DR CHARLEY LUNCHEON CLUB

It was full house at the Christmas Lunch on Wednesday 11th December.

Members were visited by Father Christmas who brought party bags containing oranges and apples.

The succulent roast turkey lunch was served by the volunteers who had spent Tuesday afternoon and evening preparing the room which was beautifully dressed for the occasion. The traditional Christmas Puddings had been cooked at Coalway Schools’ kitchen. The meal was completed with the distribution of home-made mince pies and After-Eight Mints.

The Forest of Dean Lions very generously provided even more goody bags, filled with sweets and a Christmas card whilst one of their gentlemen provided music throughout the meal and Barbara helped the regular volunteers.

On departure members were given soft drinks to take away.

None of this could have been delivered without the constant support of a group of wonderful volunteers who generously give their time to enable our over 60s to come together for good home cooked food that is nutritionally balanced.  

The Club is now having a break until 9th January. Membership is open to anyone over the age of sixty who lives in the GL16 post code area. Enquiries about membership are always welcomed by contacting the committee through the Coleford Area Partnership office at The Main Place. The telephone number is 01594 836469.

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2013

May I express gratitude on behalf of  the organisations and individuals who made such a fantastic contribution to the programme for Heritage Open Days in the Forest of Dean over the weekend 12th to 15th September.

Thanks to them it was possible for the Coleford Area Partnership to arrange for 26 venues, walks and talk to be available.  Some of these provided more than one opportunity for participants.

The Partnership has to rely on the goodwill of others to be able to bring this programme to fruition. Many hours are spent making contact with people and organisations before we are able to let the central people at Heritage Open Days know what the programme for the Forest of Dean will be.  We have to do this prior to 1st May each year in order to ensure that we obtain the necessary cover and national publicity.

In 2014 we will be making particular reference to the period around the First World War and looking for opportunities to highlight the effect of that on our local communities.

If you would like to know more, or even become involved in the future we would be very pleased to hear from you.  Contact can be made by telephone to 01594 836469 or by email to info@coleford-area.org.uk or heritage@main-place.org.uk.

Janet Marrott

16.09.13.

What is a Volunteer?

Many community organisations, including the Coleford Area Partnership, could not exist without volunteers.

To give you one example:

The Dr.Charley Luncheon Club was set up in 1973 and Dora Matthews was elected as the Chairman.  Forty years later, Dora is still at the helm of this successful organisation that exists for the benefit of anyone over the age of 60 years who lives in the GL16 post-code area. The Club meets every Wednesday at the Main Place here in Coleford.

On Wednesday 14th August 2013, Dora will also celebrate her 90th Birthday.

Now tell us that you do not have any time to be a volunteer.