“It’s something to look forward to each week” – OAP Society back after Covid

When the Covid pandemic forced the country into lockdown in March 2020, older people were hit badly – with everyday activities, such as going shopping or meeting up with family and friends, too risky for many.

During the pandemic, the Caerphilly Old Age Pensioners Society was forced to cancel its regular meet-ups and events. But in June this year, the society began meeting again.

The society was formed in 1954 and has been based at the OAP Hall on Park Lane, Caerphilly town centre, ever since.

It holds regular meetings at the hall every Tuesday, with tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

The society also runs activities such as bingo and puts on trips for members, such as an outing to Weston-super-Mare on September 14 – which was the first trip arranged by the society since the pandemic.

Meetings have also seen a range of guest speakers and musicians, as well as performances from drama groups and schools.

Each meeting costs £1 to attend, but the society’s chair, Aileen Bourne, explained there is no obligation for members to attend every meeting – with the money raised reinvested into its activities.

However, members who have been part of the society for more than 15 years can attend for free.

One of those members is Dennis Welch, who has been involved with the society for around 30 years. He said: “When I retired, I did one thing I said I’d never do – join the pensioners.”

Currently the oldest member of the society at the age of 97, Mr Welch continued: “It’s a break in the week and good entertainment for us. We’ve had banjo players, talks, school performers, as well as drama clubs coming here to perform and mime for us.

“It’s something to look forward to each week.”

Fellow member Pat Spear, 90, said: “I’ve been coming here for many years. It gets you out of the house and enjoying yourself. We go on trips to various places and enjoy quizzes – and at Easter we even put on a spread with cakes and sandwiches.

“We’ve had some very interesting speakers in the past, such as the police, firefighters – all different people.”

She added: “It’s wonderful to be back after Covid – it’s as if we’ve escaped. But we’re not back up to normal numbers yet and we lost some members to Covid, which has been very sad.”

Meanwhile, Shirley Wyatt, 86, said: “It’s good company. It means a lot to come out and see people.

“Some people could be alone all day, so it gives them something to look forward to. It’s exciting to be able to go on trips too.

“I look forward to it every week, as does everyone else here.”

Before the pandemic, the society had around 55 members, but now has around 30 attending meetings.

The society’s committee, which is voted for by members, is currently made up of nine members – Pam Strange, Gloria McManus, Judith Davies, Dennis Welch, Jeanette Thomas, Aileen Bourne, Janet Baynton, Hayden Lewis and Sue Lewis.

The committee is looking for more members to join. The society meets at Caerphilly OAP Hall every Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone interested in joining the society can contact Pam Strange on 07551 050035 or Janet Baynton on 07874 751879.