Festive fun for Phoenix Club members

Members of the Phoenix Club enjoyed a four-hour festive party at Worthing Leisure Centre.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Dec 2016, 14:02 BST
Updated 29th Dec 2016, 15:03 BST

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Phoenix Singers performing their Sound of Music medleyPhoenix Singers performing their Sound of Music medley
Phoenix Singers performing their Sound of Music medley

Around 100 members dressed up to create a seasonal mood for the over-50s sports and leisure club’s annual lunch.

Jeanie Dickenson, club co-ordinator, said: “The great atmosphere was due to the joint contributions from staff and members.”

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Catering staff, led by manager Nicci Parish, provided starters of melon or prawn cocktail, ready on the tables for when the doors into the Shaftesbury Room were opened.

Club co-ordinator Jeanie Dickenson with magician John BealesClub co-ordinator Jeanie Dickenson with magician John Beales
Club co-ordinator Jeanie Dickenson with magician John Beales

This was followed by a full Christmas lunch or a quiche salad.

Jeanie said: “It is amazing that Nicci can create such a terrific meal in her small café kitchen. Management staff Mike Mcginley and Naomi Swailes were on hand to give 100 per cent catering and event support – it was almost like a family event.”

Everyone thought the tables were beautifully presented by volunteers from the club.

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The centrepieces were created by Pauline Wormald, the Phoenix thespian who produced and directed the club’s Sherlock Holmes comedy melodrama.

Lunch host Margaret BrewsterLunch host Margaret Brewster
Lunch host Margaret Brewster

The Phoenix Singers entertained between courses with a Sound of Music medley by leader Sue Fairhurst.

Everyone sang along to the well-known tunes and the performance was rounded off in a festive finale by David Oakley’s rendition of Elvis’s Blue Christmas.

After lunch, the magician John Beales, well-known in the entertainment world as JB, confounded, amused and created fun with audience participation.

The event closed with the grand raffle.

Club co-ordinator Jeanie Dickenson with magician John BealesClub co-ordinator Jeanie Dickenson with magician John Beales
Club co-ordinator Jeanie Dickenson with magician John Beales
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Jeanie said: “All the 30 festive prizes were donated by the members – it was the best raffle ever.”

The Phoenix Club is now closed until January 6, when the leisure centre’s current renovations will enhance its facilities with new floors in the Sports Hall and the Dance Studio.

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Lunch host Margaret BrewsterLunch host Margaret Brewster
Lunch host Margaret Brewster
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Related topics:Nicci Parish