Bee in their bonnet!
An Easter bonnet competition was rather an apt idea for Park Farm’s latest over 50’s group meet-up given that the group was formed when a couple of ladies got a bee in their bonnet.
Edna, Tess, Lillian and Mary simply wanted a place to meet with likeminded ladies. A place where they could have a good natter, a game of cards and a slice of cake.
That is when they approached their scheme manager Michelle Heron, from Helena who helped them to find a venue at the AYCP centre on Kentmere Avenue. Moss Bank.
They now meet for two hours every Tuesday from 1pm – 3pm. New members are always welcome. The group have received tremendous support from Helena’s staff Nichola Wilkinson, Graham Ellis and Shelly Sixsmith as well as Jennie Williams and Sue Mills from the AYCP and the Princes Trust.
Since finding a venue, the group have grown rapidly in size and now make sure that a weekly raffle and game of bingo are also incorporated into their weekly meets.
And the bingo isn't to to be taken lightly either. The room must be completely silent whilst those playing listen out for a ‘knock at the door’ (number four) or ‘two little ducks’ (22).
Some Helena staff joined in one game and were not thanked for a false call – greatly frowned upon in these competitive bingo circles. For the past few weeks, the ladies have been creating some very eye-catching Easter bonnets, in preparation for the day when they would be judged.
Judgement day had arrived and the competition was extremely close. Ultimately Mary Thompson (pictured) was declared the winner. After the buffet was eaten and some of Lillian’s expertly made fruit cake was devoured, the bottle of whisky was passed round. One spirited lady decided Edna didn’t have a large enough measure of whisky.
Her glass was half full. Very much the philosophy of the group actually.
So what’s next for the ladies?
“Well...” says Edna, who is partially sighted. “We’ve got plans for a trip to Chester soon and we’ve just put in for a dart board...”
15 April 2009
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