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Those of a certain age on here will remember these places dotted in their legion all over the UK.
Working class peoples living in their concrete esso parrafin asphalt jungle council gaffs and prefabs could get together to escape the 24/7 knuckle duster of life and the slow motion riot of the 238 bus to the local injection moulding factory for their 8-4 shift , and have a few pints of Long life and a double diamond in the local labour/conservative/lib dem club .
I remember the East ham working mens club, ( now a block of flats) , Blokes in pringles and wexmans at the bar, Their women at the tables knocking back skol white top while the club secretary in his knock off Eton Rifle regimental blazer badge sculpted in bullion wire with hand-finished embroidery , was flogging raffle tickets for a beano to Thorpe bay to a pissed up joyus crowd. An organic collective of people who share a bond.
The word 'community' to me has been rendered down over the years i distilled into a saline nothingness.. imo Working mens clubs are at the heart of the 'community'. To me 'Community' means shared values and a shared background where we were spawned from, those shared hardships , those shared parameters of living in a gilded cage of the working class area you grew up in. Like our Grandads, nans, mothers and fathers that put the slog in during the week and then came together for a piss up at the weekend at the local working mans club.
Most of them are gone now. Flats, chicken shops and fu cking paddy powers with electronic roulette wheels have taken their place. Evil.
Well, today i joined one. These Dojo's of working class culture for good or bad are dying out.
I'd love to know who is a member of one on here. We should support them. I come from the East end so i don't know if they were as popular in west london as they were in the east..
I hope they are/were.
[Post edited 15 Jan 22:24]
Don't forget the Hornchurch.
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Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 22:11 - Jan 15 with 2056 views
Used to play football for the Winkfield working men’s club in the late 80’s, women couldn’t be full members, they could only be signed in as guests, there was also a rule where non members couldn’t play on the pool or snooker table hence no women couldn’t use them! Don’t think they would get away with it now.
[Post edited 15 Jan 22:57]
favourite cheese mature Cheddar. FFS there is no such thing as the EPL
In the next road up from me in Sheen was the Home Guards Club…not making those any more. It had a really low profile apart from an annual music festival on Mayday weekend, until some bright spark talked them into building a small indoor swimming pool at the end of their garden, they were charging a fortune for “swimming” membership . The older members weren’t interested. We had the funeral drinks for both of my mum’s parents at the Home Guards club in North Harrow.
I wonder what happens when a WMC closes. Do the last members standing split the proceeds from selling the premises?
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Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 22:52 - Jan 15 with 1904 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 22:40 - Jan 15 by MrSheen
In the next road up from me in Sheen was the Home Guards Club…not making those any more. It had a really low profile apart from an annual music festival on Mayday weekend, until some bright spark talked them into building a small indoor swimming pool at the end of their garden, they were charging a fortune for “swimming” membership . The older members weren’t interested. We had the funeral drinks for both of my mum’s parents at the Home Guards club in North Harrow.
I wonder what happens when a WMC closes. Do the last members standing split the proceeds from selling the premises?
the club secretary i was chatting to today had been running the club since 1969. The Chairman since 1967. It's a way of life, a totem of who they are and what they have done for the 'Community' .
Drinking, socialising, kinship and family is culture. It's the culture of our fathers and grandads from wherever they came from. Irish, west indian, hindu , Cockney in the 60's and 70's. Work hard play hard at the local working mens club..
It would be an outrage , tragic beyond measure , if working mens clubs were lost forever to split level starter home barrett boxes, albanian barbers and shisha bars.
[Post edited 15 Jan 23:12]
Don't forget the Hornchurch.
0
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:06 - Jan 15 with 1841 views
Went to Hayes (Middlesex) working man’s club, I was actually a Toolmaker (I’m not Starmers dad) making plastic injection moulds, which was meant to be a job for life, then China took over. As for the club, cheap beer, dinner and dance nights, never seemed to be any trouble.
3
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:13 - Jan 15 with 1801 views
Some of my earliest and fondest memories would be the times in the LT District Club in Acton with my Dad and his motley crew “Safest place in London to get a drink through on a Sunday” was their strap line….. you’ve still gotta stop and remember pubs shut at 3pm and re-opened at 6pm back then!!!!!
It really was separatist in terms of the sexes an all. Women on the tables; men at the bar with the occasional drift to the fruit machine and us kids in a corner on Pac-Man or outside if the meteorological conditions allowed (ie anything apart from rain - which it did although the summers felt longer).
Every club had their own bag man knocking out hooky gear, snide Gallini or a book of fake LV’s The place would be run with an iron fist by the Steward of the day, until he came up with three bars on the one arm bandit and the jackpot meant additional consumption of Courage Best with a snowball with Tia Maria for any lucky lady in the vicinity
Sadly these places are the most dying of breeds and if you’ve found one to join then fair play. The last one I was a member of was run into the ground by a crooked Treasurer who sent us bust and the bitch didn’t do a minutes time, got a payback fine of a grand all despite coughing guilty to serious fraud charges. Place was sold with proceeds divided by members
The one nearest me now was knocked down for flats with the proviso a new bar was built as the ground floor. They did that but never actually fitted a bar and the doors have never opened three years since finishing.
