The Club History

Around 1984 a club called "Pals" was being run very successfully by a lady in Brentwood. This club was an offshoot from the national organisation "Nexus". It was being run as a business with weekly meetings at what is now the Wheatsheaf in Brentwood. Although successful both financially and membership wise, the organiser decided it was too much work and announced that the club would close.

Six recently joined members, Keith Jay, Bob Scotton, Don Godden, Marion Wale, Joyce Wrench and Beryl Gallant met to discuss the situation and decided that the club could be run by them on a non-profit making basis, for the members and by the members. As they had an existing satisfied membership base, the project got of to a good start and with a substantial reduction in membership fees, a constitution and a commitee of members to plan ahead.

It was decided early on that we should also have a charitable side whereby a charity would be chosen each year to benefit from small fund raising events held within the club. It has not been unusual for the club to donate £1000 to charity at the end of its financial year and since 1984 we must have given well in excess of £15,000. Membership over the years has varied between 60 and 100 and currently stands at just over 100. Our success is due mainly to the quality of our membership and in particular the committee who work tirelessly without financial reward.

Many of our longer standing members will attest to the club having literally changed their lives and many retain their link with us whatever changes occur.

Keith.