LEAMINGTON Spa’s Oddfellows are hosting their first ‘Friendship Month’ event in their new home on New Street.
The Heart of England Branch, whose members meet up regularly for social and fund-raising activities, dedicates the month of September to welcoming new members with a range of free events specially designed to make newcomers feel at ease.
The first events on the calendar are a Cheese and Wine Evening on Tuesday September 7, and a coffee morning on Monday September 13.
After taking up residence on New Street, following their move from Clarence Terrace, membersare keen to welcome newcomers into the fold.
Branch secretary Yvette Glover said: “Despite being in lockdown for the past 18 months we have actually been very, very busy!
“As well as ensuring our members were supported emotionally and physically throughout the lockdown, we’ve relocated to a brand-new premises and organised a packed calendar of events for new members.”
“This new space is a bit more fit for purpose. We’ve moved from a six storey, grade II listed building to a renovated old school which is all on one level, so it’s much more accessible for our members. We were sad to leave our original beautiful home as it had so much history intertwined in those walls – we’d been there for more than a 100 years.
“But needs must, and it was becoming very apparent that it wasn’t easy, or even possible, for some of our members to use the space – and our members come first! We can’t wait to welcome members new and old into our new place and celebrate the move together.”
There is also coffee morning in aid of Macmillan on Friday, September 24, while Yvette and fellow member Trish Pye will be taking on a challenge of their own, rowing none-stop for 45 minutes in aid of the Warwick District Chairman’s charity for 2021, Alzheimer’s UK.
The Oddfellows’ Heart of England Branch is a non-profit with approximately 900 local members. In addition to attending regular social events, members can access financial benefits and welfare support, with a dedicated care helpline and citizens advice team, and a travel club.
To register an interest in attending a Friendship Month taster event, or to receive a free local events pack, contact Yvette on 01926 424112 or email [email protected].
Further event and open day details can be found at www.friendshipmonth.com, as well as a competition to win one of six tapas hampers.
Members of Heart of England Oddfellows at the new Leamington presmises.
