Garfield Road Methodist Church, Ryde, I.O.W-Youth Club memories

In the late fifties-early sixties there was a strong membership at the Garfield Road Methodist Church Youth Club in Ryde on the Isle Of Wight of which I was a member. Our leader was Mr Roly Rollinson. I believe that the starting age was 12 years old. We had various activities including table tennis and other indoor sports. Once a year we would do a gang show which would included a pantomime. We would also attend various weekends at other churches around the Island and also on the mainland. There was also a serious side to the Youth Club including discussions on the Religious aspects of the Club. We attended the Sunday evening service in the church and some members would take part in the service. Sadly as the membership dwindled the Youth Club closed. In 1995 we held a reunion of pass members where over forty former members attended. There were people who came  from all over Britain and also Bavaria. We also had a telephone call from one member who was living in South Africa. It was so good to see so many good friends from the past. During the evening there was a collection taken to purchase a bench in memory of members who were no longer with us. It was placed (Complete with plaque) outside Ryde Methodist Church. Some of the members who are still with us try to have a get together to talk over old times. The Methodist Church and the Youth Club were a big part of my life when I was growing up. I started with the Sunday School and then went on to the Youth Club. I still attend various functions at the Church. A few weeks ago I saw the International Methodist Brass Band who gave a concert on the Saturday night and then took part in the Sunday service.