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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?

Aldom Mon 19-Jun-23 13:43:22

Doodledog my NWR group, like yours is great fun. Some topics are serious, but many are light hearted. During lock down we met on Zoom. The Christmas pantomime on Zoom was great fun. We also have several off shoots for particular interests. Once a month we meet in our local museum for coffee and a natter. NWR is a good way to meet new people and make friendships too.

NotSpaghetti Mon 19-Jun-23 11:01:05

I don't think beautybumble is here anymore.

Hope she found some fun

Doodledog Mon 19-Jun-23 09:17:37

NWR
The local one seems to want members to research a worthy topic, present it to the group then debate it.
Not much laughing.

Put like that it sounds very dry, but I am in the NWR and it’s great fun. The last one I was at we discussed holidays past and present, and laughed at our experiences which differed widely between the different members and also over individual lives. The ‘research’ thing is really just so that we don’t turn up with nothing to talk about, and having a topic means that nobody is left out. It works well.

We also have a walking group, a book club and a lunch club, Christmas parties and other social events. The chances are that when you get to know the members you will find out about other groups in your area, as people who have made the effort to join one thing are more likely to be in others too.

Maremia Mon 19-Jun-23 08:56:53

Did anyone mention line dancing? You can go on your own to a class, without pals or a partner. You can dance at your own level of energy. The trick is to always stay in one of the middle lines, so that every time you turn to a new wall, there is always someone in front to copy. Good luck finding your fun.

NotSpaghetti Mon 12-Jun-23 18:38:17

Where are you beautybumble?

Aveline Mon 12-Jun-23 15:51:54

Having fun doesn't necessarily involve alcohol of course.

August2018 Mon 12-Jun-23 15:38:30

I so agree with you Beauty bumble

monkeywings123 Mon 12-Jun-23 14:41:42

Just seen ad for Age UK daytime dance clubs. . 50s 60s 70s daytime disco clubs might be worth a Google 👍

SuperTinny Mon 12-Jun-23 09:41:38

britishredhatters2.weebly.com
beautybumble, This is the link to the British version of the Red Hat Society (RHS). The previous one I included is the original USA one and if I'm honest, just a bit scary!!

SuperTinny Mon 12-Jun-23 09:35:59

redhatsociety.com
Try the red hat society. My sister-in-law has a great time with them. Each group is known as a 'chapter' so slightly resonant of 'Hells Angels'!
I'm often envious of their trips and outings but........ am seriously put off by the need to wear a red hat and purple clothes. Draws way too much attention for my liking, but not everyone the same so it might suit.

Soniah Mon 12-Jun-23 09:26:23

Maybe you could start something. If you are worried about doing it on your own you could do it via an existing group, our WI for example has various sub groups such as a supper club but we support anything anyone would like to try, WIs vary but ours is very lively, we had a fun games evening last year with everything from wellie wanging to a version of croquet and it was such a laigh we're doing it again tonight so give your local WI a try. We have outside events from May to September (though last year we were out for a dark skies event in October too) and have a great time

hollysteers Mon 12-Jun-23 08:53:24

I’m near a big city and often go in with a couple of girlfriends to pubs and clubs after a meal, dancing and LAUGHING which sounds like what you need. Not keen on being solely with people my own age. Have you got a lighthearted pal to do the same? You don’t have to be a young thing, it’s a state of mind.
Bit tricky if you are in the middle of nowhere…

I also turn up on my own to try things out, as someone said above, you have to be proactive and there is so much out there to do.

Scribbles Mon 12-Jun-23 08:37:01

I came across this recently - the Red Hatters. It looks like it may offer what the OP is looking for.
britishredhatters2.weebly.com/

Incidentally, my experience of NWR was the same as Callistemon21: people didn't join that for the laughs.

nanna8 Mon 12-Jun-23 01:42:24

Yes U 3 A are good but it depends on your area,too. Same with Probus, some are better than others. Check ‘em out.

poshpaws Mon 12-Jun-23 00:56:13

If all the suggested options above fail to bring up anything suitable, you might find your local Social Work Department could help - mine got in touch with a lady whose job title I've forgotten, and she met me for coffee with a couple of A4 sheets of things to do/join in the area. She even offered to go with me the first time if I wasn't confident enough to go on my own.

Wishing you luck!

GinnyTonic Mon 12-Jun-23 00:07:52

Definitely U3a - it's the answer for me

pandapatch Sun 11-Jun-23 20:30:17

Another vote for U3A, have joined several groups and am now on the committee of our local group. Have made lots of friends who now also socialise outside of U3A. You can always start a group if there is something you want to do that isn't already accounted for (your local U3A should have a committee member who will help you to do this)

LuckyFour Sun 11-Jun-23 19:37:46

I volunteer with the National Trust one day a week and really enjoy it. I meet friends I've made there and we often meet outside of our volunteering days. The NT often have social events so there's always something going on. Do more days and you meet more people. You also get your petrol paid for so it doesn't cost you anything. Give it a go, if it doesn't suit you just stop.

Mully Sun 11-Jun-23 17:06:44

Do you like to dance? There are often sequence dance sessions organised by the leisure department of your local council. I run dance for 50 plus and it's a great group.
If there's something missing, try setting it up yourself. If there is a genuine interest people are usually keen to get involved and help.
Hotels do dinner dances still, particularly in resorts. I think that they try to arrange partners. Good luck! Get going

Raggletagglegypsy Sun 11-Jun-23 17:02:48

Community choirs Zumba gold Linedancing table tennis U3A Hopefully you will find something where you live

Twig14 Sun 11-Jun-23 16:50:53

Try the Towns Women Guild lots of activities and very welcoming crowd

Hetty58 Sun 11-Jun-23 16:50:44

Judy54, there are good comedy clubs here in London. A friend keeps asking me to go - but she has a terribly annoying laugh (like a sick, braying donkey) so I keep making excuses.

Hetty58 Sun 11-Jun-23 16:48:03

I worked with a lady who was new to the UK, completely alone, divorced with distant adult children.

She just loved coming in to work and joining any socialising. Her flat was opposite the local cinema, so she often went over to watch a film in the evening and said it was fine to go alone.

Callistemon21 Sun 11-Jun-23 16:34:54

Cat4

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

They are good but they aren't what I'd call fun!

The local one seems to want members to research a worthy topic, present it to the group then debate it.
Not much laughing.

That's fine, but I think beautybumble is looking for something lighthearted.

Cazharvey Sun 11-Jun-23 16:34:48

Do you have a U3A group near you. They have lots of activities.