Golden Age Fairs “cannot be underestimated” says Fenland District Councillor

“We simply wouldn’t be able to reach some of the more vulnerable residents in our rural

communities without the Golden Age Fairs.”

That was the feedback from just one of Fenland District Council’s Golden Age Fair partners

following the last fair of 2018 at Tower Hall, Friday Bridge, on Tuesday, December 11.

Around 140 people attended the event which aims to provide advice and support to the over

60s all under one roof, and also give people an opportunity to meet new friends.

Councillor Mike Cornwell, the Council’s Cabinet member responsible for Golden Age, said:

“The role that Golden Age continues to play in local communities cannot be underestimated.

Many older residents, particularly those in our rural villages, would not get the opportunity to

receive important information, help and guidance on a wide range of issues without the fairs

coming to their doorstep.”

“People who come along to these events also make new friends and that can make a real

difference to the lives of older people, so many of whom suffer from loneliness and isolation.”

The latest event brought together more than 20 partners that provide services for older

people, and visitors got into the festive spirit with Christmas songs sung by 60 pupils from

Friday Bridge Primary School and free mince pies and hot drinks served by Councillor

Michelle Tanfield, Linda Sutton and Lisa Searle.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service also offered a free electric blanket exchange, the

Council’s new leisure partner, Freedom Leisure, carried out free blood pressure checks and

health MOTs, and the Fenland Ferret benefits calculator was on hand to help people find out

what benefits they’re entitled too.

Partners on the day were: Age (UK), Alzheimers Society, The Bobby Scheme, Blind

Veterans, Breathe Easy, The British Legion, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire

Fire & Rescue Service, Careline, Care Network, Carer’s Trust, Technology Enabled Care,

The Sensory and Early Adult Help Team, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Healthwatch, Street

Pride, Active Fenland, Freedom Leisure, Living Sport, Peterborough Environment City Trust

(PECT), Camsight, East Anglian Ambulance Service, Everyone Health, Fenland Association

for Community Transport, Healthwatch and The Library Service.

The next Golden Age Fair will be held in Chatteris in February – keep your eyes peeled for

the date in a few weeks’ time.