The only community clubs I see thriving now are the Somalians
Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal
3
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:26 - Jan 15 with 1733 views
Decor hasn’t changed since the 70s and I had a beer with a fella there the other day who’s been a member since 1950 or something and remembers his Dad’s last pint in there before leaving for war.
Many years ago I was working for a very large mobile crane hire Company based In Didcot, I had to take a large mobile crane up to Rotherham for It's 4 year test, the testing took four days. I was In digs somewhere on the Sheffield Road and a few of the local crane drivers talked me into meeting up at the local working Mans club, what a f ucking night and what a club, dirt cheap best bitter, disgusting Lady strippers, and seriously funny stand up comedians on the microphone, all this was on a wet and windy Tuesday night, and Wednesday night and Thursday night. All i need to get Into the club/clubs was my Union card and as I was an AUEW Union convenor I was made more than welcome. Those working Men's clubs were brilliant and a great place to meet people and talk bollocks. There was a working Mans club In Didcot but I'm pretty sure It sadly got sold. Our old Labour club In Newbury was sold to the bloody Conservatives FFS, I used to go there when there was a General election looming before the bloody Tories bought the bloody place. I've been teetotal for bloody years now.
My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic.
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Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:32 - Jan 15 with 1707 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:26 - Jan 15 by GaryHaddock
I frequent this one.
Decor hasn’t changed since the 70s and I had a beer with a fella there the other day who’s been a member since 1950 or something and remembers his Dad’s last pint in there before leaving for war.
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:20 - Jan 15 by Lblock
Some of my earliest and fondest memories would be the times in the LT District Club in Acton with my Dad and his motley crew “Safest place in London to get a drink through on a Sunday” was their strap line….. you’ve still gotta stop and remember pubs shut at 3pm and re-opened at 6pm back then!!!!!
It really was separatist in terms of the sexes an all. Women on the tables; men at the bar with the occasional drift to the fruit machine and us kids in a corner on Pac-Man or outside if the meteorological conditions allowed (ie anything apart from rain - which it did although the summers felt longer).
Every club had their own bag man knocking out hooky gear, snide Gallini or a book of fake LV’s The place would be run with an iron fist by the Steward of the day, until he came up with three bars on the one arm bandit and the jackpot meant additional consumption of Courage Best with a snowball with Tia Maria for any lucky lady in the vicinity
Sadly these places are the most dying of breeds and if you’ve found one to join then fair play. The last one I was a member of was run into the ground by a crooked Treasurer who sent us bust and the bitch didn’t do a minutes time, got a payback fine of a grand all despite coughing guilty to serious fraud charges. Place was sold with proceeds divided by members
The one nearest me now was knocked down for flats with the proviso a new bar was built as the ground floor. They did that but never actually fitted a bar and the doors have never opened three years since finishing.
The only community clubs I see thriving now are the Somalians
cracking post goody. I still owe you a pint for my no show.
Don't forget the Hornchurch.
0
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:34 - Jan 15 with 1690 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:28 - Jan 15 by ted_hendrix
Many years ago I was working for a very large mobile crane hire Company based In Didcot, I had to take a large mobile crane up to Rotherham for It's 4 year test, the testing took four days. I was In digs somewhere on the Sheffield Road and a few of the local crane drivers talked me into meeting up at the local working Mans club, what a f ucking night and what a club, dirt cheap best bitter, disgusting Lady strippers, and seriously funny stand up comedians on the microphone, all this was on a wet and windy Tuesday night, and Wednesday night and Thursday night. All i need to get Into the club/clubs was my Union card and as I was an AUEW Union convenor I was made more than welcome. Those working Men's clubs were brilliant and a great place to meet people and talk bollocks. There was a working Mans club In Didcot but I'm pretty sure It sadly got sold. Our old Labour club In Newbury was sold to the bloody Conservatives FFS, I used to go there when there was a General election looming before the bloody Tories bought the bloody place. I've been teetotal for bloody years now.
Oh my good gawd.. the strippers at working mens clubs in the 80's!. it was like ancient rome!
Don't forget the Hornchurch.
1
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:55 - Jan 15 with 1645 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:28 - Jan 15 by ted_hendrix
Many years ago I was working for a very large mobile crane hire Company based In Didcot, I had to take a large mobile crane up to Rotherham for It's 4 year test, the testing took four days. I was In digs somewhere on the Sheffield Road and a few of the local crane drivers talked me into meeting up at the local working Mans club, what a f ucking night and what a club, dirt cheap best bitter, disgusting Lady strippers, and seriously funny stand up comedians on the microphone, all this was on a wet and windy Tuesday night, and Wednesday night and Thursday night. All i need to get Into the club/clubs was my Union card and as I was an AUEW Union convenor I was made more than welcome. Those working Men's clubs were brilliant and a great place to meet people and talk bollocks. There was a working Mans club In Didcot but I'm pretty sure It sadly got sold. Our old Labour club In Newbury was sold to the bloody Conservatives FFS, I used to go there when there was a General election looming before the bloody Tories bought the bloody place. I've been teetotal for bloody years now.
