FOR some people life begins at 40. However, one group is proving that it continues on at 50 with walks, bird-

watching, ten pin bowling and eating out just some of the things on offer. Rachel O'Connor has been out talking to some of the members.

HAVE you reached that magical milestone of having lived for half-a-

century?

Wondering what new challenge you can face, need some new friends? Sounds like the O50 Club could be just up your street.

A branch of the O50 Club has been formed in Burley-in-Wharfedale as one of the 170 Friendship Groups of Britain's fastest growing organisation, which has more than 100,000 members nationwide.

Many people have come to hear of the O50 Club as an organisation which can offer cheap insurance, holidays and legal help with a multitude of every day problems from tax to a flood in the home. The organisation also fights nationally for pension rights and against age discrimination.

However, the Friendship Groups are a much lighter affair, designed to draw together like minded people for social activities.

The Burley-in-Wharfedale Group was formed last October and is now up and running with various sub-sections within it. They already have designated groups for walking, bird watching, theatre visits and meals out.

They are open to any new ideas and so long as enough people are interested to make a project worthwhile, anything is within bounds.

The group has no political or church affiliations and that is what has drawn the basis of the group together.

Chairman Hilary Walsh explained: "A number of us have known each other for many years, having been drawn together firstly when our children were at Toddlers Group and then subsequently through involvement with schools, scouts and guides or church groups.

"I had heard of the O50 Club through my teaching union and other people had friends who were in groups elsewhere. It became a topic for discussion and we decided to start a Friendship Group here in Burley-in-Wharfedale, although it is not restricted to people within the village. We are open to new members from anywhere. In fact anyone who joins O50 can go to any Friendship Group in the country."

The Burley Group has a membership now rising 30 but would welcome more members at their monthly meetings which are held at the Red Lion in Burley-in-Wharfedale at 7.30 pm on the first Monday of every month (excluding Bank Holidays).

The next such meeting is on April 3 and all people over 50 years of age, whether single, married, widowed or divorced, are invited to go along and discover what it has to offer.

In the meantime members will be engaged in a host of activities including walks and a meal at a local hostelry. It is not compulsory to attend every event organised, just pick and choose the ones that suit you.

Group member Kath Bennett said: "We were looking for something that was not involved with church or scouts, with which we have had a long association, and somewhere where we could enjoy various interests."

Fellow member Angela Pickard said: "I have an interest in birdwatching and it has been good to discover that one of our fellow members Gordon is an expert in this field and he has organised a series of bird watching trips to places such as Fairburn Ings, Bretton Lakes and Denaby Main. I am really looking forward to those."

Angela is also involved in the walking group and she and husband Tom are organising the monthly Sunday walk on March 26 which will cover around six or seven miles. Those interested should turn up at Burley Library at 11am on that day suitably clothed and with a packed lunch.

Short local walks are also organised on the second and fourth Mondays of the month and these leave Burley Library at 2 pm to cover around four miles.

Those with an interest in the theatre are catered for and the group believes in supporting local productions and they have a block booking at Ilkley Playhouse. They will be taking in the Players' Relatively Speaking on May 29.

The group also enjoys meals out, aiming to visit some hostelry or other every six weeks or so and they have also got a wine tasting planned, as well as a meal and cookery demonstration at The Kropotkin in Ripponden.

Members have already enjoyed ten pin bowling at the Leeds Warner Village and future events in the planning stage are a treasure hunt, a summer outing to Durham and perhaps a visit to a German Christmas market.

But, as Hilary says, any interest can be catered for. "Our aim is to provide interests for all. We are open to suggestions and if there are enough people wanting to do something then we will do it."

She added: " The holidays run by the national organisation are a good idea, especially for single people who may be reluctant to go on their own.

"New members are welcome at our meetings, which just aim to give people the chance to socialise with things such as quizzes and games but at our next meeting on April 3 we will be having a talk by Alan Wilson entitled Crash, bang, wallop - oh what a garden. People who may be interested in joining can just turn up on the night and find out what we are all about," said Hilary.

The Burley group has formed a committee of nine to adminster events with Hilary Walsh as chairman, Hazel French as secretary and Irene Exley and Mick Smith as joint treasurers.

Hilary is keen to point out that the organisation is not a fund raising organisation but members do have to cover the costs of their own entertainment.

To join the O50 Club annual membership is £23 per person or £30 for a couple and for that they get such things as a privilege shopping scheme, help with pensions and helplines for a multitide of things from legal to medical problems as well as cheap insurance.

So, if you think life begins at 40 think again - it begins at 50 for this thriving group.

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