A unique community bulk buying scheme for heating oil brought festive cheer to Burbage OAPs.

At the annual Christmas lunch of Burbage Good Companions Club, Dr Martin Hamer, treasurer of Burbage Energy Action Management (BEAM) and Rodney Stone, one of the scheme's founding members, presented a cheque for £400 to club chairman, Mrs Mary Powell.

Established about five years ago by Rodney Stone and David Line of Burbage, BEAM is a village-run association of more than 300 households.

By clubbing together to find the most competitive prices, the association saves homes in Burbage, Wootton Rivers, Collingbourne Ducis and the Graftons a huge amount and donates some of the surplus to local good causes.

The scheme buys from oil suppliers Total Butler of Devizes. As well as the saving for homes, BEAM raised £1,400 for good causes. Each litre of oil bought raises 0.25p for the worthy causes.

This is donated to various groups in the village, chosen by BEAM members. This year they voted to donate proceeds to the primary school, the village hall and the Good Companions Club.

Good Companions holds monthly luncheon meetings for elderly villagers and will be celebrating an amazing 44 years in the community next month.

Their Christmas luncheon was made extra special by the donation of turkeys and Christmas puddings by residents, and carol singing by children from the primary school.

The children also performed a "signing song" with Jean Bierschenk who runs a choir that signs for people with hearing difficulties.

The next meeting of the Good Companions will be on January 16 when the Bourne Valley Singers will entertain.