PR 221

For immediate release

26 July 2006

Points did mean prizes for sheltered housing residents thanks to generous businesses in Great Yarmouth.

In June, through the pages of the Great Yarmouth Mercury, wardens at Great Yarmouth Borough Council sheltered housing asked for prizes to help tempt elderly residents to celebrate Grey Matters Day.

Businesses, and a resident, responded with a DVD player, shopping tokens and gifts.

Grey Matters Day, sponsored by campaigning group ERoSH, was to draw attention to sheltered housing and the advantages residents benefit from.

“Organisations like ours, around the country, were invited to arrange events like quizzes to emphasise how important it is to keep the mind active,” said Margaret Mollett Senior Warden, Gorleston.

“We challenged all 16 sheltered housing sites in our care and they responded amazingly. We had 28 teams enter a first round held in their own common rooms on July 11.

“From that we had one clear finalist and five runners-up on the same points.”

The teams of up to four were given 20 questions they had to answer in half-an-hour. Leaders at the first stage was Trinity Avenue, of Gorleston, with 19 points.

On July 12 Trinity Avenue and the five runners-up (all on 16 points) went to Wherry Way sheltered housing to find an overall winner.

A semi-final saw St Mary’s Close, Hemsby, emerge as winners.

In the final it was all-square at 13 points and a sudden-death question was asked.

‘Which car-maker manufactured the Cambridge model? (Answer: Austin).

The correct answer made Trinity Avenue overall champions.

They received a shield from the Mayor Councillor Sue Robinson, donated by builders Andrews and Squires, which will be presented every year to the champions.

The winning team was also presented with shopping vouchers from sponsors Wilkinsons, Cherry Lane garden centre, Birdseye and the Co-op.

“We want to thank the sponsors,” said Frances Brzeczek, Senior Warden Great Yarmouth. “It made all the difference to have a shield and prizes to award.

“A raffle among the contestants saw one lucky resident receive a DVD player donated by Asda, and others prizes which Mrs Rose of Bradwell of was kind enough to give us.”

“The quiz was a great deal of fun,” said Sue Robinson, “and just went to prove that being older doesn’t mean that your mind is not alert.”

For further information contact Supported Housing Manager Vicky George or Frances Brzeczek on 01493 852784.

Notes
ERoSH is the national consortium for sheltered and retirement housing. Based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, it has more than 250 members including local authorities and private developers. For more information go to www.shelteredhousing.org