The SC-NWR was founded in May 1976 and the 50th anniversary was celebrated on Saturday 16th May 2026 in Peppard War Memorial Hall.
The village hall which was ‘glitzed up’ by hand-made bunting and gold helium balloons. Flowers from Liz’s garden adorned the tables where we sat down to an expansive buffet dinner to which all our members contributed.
After a welcoming glass of champagne or Nosecco, Sue, the group’s Local Organiser, started off the proceedings with a few words of welcome, remarking particularly on the presence of some partners and some old friends.
Local magician, Neill Wilkinson then entertained the crowd with tricks based on mathematical theories and word play and then toured the tables demonstrating his sleight of hand close up.
Further entertainment was provided in a quiz devised by the group’s excellent quiz setter, Lyn. It was cleverly based on 1976, the year the SC-NWR was founded. The picture and general knowledge quiz stretched everyone’s memories and provided an excellent talking point for conversations.
Running concurrently during the evening was a comprehensive slide show compiled by Mary especially for the evening. Included were photos of SC-NWR meetings, local outings and overseas travel. The theme also touched on more about NWR and what it means to us. A touch of hilarity ensued at the photos through the years, especially the old hairstyles (‘Look, we had brown hair once!’) and changes in fashion. There were also poignant memories of members sadly no longer with us.
A birthday cake, beautifully made by Sarah Darkins, daughter of the current SC-NWR LO, was ceremonially cut by Clare, the longest serving member there and our newest member, Rosie.
A curated selection of 1970s music by Rosie’s husband, Noel, was based on a playlist suggested by members, and we rounded out the evening with a dance to our favourite tunes.
One reaction to the event came from the husband of an SC-NWR member who was delighted to put “faces to names” of the women who have taken up a lot of his wife’s time on Thursday nights. Another said he was impressed with the organisation and team work required to put the event on as well as the efficient clean up afterwards!
For the SC-NWR members it was a well planned and enjoyable event for which we should all be very proud.
‘What an amazing evening! Thank you everyone for all the hard work you put in to making the evening such a great success. Wonderful food too. Thank you all for the warm welcome into the group. I only wish I’d known you all earlier.’
Rosie (newest member)
‘A fantastic evening. Many thanks for all the great organisation. As always, NWR pulls out all the stops. I’m so pleased to have rejoined and I’ve been welcomed ‘home’ with open arms. What a lovely group of people.’
Trish (has re-joined after a break)
A huge thank you to everyone who made the NWR 50 years celebration such an enjoyable evening. It was so lovely to see so many familiar and dear faces and wonderful that our friendships have endured for all these years. A heartfelt thank you to all who worked so hard to organise the evening.’
Julie (a long-standing ex member and founding member of our Book Group)
Click here for a link to our slideshow:
https://nwr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/A-Celebration-Slide-Show.pptx