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Festive cheer in Hemsby takes on showtime theme
Age Concern Great Yarmouth : Turkey and Tinsel event at Seacroft Holiday Village.Picture: James Bass - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2015
Christmas wreaths at the ready and tender turkey awaiting, more than 500 older folk turned out to start the festive season off in style at Age Concern Great Yarmouth's annual Turkey and Tinsel lunch.
The two-day event in Hemsby, on Monday and Tuesday, had the theme of showtime, with ladies looking glamorous and gentlemen dapper, and guests took the opportunity to show off their ballroom moves on the dance floor.
The party is a prominent fixture in the charity's calendar, and organisers said it again went 'marvellously' this year.
'We had entertainment and all the usual stalls,' said older people's development worker, Rachael Hardie. 'Everyone got dressed up, and there was lots of ballroom dancing - it made me wonder how we'll be dancing when we're older!'
The glittering event, held at Seacroft Holiday Village, helps to get people who may otherwise be alone out of their homes and into the community.
'Lots of older people are alone throughout the year,' said Rachael. 'But this can be particularly true at Christmas when people visit family and such. So it's a nice, affordable day where you can meet new people or old friends.
'Plus, the venue at Seacroft is brilliant, it reminds lots of people of the holidays they went on when they were younger.'
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There was a fundraising element to this year's festivities too, with the charity looking to get their new activity centre, on Regent Street, up and running early in the new year.
The centre needs around £110,000 to be fully refurbished before it can open, and they have raised £67,088.27 so far. Once completed, the ground floor of the centre will be used for activities including a weekly drop in and a point for information and support for older people. There will be seated exercises, soft ball tennis, and a dance floor.
Services manager Jackie Tierney said: 'So many people have been so kind with their donations and everyone is talking about the centre and asking when we are going to open. We still have more money to raise and I hope people will continue to support the project.'
