Last Friday, Huw Merriman, MP for the Bexhill and Battle constituency enjoyed breakfast with Hurst Green residents at the fortnightly Over 75s’s Breakfast Club at the village hall.
Twice a month, local volunteers organise a breakfast for village residents who are aged 75 and over. The busy event is a great place for senior members of the village community to meet up and enjoy a delicious Full English breakfast. The club volunteers also offer a lifts to and from the village hall for those who may struggle to attend to make sure no one misses out due to transport or mobility problems. Huw was invited to join the breakfast to meet the residents and volunteers.
Huw said “When I arrived at Hurst Green Village Hall for the breakfast, the place was already buzzing with chatter and laughter. I was made to feel so welcome and was treated to a delicious breakfast which was a great way to start my busy day. The volunteers and club members are clearly very proud of what they have achieved. This social event is so important to the village community. For many club members, it was a simply a chance to catch up with friends, have a good chat and put the world to rights. For others, the club helps to alleviate loneliness and isolation which can be a real problem for those living in rural areas. And, for some, it is a welcome break from full-time caring responsibilities.
“I came away from the visit thinking that every village should have a breakfast club for Over 75s. It really is what community is all about – supporting each other, creating a sense of belonging, sharing news and enjoying company of friends and making new friends. I want to say a big thank you to the volunteers who clearly give far more just their time to this club, they are rightly passionate and proud about what they have achieved. I should also like to thank Hurst Green parish council for their financial support of the club, its exactly the sort of project that a parish council should support, they set a great example to others.”
The Over 75s Breakfast Club is always looking to raise funds to cover their costs. If any other local organisations or businesses would like to support it or donate to the regular fund-raising raffle, please contact [email protected] so you can be put in touch with the organisers.
