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Elderly people's club in South Staffordshire celebrates 60th anniversary

A "lifeline" community group has celebrated a major anniversary.

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Members gather to celebrate the anniversary

The Coven Forget Me Not Club, a group for elderly people in the South Staffordshire village of Coven, is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

The 59-strong group met at Coven Memorial Hall on Tuesday June 11 and enjoyed tea, cake and singing entertainment as they welcomed in the club's diamond anniversary.

Members of the club on a day out in Blackpool n October 1998

The club welcomes people from the age of 55 and currently has 59 members, who meet every Tuesday to play bingo, do quizzes and have a chat - alongside a number of activities.

Their youngest member is currently 60 and the oldest is 100.

Secretary of the club, Anne Hall, says that the group prides itself on keeping elderly people active, and not letting them sit alone in their homes.

Members of the club enjoy a day out in Leamington Spa in September 2000

The 77-year-old said: "This gives elderly people the chance to have a social afternoon and be active.

"We meet every Tuesday to play bingo, have a raffle, but more importantly we have a cup of tea and have a chat.

"A lot of people here are widowed or bereaved and they rely on this for social conversation.

"We pick people up on minibuses, and help those that can't get out on their own, so that everyone can get involved.

"This is a lifeline for people, they're meeting new friends through this and it's good for the most elderly people in the group, who wouldn't meet or see people without this.

"It can get lonely for people, and this gives them a lease of life.

"We go out for meals at Christmas time and go on trips together, so we're more than just old people playing bingo in a hall.

"The younger ones in the group bring the energy and run the group to help the older ones."

The club present a cheque to Midlands Air Ambulance in February 2001

In recent years the club has had a waiting list for aspiring members, who have all been trying to earn their spot in the popular group.

Anne added: "Until recently we had 12 people on our waiting list but after some people passed away, and others went into homes, they were able to join and we now have a group of 59 members, and our limit is 60, so we have one available space.

"60 is a good number for us as it's manageable without making it too difficult to run.

"The anniversary celebration has been brilliant, people are enjoying themselves and making a day of it."

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