VIVIENNE KNAGGS, Ryedale, Older People’s Champion, catches up with a lively forum for the over 50s in her regular column.

THIS week an envelope fell through my letterbox. It contained an exciting programme for the Ryedale Forum for Older People.

This amazing group, founded in 2000, now has 730 members from across Ryedale. Is this a record?

Originally, it was started because the founders, several of whom had been professionally involved in social and health issues, recognised a widespread need for older people to be informed about their health, social care, housing concerns and civil rights and how they could access information and help.

Rob and Anna Salkeld have been there from the beginning. Rob was its first chairman and is back again in this role. At the beginning, he presided over a forum of about 50 people at serious meetings all related to civic affairs and older people’s needs. Brian Cottam became chairman in 2003, and oversaw additions to the forum’s activities.

When the Walking for Health programme was being publicised nationally, Terry Wray took up the gauntlet by introducing a walking groups programme and later encouraged indoor bowls in Norton. Kath Taylor added to this healthy activities element of the group with ballroom dancing. Peter Hindmarsh and David Perks run keep fit sessions and yoga. All these healthy activities are thriving. In fact, such has been the demand that there are now many town and country walks led by Sue Taylor, Ray Ward and others.

Members wanted to include social events, but sedate coffee mornings were not enough. Half-day, then full-day visits to places of interest followed. There is even a week’s forum holiday. Most visits are well supported and I am informed in this morning’s correspondence “Sorry, holiday is fully booked”.

However, there are still many away days in the early summer programme alone. The choice ranges from theatre trips to Leeds and London to visits to flower shows, Holy Island, Lincoln and Denby Potteries. Stimulating and adventurous are epithets called to mind. This group of older people really do know how to keep up-to-date and keep fit and they clearly enjoy life.

The meetings remain and are well-attended with speakers includiing our MP Anne McIntosh and the county and district council Champions for Older People, primary care trust and hospital personnel, social care professionals, housing experts and so on.

The question sessions afterwards are always lively affairs with searching enquiries and comments. If you are ever invited to speak, I should advise sound preparation and an in-depth up-to-date knowledge of your subject. Many in the audience have razor-sharp minds and, rightfully, will not be intimidated by titles or positions.

These things do not just happen with goodwill and a wishlist. The committee is a group of very hard-working, dedicated, people whose services and time are given freely and generously.

Rob Salkeld and his wife Anna, the secretary, continue their commitment as do Pauline Reeve, vice-chairman, and her husband John, treasurer, supported by a strong group of committee members, including the chief administrator Sue Walker, who, I am told, does a prodigious amount of work to ensure that all the members are kept informed about everything that is happening.

It is a reflection of the success and purpose of the Forum that numbers continue to rise. New people are made to feel very welcome.

So, if you are sitting at home feeling lonely or needing something to do, and you are over 50, phone Anna Salkeld on 01944 759123 or Judith Denness on 01653 697077 to find out more or visit www.ryedaleforum.org.uk