Our Association was formed as a result of a meeting held in Barrow in 1997 when over 100 Pensioners and supporters met representatives from the North West Pensioner Rights’ Campaign. A committee was formed which has grown in time to our Association with Ken Arts - Chairman, Maurice Kerr - Vice Chairman, Helene Young - Treasurer, Ruth Davies - Assistant Social Secretary, Syd’ Eager - Membership Secretary and around 70 or more members.

We are a non-party political organisation with members belonging to many differing parties - Communists, Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Peoples’ Party and Socialist Workers Party amongst them with the common aim being our determination to improve rights for Pensioners.

As an Association of people of mature years we are vulnerable in needing to have our organisation ‘backed up’ with our work being safeguarded in the event of illness by any member. We find that most members are able to participate in the way that they wish to. Some can research, some like the challenge of a march and others have skills in communication with press and other media.  There are always new tasks to be undertaken, currently in making placards and fabricating a banner for our coming visit to the Durham Miners' Gala in July and organising coach transport.  We would really appreciate a computer whizz!

Our Association is affiliated to the North West Pensioner Rights’ Campaign which is in turn affiliated to the National Pensioners Convention. At the coming Annual General Meeting members will be asked if they would like to make a direct affiliation to the National Pensioners Convention.