Mahjong club 'social lifeline' for rural residents

A 19th Century Chinese game is bringing together a rural community in Somerset.

Twice a month a group of avid Mahjong players meet in Shipham village, on the Mendip Hills in Somerset.

The club has become a "social lifeline" for members, providing connection and cognitive training while also tackling loneliness.

Mark Trenchard, 64, who started the club two years ago, said he was "gobsmacked" over how much it had grown and become a local tradition admitting it was an "unlikely" story of cultural connection.

Mahjong is a tile-based game of skill, strategy and luck which originated in 19th Century China.

Mr Trenchard formed Shipham's club after the pandemic when he was looking for other players.

He had been playing the game since he was 19 and had been aware of people that played in the village but - after he put an advert in a local magazine - interest grew so much that a club was formed.

People meet to play at The Shipham Inn.

"It's drawn people from quite far away too - at least 45 minutes drive who come and play," Mr Trenchard said.

"There is nothing like it around and it creates great companionship."

He said the club provided "cross-generational connection" with players ranging in age from people in their 20s to those in their 60s.

The club has about 25 regular members.

"It is a story of a really eclectic bunch of people who find social connection through Mahjong," said Mr Trenchard.

"It is providing a social lifeline.

"There is always so much laughter and fun. It's very relaxed and I allow people to find there own pace."

Mr Trenchard said another positive of the club was how it helped to improve people's cognitive skills and tackle isolation.

One member was battling social isolation after a bereavement but the club had given her "something she can really connect with", he said.

"It's given her something she hasn't been able to find elsewhere."

Tim Robinson, 59, who has early onset Parkinson's, has been playing with the club for 18 months and has become a regular with his wife.

He said the key to the club's success was how it provided a regular social interaction for people while also providing a challenge in the game itself.

"There is a cranial challenge," he said.

"There is a challenge in terms of being able to play the game well because there is an element of luck in it over how you are dealt your tiles.

"Mark's enthusiasm rubs off on other people," he said.

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