On Friday 27th January 2023, Haydon Wick Parish Council hosted a ‘Quiz, Fish and Chips and Play Your Cards Right’ evening at the Haydon Wick Working Men’s Club. The event was delivered as part of the Council’s reducing loneliness and isolation programme designed to encourage members of the community to meet new people. The £5.00 tickets went on sale early in the New Year.
Fish and chips were supplied by Thames Avenue fish and chip shop, and thoroughly appreciated by all. The winning quiz team took away some lovely prizes. After the quiz had finished and everyone had eaten, the Haydon Wick version of Play Your Cards Right got everyone joining in and enjoying the fun.
Attendees from the Council’s event had this to say: “I felt a bit guilty because I am not lonely or isolated, but I met and chatted to a couple of people who were struggling a bit and then I realised that those people were glad to meet people who were a bit more outgoing”.
“I used to go into the office every day and that meant I could chat to people, now I work from home, I can go days without talking to anyone face to face. Tonight, a few of us who usually only chat on social media decided to come and we have really enjoyed it.”
Councillor Ellen Baker Lee Vice Chairman of the Council said “our reducing Isolation and Loneliness Programme has been really successful in bringing the community of Haydon Wick together. Residents are hearing about the events through word of mouth and the leaflet we delivered a few months ago. We hope to continue putting these events on as they’re proving to be popular and so beneficial to people who live alone.”
The Parish Council is always keen to hear from the community about how it can continue to deliver popular events for everyone to enjoy. If you have any suggestions that you think would be well received in the Parish, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Community Development Officer: events@haydonwick.gov.uk
