Birthday bash for The Thursday Club in Beck Row as it hits 50

A celebration for a club that has been going for 50 years took place at the Methodist Church Hall in Beck Row.

The Thursday Club, which first got together in October 1968 and was originally called the ‘Beck Row Over-Sixties Club’, has gone from strength to strength and now has 60 members as well as a waiting list to join.

Maggie Walker, treasurer of the club, said: “The appeal of the club is that it is a getting together and gives everyone a chance to have a good chat with people they don’t see all of the time.

“Also we have trips out, about five trips a year which is nice for our members.”

The celebrations last Thursday started with a spread of sandwiches and cake, with each member receiving a boxed pen to mark the day presented by chairman Brendan Hughes.

An anniversary cake was made by secretary Pat Gray and cut by guest of honour, Beryl Rix, who is in her nineties and is a previous member of the club.

Another member presented the club with a painted picture of a country path celebrating the milestone and the committee entertained the group with a short ‘ditty’ about themselves which was thoroughly enjoyed.

Mr Hughes said on the future of the club: “There is no reason why it couldn’t go on for another 50 years, it is a friendly club that is very active with a lot of things always going on.

“We had great feedback about the celebration so, as a club, we must be doing something right.”