Club Historians

Catch Ruth on TV

2012-01-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

You can catch sight of Ruth Cherrington at around 9pm on 11th January on BBC 4's Timeshift or watch the programme on iplayer.Timeshift is a 'documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history, its narrative-led storytelling offering a richly immersive and varied window onto the past'.

Here's a direct link which will open another window. Ruth Cherrington - Appearance on Timeshift .

More info about Electronic Cigarettes

2012-01-10T06:26:00.000-08:00

The latst gadget from ecigarettedirect.co.uk allows you to calculate how much you would save by stopping smoking. It’s not totally relevant to e-cigarette users, as of course they are not quitting but are simply switching to a different way of using nicotine (and will still spend money on e-cigs) – but it’s still fun to see how much money you are not spending on tobacco cigarettes.

Created by ECigarette Direct

News from Down Under

2011-11-12T07:22:00.001-08:00

From our Aussie Coordinator Maria Fletcher

Club Historians receives a fair few messages from people 'down under', many of them people who emigrated years ago or those who are Aussie born but seeking information about family history back in the UK. Australia has its own share of clubs which have much in common with our own.

We have published the first message from Maria, who grew up in the UK and has some lovely memories of the clubs. Maria has kindly agreed to act as a sort of coordinator for us. If anyone else in Australia is reading and has something they want to share, please get in touch!

Take a look on the Club Historians site - From Down Under

Viennese Café Culture and Clubs

2011-11-12T07:16:00.001-08:00

Ruth recently took a weekend trip to Vienna. You'll be interested to read about the link between Viennese Café Culture and Clubs! A fascinating article - http://www.clubhistorians.co.uk/html/viennese_cafe_culture.html

At the same time I had my first ever trip to Hunstanton. What a wonderful place! An inexpensive weekend in a caravan where the site had a fantastic club house. No luck at bingo I'm afraid but enjoyable nonetheless.

The evening entertainment was faultless firstly with Carry on Cabaret (from my neighbouring town of Worksop) on Friday. Saturday was the Halloween Fancy Dress with Back2Beat packing the dance floor.

A great first trip - can't wait till the next one.

Electronic cigarettes

2011-09-25T03:48:00.000-07:00

A key and interesting question doing the rounds at the moment concerns electronic or electric cigarettes.

The manufacturer's claim that these beat the ban and are currently legal to smoke in the office, plane, pub and club. They back this up with the logical arguments that there is no danger of passive smoking,
massively reduced risk to health according to the experts they have interviewed, no tar or carcinogens and no smell.

What is an electronic cigarette?
"An electronic cigarette, electric cigarette or vaporize cigarette, is a battery-powered device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine or non-nicotine vaporized solution. It is an alternative to smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. In addition to purported nicotine delivery, this vapour also provides a flavour and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no smoke or combustion is actually involved in its operation". (from wikipedia).

By way of research we would like to ask for your experiences with electronic cigarettes and your comments on what you feel about the e-cigarette and clubs.

If you would like to read more about electronic cigarettes take a look at their website.

The One Show

2011-09-21T01:07:00.000-07:00

BBC's 'The One Show" 24 August 2011
Ruth travelled to Blackpool in order to appear on The One Show and add her opinion to a televised feature covering the history and the current state of clubs.

The present situation was described as; ‘One of the last bastions of British Social life is in decline, the good old working man's club.’

Clubs have been the springboard for some of our best known entertainers. One of them, Russell Watson, was asked to find out how they're adapting to life in the 21st century.

Russell visited the Blackpool Philarmonic Club where he had performed previously. He and Ruth discussed club history together with the rise and fall in popularity. Discussions revealed that the number of clubs in Blackool has fallen from 32 down to 15, following the national trend. More detail on the website.

If anyone managed to record the programme could you let us know please. Ruth would like a copy if possible.

Doncaster Trades

2011-09-20T23:23:00.000-07:00

Here's where you can just pop down the shopping centre for a pint and you can also enjoy a bit of country and western and a hot lunch to go with it.

The new, relocated Trades Club can be found right next to the food court in Frenchgate Shopping Centre. When Ruth from Club Historians visited in early March 2011, under recommendation from locals, she couldn't help thinking how handy it was to have a club slap bang in the middle of a modern, indoor shopping area.

The Trades has been in this location for just over 2 years, covering four floors which are connected by lift and stairs, all tastefully decorated and furnished. The club was occupying land needed by the development company and was asked to move to make way for Frenchgate, part of Doncaster's regeneration. Part of the deal was it being placed in a similar location which puts it right at the heart of the shopping mall.

There's more about Ruth's visit on the site. Click here

Information needed from Ladies...

2010-09-09T01:51:00.000-07:00

Ruth at Club Historians would love to hear from any ladies who have worked in clubs. This can be as bar staff, stewardess or any other job including working on the committee or an entertainer - maybe even one of those naughty club strippers.

Ruth would also like to hear from any women who have attended a male strippers night down at the local club.

The information is wanted for a book which Ruth is writing about clubs. Contributors can, of course, remain anonymous if they wish. Ruth can be contacted on rcherry2010@hotmail.co.uk or through the contact page on the Club Historians website.

Thanks ladies!

