Pensioners need new venues for their clubs in Foots Cray and Welling (From News Shopper)

Pensioners could lose their social life if a new venue is not found for their clubs in Foots Cray and Welling

11:48am Tuesday 21st February 2012 in News By Kelly Smale

PENSIONERS across Bexley face losing their social lives if new venues cannot be found for their clubs.

London Probation Trust ran a lunch club at North Cray Community Centre, in Davis Way, Foots Cray, as part of its community payback scheme for 20 years.

But the project, which was attended by around 24 elderly people, has been cancelled as there have not been enough offenders to carry out the work.

Nell Berwick, of Ellenborough Road, said: "Most people who visit the lunch club don't go anywhere else and have nothing else to do.

"It's disgraceful to close it after 20 years. Elderly people are going to be left without a social life."

The 79-year-old has written to the Prime Minister and justice secretary, Ken Clarke, asking them to save the club.

Bernard Justham, of Pollard Walk, has been attending the centre for the last 20 years.

The great-grandfather said: "It seems such a shame that they have stopped it.

"It was something everybody enjoyed. The thing that upsets me is the suddeness of it."

The 80-year-old added: "If you were living on your own at least you could go and sit down with other people and not have to cook for yourself.”

A London Probation Trust spokeswoman said: "We're disappointed that we've had to close the project at North Cray Lunch Club.

"The offenders were supervised by one of our members of staff, but recently there have not been enough offenders to fulfil the work that needs to be done.

"This meant our supervisor was the one doing, not supervising, the work.

"We know the local residents value the service; so we offered to continue with the scheme as a placement, which would have involved the lunch club staff supervising the offenders. This was declined."

Meanwhile Age UK Bexley is under pressure to find a new venue for its Welling Pop in Parlour, in Bellegrove Road.

For around 20 years the council has paid for the running costs of the property and allowed Age UK Bexley to use it free of charge.

But when the lease ends on June 23 the council will no longer foot the bill.

The building is used by more than 100 pensioners each week for activities including an Alzheimer's group and hearing aid clinic.

Charity chief executive Paul Goulden said: "We are not going to abandon Welling. We are not closing the parlour. At worst we are going to be relocating."

Vicky Collins, 75, of Wordsworth Road, Welling, has visited the centre at least once a week for the last 17 years.

She said: "People come here and have a chat and a reasonably priced meal. It’s their outlet for the day.

"It gives them something to look forward to."

Age UK Bexley will hold another meeting with residents at the end of March.

A Bexley Council spokeswoman said: "The Welling Pop-Parlour is currently leased by the council from a private landlord at a commercial rent.

"The decision not to renew the lease was about using buildings we own, rather than paying commercial rent, so making the best use of local council taxpayers money.

"We are working with Age UK to help them find alternative premises to ensure that this important service can continue at another venue close by."