A CLUB which has provided social interaction for elderly residents for more than 80 years has had its final get-together - leaving members reeling as to what to do next.

Emotions were high last Thursday as the Royston Darby and Joan Club held their last meeting, at the Civic Hall on Station Road.

The club was established over 80 years ago and has been kept alive by dedicated committee members such as treasurer, June Drake, and president Tom Heaton and his wife, Anne.

Originally established as a place for older people to meet and go on outings, dwindling numbers and Tom’s health have both been factors which have contributed to the club’s closure.

The club was kept alive for decades by its fiercely loyal members, some of which have been coming to meetings for longer than they can count.

In a heartwarming act of charity, it was decided that the club’s remaining funds should be donated in support of multiple local organisations.

The funds will benefit Royston Scouts, St John the Baptist Church, Barnsley Hospice and more.

Grateful beneficiaries attended the meeting, with several making moving speeches to thank the club for their generosity.

A cheque presentation saw members of the club presenting £1,871 to the hospice.

Member, Yvonne Wright, fondly remembers meeting her late husband, Ray, at the club.

Although Ray died last year, Yvonne noted that he would have been saddened by the club’s closure.

She said: “We met when Ray was calling the bingo numbers - we walked out together and didn’t look back.

“We got married on a cruise and we would have been married for ten years in November, but he passed away before that.

“I’m still recovering from it - he would’ve been sad to see the club close.”

The clubs were set up by the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) after World War Two.

The WVS had done sterling work during the Blitz, and wanted to develop what they could offer to older people.

They set up day centres called ‘Darby and Joan Clubs’ where people could meet in pleasant surroundings for a ‘friendly chat and a cup of tea and perhaps a quiet game of cards or half an hour with the wireless’.

June detailed how the club had been a social lifeline for many, such as their oldest member, 103-year-old Ivy Bailes.

She added: “When I first joined the club in about 2016, it was because my husband had multiple life-threatening illnesses.

“The club only did two trips a year before I became treasurer.

“We tried to get members out and about.

“They’re a lovely bunch of people, they were very supportive after my husband passed away.”