2010-08-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well done to those star performing Karaoke singers at Parkhill for raising all that money for a very good cause!
Many clubs are raising money for causes all over the world and they should also be acknowledged for the good they do. It's part of what clubs and their members just do naturally... another reason why we should fight to keep our clubs alive.

Karaoke Singers Hit the Right Notes

2010-08-12T01:54:00.000-07:00

Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice benefits from CD sale proceeds.

SADLY PARKHILL SOCIAL CLUB CLOSED IT'S DOORS FOR THE LAST TIME IN JUNE 2011...

Following in the remarkable traditions of charity fund raising by social clubs, members of Parkhill Social Club in Firbeck have rallied to the cause of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.

Some of the quite talented karaoke singers in the club pooled their skills a few months ago and produced a charity CD. Sales of the CD have proved to be very successful and actually exceeded everyone's expectations.

A presentation evening was held on Saturday evening 7th August 2010 when cheques were presented to representatives from the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. The total amount passed over by Maurice and the gang was over £1,600!!! Of this some £620 was from the club's karaoke singers CD with a further £990 attributed to Aughton FC.

The whole evening proved to be very enjoyable for all involved with some of the star vocalists giving renditions of popular songs!

Pictures of the event are courtesy of Rob McCartney. It is hoped that more photos will be shown on the club website in due course.

If you would like to see live performances by the karaoke crew they can be found performing in the club every Thursday and Saturday evening.

For more details about the family-friendly club facilities and activities please take a look at the website, call in or telephone

Langham WMC

2010-08-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

We now have a few details about what goes off at Langham Working Men's Club in North London.

The club appears to be right at the heart of the local Harringay community and has at least one distinguished member... Yes, it seems that our very own Ruth Cherrington has been known to call in now and again.

The club is affiliated to the CIU and if you fancy calling in here's some directions:

Telephone 0208 802 2542
How to find Langham WMC:
Nearest tube: Turnpike Lane. Buses 29, 141 (bus stop right outside)
Postal Code for satellite navigation systems N8 0RY
Website: Watch this space.

Clubs with websites

2010-06-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

The list of clubs with their own websites has just been updated.

The number we've found so far is now over 170....!!! A short time ago there was a mere handful.

A website has to a great asset for every club - available to members, affiliates and the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - your very own permanent online brochure. All this at a fraction of the cost of newspaper advertising.

If you need more info about how to get a website for your club drop us a line at Club Historians.

Help wanted!

2010-06-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

A new entry on the Club Historians site is from June Fleetwood who would like help with researching her family history, especially her fiddle-playing, tap dancing grandfather Tom RAINBOW. Does anybody recall hearing about him through their grandparents? Or remember his stage name?

They performed on the Leicester Club circuit including the Bond Street Working Man’s Club. June wishes she could ‘just wave a magic wand sometimes when I am researching my family history!’ That might not happen but Club Historians can perhaps work some of its own particular brand of magic and help out June.

Please contact Ruth through the site and she will forward messages to June.

Thanks!!

2010-06-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

A new entry on the Club Historians site is from June Fleetwood would like help with researching her family history, especially her fiddle-playing, tap dancing grandfather Tom RAINBOW. Does anybody recall hearing about him through their grandparents? Or remember his stage name?

They performed on the Leicester Club circuit including the Bond Street Working Man’s Club. June wishes she could ‘just wave a magic wand sometimes when I am researching my family history!’ That might not happen but Club Historians can perhaps work some of its own particular brand of magic and help out June.
Please contact Ruth through the site and she will forward messages to June.

Thanks!!

2010-05-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

An initiative from Rob at Parkhill Social Club in Firbeck sees an Evening of Clairvoyance and Mediumship on offer on Monday 7th June from 8.00 - 10.00pm.

Must admit it is certainly a change from the routine sort of "entertainment" we are used to.

My name was among the first confirmed for a ticket and at just a fiver it seems there's a good night to be had.

If you're in the Firbeck area - between Worksop, Doncaster and Rotherham - I'm told you can contact Rob for details. Contact info is on the club website. PARKHILL SOCIAL CLOSED - JUNE 2011

Weds 19th May

2010-05-19T04:26:00.001-07:00

A friend in Leics just sent a cutting from the local paper about the decline of clubs in the county- down from over 100 to 49. This sad tale repeated all over the country.... we all need to use our clubs more and spread the word of their facilities and community spirit.
RC

Wesley Road Club, Trowbridge

2010-05-09T05:21:00.000-07:00

The latest addition to the "Club Fact Files" on Club Historians comes courtesy of the good people at Wesley Road Club in Trowbridge. Thanks are due for allowing us to publish some really interesting facts from their archives.

Don't forget that Club Historians is always on the look out for interesting facts and stories related to clubs. Also if your club has a website then just drop us a line and we'll add a link on the site. Click here for the contact page.

My Local Social

2010-05-05T03:27:00.000-07:00

Hello to any club goers, past and present out there. We are keen to keep alive the club spirit that existed for so long in working men's and other clubs over the years. Ok- so times have changed, but so can clubs to keep themselves at the heart of local communities. If you would like to know more about what has been going on to write the history of clubs and to bring folk together, please take a look at www.clubhistorians.co.uk
More soon!
RC