'There's no right or wrong way to be a widow'

Druscilla Perry launched the Merry Widows to help those battling grief and isolation after a bereavement

A woman who has endured the loss of not one but two life partners has set up a support group for other widows experiencing bereavement.

Druscilla Perry lost her husband Alan to cancer in 2005. Sadly 17 years later, her partner Edric Ovens died from the disease, too.

She decided to launch the Merry Widows in Somerton, Somerset in January to help others struggling with grief.

Ms Perry said: "There's no right or wrong way of being a widow.

"There's no book on it to tell you what to do and we all just grope in the dark."

Druscilla Perry with husband Alan in 2004 and Edric Ovens in 2019

Ms Perry was surprised at the success of the group, with 20 women attending the first meeting, and 24 going along to the second.

"I was gobsmacked. It was either going to sink or sail," she said.

"I thought if I get three, it's a failure. If I get 10, we're going to sail and we had 24!"

The sessions aim to provide advice, support and friendship.

A village agent, from the Community Council for Somerset, talked to the women about their widow allowances and entitlements at February's meeting.

Ms Perry said: "One specific need is holidays and social activities where there will be like-minded people.

"At our first meeting, we discovered we had a lady who offers counselling and a lady who organises solo holidays, so we already have a lot of skills in the group."

Lesley Rudman says it is great meeting like-minded people

Lesley Rudman, 69, who lost her husband, John, in February 2020, has been to both meetings of Somerton Merry Widows.

She said: "I think we have a real common view on what life is like now.

"One woman sitting next to me has booked one of those solo holidays."

The Merry Widows group will meet in Somerton the first Tuesday of every month.