Owslebury Senior Citizen Outings 2012
It all started in 2008 when we heard from Cliff Nash that Age Concern were willing to share their 9-seater minibus with villages outside Winchester as it was not being used for luncheon clubs on Fridays.
This was an opportunity not to be missed as the minibus also came with Age Concern voluntary drivers.
OMCA began to negotiate with Age Concern and to advertise monthly outings in the village newsletter.
The first outing was in December 2008 when we took 13 villagers to Brambridge Garden Centre for a Christmas lunch.
Outings in 2009/10 included, the Otterbourne Pantomime, Winchester Theatre, Milestones museum in Basingstoke, New Forest, Exbury gardens, Hillier’s arboretum and Poole.
Outings in 2011 have also proved popular and included new venues such Branksome pottery, Christchurch, Gilbert white’s House, The Hawk conservancy, Whitchurch silk Mill and Fareham for Christmas shopping.
Costs have been kept to a minimum and people are asked to pay a small amount to cover the cost of entry fees, fuel and meals where included.
The senior Citizens held a Table Top Sale in April 2011 to raise funds to help with costs.
The extra costs are subsidized by OMCA
Some of our senior Citizens are housebound and not able to use the local bus or drive a car and so it is arranged to collect them from home and return home.
Some of our seniors have disabilities.
Some come with their carers.
All our seniors enjoy the social outing, have made new friends and enjoy the experience.
We are very grateful to Age Concern for this opportunity and for OMCA who have been supporting this new venture.
Catherine Fox
Programme of outings for 2012
Outings are usually every third Friday of the month leaving the village hall car park at 10.00 and returning approximately 4pm
January 21 Otterbourne Panto Matinee
February 17 Carlos for coffee and New Forest Run!
March 16 Green Jackets Museum Winchester
April 20 Lymington
May 18 Mottifont Abbey
June 15 Lee on Solent
July 20 Bournemouth and Fish and Chips
August 17 Royal Marines Museum
September 21 Basingstoke Canal Boat Trip
October 19 Hilliers Arboureum
November16 Andover Christmas Shopping
December 7 Christmas Lunch at Brambridge
December Otterbourne Brass Band Christmas Carols
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