Teetotal is a strange word, I used to think it was a mispelling of tea, but the bloke who set up the first antibooze society in Victorian times was Dicky Turner who had a stutter. When he gave a speech he would call for t..t..total abstinence. Thus the expression teetotal. Absolutely true..look it up.
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Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 00:01 - Jan 16 with 1627 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:55 - Jan 15 by colinallcars
Teetotal is a strange word, I used to think it was a mispelling of tea, but the bloke who set up the first antibooze society in Victorian times was Dicky Turner who had a stutter. When he gave a speech he would call for t..t..total abstinence. Thus the expression teetotal. Absolutely true..look it up.
Priceless - and thank you for that gem!
One further addition, Turner and the temperance movement started in Preston.
I've been to Preston and I find it very hard to believe that they would abjure the only thing which could make life even half-bearable in that (otherwise) God-forsaken place!
Strange folk.
0
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 00:14 - Jan 16 with 1598 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 00:01 - Jan 16 by NewBee
Priceless - and thank you for that gem!
One further addition, Turner and the temperance movement started in Preston.
I've been to Preston and I find it very hard to believe that they would abjure the only thing which could make life even half-bearable in that (otherwise) God-forsaken place!
Lots of drinking clubs all over west and north London, some for working men, others frequented by non working men. I liked The Met Club, Wembley Park (supposed to be for Met Line workers), Hendon Working Men's Club, Cricklewood Railway Club, The Sombrero on Wembley High Rd, though it really catered for petty criminals, alcoholics and ticket touts and ..well, anywhere that didn't close, shut down for the afternoon really - suppose you'd have to be over 55 to remember those days.
...and as for strippers, Village Inn, Wembley High Rd. Get in about 11.45am on a Saturday, two pints and an eyeful before heading down to Hanger Lane on the way to Loftus Road.
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:06 - Jan 15 by superstan
Went to Hayes (Middlesex) working man’s club, I was actually a Toolmaker (I’m not Starmers dad) making plastic injection moulds, which was meant to be a job for life, then China took over. As for the club, cheap beer, dinner and dance nights, never seemed to be any trouble.
Yes I used to go there they had great entertainment pretty sure there used to be bands on down stairs and upstairs at weekends it was a massive place.Does it still exist ?
1
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 04:01 - Jan 16 with 1424 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 23:06 - Jan 15 by superstan
Went to Hayes (Middlesex) working man’s club, I was actually a Toolmaker (I’m not Starmers dad) making plastic injection moulds, which was meant to be a job for life, then China took over. As for the club, cheap beer, dinner and dance nights, never seemed to be any trouble.
My Dad was a member for a while but was then banned. He was a top darts player in the early 60's and the club wanted him to play darts for them. He was already committed elsewhere so they banned him!
Smells like a trout farm in here
2
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 05:49 - Jan 16 with 1368 views
I’ve actually just joined our local sports and social club in Crowthorne.
It is like like stepping back into the 80’s when you go in, I actually prefer it to the more modern pub up the road, where the students go in and nurse one beer for 2 hours.
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Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 06:45 - Jan 16 with 1324 views
Sadly our local WMC closed around 2020. It’s now being turned into a block of expensive, generic looking flats. There seems to be greater opposition to that than the loss of the club.
The signs of change were evident long before the closure - falling membership, change in demographic in the area, etc.
We now have a few community/co-op pubs which have gained in popularity. My friends had their wedding reception at our local community pub and we got the main room for free for my father in-laws wake. It has the right ethos, but it doesn’t fill that void left behind by the closure of the WMC - which I think caters to a specific type of working class culture that is obviously dying.
The biggest loss in my area was the closure of Spoons. Whatever you think about Tim Martin it can’t be denied they cater for a lot of people. Our local Spoons was packed with all sorts of people who are now priced out of the area. There’s no adult space to socialise that’s as affordable.
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Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 07:09 - Jan 16 with 1267 views
Sadly the only time I visit the three local working men's clubs, Cricklewood Trades Hall, The Railway Club and DOB (Done our Bits Club) Kilburn are now for funeral wakes.
Far too many of those these day's, last year was a particularly bad one and nearly hit double figures.
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Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 07:25 - Jan 16 with 1224 views
Working Mens Clubs/ Constitutional Clubs. on 07:09 - Jan 16 by ChrisNW6
Sadly the only time I visit the three local working men's clubs, Cricklewood Trades Hall, The Railway Club and DOB (Done our Bits Club) Kilburn are now for funeral wakes.
Far too many of those these day's, last year was a particularly bad one and nearly hit double figures.
same here mate, i went to 7 last year all blokes in their 60's ...
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