Archive - Friday, 30 April 2004


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Full circle for club

A CHANGE in lifestyle and increasingly busy lives have contributed to the demise of a Dursley women's community group that has folded after 44 years.

Closure of Dursley Ladies Circle this week as a result of dwindling numbers has been described as a sign of the times by chairman Gwen Frost.

"It is not just a local issue," said Mrs Frost. "There is a trend nationally of drastically dwindling numbers. When the club first opened wives generally stayed at home and looked after the children and Ladies Circle was their contribution to the community.

"This doesn't happen now. Women lead busy lives - juggling jobs, children and other pastimes. The closure is representative of the way people are living their lives differently now."

The club had seen a gradual decline in numbers and as members reach 45 they have to join Tangent, which is however is still thriving.

Said Mrs Frost: "The upper age limit for Circle was 40. This was extended to 45 and remaining members of the club have joined Tangent."

The last five members - Gwen Frost, secretary Alison Murphy, treasurer Mandy Delafield, Clare Flynn and Heather Lowe went out on a last supper to mark the end of the club.

Mrs Frost added: "Ladies Circle motto is fun and friendship and we have certainly achieved that over the years with many memories to cherish."

The last members made final donations of more than £1,200 to Cam Cricket Youth Section, Dursley Ladies Hockey Club, May Lane Surgery for the purchase of asthma equipment, Alzheimer's Society, Dursley Methodist Church to support the building fund and Marling School, Stroud, for its India trip.

Mrs Frost, who said the memory of the club would live , added:"We have also adopted a mature oak tree at Westonbirt Arboretum so that Dursley Ladies Circle can always be remembered.

"Our main fundraiser was the soup tent at the Dursley Round Table Bonfire Night which last year raised nearly £500. Hopefully with support of Dursley Tangent, the soup tent may still continue this year."