MEMBERS of Timberscombe’s Orchard Social Club had a special cause for celebration at their annual Christmas lunch last week.

After providing seven-days-a-week care and entertainment for the village’s elderly, lonely and disabled for the past 16 years, the club has been saved from closure after residents and local organisations backed its fight for survival.

Magna Housing, the community housing association which is landlord of residents in the 29 bungalows in Timberscombe’s Orchard sheltered housing development, and holds the lease of the club’s Old Dairy premises, had decided to surrender the lease after Christmas.

But after the committee and its supporters mounted a campaign to get the decision overturned, Magna did an unexpected about-turn and extended the lease until the end of March while ways were explored of financing the Old Dairy in the future.

"People are over the moon that the club has been saved," said founder and chairman John Goodall, who organised the Christmas dinner with helpers.

"I hate to think what would happen to some families and older people in Timberscombe if the club wasn’t there to help look after them."