A day in the Life... Reg Wake and the Over Sixties Fellowship

"You could say it was love at first sight. We met on a blind date in a blackout in a cinema" recalls his wife Peggy in her delightful Irish brogue. That was in 1941 in Belfast, Peggy's hometown, and they planned to marry after the war. But that took longer than expected so they married within nine months, both aged 21.

Born in Alresford, Hants, Reg went to sea at 17 with P&O. A few years later his ship, returning from Australia, docked at Tilbury at 9am on 3 September 1939. The ship then became an armed merchant cruiser and Reg a member of the RNR. He saw active service, was commissioned in 1943 and was about to go to the Far East in 1945. But VJ Day came and he was demobbed in May 1946. The first of their three children was born in February 1946. Living temporarily in Belfast, he was surprised to be given the job of YMCA youth organiser for Ireland. A few years later he was asked to set up the permanent YMCA camp beside Lake Windermere, their home for the next ten years. Many hundreds of youngsters were involved each year. Pilot stages of the DoE Award were tested here.

	A day in the Life… Reg Wake and the Over Sixties Fellowship
	Some 60 members of the Fellowship, mainly ladies, arrive at St George's on the second Wednesday afternoon of each month. They are given an excellent tea with home-baked cakes and entertained by a visiting choir or speaker. A team of committee and other helpers make it run like clockwork while creating a homely atmosphere where friends are able to meet and keep in touch. They are led by sprightly Reg Wake who belies his age. We set out to find out a bit more about "young" Reg.
	"You could say it was love at first sight. We met on a blind date in a blackout in a cinema" recalls his wife Peggy in her delightful Irish brogue. That was in 1941 in Belfast, Peggy's hometown, and they planned to marry after the war. But that took longer than expected so they married within nine months, both aged 21. Born in Alresford, Hants, Reg went to sea at 17 with P&O. A few years later his ship, returning from Australia, docked at Tilbury at 9am on 3 September 1939. The ship then became an armed merchant cruiser and Reg a member of the RNR. He saw active service, was commissioned in 1943 and was about to go to the Far East in 1945. But VJ Day came and he was demobbed in May 1946. The first of their three children was born in February 1946. Living temporarily in Belfast, he was surprised to be given the job of YMCA youth organiser for Ireland. A few years later he was asked to set up the permanent YMCA camp beside Lake Windermere, their home for the next ten years. Many hundreds of youngsters were involved each year. Pilot stages of the DoE Award were tested here.	Reg Wake (second from right at back) with members of the Over Sixties Fellowship
	The wind of change in Africa also brought change for the Wakes. Seconded by YMCA to Ghana, where for three years Reg trained youth leaders, and then to Northern Rhodesia as Chief Training Officer for the Zambia Youth Service. He trained 1800 lads for a massed gymnastic display and march past at the Independence Day celebrations. He recalls an example of pupil power. The students refused to take exams. They lifted his Ford Anglia in protest and put it in a large storm drain. Reg went to see President Kaunda. They took their exams. Back to the UK "to do a real job" in 1962, Reg became YMCA national youth secretary in 1966 and eventually head of personnel and training. He bought their present house in Ashtead in 1967, unseen by Peggy, and retired in 1985, being made an MBE the following year. About this time curate John Pangbourne became convenor for the Over Sixties Fellowship at St George's. Looking round for a likely lad, he alighted on Reg, who has organised it since then. He heads a committee of seven whose combined service exceeds 143 years - and some have only just joined. He now uses skills built up over years of service to youth for the benefit of the older generation, the latter perhaps less challenging as they are not quite so rebellious.
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