A brand new Active Living Centre for people aged over 50 was opened in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday December 8th by the town’s Mayor.
The facility, overseen by Somerset County Council and Age Concern, was opened at Burnham Community Centre by Cllr Eric Gill.
It is only the second Active Living Centre to open in Sedgemoor and is aimed at giving over 50s the power to arrange the services and events they would like to have.
The centre has been enthusiastically welcomed by residents and has already received strong support with 20 people turning up to share their ideas at a recent planning meeting.
People aged 50 and over were invited to put forward their suggestions for the new centre, which will be formally opened on the first Friday of every month from 5th January 2007.
The centre aims to provide regular activities, advice, learning opportunities and events to promote active living and improve well-being to people in Burnham aged 50 and over.
Over 50 Active Living Centres are being established across the county between now and 2008, operating locally from suitable venues on a drop-in basis. Local communities will lead the development of Active Living Centres, with support from the Partnerships for Older People Project (POPP).
And Ken Hindle, Chairman of the Burnham Community Centre Committee, added: “This is a joint venture with Somerset Partnerships for Older People Project, Burnham University of the Third Age and the Community Centre. Our aim is to help everyone to be happy, healthy and active.”
County Councillor Mike Facey, who represents Burnham North, said: “I welcome the opening of this new centre. As it is on the coast, Burnham lends itself very well to healthy living and the location of the centre is superb. I am really pleased that there is something new for the over-50s – and I intend to go along myself!”
Our photos show Gilli Kenyon-Gill talking to Eileen Bower and Barbara Stone as they sign the visitors’ sheet; Ken Hindle addresses the gathering; Some of the involved visitors watch on; Town Mayor Eric Gill cuts the cake; Sue Bulter (Age Concern), Eric Gill, Ken Hindle, and Gilli Kenyon-Gill.
RELATED LINKS:
New over 50s centre to open in Burnham
