Community table-tennis in Falmouth has received a helping hand in the form of a £300 cheque from the Co-op’s Local Community Donation Fund.

The money was presented at the Dracaena Centre to help keep the Centre’s weekly Bat n Chat social table-tennis sessions going. The aim is to provide people with the chance to get back to playing sport while enjoying a social activity.

Simon Berryman, manager of the Boslowick store, said: ‘The Co-op is delighted to recognise the contribution the sessions make in getting people active again, and also in providing opportunities to socialise.

The Fund is here to support local enterprises and Bat n Chat is just the sort of activity we want to encourage, to help the community and the Centre.’

The sessions were set up initially to encourage female players back into the game, while the mixed session was started recently to help people take up table tennis as a way to get active, improve well-being and combat social isolation brought on by lockdown.

Session organiser Jane Leigh explained: "Covid has hit sport in general hard, with people reluctant to come out and play, so numbers have fallen and we’ve had to combine the sessions. We’re now having a two-week break over Christmas and hope to restart from January 6, 2022, Covid restrictions allowing.

"We take care to follow Covid rules – ventilating the sports hall, cleaning tables and kit, wearing masks, social distancing and hand sanitising – and feel we’re doing everything we can to make the game safe for all."

Dracaena Centre manager Richard May added: "We’re delighted that the Co-op have recognised the value that our table-tennis sessions provide with this donation. The money will enable the morning session to carry on and, hopefully, for the afternoon session to restart once more people are keen to return to play."

The session takes place at the Dracaena Centre in Falmouth, on Thursday mornings from 11.30am to 1pm.

Bats and balls are provided so players just have to turn up and join in, and everyone is welcome.