WHEN Melanie Eastwood was a young girl growing up during the 1980s in Ronkswood, Worcester, she and her family were regular visitors to an array of local working men’s and social clubs in the area.

They were happy days when her parents could relax, have a drink, meet their friends and family while children could socialise, dance and play together in safe surroundings. There was also a tradition of getting dressed up for these occasions.

Now aged 32 and with two young children of her own, Melanie is the driving force behind a series of events which aim to revive that working men’s club spirit where families can gather and enjoy themselves in a safe social setting.

She is organising parties every other month throughout the year to try and reignite a sense of community.

The young mother has a busy life bringing up a six-year-old daughter and two-year-old son with her husband Steven, as well as working the twilight shift at a care home.

But that was not going to stop her from trying to offer her children the chance to experience the type of fun she enjoyed during her childhood at various social clubs in Worcester like the Metal Box Club, the railway club, the hospital club and others.

“We do not have anything for younger children these days. There are school discos twice a year but nothing the rest of the time,” said Melanie, who has lived in different parts of Worcester but has now returned to her old stomping ground of Ronkswood.

She decided that if there wasn’t anywhere like those old fashioned working men’s clubs where she could take her family, the only option was to try and recreate it herself.

“I feel children today miss out on family memories that used to be made at these social gatherings and it’s very important to me that my children have this made available to them - making new friends in a safe and happy environment but also seeing mum and dad, nanny and grandad, enjoying themselves too,” said Melanie.

With the benefit of experience in organising events when she worked as an activities co-ordinator in a care home before her children were born, Melanie decided to put on a community Christmas Party at the Lyppard Hub last December.

She thought she would see what response she got and how the first one went before organising any more.

Using Facebook to spread the word and roping in various members of her family to help out, Melanie sold all 125 tickets for the first party and it proved a resounding success.

“It was something I wanted to do for a long time. I was not expecting too much from it. I expected my family and friends to come along and support me but I got inundated with messages asking me to reserve tickets for people. It has really taken off.”

She followed this up with a second one – a Valentine’s Party – at the Ronkswood Hub, which was also a sell-out. She now plans to stage a total of six community parties at the Ronkswood Hub this year.

She said the parties are not just for Ronkswood residents – some people living in St Peter’s have joined in – and not just for families. All ages are welcome.

“One lady came along who was concerned that she wouldn’t know anyone but she found she knew loads of people when she got there.

“We had another lady who did not drive and she knew people who were there and offered to take her home afterwards. We had grandparents coming along as well as younger families.”

While rekindling that traditional community spirit, the parties have a modern twist. Apart from the disco run by Melanie’s brother-in-law Andy Stinton (Night Time Menu), there are various other activities including face painting, glitter tattoos, arts and crafts, sweets, cakes and balloons provided by Penny Layland (Madegauze)and a photo booth provided by KR Smith Photography. “It is a cross between a disco and a fair and it’s been a chance to get some small local businesses involved,” said Melanie.

But she stressed that while she uses social media to help promote these non-profit-making events, the aim is to get people together for face to face contact rather than using a mobile phone or computer to communicate.

“I am trying to use technology in a good way. This is all about a cheap family night out. They are not money-making events and any money raised goes to the next event to make it bigger and better.”

Each party has a theme and those who go along are encouraged to dress up. There is a prize for the person in the best costume and that went to Jo Gretta dressed as Mary Poppins at the last event.

The next party is being held on Saturday April 8 and the theme is Roald Dahl characters. People are encouraged to go dressed as one of their favourite Roald Dahl characters, enjoy the disco and try some arts and crafts based on his most famous books. For further information contact Melanie (ML Events) on 07940 710191.

All parties start at 5pm and last for two hours so that younger families can get their children to bed at a reasonable hour.

While it might seem that Melanie has a lot on her plate as organiser, she says she does manage to enjoy the parties too. “Once the events are up and running they run themselves and I can have a dance with my children and with my husband.

“I love organising them and it is nice to see the children’s faces light up and, with mums and dads enjoying themselves too, it is the icing on the cake.”