History of Elvington Working Men’s Club
After the start of commercial coal production in 1913 there was a rapid
increase in the number of miners at Tilmanstone Colliery. This in turn led to a growing need for
social and leisure activities in the new community and as a result of the hard
work and enthusiasm of a small number of miners Tilmanstone Colliery Working
Men’s Club was founded in February 1916.
Kent Coal Concessions held the lease on an empty building at
Elvington. This was rented by the Club
and paid for by a weekly deduction from the miner’s wages. Furniture and fittings from the old pit
canteen hut were purchased and transferred to the new Club premises. The first secretary was Fred Broome and the
first steward was Alf Winter who worked part time – also being employed in the
pit. Two billiard tables were also purchased and for
several years the Officers and Committee worked voluntarily until the tables
were paid for. In the early days all
purchases were made through donations from members.
In November 1918 the Club was affiliated to The Club and Institute
Union but strikes in 1921, 1924, 1926 meant it
was very difficult to keep the Club going - but sacrifices and hard work by the
members ensured survival.
In 1931 the name of the Club was changed to the Elvington Working Men’s
Club and the rules altered so that Mr. Southan, the school-master and Mr.
Hampshire, the postmaster and others could join as members. About this time
Elvington Tenants Ltd took over the lease and they held it until the N.C.B took
over the pit.
During the 1920's and 30's the Club had a very strong billiard team
competing in the Dover and District Billiard League, players included Sid
Button (Captain), Harry Clarke, Joe Woodward, young Joe Bowers and Tom Vickers
also Walter Durbin in the latter period.
For many years Saturday night entertainment was provided by a Whist
Drive and Dance; these were very popular and well supported. The music was
supplied by Jim Wilkinson on the piano and Dai Davies on the violin. The most popular dances were the 'Lancers',
'Quadrilles' and 'Waltz Cantillion'.
On the outbreak of war in 1939 The
Club was closed for three nights whilst the Committee battled to buy, borrow or
scrounge black-out material for the numerous windows. A lot of troops passing
through the area made use of the Club whilst they were billeted in the local
parks. Anti-aircraft gunners and searchlight crews stationed locally joined the
Club and some of them married local girls, stayed in the district and are still
coming to the Club. Negotiations to purchase the Club were opened about 1948
but because a lot of repairs were needed it took about four years before the
purchase was completed. The Club
negotiated a price reduction of £1,500 and carried out the repairs themselves.
In 1952, after three general meetings, the two-thirds majority needed to
alter a rule was obtained and Ladies were allowed to become members for the
first time - but they were not allowed to use the billiard room. Later they were allowed to use the room on
special occasions but it wasn’t until about 1960 that ladies were allowed to
use the billiard room at any time!
Shepherd Neame Ltd. advanced the
Club the money needed to buy the premises over a ten year period but this was
paid back within seven years and the Club received the deeds in 1959 - this was a dream come true for the older
members.
During 1965-66 extensive alterations were made to the Club premises by
adding a lounge and moving the bar to its present position. Previously the bar was between the billiard
and concert rooms parallel with the entrance.
The 50th anniversary of
the Club was celebrated in February when it was honoured by the attendance of
the Club Union General Secretary, Mr. J.B. Holmes, who made a presentation to
Joe Bowers, the only surviving founder member present that night.
During 1975-76 major improvements
were made, both bars being altered, wall between concert room and lounge
removed, ceilings lowered, new toilets built and floors carpeted, it cost about
£34,000 and £20,000 was borrowed from the National Westminster Bank as a
business development loan, repayable over seven years
1979 saw the entrance altered to
provide a separate entrance to either the billiard or concert room. 1980 the
new games room was under constructed.
At that time Bob Nixon was still serving as the Club secretary – at 79
years of age one of the oldest Club secretaries in the country.