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Sheppey’s 55-Plus Club holding bingo get-together at Co-op Sports and Social Club in Sheerness

13:00, 05 May 2017

It’s eyes down for a bingo reunion.

Former members of Sheppey’s 55-Plus Club are holding a get-together at the Co-op Sports and Social Club in St George’s Avenue, Sheerness, on Thursday, May 18.

The old-stagers meet at 12.30pm.

Past and present members of Sheppey's 55-Plus Club at a Christmas party
Past and present members of Sheppey's 55-Plus Club at a Christmas party

Organiser June Luxon said: “We will have a few games of bingo, with all the money from the sale of books going as prize money. There will be tea and coffee and a raffle at half-time, just like the old days.”

But she added: “Sadly, many members have passed away. Those who are left will remember them and all the good times we had with founder Stan Dollimore’s quizzes, outings, dressing up and daft parties. We are looking forward to the afternoon to recall all those happy memories.”

The club was founded in July 1986 as the Thursday Club at Fairways bingo hall, the former Argosy Cinema, and later switched to the Victoria Club across the road in Sheerness Broadway.

Members included Len Buckley, Betty Kibble, Betty French and her sister Ruth and Sid Record.

The club then moved to the Masonic Club before settling at the Co-op Sports and Social Club in St George’s Avenue in 2004.

Stan retired because of ill-health in 2007. June recalled: “It was a very sad time but as I had been helping him I agreed to try to follow in his footsteps.

“He was a very hard act to follow but if I hadn’t stepped in the club would have folded. We wanted to keep it going for Stan.”

It finally folded in 2009.

June said: “It was very sad but we went out with a bang, using the money we had accumulated to hold a farewell party. I’d like to thank all the venues which offered us a home over the years.”

For more details, call June on 01795 662826.

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