Celebrating 100Years – July 1907-July 2007
Leadgate Workmen’s Social Club was actually in existence in 1906, but not registered.
It was located in the basement of NO 4 and 5 St. Ives Road, next door to what we new as Tilney’s Post Office.
When Tilney’s secured this property and was clearing the basement, old documents and invoices were found relating to the club.
After checking the deeds of the properties,(with kind permission from Fred Tilney), it was found that 2 and 3, St Ives Road was owned by the Rowland family till 1899 then sold to John Cambell, then eventually to Tilney’s.
The club rented the basement of 4 and 5, St Ives Road from John Cambell and after researching with elderly residents of Leadgate and our oldest member, Ernie Finch, born 1909, they remember their parents referring to the club as being in the basement of this address during the year of 1906
The club moved across the road to 33, St Ives Road in 1907 and again rented this property from John Cambell. After checking our deeds, it was found that the club purchased this property in 1914.
Two Clubs in Village
In 1907 there were two clubs in the village, as verified from Durham C.I.U. and also confirmed by an old copy of listings of all working men’s clubs in the country. This was given to the club from Tommy Turnbull, being inside of his father’s wallet, showing his original associate card and old passcards.
The two clubs listed were Leadgate Victory Club and Leadgate Workmen’s Club.
Both clubs were listed as being at St Ives Road, but again after researching through peoples recollections, it is commonly agreed that Leadgate Victory Club was situated somewhere near Blythe House( in the vicinity of the old Central Garage)
It was also confirmed that the steward of the club was a “Clifford”, Jimmy Clifford’s Grandfather. (Jimmy Clifford was a well-known Landlord of the “Golden Lion” for many years)
Unfortunately, the Victory Club only remained open for a couple of years.
“Leadgate Workmen’s Club” remained and as previously stated, registered with Durham County Branch of the C.I.U.in July 1907 and added to its title, it was now named “Leadgate Workmen’s Social Club and Institute Ltd.”
Club Registration
In 1914 the club registered with the industrial and Provident Societies which was very important as this gave the club mutual society status, which meant that any profits made by the club were kept for the benefit of its members and not taxed by the Government. (A unique benefit which many past Governments have tried to change.)
Early Days In The Club
In 1914 the club bought 33 St Ives Road. The club in these days was very basic, consisting of a Pot-Bellied stove in its centre and floor lined with sawdust, as was normal for this period. (Old balance sheets show sawdust being listed as an expenditure for the club.) In the early years the club was not just a drinking establishment, but a place where they could meet and discuss events controlling their lives. Books and newspapers were provided free to keep them informed and educated and no doubt, helped them form the foundations for the various unions which were to develop in the coming years.
Enlarging the Club
In 1954, No. 32 St Ives Road was bought and two properties were converted to form a larger club. The steward’s accommodation being upstairs and downstairs consisting of the main bar with small games and T.V. lounge, concert room and a small mixed lounge.
Club Improvements
The club stayed like this till 1974 when major improvements were then made. The stewards quarters were converted into a large lounge and No.1 New Watling Street was purchased for the stewards living accommodation. The bar and concert room were both extended and new toilet facilities provided.
The Club Fire
Many small changes and refurbishments have been made in the club since this date, but the most significant was in March 1999. when due to a fire in the concert room, £87,000 worth of damage was caused by smoke and fire damage. The club went through a major re-fit and refurbishment, at a cost of £184.000, making it one of the finest clubs in the Consett area.
The Stewardess
The club has had many stewards during its 100years, but there was a period when it had a stewardess, and that was in the period of 1935 till 1945 when Mrs Wilson ran the club and was known as Wilson’s club.
We once again have a stewardess, Karen Burnham, who was recently appointed in our centenary year, July 2007
Officials of Leadgate W.M.S.Club 1907-2007
The club has had many committeemen helping to run the club over 100 years, many well known and long-serving, but unfortunately, too many to list here. I have managed to list many of the officials who ran the club, unfortunately, there are gaps prior to 1944, as many old records of minutes were lost during the refurbishment in 1954.
Secretary
J.H.Milburn 1907-?
L.Jeffrey 1940-1954
F.A.Davison 1954-1969
R.Murray 1969-1975
J.Shield 1975-1981
C.Pearson 1981-1981
A. Thompson 1981-1984
J.Edwards 1984-2015
T. Morris 2015-18
J Keeler 2018-
Chairman/m
J.Coulson 1930-1940
J.R.Parker 1940-1941
A.Crowther 1941-1943
A.Geldard 1943-1945
A.Finch 1945-1959
A.Geldard 1959-1960
C.Watson 1960-1961
A.Finch 1961-1969
N.Graham 1969-1971
J.Lambert 1971-2015
Mrs.J.Cox 2015-
Treasurer
B.Bailey 1930-1940
R.Scarr 1940-1944
J.R.Parker 1944-1950
F.A.Davison 1950-1954
J.F.Morriss 1954-1969
J.Marley 1969-1981
D.Rowell 1981-2007?
This History of leadgate Workmen’s Social Club and Institute LTD). was compiled by Mr J. Edwards to whom we thank sincerely.
Leadgate and District Historical Society
4 thoughts on “Leadgate Workmen’s Social Club and Institute LTD.”
on the chairmans position you have missed peter hughes and fred toole out from 2015 to 2018 jen cox has been chair since march 2018, secretary mr tommy morris 2015 to january 2018, then joe keeler from then onwards, also the stewardess is now mrs julie cox from january 2019. k burnham was dismissed for what we will say was unprofesional conduct in august 2018. her daughter shannon resigned the same time. the club has now much improved and is a plesent place to visit once more.
My late husband Bill and I were steward and stewardess from 1971 till 1986 lived above club till alterations 1974 have lots happy memories of our time working there
MY father told me that his father Ralf Anderson who lived at High Woodside farm was a Founding member of Lead gate Club. Unfortunately we have no written proof of this, it is just oral history in the family.
That’s a great read and, we hope, the start of a story about Leadgate Club to which anyone can add. Thanks Jimmy Edwards, Martin Boyle and to all those that have contributed to the fortunes of the club over the many years of its existence. This club is synonomous with Leadgate, go anywhere in the North East and ask any of their club-men how often they came over here they’ll tell you.
Now then, if all the folks that have had anything to do with the club added just one small part of their own memories, imagine what a story we could tell.
Comments are closed.