History of the Branch

By Nancy Jones

The Warrington Branch of the Health Service Retirement Fellowship was formed in 1981.

Two years later the Branch became affiliated to the National Health Service Retirement Fellowship and subsequently had charity status.

The Fellowship was (and still is) open to all retired Health Service personnel. Their spouses, partners and friends were entitled to Associate Membership.

Originally the meetings were held in what was then known as the Nurses Home, later renamed Thelwall House. The meetings were held there on the last Tuesday of each month for many years. When the building was refurbished meetings were held at Winwick Hospital. During this time membership dropped almost by half, but since we moved back to the present Post Graduate Centre numbers have improved to the flourishing branch that we have today.

The founding officers of the branch were:

• President: Dr G. Gornall, a retired Warrington General Practitioner.
• Chairman: Bill Lowe, retired Supplies Manager. Bill left the Fellowship when he emigrated to Canada.
• Secretary: Mrs Ivy Clark (nee Clare).
• Treasurer: Amy Adey.
• Welfare Secretary: Irene Templeton

The original committee were believed to be Jack Dawson, James Dodwell, Florence Culshaw, Thelma Dogwell, and Dorothy Porter.

Later Florence Culshaw became Secretary, and then Nancy Jones took over 13 years ago.

The Fellowship has grown very much over the years enabling members to meet each month with colleagues and friends.

Bill Templeton formed an Art Group which was very successful and was only disbanded a few years ago.

The Present

We have a current membership of more than 100 members and associate members who enjoy the activities the Branch has to offer:

• Monthly trips.
• Speakers.
• Bring and Buy sales.
• Garden Parties.
• Bingo.
• Quizzes.
• Strollers Group.

The Branch thrives and it is supported by a very hard working committee and enthusiastic members.

The Current Committee

• President: Nancy Joans.
• Chairman: Sheila Craggs.
• Vice Chairman: Clarice Bedford.
• Minute Secretary: Margaret Reeves.
• Membership Secretary: Jenny Ellis.
• Treasurer: Peter Mildenhall.
• Outings Secretaries: Margaret Stephens & Jessie Marriott.
• Speakers Secretary: John Wright.
• Welfare Secretaries: Nora Buchanan & Rena Stubbs.
• Strollers Secretary: Linda Skelhorne.
• Committee Members: Priscilla Mildenhall, Barbara Bird, & Clarice Bedford.