CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE SOCIAL HOUR 15th MAY 2006

This celebration was in recognition of a unique event, one hundred years of Monday afternoon meetings of the Social Hour. The short opening service was conducted by Pam Ward and began, as always, with a hymn and a prayer, followed by a Bible reading and a brief talk, all similar to those previously held since 1906.
The first Speaker was Margaret Sutcliffe who had been the Secretary since 1948 to the mid 1960s; she told us of her sons being brought to the meetings in a pushchair, and the Caretaker’s wife looking after them in the kitchen, whilst she herself attended the meetings. Margaret’s mother had also been involved as Treasurer for some years previously.
Our next Speaker was Neville Davidson who thanked both members and all others who had participated, over the years, in the running of the ‘Social Hour’, enabling it to achieve this impressive milestone.
Our final Speaker was Harold Ward who had some amusing stories to tell, most of which were about the older generation, making us all feel quite at home! Harold, despite being interrupted by the arrival of the ‘Messenger’ photographer, finished what he had to say when the photographer had left. A large number of photos were taken, which we hope will be on display in the lounge.
We all enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, our Assistant Church Secretary, Elizabeth Downie making an impressive display of blowing out the 100 candles. It was a most enjoyable party, attended by over forty members and guests. We look forward to the beginning of the next hundred years!

Margaret Davidson Secretary

Social Hour Secretary: Margaret Davidson

Both my sister and I were born in Bolton, and baptised at what is now St. Andrew’s and St. George’s URC. When I was seven we moved to Farnworth, (though we both continued to attend Sunday School at our previous Church) I joined my mother in the choir at sixteen years of age, and was both a Brownie Guider and Sunday School teacher for many years. It was at this point that I started work, after qualifying as a comptometer operator. I worked for a variety of companies, including work as an auditor for five years. Music has always played an important part in my life, from Amateur Operatics to the Bolton Choral Union.
I married Neville, a widower, in 1970, when I also became stepmother to Philip, then aged twelve. Philip and Yvonne married in 1980, and in 1995 adopted a sister and brother; Emma is now fifteen years old, and Sean thirteen. I became the Social Hour Secretary at Hale URC some fifteen years ago, and, as well as a number of other activities, I am a member of Ringway and Hale Barns WI.