King's Lynn Rotarians help keep lunch links strong after 50 years

A Gaywood club that has offered elderly members a "vital life-line" for more than half a century has been given a funding boost by another community group.

Officials from Lynn's Priory Rotary Club have donated £1,000 to the Gaywood Forget-Me-Not Luncheon Club, which meets at the Gaywood Churchrooms.

The donation was presented at its 52nd anniversary party on Wednesday by Priory Rotary president Ken Banks, who adopted it as his nominated charity for his year in the role.

He said that, for some members, the weekly sessions were the only time they got out and socialised with other people, so it provided a vital service to the local community. Members pay a nominal fee for the meal and transport.

"I think the Forget-Me-Not Luncheon Club, which is run by volunteers, does a fantastic job in the community by enabling older people to socialise with others and enjoy a hot meal," said Mr Banks.

Half of the donation was raised by the Priory Rotary Club's recently launched Satellite group which is for younger people and is headed by Tina Wood.

The Forget-Me-Not Club's oldest member, 97-year-old Gwen Sanford, of South Wootton, and its only surviving founder member, Elaine Price-Jones, shared in cutting the celebration cake.

Members were able to look through scrapbooks full of press cuttings and photographs that chronicles the Club's history.

Club secretary Lesley Harrison said the club was delighted to receive the money, some of which would be used to help pay for the use of a West Norfolk community bus which collects members from their homes.

Between 25 to 30 people attend the club each week in school term time.

The hot food is prepared and cooked in the kitchens of Mr Bee's Nursery in Lynn and it is delivered to the lunch club and served by volunteers.

At the weekly lunch there is also a raffle and members enjoy an annual harvest supper at West Winch provided by the Priory club.

The luncheon club, which is affiliated to St Faith's Church, meets at Gaywood Church Rooms.

There are spaces for new members and anyone interested in joining should contact Mrs Harrison on 01553 672966 for more details.