Tackling loneliness and isolation - you know the time and day!

The Tuesday 2 O'Clock Club. Picture: Suzie Powell.

Based at Stones Cricket Club in Ripponden, the club is the brainchild of club member Kate Turner and is run by volunteers.

“Loneliness and Isolation among the older generation is a hot topic at the moment,” said Kate, “and we know that an active social life improves people’s health and well-being, so we decided to do something to help tackle the issue.

“We have a lovely clubhouse in a stunning location which is not used on weekdays so why not put it to good use?

“We had 15 people attend our first session at the club, evenly split with seven males and eight females, which was fantastic as we had expected mainly females.

“Three of the gents had recently lost their wives so were inevitably lonely, but others came just to get them out of the house for a couple of hours.

“One lady posted on Facebook that it had been a great afternoon of entertainment, fun and delicious cakes, and another said he had had a fantastic afternoon, that he was so glad he came and it gives him something to look forward to.”

The club is open to anyone, although it is likely to appeal to retired or older people and will meet at least monthly between 2pm and 4pm.

The organisers plan a varied programme of activities, while visitors can use the clubhouse’s pool table and dartboard.

The club has been funded by the Community Foundation for Calderdale and the Kathleen Mary Denham Legacy but the launch has not been all plain sailing.

Kate explained: “The ‘Beast from the East’ reared its head and the club was flooded just before the planned launch in February.

“The first session was delayed and held at an alternative venue but the club settled into its permanent home on May 1 when the guests were entertained by The Saville Park Singers, of which Stones President, Peter McDonnell is a member.”

The next event at the club is on May 22 with a Royal Wedding themed afternoon tea and ‘a reet Royal Quiz’.

Then on June 19, the club is holding a luncheon club featuring a mobile fish and chip van.

Transport is available on request and can be organised by contacting Kate on 01422 824282.