A CHORLEY organisation is looking back to the past as it prepares to mark its golden anniversary later this month.

Chorley branch of Mencap, which is 50 years-old on September 22, has put out a call to former members to join in the celebrations at a special birthday bash.

Shane Frawley, branch chairman, said: "If there's anybody who is a member and hasn't received an invitation form, then they should get in touch with me.

"We're looking for original members, the people who first formed our branch in 1949 and those who have been involved through the years."

He added: "We don't know where everybody is, but we would certainly love to see them and hear their stories so we can get more of a background of how it all started. Everybody has got a good story to tell."

Shane said the branch had come a long way since 1949 when a group of parents from Chorley, who had children with learning disabilities, decided to make something happen.

"At the time there were no services for them, so they said 'let's do something about it'.

"They met with a group from Wigan and it is from there that the Chorley branch has stemmed."

The branch has evolved from simply taking children on days out, for example, to getting involved in important national issues.

"At the time, children with learning disabilities didn't even have the right to go to school," said Shane.

"It was this particular group who got together and did something about it. They fought for education, which was one of the early issues, and still is today. They fought for recreational rights.

"Down through the years they fought for places like Bankside and Mayfield School.

"Without those people there to get it all started, we wouldn't be as far as we are, and there's still an awful long way to go."

Shane, who originates from Limerick in Ireland, settled in Chorley 10 years ago and lives in Coppull.

His son Chris, aged 23, who was born with learning disabilities, is living proof of what Mencap can achieve.

Chris works at the Astley Training Bakery, Park Road, Chorley.

"We had to fight to find him the right school to go to. I mean, we really had to fight. He went to Mayfield and he is one of the success stories of the school."

Chris left school and attended a Mencap college of further education, studying horticulture and catering before joining the bakery. A celebration birthday buffet takes place at Rivington Barn on Wednesday, September 22, at 7.30pm.

Anyone wanting to get in touch with Shane can ring him on 01257 794973.

Living proof . .baker Chris with dad Shane

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