One of Keswick’s longest established clubs has held its final meeting.
Keswick Inner Wheel had not met for more than a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And when members were finally reunited face-to-face, it was to formally wind up the club which was in its eighth decade.
For many years, Sue Grant had submitted articles about the club’s monthly meetings for publication in The Keswick Reminder.
Reflecting on the final get-together, Sue said: “It was a bitter-sweet occasion.
“The garden of president Christine Morgan’s house provided a beautiful virus-safe setting but sadly this was to be the final meeting of the club.
“As in so many other societies, those members who have served in multiple committee roles are now ready to move on.
“The events of the last 15 months, with isolations and restrictions, led to the final decision to close the club.
“With over 70 years of supporting a wide range of charities with local events, Keswick ladies can be proud of their track record.”
The inaugural meeting of the club had been held on January 6, 1944 when the annual subscription was 7s 6d.
Many of the club’s early activities were to raise money for local forces for the war.
Charity fundraising continued throughout the club’s 77-year history, with rummage sales and whist drives.
These gave way to stalls at Keswick Christmas Fayre, knitting scarves and hats for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, open coffee mornings in the Skiddaw Hotel, dinner and musical entertainment for music in hospitals, pub quizzes and other sponsored events.
The club’s last remaining charity funds have been allocated to West Cumbria Carers, the air ambulance and Shelter Box.
At the final meeting, president Christine was presented with an ornamental bird-bath in recognition of her service.
Special thanks also went to Jackie Welch, club secretary for many years.
Inner Wheel is an international women’s organisation, founded in Manchester in 1924.
It has clubs in more than 100 countries with more than 100,000 members.
