| Balham Pensioners Centre |
| Friday, 08 June 2007 16:27 |
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I also visited the Restart Social and Cultural Organisation. This is a relatively new local group who meet weekly in Mecca Bingo Hall (who provide them with a free meeting room and refreshments). The group consists of older local people, mainly of Asian origin, with a mutual interest in culture ranging from music to art, from poetry to dance. I thoroughly enjoyed going along to their weekly meeting and look forward to going to see their performance of "Cinderella" later this year. One of the highlights of the week was attending the 20th Anniversary of the Balham Pensioners Centre at the Balham Baptist Church. Reverend Steve Rouse was funny, thoughtful, entertaining and inspiring. He has to be one of my favourite local religious leaders. The main stars of the service, however, were the users. Olive Hendy and Galdys Balsom shared with the rest of us the reason they love the Centre. I also met a number of pensioners who had been having lunch at the Centre (and enjoying the many other activities they provide) for 20 years. The new Mayor of Wandsworth was also present. Although I couldn't stay for the lunch that had been laid on, it was obvious from the lovely smell from the kitchen the secret of the centre’s success over the last 20 years – great food! I also joined the hardworking Labour Councillor of Tooting Ward, Nick Bowes, and local Labour Party Members in a canvass in Tooting Ward. The response on the doorstep to Nick's campaigning for Tooting was very positive. The local Safer Neighbourhood Team is also a huge success story. The Graveney and Tooting Quiz was huge fun, with lots of funds being raised and fun had by all. The only down side was the fact that the team that I was a member of came last………. I also attended a Hustings in Vauxhall Constituency Labour Party (for the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party) and held my normal advice surgery in Tooting Library. |
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