It all started 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. If there are more than 9 senior citizens then one of the OMCA committee members takes a car.
Outings planned for 2010 will again include trips to the New Forest, Bournemouth, Milestones museum Basingstoke, Exbury Gardens, Beaulieu, Furzy Gardens and Hilliar's Arboretum as these have proved popular.
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.
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
Chairman of OMCA
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