Celebrating wives in plea for more to join

Traditional tea and cake and a fancy lunch out – members of Netherton Methodist Wives Club celebrated in style as they marked the group's 45-year milestone.

Since founder Mary Shaw set up the club almost half a century ago, the group has raised around £1,000 every year for a variety of good causes, focussing their efforts in recent years on Troop Aid for injured soliders.

And now the group, which is still going strong with 27 members, is searching for new blood to help it continue its traditions long into the future.

President Mary Martin said she was proud of all the achievements over the years.

"I think it's wonderful that we have been together all these years," said Mrs Martin, aged 69, of New Village, Dudley Wood.

"The problem is, there's no young ones coming in now. The lifestyle is so different now and people have other things to do with their time."