Entertaining the senior citizens

Party time in Old Buckenham

The “Senior Citizens’ Party” in Old Buckenham took place on Saturday 26 February. Over eighty people gathered together in the village hall to eat and drink on what is now an established annual village event. This was the chance for many of the older village residents to sit down together for a most enjoyable afternoon, to be entertained and, of course, talk.
There were a couple of quiz sheets on the ready-laid tables to keep everyone busy before the meal started. Then a full roast beef dinner was served up to everyone. Each table was also provided with wine, soft drinks, crackers and mints and there was a selection of sweets followed by cheese and biscuits. There was a photographer, Ivan Hardy, around to take pictures of all the guests to remind them of their afternoon out.
The after-dinner entertainment was provided by a young gentleman known as ‘Guitar George’ who, naturally, played the guitar as well as singing, doing some juggling and magic tricks.
To keep things moving there were a couple of cards of bingo (with cash prizes) before tea and hot mince pies were served. There was also a large free raffle with lots of prizes and the tables getting most marks in the quizzes were able to take away yet more prizes.
Eileen Oliver, who has the responsibility for this annual event, got out her clipboard and took the opportunity to thank all those who had helped to make the event possible. There were those who had run events such as cream teas and bingo sessions to raise funds during 2010. Thanks were also due to all the helpers, both young and old, who had prepared vegetables, cooked the food, served food and drink to the tables, cleared it away and then washed up. In particular she mentioned her husband Brian and Julie, the cook, for their support throughout.
In reply Gerald Norton spoke up for the participants and said how much the afternoon was enjoyed by all those attending and how much they appreciated all the effort that Eileen had again put in to make it such a success.