Fran Blackwood, 60, left her life behind in Vancouver four years ago for a cozy retirement along the shores of White Rock.
Newly-divorced and an empty nester, Blackwood joined the White Rock South Surrey Newcomers Club in order to meet local women in her area.
“I live on a steep hill and as neighbours we don’t really talk as much as some neighbourhoods do,” said Blackwood. “It’s really hard to get to know people under these circumstances.”
The Newcomers Club is an organization for women who have moved to the White Rock/South Surrey area in the last three years. Recently, the club has opened its doors to women who have undergone significant life changes such as a loss of partner, retirement or change in marital status.
The change has a lot to do with the community. “Losing a partner changes your life and can leave someone feeling like they have too much time on their hands. The newcomers club is perfect for this,” said Blackwood.
Membership costs $40 annually but most activities are low-cost or free of charge.
Over 25 activities are offered members a month, such as golf, bowling, Scrabble or bridge. They also have the opportunity to join a weekly book club or morning walking club.
“Joining gave me an immediate sense of community,” Blackwood said. “It has been a great experience.”
Blackwood, former club president, hosts a small coffee meeting at her home each month for all new members. Other group members offer up their homes for movie nights or cake decorating.
“Some of us become very close,” Blackwood said. “I have witnessed how members help each other through illness, loss of loved ones and sick kids. I have been one of them.”
In February 2014, just 10 months into her presidency, Blackwood’s daughter broke her leg and needed her help to care for her granddaughter. A week later, her 89-year-old mother cracked her pelvis. Members stepped up to the plate because she was unable to.
“Newcomers gave me encouraging support, calls, flowers and cards,” she said. They took over her duties as president because her family needed her more.
Blackwood experienced firsthand the compassion of the group. “The women were incredibly supportive. They even dropped off food,” she said. Other members have also experienced this.
“A woman one time became quite sick, and I remember it meant so much to her when we sent her a card saying were thinking about you,” said Blackwood. “Our group is about friendship and community.”
The age demographic of the club ranges from women in their early 30s to those in their late 80s, however most are between 50 and 70.
“I think it has a lot to do with stage of life,” she said. “It’s much harder to meet people in your 50s when significant life changes do occur.”
The club meets the first Tuesday of every month at The Mount Olive Lutheran Church at 2350 – 148th street in South Surrey. Meetings take place from September through to June.
“Newcomer’s is not just for newcomers anymore. It is also for women in a new stage of their lives,” said Blackwood. “Most of my close friends are the women here in my local community, the women that I met through Newcomers.”
For more information on the Newcomers Club, email President Deborah Wimpney at wrssnewcomers@gmail.com or visit their website.
