News
Read our November Newsletter in Word Format 
Read our November Newsletter in PDF Format 
You can also read about the 'Full of Life' Day
Our next meeting is on 28th November when we will be having a buffet lunch, drinks and music with some “table magic” by Carol-Ann Bosworth.
The party will be held at the Northgate Centre, Military Road, Canterbury from 12 to 2.30p.m. all members invited please ring 01227 366494 for your invite.
We still need a secretary – just two to three hours work a month is required.
Please ring 01227 366494.
Silver Song Club
The Silver Song club is run on the second Monday of each month beginning at 10a.m. for coffee – all is free – come along to the Greenhill Senior Citizens Club, Westlands Rd, Greenhill and Sing for your Life!! - You know it’s good for you.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A GOOD SINGER – JUST ENJOY THE FUN
This year is the centenary of the state pension
Before the Old Age Pensions Act was passed in 1908, those who could no longer earn their living due to the fragility of old age, depended wholly upon charity to survive.
It took ten years of campaigning by liberal reformers, Christian Socialists and above all, Trade unionists, to win the older people’s right to an income that would abolish the spectre of dying in the workhouse.
The 1908 Pensions Act signalled the state’s first step in providing for old age.
It was a means tested, non contributory state pension of 5 shillings per week for men and women of 70 and over. It was the beginning of a social policy that would eventually lay the foundation for the creation of the National Insurance system and the welfare state.
The Victorians believed that an old age pension should be only for the “deserving” poor.
There were restrictions on receiving the pension – if you had not worked regularly; had been convicted for any offence, or had been detained under the Inebriates Act of 1898, you could lose the payment for up to 10years after release. The restrictions were severe, and women particularly had to appeal and make their case for getting the pension.
The whole story is in the book “Battle for the Old Age Pension” available from the National Pensioners’ Convention price £2.50 – please ring 0207 553 6510
Full of life day!
At a reception held at the department of Work and Pensions on October lst – The Full of Life Day dedicated to older people; Anne Belworthy our Chair had a conversation with the Minister, Mike O’Brien who said that the government were looking to give an above inflation rate rise this year to pensions – let’s keep our fingers crossed.
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