South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 24 October 1959
The Oldest Of Mexborough’s Working Men’s Clubs Club.
Changes are to be expected in more than half a century and then have been many since Mexborough Main Street Working Men’s Club was formed in September, 1900, making it the oldest of the working men’s clubs in Mexborough.
Surprisingly enough, the thing which hasn’t changed in the 59 years is the subscription fee-4s.
The club pride itself today in following as many interests ail possible, and it is probably one of a very small number of clubs in South Yorkshire and even in the country, which hasn’t introduced regular “Housey-housey ” sessions.
Club secretary, Mr. Benjamin’ George Caddick, of Wood Street. Mexborough, told a reporter it was because there had been no demand from club members, He said he did not believe club members wanted it, and added that club life was to enable members and their wives to chat together and not to have their eyes “glued’ to cards the whole night.
Steady Increase
The club was affiliated on September 10th, 1901, at which time there were 200 members. A steady increase in membership has brought the present total to 1,100 members and honorary women members. The only living founder member of the club is Mr. Miles Barber, who left the club some 20 years ago and who now lives in Adwick-on- Dearne. However, many other members remember the club being opened in a building which had formerly been two houses fronting on to Main Street, Mexborough.
The changes have meant expansion and modernisation at a cost of nearly £20,000.
In 1925 club members saw the completion of a new concert room which cost approximately £8,000 and only last year a new bar was Installed at a cost of £8,000 and a refrigerator was placed in the basement at a cost of £750.
The Committee
There have been very few changes in the club committee during the past few years. The member of the present committee with longest service is Mr. Caddick, who has been secretary for 23 years. The president, Mr. Ernest Mason, has held that position for 16 years and the vice-president. Mr. Henry Welton. has held the post for 15 years. The committee which meets weekly, consists of Messrs. Ernest Lockwood (20 years). Richard Tilson (20 years), Edgar Mason, George Hawcroft, Harry Ellor, Sam Shaw, and Joseph Jenkinson.
The trustee is Mr. J. Ackroyd and until recently the late Mr. T. Pendlebury was a trustee. In addition to these members, who organise the general management of the club, there are officials for each of the sections which contribute the flourishing activity of the premises.
The oldest section is the fishing which was formed from the beginning. Mr. Albert Johnson keeps this organisation in hand and finds himself particularly busy at the time of the club matches.
Six years ago another competition started for which the Coronation Cup is given to the member who catches the heaviest fish. This is open to all members of the club.
Sporting Activities
Sporting activities have always been prominent and one particularly strong section is the billiards group. Mr. Caddick remembers when three club members reached the final of the All-England championships of the Club and Institute Union. They were Messrs. George and Jack Bennett and William Bradford. who now lives in the States.
There is an annual billiards competition for the best Individual player and there are also teams in the Conisbrough and District Panel Games League. Incorporating both billiards and snooker competitions, darts and various table games.
Ten years ago the first of the annual trips to the seaside took place. Now. 1,500 children and their parents spend one day of the summer at the seaside. This year’s outing was to Cleethorpes on July 5th. Each child received 25s pocket money and each old person received 10s.
There is alto an outing club which visits Redcar each year and a savings club run by Mr John Langford and Mr. William Briggs. Approximately £5,000 is saved each year at the club.