Autumn club offers hand

A lifeline group for pensioners in Rutherglen is putting a spotlight on its activities in the same week the UK Government launches a commission on loneliness.

Burnside Autumn Club offers an activity for the retired community every week of the autumn and winter.

Started 25 years ago, the club has become a lifeline for a section of the community which has often found itself excluded and isolated.

With a jam-packed schedule of entertainment and activities, the Autumn Club is offering Ruglonians companionship and a sense of purpose.

Alan Findlay shares the role of chairman of the Autumn Club with Stewart Boyle.

“What I like most about the club is the friendly atmosphere and the interesting talks,” Alan said. “I enjoy the music, entertainment and the informality of it.

“It’s for the older generation. A lot of folk, they wouldn’t have many opportunities to go out and they know they can come here every Wednesday.

“Folk enjoy coming here and we are always anxious to encourage new folk to come along. We welcome anyone each Wednesday afternoon at 2pm.”

Alan is one of a handful of clubbers who is a founding member and he has had an active role in shaping the busy syllabus of entertainment.

He has, with the support of the committee, attracted a wealth of talent and inspiring people to share their passions with senior citizens.

Most often they show members how they too can pursue those passions, with members being introduced to painters, choral singers and musicians.

Highlights from the 2016 calendar have included a senior citizens orchestra, Rutherglen painter Charles Clark and a Burns poetry bonanza courtesy of Calderwood Primary School.

The varied programme has gone someway to attracting new people to the club.

Edna Gillespie, Sylvia Leonard and Anne Monteith have been attending the Autumn Club for two years.

“We saw the advert in Tesco and we decided to come along. We just fancied it,” Edna said.

“It’s a varied menu and they are a very sociable lot.”

Anne added: “We also discovered how the club was started to get together people who were lonely.

“A lot of people just don’t have enough people in their lives, they are