A busy retirement club in Oxfordshire is getting ready to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year by reaching out to recently retired people who are looking for something new to do.

Wantage Association of Retired Persons (WARP) is a friendly retirement club for the over-50s, bringing together men, women and couples socially from Wantage and surrounding areas including Abingdon, Didcot and Stevenson.

As they head for their landmark anniversary, the group wants to attract new members to their fold of 130 current members to help their party go with a full swing. Chairman Mary Murtagh, 73, said: “We want to revitalise our club which we have been running for nearly 20 years, so come along if you’re retired and at a loose end or want to make new friends.”

WARP originally started life in 1993 as a friendship club called Wantage Association of Retired Persons Over 50, part of the national Association of Retired Persons which mirrored the successful Association in the United States.

Mary has been volunteering as chairman of the club for almost all of the 20 years it has been running and, with the committee, has planned an interesting programme of events for members to enjoy.

WARP members Peter and Jeanne said: “We have a range of interesting speakers and topics and we enjoy meeting folk especially when we were new to the area.”

Brian and Wendy added: “As a result of joining, we have made many new friends which have added immeasurably to the enjoyment of our retirement.”

The group also meets for monthly pub lunches, and has been known to go line dancing and organise coach outings and holidays.

Additionally, WARP usually meets at Wantage Civic Hall on the first Wednesday of each month at 2pm, which includes a topical presentation, refreshments and a raffle. Guests are welcome at the door with an entrance fee of £4 per person.

This month’s presentation is on July 4 with the theme Tall Ships. Visit www.ocva.org.uk/WARP for the full programme, which includes topics such as Oxford Botanic Garden, Real Larkrise to Candleford and Music and Comedy Contact Mary 01235 764573, or Ann 01672 541331 for more information, or pop along to Wantage Civic Hall on the first Wednesday of each month at 2pm.