Pensioners to receive village gift vouchers

Pensioners in Kinver will again to receive a gift in the run up to Christmas due to the work of fundraisers and a trust set up by a village benefactor.

Men aged over 65 and women over 60 in the village will get their annual Christmas gift voucher to spend at shops in the village.

Vouchers will once again be worth £6 this year and can be spent at most stores in Kinver.

Around £4,500 worth of vouchers will be shared out by members of the Old People's Welfare Group at the Kinver Senior Citizens Rooms, in Legion Drive, on December 5 between 9.30am and 2pm.

The vouchers benefit around 800 pensioners in all.

The Old People's Welfare Group was launched over 40 years ago by village benefactor Ken Wrigley.

A trust set up to manage £2 million left to the village in his will following his death in 1995 is the main supporter of the annual scheme – giving £4,000 each year so it can go ahead.

Donations have also been made by the Kinver Darts Team, who have raised more than £200, and the Bingo Club which has brought in £300 for the scheme.

People collecting the voucher on behalf of a pensioner unable to get out will be required to take along identification and confirmation they are permitted to do so.

Residents living outside the parish such as Prestwood House, the Coach House and the Homestead, but who have lived in Kinver, will receive a gift instead of a voucher.

Group spokesman Margaret Rogers said the scheme was going ahead again.

"We like to get the word out to all the pensioners living in the village the scheme is going ahead as early as possible," she said.

"Thanks to the generosity of the fund and groups in the village the vouchers are once again available."