from left, Cath Grayhurst, Jean and Stan Mark, Joan Dale,
Norma Cooper. Front, Rhoda Bolton, Betty Rawlings, Jeanne Viranyi, Nancy
Stock, Brian Bampton, Jean Carey, Jo Slocombe

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