Young wives club is thriving 50 years on (From Gazette)

Young wives club is thriving 50 years on

9:00pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 in

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IN 1959, Fidel Castro became president of Cuba, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens were killed in a plane crash, John McEnroe was born and the first section of the M1 opened.

They were memorable events. However, for a group of young wives in Westcliff, 1959 also marked the start of a club offering care and support that is still flourishing 50 years later.

The young wives’ club was formed by five women on Monday, July 27, 1959. Maureen Sams, Evelyn Armstrong, Iris Haylock, Marion Hough and Janetta Loxton met in Chalkwell Park and formed a bond as their children were Christened in Chalkwell Park Methodist Church.

It cost the sum of sixpence to attend and had an age limit of 30.

The ladies decided to form the club with the aims of offering friendship and fellowship to mothers of young children at a time when their lives were necessarily restricted.

The original minutes of the first meeting also stated the aim of showing an ideal home and life can only be achieved by seeking a Christian answer to every problem.

Half a century later and the club still offers the same objectives and many of the members have forged lifelong friendships.

Over the weekend, members joined together to celebrate all those years of success. They enjoyed an afternoon tea and had a cake made for the occasion.

Eve Armstrong, 75, of North Crescent, Prittlewell, is one of the founding members of the group and opened the celebration with a speech.

She said: “During the past 50 years, we have been extremely fortunate in that all our officers have been conscientious, self-giving and imaginative.

“We have shared many highs and lows together. In our personal lives we have shared joys, sorrows and tragedies, which unfortunately are part of everyday life.

“If we stop to think we realise God does get us through everything with the help of his earthly hands – our friends.”

Through the Sixties and Seventies, the group put together plays and concerts as well as children’s trips out to Butlin’s at Clacton.

The club has always supported various charities and in the earliest years donated shoeboxes with flannels and talcum powder and other items for the Rosemead home for young girls in York Road, Southend.

Members have a twice-yearly bring-and-buy sale for Network, the women’s work of the Methodist church and they also make parcels at Christmas for the orphans of Poland.

The group also support church events, running a tombola stall and monthly coffee mornings.

As part of the anniversary, the club also had a special thanksgiving service at the church on Sunday led by founder member Maureen Sams.

Southend’s deputy mayor, Ann Holland, was also present.

Mrs Sams, 74, of Station Road, Westcliff, said: “I think the club was something to do with the children. We were all young mums. We needed time to meet together and relax. We have all stayed very good friends since we met.

“One of the strengths of the club is the friendliness and everyone is so caring. It has been like that all along.”

Fifty members, past and present, came to the celebration. Some members travelled from across the country to catch up with their old friends.

The group meets fortnightly in the evenings at the church in Kingsway, Westcliff.