Good friends meet for top afternoon of entertainment

Performances of classic pop hits and lively games of bingo brought older people in Darwen together.

The ‘Just Good Friends’ event at Derwent Hall in Darwen saw nearly 100 people over 60 enjoy a delicious roast beef dinner and take in entertainment from local singer Joyce Kearton and bingo with fantastic prizes of vouchers from Darwen Market.

The guests sang along to popular songs such as ‘Unforgettable’, ‘Penny Arcade’ and ‘Sway’ courtesy of Joyce, who walked among the crowd and sang to the delighted crowd.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Alan Cottam, opened the event and welcomed everyone. The Mayoress Mrs Agnes Cottam, Cllr Mohammed Khan, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, and Sudell Councillor, Cllr Eileen Entwistle, also attended.

The first ‘house’ in the bingo game was won by The Mayor, who pledged the £20 Darwen Market voucher prize to his Mayor’s charities – East Lancashire Hospice and The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

The event was supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn with Darwen Public Health, Age UK and Darwen Town Council.

Age UK and the ‘Fall Stop’ campaign, which aims to reduce slips and falls in older people, had information stalls at the venue.

Cllr Kate Hollern, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said:

“We have had quite a few of the ‘Just Good Friends’ afternoons now, and they always provide a fantastic time for the guests, everyone really enjoys them.

“It is a great part of our ‘Your Call’ Campaign, to boost community spirit in all ways all over the borough, and it is such a fun way for older people to meet new people, make new friends and have a brilliant time all at once.

Cllr Brian Taylor, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care and Older People’s Champion, said:

“These occasions are always big successes and it is really good to bring people in Darwen together at a popular venue like Derwent Hall. The health and wellbeing of older people in our borough is really important and these events give many a real boost.”