After 30 years of looking after the interests of older people in Sandwich, Age Concern has marked the anniversary with a name change and new look.

Now called The Centre, a celebratory cake was cut by 101 year-old Win Smith, who uses the services at the Cattle Market centre.

After a celebration with centre users and guests, manager Carol Randall said: “Our new name The Centre is one that everyone had a hand in choosing.”

The Centre began modestly, providing lunches for a few local people in 1983.

We now have between 30 and 50 people a day for lunch, plus those that just pop in for refreshments and a chat.

Thirty years later they are now serving up meals and offering many other services to lots more people over the age of 50.

We now have between 30 and 50 people a day for lunch, plus those that just pop in for refreshments and a chat

.

“Our Centre and all it’s relevant services acts as preventative care for those who visit us.

“A perfect example of this is Win Smith, who is 101, who cut our celebration cake for us today.”

Since those early days Sneller House, the old building has been completely refurbished and a new building has been built across the courtyard with a bath and shower room, hairdressing salon and therapy room on the ground floor.

The first floor is the Sunflower Centre for people with early onset and mid dementia - offering respite and lunches.

Two-course meals are served up with wine or beer. There are various theme days like Halloween, St George’s Day and two or three meals a year at the Guildhall, with full entertainment.

Bathing, showering, hair appointments, chiropody, various therapies, outings and holidays plus regular bingo sessions are offered as well as advocacy services and members in villages and Ramsgate are picked up, ensuring their help is received widely.

Laura Sandys MP for South Thanet said, “I am really proud to have such a wonderful charity in my constituency, celebrating their 30th anniversary shows how successful and popular Age Concern is. I very much hope that people appreciate and support the work that they are putting into the constituency.”

Mrs Randall added: “All the staff and volunteers work together as one big team to ensure everyone who comes to the Centre gets the very best service we can offer with time for conversation and a smile”.

• If you or someone you know would like to benefit from the services offered at The Centre, just show up at Cattle Market, Sandwich.