At 58, Marianne Emmerton was on her own and looking to get out more.

鈥淭he kids are grown,鈥� the newly single senior recalled thinking.

鈥淭hey have lives of their own. I thought, 鈥業 have to do something.鈥欌��

Emmerton joined a book club, which, thanks to a member of that cub, led her to Singles Social Walking Club, a group for 55 and up seniors who get together Saturdays and Sundays, and statutory holidays, at 10 a.m. for a one-hour walk, followed by brunch.

鈥淲e have members from Delta, to 91原创 and Fort 91原创 to South Surrey, and White Rock,鈥� an enthusiastic Emmerton said.

鈥淥ur walks cover all those areas.鈥�

The South Surrey resident has been a club member for six years now.

Currently the club, now in its 25th year, has close to 80 members, all 55 and up, Emmerton said.

For Emmerton, now 65, a self-described 鈥渧ery active,鈥� person, the club was a good fit, with walks offering different paces and different levels of difficulty, and, most importantly, a low-stress way to meet other people for socializing.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a safe way to do it,鈥� Emmerton said.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e not meeting someone alone.鈥�

It is an all-volunteer run group that counts on members to suggest and organize activities.

In addition to walks, events include picnics, BBQ鈥檚, bowling, games nights, movie nights, mini-golf afternoons, archery, monthly birthday dinners, Halloween parties, annual Christmas Dinner/Dance. There鈥檚 even a golf group which enjoys Friday evenings 鈥淣ine and Dine鈥� at Surrey Golf Course. Nine holes of golf followed by socializing, drinks and/or dinner.

One popular outing are movie nights, usually at the Colossus movie theatres in 91原创, with a meal at the nearby Old Spaghetti Factory.

鈥淲e try to find places that have very economical prices,鈥� Emmerton assured.

Membership fees are $20 which go toward the club鈥檚 annual Christmas party at the Surrey Golf Club.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a dinner dance. We usually have Santa there.鈥�

When the Club was started, back in 1998, it was originally called 鈥淢ingle with Singles Walking Club,鈥� a walking and social group for 40-plus singles.

Diane Stoney, 68, is one of six original founding club members who are still in the club.

鈥淚 started the second week it started,鈥� Stoney said.

鈥淚鈥檝e always enjoyed walking.鈥�

Stoney described it as 鈥減rimarily a walking club,鈥� but one that has also offered a 鈥渨ide variety of social stuff鈥� that has been trimmed back because of the pandemic鈥檚 impact.

鈥淓verybody鈥檚 world changed [when COVID hit],鈥� Stoney explained, and the club is hoping to rebuild those programs.

Over time, the name has changed, first to 鈥淢ingle with Singles Walking Club鈥�, then the 鈥淪ensational Singles Walking Club鈥� or SSWC, and finally 鈥� keeping the initials but changing the wording 鈥� to 鈥淪ingles Social Walking Club鈥� (SSWC).

As the demographics of the group changed, the age bracket for new members has kept pace with the average age of the group, and is currently 55 plus.

READ ALSO: 91原创 seniors walking club keeps going despite poor weather

鈥淭his is a wonderful club, where life-long friendships are made, you can get out for fresh air and exercise, and have fun without breaking the bank鈥� Emmerton summarized.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always someone you can walk with,鈥� Emmerton commented.

Close, supportive friendships are often formed.

鈥淲hen things are tough and you need help, we鈥檙e there for you,鈥� she said.

鈥樷�淲hen things go upside down, it鈥檚 nice to know there are people there for you.鈥�

READ ALSO: 500 take part in 91原创 Walk

Newcomers are invited to try the club free for a month.

Contact the club via email: marianne.emmerton@gmail.com or by phone at 604-790-5206.