Friendship group gave me a lifeline, says Edna

‘Five-a-day is the recipe for a happy life’

Former Southport Equal Opportunities worker Edna Palmer was left feeling isolated when she lost her husband who had shared many of life’s experiences.

Then she turned to her local Oddfellows’ friendship group – and says she’s been smiling with new-found friends ever since thanks to the five ingredients offered by the society.

Edna, 67, of Marshside, Southport, said: “It’s eight years ago since I joined Oddfellows. When I lost my husband Albert I must say I was a bit lost, and I didn’t know many people in the area. But as soon as I was persuaded to join by a friend I was hooked.

“I’d recommend it to anyone. You can just walk in to one of our meetings and give it a try or book something and then see if it’s for you just like I did.

“I wanted to meet friends, and now I love it. We have visits to stately homes, theatre trips and have meals out, many of the things I enjoy and used to do with my husband.

“I go on nearly all of the events, you get to meet people within Oddfellows, and it leads you into other friendships as well.”

The Ormskirk and Southport branch meets at the Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport on the first Wednesday of each month at 10.00amwhen they get together for coffee, to chat and book events and trips.

Edna is speaking in support of Ormskirk and Southport Oddfellows’ Get your Five-a-Day, every Day local promotional campaign as it appeals for new members to come along and give the group a try with regular social events, care and welfare support, travel clubs, discounted offers and access to its heritage.

For more than two centuries, the Oddfellows, with 310,000 members and 132 Branches nationwide, has been serving up a unique recipe of friendship and support to local members, with the five key ingredients of regular social events, care and welfare support, travel clubs, discounted offers and access to its heritage through archives.

To find out more about the Oddfellows in Ormskirk and Southport, and to receive a membership pack and local events diary, contact Bonita Hesketh on 01695 424149, email bonita.hesketh@oddfellows.co.uk or visit www.oddfellows.co.uk/five for further details. Annual membership costs £30 a year (or £28 by Direct Debit).