Why not try the Thursday Club?

The Rathmell Thursday Club was formed more than 20 years ago to give "the old folk" a social facility in Rathmell.

Well maybe old folk then but the years must have fallen off them as they went hand gliding and made trips to France to shop so more like re-cycled teenagers - then as now.

We enjoy good company at our twice monthly meetings, where talk is likely to be of holidays, the next show the group will be going to, this and that..., with health updates for some. But we really are a friendly lot, and enjoy our monthly meeting in the Reading Room, where Beverley Bell produces a delicious soup followed by sandwiches, cake and fruit.

Lunch is followed by a talk, slide show or demonstration.

For our second meeting of the month we visit pubs, cafes or Garden Centres - if the food is reputed to be good. We arrange lifts for those who need one or just fill our car and do our bit to cut the carbon footprint.

Trips to the theatre are arranged on a first come basis as tickets are always in high demand.

We are supported by Age Concern North Craven who have recently provided a personal address system for our use. You would never know but one or two or maybe more appreciate the sound a little louder. The real problem,of course is that so many people start to mumble around us seniors - which I found to my cost once I hit 60.

Age Concern also funds an organiser for the group which is such a great help - we can get down to the serious business of enjoying ourselves. Many of us are still very active and do lend a hand in running the group and some help serve the lunch and do the washing up.

We especially welcome newcomers into Rathmell and surrounding areas. We welcome members from as far away as Settle, Long Preston and Hellifield. Membership fee is £5.00 annually and £5.00 for the Reading Room lunch (£6.00 for visitors). Cake bakers especially welcome as we some times have a cake stall and have one or two members addicted to cakes - well one anyway.

Our President is John Harrison, Chairwoman Sheila Garnett and organiser Richard Daniels, whom we are very pleased to welcome to the Thursday Club. Richard can be contacted on 015242 516691 for further details.

By the way every new resident to Rathmell is entitled to a free Thursday Club Cookery book - so come and claim yours.

So don't be shy just give us a try!

Vanessa Stone

Vice-Chairwoman