THE Hayes End Community Centre (HECC) is planning to give pensioners a day to remember during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend.
The centre, in Kingsway, is preparing for the royal anniversary, with red, white and blue decorations going up ahead of their all-day party on Saturday next week.
A card from the Queen, in reply to a letter of congratulations from the centre, has pride of place on the HECC’s walls, with excitement building as the big day nears.
In the afternoon, some old English favourites will be served up at an OAPs lunch – fish and chips, followed by trifle, jelly and cakes – and an entertainer will lead an old-fashioned sing-along.
The celebrations on June 2 will carry on into the evening with a disco for all the family. DJ Kevin Dennis will be spinning dancefloor hits, and people attending are encouraged to bring their signature dish along to share with the crowd.
HECC chairman Sue Ewers said: “For the past few weeks, we have been really busy planning everything, and it should be a really fantastic day.
“Everyone is chipping in. Friends and friends of friends are volunteering their time to make it work.
“We have been blown away by the support.”
HECC is one of the smaller and lesser-used community centres in the borough and Mrs Ewers is part of a committee, formed a year ago, which is trying to reverse its fortunes and attract people again with fundraisers and new activities for visitors, starting with this Jubilee party.
She said: “We want everyone to know that we are here and open for the whole community to use. We are really pleased that we can put this on for the elderly for free and get them out for a day of fun.”
More than 100 people from care homes in the borough have already booked their place. Both events are free to attend but are ticket-only, with spaces going fast.
The cost is being met entirely by the centre, which was awarded a £1,675 grant for the occasion, from Hillingdon Council’s Leader’s Initiative for Older People.
Contributions have also been made by the AP Taylor Trust, a Hillingdon-based charitable fund, and fundraising staff at Tigi salon, in West Drayton.
To check ticket availability and book your place, email sue.lulu@hotmail.com, or call 07824 438 841.
