A SOUTHAMPTON pensioners’ group started 45 years ago has issued a plea for new members after numbers have plummeted.

Dorothy O’Beirne, who had worked as a home help for the elderly throughout her life, set up Sholing Senior Citizens Club at the request of residents while she was a councillor for Sholing in 1968.

Supported by her late husband George, the great-grandmother of nine ran the pensioners’ club at Sholing Community Centre for 41 years, raising money and organising events, parties and outings and within two years they already had 150 members.

During her time as chairman, the 87-year-old was rewarded for her hard work when she was named citizen of the year 1992. She was also invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2001 where she got to meet the Queen. There was also a trip to Number 10 Downing Street.

But she had to step down after experiencing heart problems four years ago.

Now the club is appealing for new members after its numbers fell from 80 to 50.

She said: “After that hard work I put in I was hurt to think the club had gone downhill.

“I never had to ask for new members – they just came.

“We got quite a nice crowd the first couple of weeks after it started and collected quite a few raffle draw prizes. The club just grew.

“The club bought people together and we celebrated golden weddings and went to places right along the coast. We also used to see all the carnivals.

You name it, if I thought we could do it, I’d do it.

“I thoroughly enjoyed running it and I honestly thought somebody else would take over.

“I’d just like to see it come back to its old ways.”

• Sholing Senior Citizens Club meets at Sholing Community Centre in Butts Road, Sholing, every Tuesday afternoon.

For more information call 023 8044 7037.