Post date: Mar 15, 2012 12:6:43 PM

A history of The Working Men's Club and Institute by Syd Thompsett is available in the Society's publication 'About Wateringbury' . This extract from the Parish magazine of February 1887 tells the story about its official opening celebrations.

Working Men's Club and Institute.—Under the patronage of Lady G. Gordon Lennox, Viscountess Falmouth, Viscountess Torrington, Lady Frances Fletcher, Hon. Mrs. E. Nevill, Lady Leslie, Lady Login, Lady Lister-Kaye, Mrs. R. Norton, Mrs. H. Brassey, Mrs. R. Leigh, Mrs. Alexander, and Mrs Russell, a capital Entertainment was given on the afternoon of Thursday, 13th January, in aid of the funds of the Club. The elite of Wateringbury and the neighbourhood were present, and the number of carriages driving about made the village appear quite gay. The New Hall of the Club in which the Entertainment was held was prettily decorated under the superintendence of Mrs. Henry White. A striking duet, played by Mrs. and Miss Fry, opened the first part of the Entertainment, after which Miss MacMahon and Mr. J. Spooner Hardy sang successively in most finished style, and both very kindly responded to the encores of their delighted audience. The second part consisted of a very clever display of Conjuring and Sleight of Hand, by Mr. Bernard Deane. This gentleman of course succeeded in fairly mystifying the audience, although he carefully explained how every trick was done. Lady Login most kindly secured the services of these artistes, and, together with the Misses Login, was most careful and energetic in organizing the Entertainment.

There was also a Popular Entertainment at 7.30 p.m., when the Hall was crowded. Mr. Bernard Deane kindly re-appeared, and had a very warm reception. A long programme of Music and Readings was gone through, every item being rapturously applauded. The musical portion was undertaken by the Misses Saxby, Fry, Goodwin, and May; the Misses Trigg, Fry, Clark, and Reeves. and Messrs W. W. Blest, Wood, and Stonham contributing songs; and Messrs. J. Saxby, jun., and W. Dray,readings. Mrs. Fry kindly accompanied all the songs. The Entertainment closed with the National Anthem. We

understand that after paying all expenses the Club realised £20.

Children's Entertainment.—Through the thoughtful kindness of some of our leading parishioners a delightful Entertainment was provided for the children of the parish on Saturday, January 22nd at 4 p.m. The children (numbering between 260 and 270) assembled at the Schools, and marched down to the Working Men's Club, under the guidance of the teachers. In the New Hall four long tables had been tastefully arranged by Mrs. Sanders. Grace having been sung by the children, it was not long before they attacked the good things provided for them, their wants being kindly attended to by General and Mrs. Schneider, Mrs. Jude, Mrs. White, Mrs. G. Scott, Mrs. Blest, Mrs. Reeves, Mrs Sanders, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Newington; and the Misses Allwork, Bourchier, Bushnell, Clark, Goodwin, Reeves, Trigg, and White, Messrs. Taylor, Dray, Kingston, Smith, Anderson, and Parker also rendered good service.

After tea Mr. Fry entertained the children with a series of dissolving views, the comic slides being specially appreciated; the stories of "Jumbo," "Jack the Giant Killer," and " Cinderella," amusingly described by Mr. H. Russell, being greeted with deafening applause. After Mr. Leslie had briefly thanked all kind friends the children were dismissed, being presented as they left with buns, oranges, crackers, sweets and apples, the gift of Mr. R. H. Fremlin. There were also other kind gifts from Mrs. Reeves, Miss Allwork, Messrs. Sanders, and Hubble.

The tea was undertaken by Mrs. Taylor and Miss Smith, and all the cake and bread and butter was cut up by ladies of the parish.

Despite 'the elite of Wateringbury and neighbourhood' attending, this was not formal enough so a 'formal' opening was held a few months later. It was reported in the May 1887 Parish magazine:

WORKING MEN'S CLUB AND INSTITUTE.

A highly successful gathering of the members of the Club was held on Friday, April the 22nd, on the occasion of the formal opening of the Club, in connection with the Central Association of Kent Working Men's Clubs. General Akers, the Chairman of the Central Committees, attended, and performed the ceremony of declaring the club open, and formally admitting the members. The President, the Rev Spencer W. Phillips, was in the chair, and addresses were delivered by the President, General Akers, Mr Capon (West Borough Working Men's Club), and others. Between twenty and thirty members of Maidstone Clubs attended, and great satisfaction was expressed at the commodiousness of the building, and the excellence of the furniture, which latter has been the gift of a friend. A pleasant social evening eas spent the chair being taken after the departure of the President by W. W. Blest, Esq., one of the Trustees of the club.

At the General Quarterly Meeting of the club, held on the previous Wednesday, J. W. Fry, Esq.,and General Schneider were unanimously elected Vice-Presidents.

At the Annual Competition of the Members of the affiliated Clubs, held at Chatham on Saturday,April 16th the following prizes were gained by Members of our Club :—

Championship Prize for Bagatelle-W.Stonham.

2nd Prize for Chess—H. Pickett.

The Club numbers now over 100 Members.

Pictures for the Walls, or Books for the Library, will be very acceptable, and should be sent to the Rev E. C. Leslie, Secretary; or to Mr. Taylor, Assistant Secretary.

Extract from Essex Standard - Saturday 18 January 1890 in an article about discussion at Great Horkesley Working man's club as to whether to allow beer or not to be sold; various inputs were received from other clubs which split evenly in favour and against.

The Rector of Wateringbury writes :— " Since the commencement of our Working Men's Club beer has been sold, and the management has never had the least cause to regret its introduction. The consumption is much less than one would suppose. Its sale is a source of profit."

Extract from Parish magazine of October 1891:

TECHNICAL EDUCATION LECTURES.

Six lectures on the " Chemistry of Common Life " will be given in the large room of the Working Men's Club on alternate Thursdays, commencing Thursday, October 8th, at 7.30 p.m. Admission 2d.,or for the course of Six Lectures, 6d. Tickets for the course can be had of the Vicar, of Mr. J. Taylor, and in the Lecture Room.

Extract from Kent Times - Saturday 02 April 1887

WATERINGBURY MENS CLUB. —On Wednesday evening, the members of the Yalding Working Mens' Club paid a visit to Wateringbury Working Mens' Club, and played several games at bagatelle, etc. A concert followed in which members of both clubs took part. Some capital songs were given by Messrs. Pickett, Stoneham, Hudson, Endy, and Brown, the latters comic songs being loudly encored, and thoroughly appreciated; and a wish was expressed he would visit the club more frequently. A hearty welcome was given to the Yalding members and a pleasant evening was spent. This club has only recently been established, but if similar gatherings are promoted to bring members of clubs more frequently together, the society will very soon make headway.