A club for women in the Stowmarket area that has been going strong for 50 years still focuses on what made it popular back then.
The OHS Women’s Guild, which covers the villages of Onehouse, Harleston and Shelland, near Stowmarket, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary with 50 past and present members.
Through the decades the group’s programme of activities has changed very little and the original ethos to bring local women together remains very much the same.
Chairwoman Margaret Pedge said: “I think it must have been started 50 years ago really to get the three villages together, Onehouse, Harleston and Shelland. I think in those days to give the ladies something to do together.”
It originally began as a church group, but in a bid to increase membership became the women’s guild it is today.
She said in the guild’s archive she had discovered handwritten agenda and minutes for the very first meeting.
Mrs Pedge, who moved to the area 15 years ago, said: “I was very surprised actually when I started to go through the old stuff. The programmes are very much the same as what we are doing now.
“I would like to get some younger members. We do write in our local village magazine for the three villages.”
She said the guild, which currently has 33 members, organise talks and other activities such as a harvest supper, a garden party, an annual dinner, a Christmas party, bring and buy sales and outings such as trips to the theatre.
She said the group was a good way for newcomers to the area to meet people, just as she had done.
“We are there for all sorts, really,” she said. “It’s a lovely group. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of fun.”
The guild also supports local causes through fundraising, as well as raising some money for its own costs.
Mrs Pedge said she felt “quite proud” to be chairwoman at the time of the anniversary. A party was held at the end of April to celebrate the occasion, including six of the original members who cut the cake and proposed a toast for the continuation and success of the OHS Women’s Guild.
The group meet twice a month on the first and third Thursday. To join contact Mrs Pedge on 01449737602.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here