A man has set up a club for like-minded individuals who are looking for companionship in the nearby area.
Say hello to the Friendship Club, run by Eric Panting, who originally set up his first ‘friendship club’ 40 years ago, in Scotland.
He set up the group as an active retired man who often found himself looking for people to spend time with – and said “there must be other people that are thinking the same and would like some company”.
Mr Panting said he had a “huge response” from people when he initially gathered responses on who would be interested in joining.
At the club’s first meeting on April 8, at the Hidden Gem Cafe in Thatcham, a group of 14 complete strangers came together – from Hungerford, to Kintbury and Newbury.
“It was very successful, it went pretty well and I would like to keep it going,” said Mr Panting. “Most people have said they are coming back next time.”
As part of the club, he hopes in future to organise lunches, dinners, bingo and quiz nights, a jigsaw exchange, Christmas dinners and much more.
“We all started off as strangers and ended up laughing like best of friends,” he said.
Mr Panting says he is still friends with those he made as part of his Scottish friendship club, and hopes the same for the Newbury/Thatcham contingent.
If you would like more information on how to join, please email epanting2006@yahoo.co.uk