Steam Train Trip to Wales
Well, I was right when I said in last month’s magazine that we would have a great trip to Wales! With 53 people on board, we set off for our steam train adventure. The mountains were covered in low cloud first thing, but thankfully the weather cleared to give us a beautiful sunny day.
We were lucky to enjoy some lovely scenery, with wonderful views of the huge reservoir and the surrounding mountains. The narrow-gauge railway was originally used to haul heavy loads up steep inclines, and the journey gave us some fantastic views across the valleys.
On the way back, we stopped for half an hour beside the reservoir to enjoy drinks, Welsh cakes and ice cream before setting off for home. We arrived back in Purton by 6.30pm.
The feedback we received was very encouraging and much appreciated. It’s always lovely to know that everyone has enjoyed a day out with us!
3B’s
Our second 3B’s event of the year took place on Friday 9 October, and we had a full house! Once again, it was a great evening, with good food, plenty of laughs and lots of fun.
This is always a popular event, and one that we really enjoy organising. The next one will be in March next year, so be prepared!
Christmas Shopping Trip – Cardiff
We are organising a coach trip to Cardiff for some Christmas shopping on Wednesday 25 November.
The coach will leave the village at 10am, and the cost is £20 per person, or £22 for those living outside the village. Cardiff is a wonderful place to visit at this time of year, with its Christmas market and a fantastic choice of shops to explore.
We plan to be back in the village by 6pm.
To book your place, please ring our new booking number on 07400 769060 and leave a clear message giving your name, telephone number and the number of tickets you require.
Chatter Club
Our Chatter Club continues throughout the summer and beyond, and our next session is on Wednesday 4 November. These get-togethers are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s wonderful to see both familiar faces and new people joining us each month.
We meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 11.30am to 2pm. Whether you fancy a chat over a cup of tea, a game of pool or cards, or simply a slice of cake, there’s something for everyone. Best of all, it’s completely free!
If you would like transport on the minibus, please book with Hazel on 01793 770862.
Christmas Party – Saturday 5 December 2026
We are starting to plan our Christmas party, and we look forward to sharing more details with you shortly.
Our secretary, Georgina, will be coordinating ticket sales this year, so keep an eye on our social media pages for further information.
The party is open to Purton residents aged 65 or over, and tickets cost just £8 per person.
For more information or to book your tickets, please call 07966 222967.
Wiltshire Community Lottery
You may have seen on our social media pages or in our emails that we have registered Purton & District Age Concern with the Wiltshire Community Lottery.
How does it work?
The lottery gives local good causes an additional way to raise money through a weekly online draw.
You, our supporters, can buy up to 20 tickets each week, with prizes of up to £25,000. Each ticket costs just £1, and 50p from every ticket sold through our page goes directly to Purton & District Age Concern, helping us continue supporting older residents in our community.
To buy tickets and nominate us as your good cause, please follow the link below:
Support Purton & District Age Concern through the Wiltshire Community Lottery
You can cancel your participation at any time, so there’s no long-term commitment.
Who wouldn’t love the chance to win £25,000 while supporting a local charity? Good luck!
Could You Help Us?
We are still looking to grow our committee so that we can continue supporting older residents in Purton through the events, trips and activities we organise.
We are proud of the activities, support and friendship we provide for older people in our community, but we need more people to get involved.
If you have ever thought about helping a local charity, this could be a great opportunity. You don’t need any special experience, just a willingness to lend a hand and help make a difference.
If you’d like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
Need a Lift?
If you’re over 60 and need transport to the doctor’s surgery, the shops or other local destinations, our minibus may be able to help.
To enquire about booking a seat, please contact Hazel on 01793 770862.
Swindon WOW – What’s On When
Looking for local activities and things to do?
Swindon WOW (What’s On When) is a useful guide produced by Home Instead, listing activities and groups for older people, including those living with dementia.
For more information, call 01793 234439 or email cat.attewell@homeinsteadswindon.co.uk. You can also find a link to the guide on our website.
Are You Registered for Priority Services?
Many people don’t realise that they may be entitled to extra support from their utility companies.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is free to join for eligible customers and can provide additional help if their electricity, gas or water supply is interrupted.
For example, you may receive updates during power cuts and could be eligible for extra assistance during a prolonged outage.
To find out more or register, please visit the relevant utility company’s website or call 0800 294 3259.
If you would like help signing up, please contact Emma Wheeler on 07496 809035.
Tai Chi at the Village Hall
Our Tai Chi sessions continue every Thursday at 1.30pm during term time at the Village Hall.
Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise that can help improve balance, mobility and general wellbeing. Many people also find it relaxing and enjoyable.
Your first session is free, and after that classes cost £7 per session. No booking is needed, so why not come along and give it a try?
For more information, contact Graham on 07950 510420.
Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust
The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust continues to offer free home security checks and can install smoke and fire alarms for eligible residents.
If you would like to arrange a visit, call 01225 256867 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Wiltshire Connect – Free Travel for Bus Pass Holders
If you need help getting to hospital appointments, Wiltshire Connect could be worth looking into.
The service can collect passengers locally, including from home where mobility is an issue, and can take you to destinations such as Great Western Hospital. It can also be used for shopping trips and other journeys, depending on the route.
Travel is free for bus pass holders and reasonably priced for everyone else.
To book, call 01225 712900. Journeys can be arranged up to a week in advance.
Pheonix Transport
Please note that Phoenix Transport is no longer free for bus pass holders.
For bookings, please call 01249 890794.
Are You Over 65 and Living in Purton?
If you’re aged 65 or over and haven’t heard from us before, please get in touch.
We want to make sure everyone who could benefit from our services knows what’s available, including information about our local Street Wardens and other community support.
Contact Georgina on 07966 222967 or email secretary@purtonageconcern.com.
Could We Help Your Group?
If you’re involved with a local club or group that supports older people and are looking for some financial help, we’d be pleased to hear from you.
Please email secretary@purtonageconcern.com with details of your project.
Wheelchairs & Mobility Aids
We have a small selection of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and walking sticks available for loan.
If you think we may be able to help, please contact Peter on 01793 778119 or email secretary@purtonageconcern.com.
Keep in Touch
Don’t forget to follow us on social media and join our mailing list to keep up to date with local events, activities and fundraising news.
Simply email secretary@purtonageconcern.com, and we’ll add you to the list.
As always, thank you for your continued support. Everything we do is possible because of the generosity, encouragement and kindness of people in our community.
Whether you attend our events, volunteer your time, buy a raffle ticket or simply spread the word about what we do, you are helping us support older residents in Purton.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Peter Berry
Chairman, Purton & District Age Concern
