THE mastermind behind a weekly gathering which has gone from strength to strength and helps elderly and disabled people overcome loneliness and isolation has been put forward for a Proud of Barnsley nomination.
Young at Heart was formed by Steve Riley and a few friends and proved so popular it helped save Gilroyd Working Men’s Club from closure.
The group meets every Wednesday and take part in activities such as bingo, games and singing. There are now about 180 members with between 60 and 70 people attending per week.
Steve, 67, of Baslow Crescent, Dodworth, said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to be nominated. But my partner Judith Holling is also a vital cog in the wheel. She puts 20 hours a week in too and without her it wouldn’t function. We’re a team.
“We’ve gone from strength to strength in the last year. They’re not supposed to come until 12.30pm but they’re all in at 11am. But they can get a meal, entrainment, raffle, cabaret, so you can see why they come.
“We’re having the club refurbished, we have a new disabled toilet which is vital. There is a group that is raising money for new toilets and sinks and they’ve raised £600 so far.”
Steve has also been a club entertainer for more than 50 years. During that time he has turned his hand to singing, comedy, being a compere and a children’s entertainer.
He started out as lead singer of the Athersley-based pop group Beat Five and went on to perform in the Steve James Duo for 12 years with Harry Hudson.
Following their amicable split Steve worked as a comedian compere in holiday camps around the UK and for acts including Ken Dodd, Shane Ritchie, The Searchers, The Drifters, Dave Berry, and Elkie Brooks to name but a few.
Throughout his career, Steve has raised more than £300,000 for various charities.
During the miners' strike, he did a concert every week to help keep Mapplewell soup kitchen open and also co-wrote 'The Old Club Trip' with Dave Cherry which made about £25,000 for the Barnsley Hospice.
He is also the founding member of the Barnstormers, a group of charity singers.
