Curo customers and older people from local communities came together to enjoy festive food, live music and dancing at a Christmas party at Conygre Hall, Timsbury, on Wednesday, 7th December.

The party is one of three Christmas celebrations Curo is holding for over 55s, with others planned in Bath and Keynsham later in December.

Singer Dennis DeMille, who was a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, entertained guests with a selection of soul standards, while local DJ Infinity got everyone up on the dancefloor with some classic Christmas tunes. Guests also tucked into a traditional hot Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings, and a choice of mince pies, Christmas pudding or chocolate cake for dessert.

Beryl Maggs (pictured left), 80, said the event was a brilliant opportunity to get together with others: “Walking into the hall was such a nice surprise, the decorations look amazing. I’m not putting any up at home, so it’s been lovely to see them here. I live on my own but I’m a people person – the party has been a wonderful chance for me to meet up with friends. Events like these bring people together and help to stop loneliness.”

“Lots of the older people here don’t have families to visit at Christmas,” said Holly Reed, Curo’s Livewell Officer, who helped to organise the event. “This might be the only time they get to see others over the festive period. We’ve brought the Christmas spirit to them and created a sense of family within local communities.”

The events were supported by Travis Perkins Managed Services, who have contributed through the joint Curo and Travis Perkins funding pot which is available for local community projects and ideas.