Joining In! Men’s Group Is Three Years Old

Published on: 8 Jul, 2016
Updated on: 8 Jul, 2016

A men’s group, set up to stimulate social activity for older guys that meets in Park Barn, has now been running for three years.

Attendees of the Joining In! Men’s Group at St Clare’s Church Hall on Thursday, July 7, with Shirley Pullen (centre) who provides the refreshments.

The Guildford Dragon NEWS contributor David Rose said: “I was tasked in my role as co-ordinator of Joining In!, a project that supports community involvement in the Westborough ward of Guildford and managed by Voluntary Action South West Surrey, to set up the group. There were several groups for women but nothing specifically for men.

“We meet every first Thursday of the month at St Clare’s Church in Park Barn, and, given our age range, a lot of our presentations have a nostalgia theme such as steam trains, aircraft, pictures of Guildford as it was, etc.”

Although a men’s group, women have on occasion been invited without incident!

“We seemed to get over it.” said one group member.

And one essential, much appreciated group supporter is Shirley Pullen, who attends each meeting to provide refreshments.

Brian Holt a founder member of the group, said: “It covers such a wide range of subjects and gives me a chance to meet other chaps of a similar age. Some of them share really intersting stories about their lives.”

Bernard Parke said: “I like to come because I feel at home amongst fellow ‘wrinklies’.”

While Bob McShee from Worplesdon added: “I always look forward to the first Thursday of the month to share memories of the ‘good old days’ with a bunch of good-hearted men and to learn more about Guildford.

Martin Giles writes the story you are now reading.

At its meeting on July 7, Guildford Dragon NEWS editor Martin Giles and David Rose, hooked up to the internet to show how the online newspaper works and to write a story live about the men’s group, as you are now reading.

They showed how a story with pictures can be created within minutes and be ready for publication – a far cry from the old days of newspapers in print when deadlines were far in adavance of stories actually being published.

David Rose explains how stories are written and published on The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

The Joining In! Men’s Group takes a break in August and next meets on Thursday, September 1, at St Clare’s Church Hall in Cabell Road, Park Barn. You don’t have to live in the area to go along. All ages are welcome.

There is no fee to attend, only the option to put a small donation into a basket to cover the costs of the refreshments. A grant courtesy of Guildford West Surrey County Councillor Fiona White, from her member’s allocation, pays for the hire of the hall.

For more details, contact David Rose on 01483 838960 or email d.rose@vasws.org.uk

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