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Inner Wheel Celebrate Christmas And Coming-Of-Age
2 Dec 1970
Padiham Town Hall, Burnley Road, Padiham
Mrs. Green (centre), helps Mrs Gradwell to cut the cake made by the treasurer, Mrs C. Parker (extreme left). Others from the left are Miss A Grimshaw (president, Padiham TWG), Mrs Maw, Mrs Gaskell and Mrs M. Lee (secretary).
The Inner Wheel Club of Padiham celebrated its 21st birthday party on Wednesday, 2nd December 1970, with Mrs Eileen Green, founder president of the club aptly serving a presidential year. The birthday-cum-Christmas party was held in Padiham Town Hall and attended by about 150 members and guests from clubs in surrounding areas. The chairman of Padiham UDC, Mrs Sheila Maw, was present together with Mrs Millicent Gaskell, who was the president of the Association of Inner wheel Clubs in 1949 and whose signature appears on the Padiham Charter. Mrs Ida Gradwell, a former chairman of the District, who presented the charter to Mrs Green 21 years ago, was also present. Mrs Maw and Mrs Gaskell addressed the gathering, party games were played and entertainment and carol singing were organised by members. To mark the coming of age, Padiham Rotarians presented a lectern to the club. Mrs Green said that Padiham Inner Wheel was the first women's club in Padiham.
Since its inception, members have taken part in the social activities of their own club, the District and Association. They have raised money and given personal service to local, nationwide and international charities. Each Christmas, parcels are delivered to the chronic sick of Padiham. In 1954, the club adopted a displaced persons family in a German camp, sent regular food parcels, clothing and money. When the family were rehabilitated, they were given help to furnish their home. The children of this family are now married, and the club sent material for the girls' wedding dresses. The parents, now elderly and in poor health, continue to receive aid.
Padiham Inner Wheel Club is linked with the Holmestrand club in Norway, and Scandinavian members have visited Padiham. Three members from Padiham have enjoyed the hospitality of Norwegian members. This year, three Padiham members attended the first international Inner Wheel convention in Holland.
