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Fun and Laughter

(65 Posts)
beautybumble Thu 08-Jun-23 20:56:54

I would be interested to know if you've got anywhere you can go for enjoyment. Where I live all there is for retired people is coffee and chat at the church, knit and natter or being a volunteer. All of those things are important to help people who are lonely or just like to do them, but to be honest, I would love to go out dancing or to a social club to have a bit of a laugh. I'm 73 but I still would love to have a little fun. Where's the life?

Judy54 Sun 11-Jun-23 16:31:32

I never knew that social clubs still existed. The ones I remember from some years ago started off as working men's clubs and then became somewhere that men and women could go to for a drink and entertainment. This was usually music, a singer or a comedian. Is this the sort of thing you are looking for beautybumble if so hope you find something that meets your needs.

ParlorGames Sun 11-Jun-23 15:07:02

You are at liberty to start a group of your own.

Patsy70 Sun 11-Jun-23 14:52:40

There is a vast choice of activities available, as has already been suggested. However, it won’t come to you, so you need to be proactive. How independent are you? If you would like to join a dance club and there isn’t one nearby, maybe you could do some research and if there’s enough interest, start one yourself, investigating suitable village halls etc. I also volunteer and meet so many interesting people, young & old, male & female. We have such a good laugh and lots to talk about, as we all have various interests. Obviously, it depends a lot on where you live, but we don’t know where that is.

Aldom Sun 11-Jun-23 14:04:28

Cat4

You could see if there is a National Women's Register Group near you - nwr.org.uk/

I second this. Great groups of women, all over the country. We meet in each others homes.
There are interest groups within the group too, eg walking, garden, French, mahjong etc. It's easier to get to know people in smaller groups. smile

Susieq62 Sun 11-Jun-23 14:00:01

Where do you live??

Mollie3 Sun 11-Jun-23 13:02:51

U3A (University of the Third Age) all over the country. My local one is more like a social club - debate groups, photography, dancing, days out, walks, music, monthly interesting speakers, languages, computers, even an engineering group. Subscription around £12 per annum.

Pippa22 Sun 11-Jun-23 12:53:04

Som3 of the things put on for older people are so dreary. I’m 76 an£ if I go out I don’t want a cup of tea and a biscuit whilst I do a jigsaw or knit. I want it to be worth my while being out and bingo in a church hall isn’t it !! We are all different I suppose but some people my age are just so old.

Hazeld Sun 11-Jun-23 12:33:19

Have sent you a pm beautybumble

CrazyMazy Sun 11-Jun-23 12:31:55

Do you have a U3A locally? Lots of groups to join. Meet new people, have fun and laughter and learn new things. We belong to a Traditional Music Group in our area and we meet in pubs to sing and play Traditional Music together. There are Dance Groups, lunch groups, walking groups and many more. You do not have to be Academic but you can be if you want to be! U3A motto - learn, laugh and live!

pascal30 Sun 11-Jun-23 12:10:52

Have a look at Meetup groups. just google for your local area

Modompodom Sun 11-Jun-23 12:06:26

If you are on Facebook you might find some local groups that would fit the bill. What part of the country are you in?

Quaver22 Sun 11-Jun-23 12:04:46

I moved to a new area 2 years ago and didn’t know anyone. I volunteer as an usher at my local theatre, sing in a choir and belong to a number of U3A groups. I have lots of fun and laughter and I have made many new friends.

Cat4 Sun 11-Jun-23 12:02:19

You could see if there is a National Women's Register Group near you - nwr.org.uk/

Bella23 Sun 11-Jun-23 12:00:53

Severnsider

Find your local U3A group - their motto is Learn, Laugh, Live.

What more?

You are lucky if it lives up to their motto I know a lot do but not where I live now. I got the cold shoulder from the groups I wanted to join.

nanna8 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:58:53

My Probus group gives me lots of laughs and social connections. Loads of sub groups, dining out, music, walking, camping, holidays, wine tasting, theatre etc. I don’t go to the cinema group because sitting in front of a big screen doesn’t float my boat- I can do that at home in front of the telly.

