BARNSLEY poet Ian McMillan has paid a visit to a Holmfirth social
group. Friend to Friend - a charity which provides social activities for
the elderly - welcomed the poet on October 20 at the Phoenix Centre in Holmfirth. The 300-member group, funded by the Allen Lane Foundation, offers
phone befriending services, social clubs, walking groups, day trips and library services. Mr McMillan worked with 23 members on a chapter for a book they are
writing about creative activities for older people's groups. They also produced poems in groups and an epic poem about how their
lives have changed over the years. Mr McMillan has promised to return to the group in the spring with a
musician.
