On September 4 the Lakefield Social Club gathered at the Northmead Bowling Club for a morning of bowls.
The Lakefield Social Club, for seniors aged 60 and over, falls under the South African Association of Retired Persons (SAARP) and is a group of senior citizens who enjoy each others’ company and are looking to make new friends and have fun.
Pam Harvey, founder and chairperson of the club, which was started in June 2014, said she decided to start this club for the older generation who live alone or in an old age home, as they get lonely.
“When I went overseas to visit my dad, he was attending various clubs to keep busy, he was making tons of friends and having the best time, so when I got back I decided that we should have a club like the ones he was attending, here in Benoni.” said Harvey.
“Our head office is based in Cape Town, and they have tons of these kinds of clubs there.
“When I did some research, there are only two in Gauteng.
ALSO READ:
BCC Bowls weekend competitions
“South Africa needs more clubs like this. We have about 200 members and this has picked up drastically, especially over the lockdown period because people are alone, depressed and negative.
“You need a group you can call friends and just spend some time with.”
The club had only hosted one bowls fun day just before South Africa went into lockdown. Before lockdown came into affect the club had been on many adventures, such as a bus trip to Montecasino and a visit to the Barnyard Theatre.
David Langley, treasurer of the Lakefield Social Club and organiser of this bowls outing, said they are going to try and make this a monthly outing.
“We had only done one of these kinds of events before going into lockdown, so this being the second one we couldn’t have everyone attend.
“Having to keep the amount of people below 50 due to Covid-19 regulations, we had about 24 people attend.
“We are very grateful to Des Day, chairperson of Northmead Bowling Club, as he invited us here today.”
Many were seen on the day having tea and getting involved with bowling.
ALSO READ:
Benoni Country Club Bowls hosts a fund-raiser for Cansa
Laughter from the youthful seniors could be heard from afar, everyone clearly enjoying themselves.
Beppie Summersgill, Airfield resident and well-known blind Benoni bowler, attended the bowls fun day as a member of the Lakefield Social Club.
She said her attendance today is to show the seniors, the blind and disabled of Benoni that nothing is impossible.
“I am blind. I can’t see a thing but here I am.
“Nothing is impossible people of Benoni. If you are blind you can play, if you are disabled you can play.
“Don’t let anything hold you back. I am here today having fun and giving it all I have, and so can you,” she said.
