Castle Bromwich Community Website

Every other Friday, Arden Hall Castle Bromwich hosts Age Concern'sFriday Club. The afternoon social session organised and run by Albert and Margaret Turner MBE with help from a group of willing volunteers isa life line to many socially isolated elderly people. Club members are picked up from home either by Ring and Ride or volunteer drivers and spend the afternoon chatting, playing bingo and having tea in thecompany of others. I have spent several pleasant afternoons with them,chatting about everything from changing fashions to how to solve the world's problems. Nora Ward told me, "I really look forward to a Friday afternoon here. I'm partially sighted and this is the only way I can get out. It's really nice to meet other people."

CyrilBrampton told me that he's been going to the club for three years. He had a heart attack last year and didn't leave the house or see anybodyf or over four weeks. He really missed the company that he receives when he attends the club. Since his heart attack, he can't walk any distance and like Nora, the only way he gets out or sees anybody is by getting on the Ring and Ride and coming to the club.

This Friday when I arrived a little late, a game of bingo was already under way. As I looked around the room it struck me how happy everybody looked as they laughed and joked together. Joyce Hughes told me, "I miss getting out to my bingo, but the big halls are just too fast for me now. Our bingo sessions here are just right and I can chat and have a cup of tea at the same time. Call me a tea pot. I love my tea, but at home it's often too much of an effort to make a cup. Here I'm served with as many cups as I like."

After afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches andcakes, it was time for the drivers to return the pensioners to their homes. Dora Shore told me, "A friend of mine kept asking me to come along here. It took me a long time to do so, but I'm really glad that Idid eventually come. It's a good source of conversation. I'm picked up by Peter Shipley who I see at the Church. He sings there and has a really good voice. I think it would be nice if we could have a singsong here too sometimes. It's good exercise for the lungs and alwaysmakes me feel better and happier."