An appeal for volunteers to help at the Friday Lunch Club, which meets weekly at the Larruperz Centre, has paid off - in part.

At the end of last year several long serving volunteers retired and with no new volunteers stepping forward to fill their shoes it looked increasingly likely that the club would close. Thankfully, the popular club was able to meet on Friday, January 4th for the first time this year after several people came forward to offer their services. President?of the Ross Action Bus, Rosemary Rigby, who has taken on the task of finding people to keep the club going, was delighted that the Club was able to run but she still needs more help.

Miss Rigby told the Ross Gazette: “I am so thankful to those who have helped today but one lady is from Monmouth and the other can only help during school holiday.” So Rosemary is once again appealing for volunteer drivers and companions, as well as people to assist with serving lunch, to help ensure that regular visitors to the Lunch Club in Ross-on-Wye can continue to enjoy their weekly get-togethers. The Ross Lunch Club takes place every Friday at the Larruperz Centre and the Ross Action Bus is called into use to collect local residents who wish to attend.

Rosemary told the Ross Gazette:?“I want all those people who rely on the Lunch Club, not just for a delicious hot, home cooked meal, but for companionship and a chance to catch up with local news, not to worry. Everything I can do will be done.”

Members of the Club wrote their own letter appealing for the Club to continue which was published in the Gazette and one member, Margaret Wilce, who attends with her husband also added the details of the appeal to her Facebook page. She said: “We are a group of approx 30 elderly people who have been meeting regularly, I have been reliably told since, the 1960s, we are very appreciative of any help that is given, it means so much to us meeting our old friends in a friendly atmosphere.”

Miss Rigby explained that volunteers are needed to help serve meals, sit and chat with guests, and ensure everyone is having a good time. The Club has been threatened many times over the years but it is still popular and a valuable service for those who use it, it gives them time to meet up with old friends as well as a delicious home cooked hot meal.

And although the Lunch Club runs every Friday, from 12 noon until approximately 2pm. Volunteers could offer to help on a fortnightly or monthly basis. Some guests are also brought to the Larruperz Centre by private cars so if there are any volunteers who could take on this role Rosemary would be pleased to hear from you. If you can help please contact Rosemary on 01981 540477.