Stowmarket: Thorntree Lunch Club has 40th birthday but is forced to close two days later

Thorntree Lunch Club have been providing help, support and a warm place to have a meal for the over 60s in Stowmarket for 40 years. (Image: Archant)

The Thorntree Lunch Club in Stowmarket has seen hundreds of over 60’s join it over the years.

But the group, which was run by volunteers, has now disbanded because of low attendances.

Peter Thompson had been chairman of the group. He said: “The whole thing accumulated on the 40th anniversary. We had the celebration and then two days after it we closed down.

“We closed because of the current economic situation. We had dwindling numbers of patrons coming and so it was very difficult. We went from 30 members a day down to six or seven.

He added: “Over the years we were predominately for the over 60’s but people who are 60 years of age today think that they are too young for it. It is a great shame.”

With numbers getting lower and lower the lunchclub became financially unviable, Mr Thompson added.

A celebration event was held at what had been the lunchclub’s home in Milton House near the town council offices. The town mayor Vera Waspe and the town clerk David Blackburn attended along with other dignitaries.

The club originally began in 1973 at 15 Station Road in the town.