A community group that has helped bring people together in Over Hulton for a quarter of a century is preparing to celebrate its anniversary later this year.
Open Door, which meets at St Andrew's Church on Crescent Avenue, will mark the milestone with a special buffet lunch for members on 7 October.
The club was founded by husband and wife Carole and Alan Coleman, who began the group after Mr Coleman took part-time retirement from his building business.
"When my husband decided to take part-time retirement from his building business, it also left me in part-time retirement too as I did all his administration and bookkeeping." Mrs Coleman explained.
Having spent years helping care for elderly relatives, the couple felt there was a need for a social group for older people in the local area.
At the time, St Andrew's already ran a pre-school parent and toddler group, and the church agreed to provide space for their new venture.
The club started modestly in the back of the church using a small kitchen, long before the modern fellowship room and larger facilities that members enjoy today were installed.
"We had 12 people at our first meeting, but now we have between 40 and 50 members."
Members meet for coffee, cake, quizzes, games, and regular lunches, but organisers say the biggest attraction is the opportunity to socialise.
"We have drinks and cakes and regular lunches, there's a quiz, some people play Rummikub or Dominoes, but in general, everyone chats and makes friends.
"There's lots of laughter, and local information is passed around too.
"Simply, they just have a good afternoon."
Since it began, a key principle of the group has been that it is open to everyone in the community, not just churchgoers.
"It's not a closed church thing, we didn't want it like that right from the beginning – it had to be for the whole community.
"We do encourage people to bring others, and we have a lot of members who have been brought by members who already come."
Speaking about the community they had developed, and the laughs they enjoy together, Mrs Coleman emphasised the relaxed and bright atmosphere that they all enjoy.
"I think the message we've got from everybody over the years is that they find us a very fun, happy group.
"I think it's a friendly, comfortable group."
Food also plays an important role in the club's activities, with organisers keen to support local businesses where possible.
Some lunches are supplied with help from June's Bakery in Bolton, while homemade baking remains a regular feature of meetings courtesy of Mrs Coleman.
The organisers are also particularly proud of the number of men who attend the club, saying social groups can be especially important for those who have lost a partner.
"We have gentlemen too, which we are very keen to encourage because it's not easy for gentlemen to mix when they lose their wives or partners.
"Our ladies look after them, and they become a real asset to our club."
Reflecting on the wider importance of the group, she added: "I think it's important because it's harder for men to venture out when they've lost a wife.
"For a lot of men, they tend to shut themselves off and don't go out.
"It used to be the pub where men get together, but a lot of the men don't want the pub or can't go to a pub, so I think it's an avenue to come and join in as well."
Twenty-five years on from that first gathering of a dozen people, Open Door continues to provide friendship, companionship, and a warm welcome to residents across the community.
As for the future, the founders are happy to carry on doing what they have always done.
"We'll keep plodding on as long as we can!" she said.
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