Instead of receiving anniversary gifts, a Somerset community centre has decided it is better to give than to receive.

The Shady Rest Centre celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and to mark the milestone the Shady Rest Sunshine Club, the organisation behind the centre, will launch a special Community Outreach Programme.

"We hope to have arts and crafts and a soup kitchen,'' explained one of the founding member of the Shady Rest Sunshine Club, Alice Burch. "We have a thrift shop which will help to finance it.

"I hope we will be able to help more people than just the few that we were helping when we were a seniors residence.'' The Shady Rest Sunshine Club hopes to have the programme up and running by the end of May.

The Centre, which is tucked away at the end of Church Valley Lane, has a rich history which is overflowing with community service.

The charming blue and white building was once the family homestead of sisters Alice Burch and Gertie Woolridge and their cousin Thyra Pitt.

Back in the 1800's, the centre was called the Scotts Bay Property and was home to the three-some's grandparents.

"Some parts of the house date back to over a 100 years ago,'' Mrs. Burch pointed out.

Upon their death, one of their daughters, Alice Scott, started Shady Rest Nursing Home on the site.

During the ensuing years, the residence provided up to six elderly patients with a home away from home until 1995.

In addition to its role as a nursing home, the building itself has also been home to the Shady Rest Sunshine Club which has held its meetings there for the last 22 years. The club was founded by Mrs. Burch, Mrs. Woolridge and Mrs.

Pitt.

"The Shady Rest Sunshine Club serves as a community club for all ages and it helps seniors,'' said Mrs. Burch. "We host an annual Golden Sports Day, for all ages, where we give out prizes. This year we will hold the Sports Day on May 19.

"We have also raised funds for the Bermuda Regiment Band and Maria DeSilva.'' Twenty years ago, Mrs. Burch realised a one of her life-long dreams when the club opened a day care centre for seniors at the historic site.

Lady Ramsbotham, wife of the then-Governor, cut the ribbon and officially opened the Shady Rest Centre in February 1979.