While winter temperatures continue to grip Springs, members of the Springs Senior Citizen Club are proving that a little cold weather is no match for good company.

The seniors gathered at the club for their monthly Bingo on July 7, not only for the game itself but also for the opportunity to socialise, share a meal and spend time with friends.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, the club manager, Pauline Houghton, said the biggest draw is the sense of community.

“They just need a social event to get out of the house. They need to meet up with their friends, have something to eat, and have a cup of tea. Basically, it’s for the company. It’s not so much the Bingo; it’s the company,” she expressed.

Houghton shared that activities such as Bingo are especially important during the colder months, when many older people may otherwise remain indoors.

She said that it gives them something to look forward to. Otherwise, most people sit at home and try to keep warm, but once they are here, they are nice and warm in the room.

The club has also seen an increase in membership over the past few weeks, with more seniors joining despite the winter weather.

“We’ve had more new members joining in the last couple of weeks and people are looking forward to our upcoming event. It is always very popular and gives them something to focus on,” said Houghton.

Beyond Bingo, the club offers a range of activities including chair yoga, exercise classes, card games and a choir, ensuring there is something for everyone.

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To help members stay comfortable during winter, the club has made practical adjustments. Heaters are used in smaller rooms and, when attendance allows, lunches are served in a sunny back room that is easier to keep warm.

“We do our best, but people know to dress warmly. As the day goes on, you can always take your layers off,” said Houghton.

For Bingo master Bessie Smit, who has been involved with the game since 2007 and has served as Bingo master since 2009, the weekly sessions are about bringing joy to others.

“It’s all the friendly people here that love to come and play Bingo and that’s why I want to entertain them,” she said.

Smit believes Bingo offers important mental benefits for seniors. The Bingo master explained it keeps the brain sharp and the people here love to come out and also have an enjoyable morning and all enjoy it.

She shared that calling the numbers in both English and Afrikaans helps keep players engaged.

“I read it in English and Afrikaans so they can hear it and see it and play it. It definitely keeps your brain sharp.”

Over the years, Smit has also formed lasting friendships through the club.

“There are a lot of people that I have learned to know that I would never have known if it were not for Bingo,” she said.

She encouraged seniors who spend most of their time indoors during winter to join the club. Houghton echoed the invitation, encouraging seniors who may be feeling isolated to visit the club and see what it has to offer.

“They must pick up the phone and arrange to come and have a tour of the club and have a chat to me. There’s no reason for anybody in Springs to be sitting on their own and feeling lonely.

“The whole point of this club is that you come here and leave with a smile on your face. You leave in a better frame of mind than when you arrived,” said the club manager.

Houghton added that the club is the only government-funded senior citizens’ club remaining in Springs and urged residents to make use of its facilities.

“Without the people, we don’t have a club,” she concluded.

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