SIXTY years ago today, a group of young women left their husbands and their sleeping children to meet in the Old Reading Room at St Nicholas Church Hall, in Old Marston.

The Young Wives, as they would become known, wanted a little social time away from their families: an evening out, that didn’t cost a lot of money, where they might pick up some cooking tips, learn something about the world or just introduce themselves by their first name – not just as someone’s mum!

Six decades later, times have changed.

The Young Wives Club is now the Wives Club and the women who joined in the 1950s are still there, but most are now grandmothers.

It’s a sign of the times that you no longer have to be married to join, just female.

But while new people do join each year, most are retired, and subsidising the club’s activities is becoming more difficult.

The Marston Wives fear their weekly meetings might eventually die out if they fail to attract new, younger members and continue to get the council funding they rely on.

But luckily they aren’t ladies who accept defeat easily.

This month, as they celebrate their diamond anniversary, they want to tell the other women of Old Marston – and beyond – that theirs isn’t a fuddy duddy group, but one where you can relax, make friends and generally just take a breather in a hectic world.

They said the group has created bonds between members that have lasted a lifetime.

Peggy Sheppard, who is now in her 80s, was a new mum in her 20s when she went along to her first meeting of the Young Wives club in 1955.

She said: “I had moved to Old Marston the year before and my son was born in 1955. My neighbour was a member of the Wives and suggested I go along with her, so I thought I’d try it out. It was a nice evening out.

“Most of us were young mums who stayed at home all day, so it was a chance to mix and chat.

“I can’t remember my husband objecting to me going out – I don’t think I even asked him!

“I remember a demonstration on hairdressing, which gave me a new look. And also a demo by the lady who owned the delicatessen at Oxford’s Covered Market. She showed us food most of us had never seen before.

“I suppose most of the young mums today might think that was all a bit tame. We don’t have the pubs and clubs like there are these days – and even if we had had, we probably wouldn’t have gone out like that without our husbands.

“But while times have changed for women and many are now working and have their own money, I think women still need the company of other women and to talk about what’s going on in their lives.

“It would be lovely to welcome some younger women into the group. I think they’d enjoy it.”

Julia O’Keefe has lived in Old Marston for 50 years and a member of the Wives for 40.

She said: “Before joining the Wives you would see other mums at the school gates and say ‘hello’ but it wasn’t until you met them at the Wives that you would have the chance to become real friends – that’s probably still true these days.

“The evening meetings were for us, but we’d also get together some days with our babies and chat. We’ve had some wonderful trips over the years too. Being part of the Wives has been a really important part of my life.”

Ann Joyce has been a member for 30 years. She said: “For me, being part of the Wives has given me lifelong friends, so it would be tragic if it were to eventually die out because of a lack of members.

“I think the reason why younger women maybe stay away is mostly time. So many women work and look after their families these days. But that’s a shame, because being part of this group has been really rewarding for all of us and has helped us with bringing up our families too.

“Maybe some people think the group is old-fashioned – like they did about the Women’s Institute until a few years ago.

“But it’s not at all fuddy duddy. We have interesting speakers and we’re all lively, fun ladies. I’ve shared all sorts of experiences and tips about my children and if I’ve had anything go wrong, I’ve always known I had people I could ring who’d be straight here on my doorstep.”

Today the group hopes to welcome about 50 guests for its diamond anniversary.

Mrs Joyce said: “It’s lovely to look back at the past and this anniversary is very important to the Wives, but so is the future and we would love new members to come along and see what we are all about.”

A Celebration of 60 years of Marston Wives will take place on September 22 with an evening of entertainment provided by the Oxford Music and Verse Company followed by a bring and share supper.

The evening starts at 7pm at St Nicholas Church Hall, Old Marston and past and present members are welcome. Call Jean Smith on 01865 765895 or Ann Joyce on 01865 242329.