Focus On Marple & Goyt Valley

The Club was chartered on October 7th 1983 with 9 founder members. The first meeting took place at the Moorside Hotel in Disley and then members moved on to Disley Golf Club where they remained for a number of years. However today, as their numbers are small, they go to various places either at the homes of members, or more excitingly, at restaurants.

                                                             Although they are a small club they have raised considerable                                                                   funds for charity. The   list of charities they support is endless -                                                                       fund-raising for Cancer Research, Ethiopia, Arthritis Care and                                                                     hospices at Beechwood, St. Anne`s, High Peak and Francis                                                                         House.

                                                             In addition the members are engaged in many acts of service :                                                                 giving  assistance at Glengarth and Tree Tops by taking the                                                                         young residents for walks, or simply reading to them - providing                                                                  respite for families with severely handicapped youngsters. They                                                                 have served the community by helping visually impaired people                                                               at Walthew House in Stockport.

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A Club Meal at The Devonshire

In 2005-06 when Sandra Tonge was Club President, members raised a thousand pounds for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. This was collected via coffee mornings, quizzes etc which enabled the club to have a kennel for a year with their name above it. This charity was very personal to Sandra. 

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It wasn’t all work as much fun was enjoyed with a Hog Roast,

auctions, Jazz nights and members parading in period costumes

selling gingerbread men, humbugs and sticks of rock striped with

Inner Wheel colours of blue and gold with ‘Marple Oldknow’ printed

into the rock to celebrate the achievements of a local mill owner

and benefactor of 200 years ago.

(Pity we have no photographs of this spectacle!)

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They helped Rotary by being Santas Little Helpers on the

Rotary Christmas Float closely followed by Twelfth Night

celebrations. When a Rotary meeting happened on

Valentines Day the members were invited for a romantic

evening!

                                                                                                                                   A Fizz & Fashion Show

The club has had great help from their members who have, despite falling numbers, kept it going. Two special members who must be named are Muriel Kirkwood, who of late became a permanent President – her first appointment was in 1983 – and Pauline Harrison whose cheerful character and organising skills, especially with all the Fizz Fashion shows which raised much money for a variety of charities.

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President Ann McCalla Inducts New Member Sue Ibbotson

Well done Marple and Goyt Valley for all your years in District 5 and long may you continue.

Betty Hayhurst - District Historian

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