Romsey Open Gate Stroke Club celebrates Christmas party

Romsey Open Gate Stroke Club, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, feared closure after a drop-off in volunteers.

However, after an appeal in the Romsey Advertiser, 10 new volunteers came forward to save the club. 

The group celebrated with its annual Christmas party on Tuesday, December 19 at the Romsey Abbey Church Rooms.

Deputy Mayor of Romsey John Parker and Romsey Abbey vicar Thomas Wharton were in attendance. 

Singers from the Lockerley Church Choir entertained the crowd with traditional Christmas carols. Father Christmas also made an appearance, dishing out a variety of presents. 

READ MORE: Romsey Stroke Club gains new volunteers after closure fears

Club member Phyllis Burrell made a Christmas cake, enjoyed by all.

Mrs Burrell said: “It has been a very difficult year and we were afraid that we might have had to close. The kitchen assistant didn't want to work anymore. I had been doing all the secretarial work and a lot of the organisation for years. I reached the age of 80 this year and I thought it was time somebody younger took over. So at the last AGM I gave one year's notice, which created mayhem. There were lots of meetings to decide what we were going to do. 

“We then put the appeal in the Advertiser. After that, we had 10 helpers come to our next meeting. We now have about 18 helpers in total, which is brilliant. We're on the up.”

The group is planning a 50th anniversary party on February 6. 

They meet on Tuesday afternoons in Romsey Abbey Church Rooms for entertainment, quizzes, games and slideshows as well as other outings such as skittles and boat trips. After the activities, members enjoy sandwiches, scones and cakes made by the volunteers.

For more details about the club, visit stroke.org.uk/finding-support/clubs-and-groups/romsey-open-gate-stroke-club.