Severnsider Sun 11-Jun-23 11:53:59

Find your local U3A group - their motto is Learn, Laugh, Live.

What more?

icanhandthemback Sun 11-Jun-23 11:45:35

Somebody in our area put up a post asking if any ladies in their later years would fancy going to places with other ladies of a similar age, especially during the day. Within hours loads of people responded and now we have a really full social calendar which includes cinema trips, theatre trips, gigs, eating out, walking, painting classes, pool parties, etc. It was eye opening how much there was a need for it.
Basically, people volunteer to 'host' an event and it goes out in the newsletter. I run dog walks and have done a theatre trip. Somebody else arranges to go to a quiz night, some do coffee mornings, etc. Two people send a monthly newsletter and we pick and choose what we want to do.
Maybe you could start something like this for say, people aged in their Sassy Sixties and Sprightly Seventies. Our group is for women only which means you all feel safe.

Bella23 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:38:49

Not where I live Beauty Bumble. There's one monthly coffee morning that has been known to be called "The Coffin Dodgers". Our village publican has banned nearly everyone in the village his reason being " For not using the pub". He even sent solicitors letters to some people one I know is teetotal. We never go near the place.
Entertainment has to be found elsewhere.

Charleygirl5 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:29:36

Depends where you live. I meet up with two separate lots of GNs for coffee and a natter and we have an enjoyable time.

I meet up monthly with another group of friends, mainly for coffee but a couple of times a year we go out for lunch.

Summerfly Sun 11-Jun-23 11:29:00

I love music so I go to acoustic clubs, country music clubs etc. with DH. I’ve made so many like minded friends over the years. It’s a wonderful way to make new friends. Walking clubs are another way to meet new people too. Good luck.

Callistemon21 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:25:35

WI, TWG, not all Jam and Jerusalem
U3A dancing groups as well as languages, craft, walking, etc etc
Pubs with live music
Volunteer; there are lots of groups, it's not only working in a charity shop

Coconut Sun 11-Jun-23 11:23:47

I have lots fun on all the singles holidays I go on. I’m also trying London clubs Boisdale and other Jazz clubs, festivals etc. It depends what you like and where you live. We all have to hunt for what makes us happy, good luck …..

vampirequeen Sun 11-Jun-23 11:23:46

It depends where you live and what you like to do. If you're in W Yorks and like Rock and Roll music/dancing then there are lots of dances held in different parts of the county. People who go to Rock and Roll dances are very friendly. The same goes for anyone who goes to a Forties dance.

If you like walking why not join a ramblers group or, if that's a bit strenuous to start with, a walking for health group.

It's a bit difficult to give ideas without knowing roughly where you are. Can you give us a clue?

Amalegra Sun 11-Jun-23 11:20:45

I volunteer too and it is great fun. So are the coffee mornings depending on the mix of people. I also have children and grandchildren near who keep me busy. But it can get quite lonely in the evenings and I would love to find the kind of enjoyment I used to have when younger. The, mostly ladies, I meet at these events are lovely but many have husbands to go home to or are perhaps more content with the quiet life! An evening out a week would be great! Perhaps a ‘youth’ club type thing for us older ones! Sadly there’s nothing much where I live. I did try the local Conservative club a few years back but they weren’t very welcoming to single people like me, as all ‘coupled up’, so I gave it up as a bad job! No other clubs near. So I’ll just keep my ears/eyes open (perhaps Google the Meet-up organisation pages again) and cross my fingers. I refuse to written off fun wise at 66!

Paperbackwriter Sun 11-Jun-23 11:20:29

Music venues are good. I go to gigs at two local blues clubs and everyone seems to have a great time. Dance if you want to - and you'll never know who you'll meet.