Fairview Road

Elvington

Above photo taken by Paul Skelton, 12 July 2009.

Above photo from Malc, date unknown.

Both photos above sent by Malc, who says he was sent them by a friend but doesn't know when they were taken.

Above photo taken by Paul Skelton, 12 July 2009.

Above photo, date unknown sent by Chase Winchester.

Above photo showing the location 2024 sent by Chase Winchester.

This history is based on an article written by Vic Carley in 1980.

 Vic had joined the Club in 1924, later becoming Club secretary.  In 1976 he received the Club Union's Long Service Award after completing 25 years service to the Club.  In recalling his earliest recollection of the Club, Vic remembered “My first memory of the Club is being served through a window about a yard square with my drink, standing in saw dust and having to walk around spittoons to find a seat”.

The hard work and dedication of Members over the last 90 years has meant that the Club has now come a long way from those humble beginnings!

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.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 December, 1937. Elvington W. M. Club The Elvington Working Men's Club was granted an extension on December 4th, December 27th and December 31st, for social events. The Chairman said that they had always received a good report of the club, and he hoped it would be maintained. A representative of the club said that the magistrates could be assured that that would be so as long as the present committee managed the club.

Dover Express 2nd August 1946. EYTHORNE AND ELVINGTON. BEER SHORTAGE. Owing to the acute shortage of beer, no visitors will be admitted to the Elvington Working Mens’ Club and Institute from within a radius of 20 miles.

From a photo on the wall in the Plough and harrow, Tilmanstone. Elvington Working Men's Club November 21st, 1959 Mr. R. H. B. Neame hands the Deeds to the Club President Mr. H. Cage (Mr. V. Carley, the club secretary is in the centre)

From the EYTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL 10th NOVEMBER 2010 MINUTES OF MEETING Ongoing Planning Matters: Elvington Working Men's Club Site: Councillors agreed to let Mr. R. Banger, owner of the site give a short report. He advised the meeting that the development had been re-designed and would be eight instead of nine properties and a revised planning application had been submitted. He also advised that due to the poor condition of the existing building he had applied for permission to demolish it and that he would get a decision in two weeks time. Cllr R. Hansell voiced his concern about the possibility of there being asbestos in the roof of the existing building but Mr Banger advised that the initial survey showed no evidence of asbestos being present. However he assured the meeting that a second opinion was being sought and that all health and safety measures would be adhered to.

From the EYTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL 8th DECEMBER 2010 MINUTES OF EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING PLANNING Elvington Working Men's Club: Permission to demolish the club building had been granted and the revised plans for development had been submitted to DDC and will be with EPC for January meeting.

From the EYTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL 5th JANUARY 2011 MINUTES OF EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING PLANNING DOV/10/01069 Elvington Working Men's Club, Chaucer Road, Elvington. Erection of 8 dwellings, construction of vehicular access and associated car parking (existing building to be demolished). Cllr Rogers declared a personal and prejudicial interest as she lives adjacent to the site and is a member of the Elvington Working Men's Club. After noting that the Parish Council positively supported the previous application for 9 dwellings, Cllr Rogers left the meeting. It was agreed that Cllr Whitehead take the Chair. Contributions from the developer, Mr Bangar, covered safety issues following the site survey, that there would be full site security provided during the building of the dwellings, that the commitments given for the prior application over working times and consideration for local residents still stood; that DDC had advised that the garages did not have to be provided as long as there was sufficient off street parking per dwelling. It was proposed by Cllr Ovenden, seconded by Cllr Birch and carried that the Council positively supports the application. Cllr Rogers re-joined the meeting.

From the EYTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL 9th FEBRUARY 2011 MINUTES OF MEETING PLANNING PT/TET/8 Tree Preservation Order on site of Elvington Working Mans Club. This being a Whitebeam. Cllr. C. Rogers declared a personal interest in this as she lives near the site and is a member of the Club. Councillors voted to support the preservation order. Proposed Cllr M Ovenden, seconded Cllr A Whitehead. Carried unanimously.

From the EYTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL 8th JUNE 2011 DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING ADDITIONAL ITEM – Elvington Working Men's Club Development The developer and owner of the site, Mr Bangar addressed the meeting. He wanted to inform the Parish that the site should be more secure now and that demolition works are almost completed. He is very aware of recent issues and hoped that once building starts on 1st July there will be an improvement, if necessary additional security will be arranged. A notice displaying contact numbers will be displayed at the site. Final completion of all properties is anticipated within 9 months. Marketing will soon commence off plan at discounted prices to encourage sales.

From the EYTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL 13th JULY 2011 MINUTES OF MEETING Elvington Working Men's Club Development Mr. Bangar addressed the meeting - vandalism is ongoing, including the theft of a gas pipe which caused a leak. DDC are delaying approval and the applicant asked if the Parish Council could bring some pressure on the Planning Dept to bring this to an early conclusion.

Sadly closed, demolished and replaced by a pair of semi-detached houses.

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