Aims
Our brief is to investigate issues chosen by our local 50+ community. Long Eaton and District 50 plus Forum began in 2005 and since then membership has grown to more than 900.
Over the last 12 years, we have looked at many issues and have produced several written reports of our findings. In addition we have gained invaluable partners from local service providers.
The time has flown by and the venture has been remarkably positive. Old people are often seen as boring grousers but our journey has enabled us to draw on our strengths and has provided a warm and life-affirming meeting of people with common interests – who happen to be older than average!
Achievements
Our main achievements to date are:
- an effective bus shelter campaign working with Trent Barton and Neighbourhood Services, Erewash Borough Council which has highlighted vandalism in local bus shelters - the resulting improvements have been encouraging
- computer courses for beginners in our local library run by us using their free computer terminals - this followed the identification of a real need for low-cost adult education following recent changes in government policy
- the formation of a thriving branch of the University of the Third Age in our area
- the formation of a travel club, that has had many successful visits to places such as Tewkesbury, Llandudno, Nene Valley Railway, the Anderton Boal and Canal and Hull
What we're doing
Toton Sidings Remembered 1856 to 1984
An intergenerational heritage project sponsored by the 50 plus forum.
Following its successful appearance in The Erewash Museum during the summer of 2017 our Toton Sidings Remembered exhibition moved to Long Eaton Library in the autumn. The library kindly hosted the exhibition from Tuesday 19 September 2017 to Monday 11 December 2017.
The displays included:
- memorabilia kindly lent by retired Toton railwaymen or their relatives
- information panels tracing the history of the sidings and including newly released National Railway Museum archived photographs
- panels displaying letters and photos collected by the project team
- a large poster depicting the yards in BR style showing how they were in their heyday with a simplified layout - the poster was produced by heritage artist, Stephen Millership
- an engaging display of black and white photos showing men at work in the diesel maintenance depot taken by Mick Rhodes
Many Toton Sidings railwaymen and their families lived in Sandiacre so we were pleased to move the exhibition on to the Sandiacre Library in January 2018 for a 3-month stay. Further displays are taking place throughout the year across the area.
Look out for our open days on our website including model layouts, memory collection, activities for children and meet the project team.
Our forum has been lucky in getting support from Derbyshire County Council's prevention team in adult care.
Meeting and events
Visit the 50+ Forum meetings and events page for details of our open forum meetings. You can also see the diary section for details of our computer courses, coach trips and even our astronomy courses!
Contact us
email: longeaton50plus@yahoo.co.uk
Forum Support Officer: Jo Marples email: jo.marples@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 07970 316320.