A LAST ditch bid to save the Wanstead branch of the Family History Society from closure has led to renewed interest in the threatened organisation.

The East London Family History Society made a desperate appeal in March for new members to attend its monthly meetings in Wanstead Library as numbers had drastically fallen, leaving the branch facing closure.

However, committee member and publicity officer, Beryl Rickards said the branch appeal had been a great success with both the March and April meetings full with members and visitors.

She said: "There were 45 people at the March meeting and 32 in April so we will be allowed to carry on until the end of the year. We were very pleased because if we hadn't had this turnout we would have had to close down in June.

"Whether we can go beyond the end of the year will be dependent on whether we can get a new chairman and new treasurer.

"In the meantime we will be continuing until November but we need to get some people from our membership to come forward to stand as chairman and treasurer."

Mrs Rickards explained that help had come from unexpected quarters, including staff at the Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow, who would like to give a talk to members.

The group's next meeting on Wednesday, June 23, will host a talk by Jean Bunting entitled, The Actress and Chauffeur".

Doors open at 7pm for the 7.30pm start at all meetings which are held on the last Wednesday of every month.

Mrs Rickards said: "We used to get attendances of up to 50 or so but they have been getting less and less - nowadays nobody seems to be coming forward to help run the branch.

"Most of our committee are pensioners but we would dearly love younger people to become interested.

"It's best to explore your family history when you are young because that way you have the chance of asking older family members questions while they are still alive."

Since it was founded by Ilford resident Fred Filby, the family history service has had over 10,000 members keen to track down their ancestors and create their own family tree.

If anybody would like to join the group they should go along to its next meeting or ring Mrs Rickards on 8530 4514.