Activity club for over-50s hosts Christmas party

Dancing and singing kept guests entertained at a Christmas meal hosted by a charity dedicated to encouraging people over 50 to keep active.

About 120 people attended SMILE’s Christmas Party in the Desborough Suite at the town hall in St Ives Road yesterday.

It included performances from the Elizabeth Fenton School of Dance, choir carols and the Triple O band.

Guests were served a Christmas dinner midway through the proceedings, which allowed those who often attend SMILE’s exercise sessions to meet people from other towns who they may otherwise not see.

SMILE, or So Much Improvement with a Little Exercise, runs 45 sessions across the Royal Borough including short tennis and short mat bowling.

Ann Brown, secretary to SMILE, said: “As you get older, socialising is needed to keep your mind active.

“You need the exercise to keep you healthy but socialising is an important part of that.”

SMILE is supported by the Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust.