Jean KentTHE changing face of rural life has forced a fellowship group to close after 45 successful years.

Carol Hinton, 61, chairwoman of Wanborough Good Companions, has called time and is busily winding up the group's finances.

Family commitments meant Mrs Hinton, who lives with husband Bob, 79, at Foxbridge Farm, can no longer spare the time to organise the group's busy social calendar.

And sadly, nobody in the village wanted to take over the reins, bringing to an end a long tradition.

"It's sad and I'm sorry to see it go," said Mrs Hinton, who is the third generation of her family to live in the village.

"We just didn't seem able to attract the newcomers to the group.

"A former vicar told me once that Wanborough isn't as friendly as neighbouring villages such as Bishopstone and Ashbury.

"A lot of people move here and don't seem able to get involved in groups.

"People lead such high-pressure lives that they don't seem to have time for voluntary jobs."

At its peak the group, which formed in 1959, had 40 members, but had dwindled to 20 recently. It met once a month at the village hall and provided a valuable forum for locals to chat and get to know one another.

Jean Kent, 77, who lives in Wild Acre, was one of the longest serving members, and was responsible for organising outings.

She said: "I joined almost 40 years ago when my mother did. I was only in my late 30s at the time, but I used to enjoy chatting to the older people.

"We had a lot of guest-speakers come and we ran three trips a year of which one was to the seaside.

"We had some lovely times at places such as Bournemouth, and I know a lot of people miss the companionship.

"Carol was excellent and did a great job, but numbers gradually dwindled.

"Unfortunately, although we put adverts in the parish magazine, nobody came forward. People lead very busy lives these days, including older people."

Kevin Shoesmith