After a break-in back in August, pensioners at the Pine Court Community Room feared that Christmas would have to be cancelled, following the theft of over £500 they had been saving.

How surprised and delighted were members of the Pine-chester Social Club, when they received the news that Darren Hackett, Head of Community Services at the housing association and Pine Court landlord, Curo, would be awarding a £500 grant to help recover their losses. Johnathan Lymposs, the club treasurer, said: “We are immensely grateful to Mr Hackett and Curo for restoring most of our loss. With the Community Room’s numbered entry locked door, we just assumed it was safe. From now on, we’ll make sure no money is kept there.”

The Pinechester Social Club is a group formed by, and open to, all tenants of Pine Court and Chichester Place.