TO MARK the 50th anniversary of a much valued borough community space, a special tea party was held on Saturday.
Earley Day Centre chair Mrs. Linda Chambers welcomed party guests, who included Mayor of Wokingham Borough Cllr Adrian Mather, Earley Town Mayor Cllr Mike Smith, Earley Town Council co-ordinator Cllr Anne Bassett, and one of the day centre’s members since its earliest days, Mrs. Janette Rollinson.
With around 60 day centre residents the special guests joined in celebrating five decades of fun and community at Earley Day Centre with tea, sandwiches and homemade cakes, and expressed their warm wishes for another 50 years of the day centre to come.
Chair Linda Chambers said: “It was a wonderful celebration, and such a lovely social occasion.
“Both mayors were so friendly, staying to chat with the community.
“There was a real buzz, and people will be talking about the event for a long time.”
The doors to Earley Day Centre first opened on April 5, in 1975.
It was immediately put to good use for coffee mornings, afternoon tea parties, whist drives, canasta afternoons, ladies hairdressing, a foot clinic, and bingo sessions.
It also housed various community groups including the then Earley Active Retirement Club, and as the groups thrived, extensions to the building became necessary to cope with growing memberships.
Today Earley Day Centre hosts Earley Retirement Group meetings, Maiden Erlegh Residents Association sessions, and Earley Trefoil Guild meetings.
During the week it offers a free, friendly drop-in club for older adults and people with disabilities, with opportunities for social connection, laughter, conversation and companionship in a welcoming environment.
During the winter it is available as a Warm Space, where people can bring their own food and spend time together in the heated day centre.
Inside, a wide range of activities and services are available, including art, bingo, games, film screenings, whist, and talks from occasional guest speakers.
A Knit and Natter group takes place every Wednesday morning, and hairdressing services are available every other Wednesday morning (appointments and charges apply).
And people requiring a foot clinic can receive treatment from Little Treats every other Tuesday (appointments and charges apply).
Teas and coffees are available for £1.
New members are always welcome to join, and are warmly invited to become a part of the community.
Earley Day Centre, on Kenton Road, is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am until 4pm, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 1pm.
For information, call: 0118 966 1010
