A NEW group for older people in Jericho is looking for more members to help the ‘maturer’ population of the area have some fun.

The group was set up two months ago to help people get together for regular interesting, creative and stimulating activities.

The group – called Alive and Kicking in Jericho – is now looking for more members to become involved.

It currently has about a dozen members.

Cardigan Street resident Anne Mobbs, 75, who helped set up the group, said: “The idea is to come along and enjoy yourself if you are over 50 and live in Jericho.

“There was an over-60s club in Jericho a long time ago and there used to be a lunch club, but they gradually died.

“We would like to encourage older people in Jericho to come along.”

The group’s name is inspired by the famous Inspector Morse book, The Dead of Jericho, written by Colin Dexter.

It meets every Monday in the Jericho Community Centre in Canal Street between 2 and 3pm.

Already a garden party has been organised, as well as a visit to Oxford University Press’s museum, and the group is hoping to organise trips to the Phoenix Picturehouse in Walton Street.

Susanna Pressel, city councillor for Jericho and Osney, helped set up the group.

She said: “I have been trying to set up something for older people in Jericho for a long time now.

“The two councils seem reluctant to do much to help with this, so I was delighted to find a local resident, Anne Mobbs, who was ready to take the lead, with help from Age UK and one or two other residents.

“The Jericho Community Association is kindly letting us use a room in the community centre in Canal Street free of charge. Anyone over 50 who lives in Jericho is welcome to come along.”

Sue Snelders, community development officer for Age UK Oxfordshire, was involved in setting up the group.

She said: “The thing about being at home on your own is that isolation is also a health issue.

“Research shows that your physical health can go downhill, and by getting out and meeting people it gives you a purpose.”