I WOULD like to take the opportunity on behalf of Friends and Neighbours to thank all those who have supported this group.

The group has grown immensely this year with some 80 members including volunteers and we now have a waiting list due to its popularity.

Many lonely and isolated people have joined this friendly, social group and have made many new acquaintances and made up with old friends.

The group has had an amazing 2016 including trips to Monmouth, Weston-super-Mare and Cadbury Garden Centre, Stratford, local lunches, visit to the Panto and Wales Millennium Centre as well as monthly meetings at Beryl Road Pioneer Hall and a wedding in the group at All Saints Church.

With sponsorship from Morrisons, Renishaw, Barry Rotary and Barry Round Table, 80 members enjoyed a three-course festive Christmas lunch at Brynhill Golf Club with entertainment from Porthkerry Community Choir and a present from Santa.

Thanks this year to British Gas Community Matters Volunteers who gave their time at October’s meeting by helping at The Ploughman’s Lunch.

We were also earlier in the year nominated by Community Matters at Waitrose and Asda as chosen charities.

I would like to thank both Jane Hutt AM and Alun Cairns MP for their long and outstanding support over the years and to Barry & District News for their support in news, etc, within the group.

Thanks must also go to Barry Town Council and Vale of Glamorgan for their support.

Finally I would like to thank my wonderful volunteers Phyl, Christina, Jen, Marlene, Pam, Helen, Andrea, Carole, Mary, Sue, Joyce, Gail and Sandra for all their help.

I just want to wish all the members a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Gay Fifield

Coordinator

Friends and Neighbours