The Nanaimo British Club celebrates 30 years in the community this month.
To mark its anniversary the club held a street party style celebration at the Wellington Royal Canadian Legion, branch 256, on Monday.
The club started in September 1986 after 12 friends got together and put an advertisement the local paper.
The main aim of the club is to hold social activities.
“We have done so much over the years,” said Pat Heyward, a founding member of the club. “We have a jolly good time and we have lots of fun.”
Heyward originally hails from Bristol, England. Her sister was the first to immigrate to Canada. She moved to Port Alberni, but 10 days after arriving in Canada her husband died.
Heyward followed in 1963. She moved to Victoria, B.C., and nine years later moved to Nanaimo.
Heyward said during the early years, the club was full of people who had immigrated from Britain or had British ancestry.
The club has evolved with the times and now it is also open to anyone interested in British history and the camaraderie the members share.
Over the years, club members have participated in many events in the community.
For more information about the Nanaimo British Club or to become a member, please e-mail nanaimobritishclub@yahoo.com.
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