Friendship and companionship for the over 50s

FROME & District Day Centre, which is based at Frome Town Football Club, provides activities and meals, plus friendship and companionship for local people aged over 50 years.

The day centre reports that they have had a very busy June and July, saying,  “On Thursday the 16th June we held a party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, with entertainment and members joining in the sing/song also enjoying dancing. We were all pleased that the Mayor of Frome joined us in our celebration. The members all enjoyed the afternoon and toasted the Queen for her 90th birthday and for many more.

“On Saturday July 9th over 30 members went on an 8-day holiday to Paignton, Devon, and we had glorious weather. We had a good coach ride to Paignton, all got welcomed by the hotel owners. We had a quiet Sunday, then on Monday we had a tour across Dartmoor.

“We stopped at the Parkhouse Prison Museum with some interesting viewing which showed models, ornaments and paintings made and painted by prisoners past and present. It was a very interesting museum which all throughly enjoyed the stop there. After, we proceeded across the moor seeing the wild ponies and sheep that live on the moor.

“On the Tuesday we planned to go to Dartmouth, but when near, the road was closed due to an oil spillage so we then diverted to Buckfast Abbey, famous for their tonic wine produced by the monks. The abbey was well worth a visit with its lovely stained glass windows. All very interesting, all enjoyed the visit.

“On Wednesday we travelled to Plymouth with some enjoying the large shops and others exploring the Hoe. In the evening a party attended a Variety Show, good singing and enjoyable laughs. The ones who  stayed back went to visit the motorcycle meet on the front and there were over 200 motorcycles on show.

“On Thursday a group went on a train and boat ride, by train from Paignton then boat from Dartmouth to Totnes then return to Paignton by coach. They all enjoyed this trip. On the Friday a lot went different ways to end the last day, to Torquay or Brixham and last minute shopping. We had very enjoyable entertainment in the evenings at the hotel and all were well looked after.

“We left Paignton on Saturday morning for a pleasant trip back to Frome.

“We are now organising our autumn and winter programme. In August an outing to Sidmouth, then before lunch, sitting down yoga, flexiexercise, various interesting talks, first aid, fire prevention, then after lunch on Mondays, bingo, then on Thursdays we have line dancing and hope to have art and computer training.

“We meet at the Frome Town Football Club on Monday and Thursday for a hot lunch with a choice of sweets with tea or coffee for £6, which is excellent value. Come and make new friends and companionship, so come and join us. Our aim is to get the elderly out of their four walls and have enjoyable company with an excellent hot lunch.

“We are holding our Annual General Meeting, and also have a date for our Christmas Bingo and Christmas Lunch, at the end of November organising a Turkey & Tinsel to Ilfracombe. There are vacancies for twins or doubles if anyone interested but sorry, no single rooms available. Please contact us at the Football Club.”