What is The Valentine Club and who are they?
(written by Richard Preston, group leader of The Valentine Club)
If you can imagine a group of “overgrown teenagers” then you are halfway there. Back in 1952, a group of ladies of leisure shall we say, got together in the village of Steeple Aston, situated between Oxford and Banbury, Chipping Norton and Bicester, to have a chat and a cup of tea.
Membership over the years had its peaks and troughs and in 2004 I was invited to “take over” the club otherwise it would fold. I am guessing numerous candidates had been approached and I was the last straw, so the wife and I were invited to their final Christmas dinner. On joining around 25-30 elderly folk in our village hall, we were served up with a magnificent meal, second to none. Then on came the entertainment. Well, to be honest, I have been better entertained at a cremation service and left with one thought. Surely, I can do better.
Over 21 years later and we are still here. The difference now is that instead of around 25 members, we have 100 members and a waiting list of over 20 seniors keen to join our merry band, and we are 21 years older.
Delivering variety and interest
Over the next few years, we moved the false impression of ‘older folk’ from boring, immobile people to seniors that have moved forward in years but not in mind. Moving away from the idea that us older folk only wanted to play bingo or drink tea, we started to invite singers, interesting speakers and useful information to our monthly meetings. The membership started to build to the point where we were able to arrange coach trips to the seaside, cities, and places of interest.
As word spread, demand grew
Word got around that the club offered something worth a visit and members started to apply for membership from surrounding villages.
A few years ago, whilst visiting a travel show, we were tempted in by a cookie and a pleasant smile. “Do you do holidays” we were asked? The simple and honest answer was ‘no’. However, an offer to take a five-day break to The Isle of Wight was given me and to ask our members. Thinking about 5 or 6 members might be tempted, we were confident this would be a simple refusal by club members as why would they possibly want to go on a coach together for five days with people they only met on a monthly basis. Wrong! On asking the question to club members at the next meeting, over 40 put their hand up and as they say, the rest is history.
We now arrange three short break holidays each year and fill a coach of between 40 and 50 members every time. As one member describes the holidays, ‘they are great as you are with friends and the holiday is much cheaper than a well known travel agent who advertises on TV.’
For me and my wife, who looks after all the finances, it places a certain amount of unpaid work on our shoulders but also gives us so much satisfaction when we see those over 60-year-olds having a great time and enjoying older age. We also have a great committee who help whenever needed.
Embracing retirement as a time to thrive
I might be wrong, but I get the feeling that those in charge of the country assume that once someone retires, their life is as good as over. The truth is the opposite. It is the start of a new chapter in life and if we can help to make that new chapter better in any way, then we are all winners. This is where The Valentine Club and other seniors’ groups across the county, can and do make such a difference.
The Connected Communities Fund, is being delivered in partnership by OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire and has been made available by Oxfordshire County Council.
