Club continues to keep village community happy (From Gazette Series)

Club continues to keep village community happy

IN the heart of the village of Wickwar lies a social club which has become part of the fabric of the community. Formed in 1936, Wickwar Social Club is thought to be one of the oldest of its kind in the area. Feature writer KIRSTY RAMSDEN spoke to Mervyn Pollard, club president, to find out about its past and present.

"BY the men of Wickwar for the men of Wickwar" is the motto under which the village social club was formed.

Much has changed since the club's formation almost 70 years ago - including allowing women into the premises - but the organisation still holds firm to its community roots.

Club president Mervyn Pollard, who was born and bred in Wickwar, has been a member for 54 years and on its committee for 53.

He was chairman from 1976 to 1993 when he became president.

He said: "The social club actually belongs to the members - the building and all.

"A lot of clubs tend to belong to breweries but this is completely free.

"It's a thing that the villagers have of their own. No one can tell you what to do."

The social club, nestling on the village High Street, has a wide-ranging bar at realistic prices, explained Mr Pollard.

It is host to crib, darts, pool and snooker teams and holds regular bingo and quiz nights.

The village cricket and football clubs use the building as a base.

The club's sense of community is strong and, when Wickwar was struck by a massive gas explosion in 1987, about 40 villagers were accommodated in the building until further accommodation could be found.

Wickwar Social Club is open noon to 1.30pm weekdays and 7.30pm to 11pm in the evenings - these hours can lengthen at particular times of the year such as Christmas.

Many members come from Wickwar and also from surrounding areas including Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge, Cromhall and Yate.

The club even boasts a couple of members in London - although these do have Wickwar connections.

When the club was first launched members had to live in Wickwar to join, explained Mr Pollard.

However, the club has altered with the times.

When first set-up, the club did not allow women on the premises.

Mr Pollard laughed: "I was told that at one time there wasn't even a telephone in the club so the wives couldn't call their husbands in the club."

However, he explained, society began to change and in 1969 women were first admitted.

But, despite only allowing women customers for 35 years, the club has always had a stewardess at the helm.

Mr Pollard explained in its 68-year history the club had had just six stewardesses - many of those very long-standing.

The present stewardess has been at the club for 27 years.

Mr Pollard said: "At one time I used to know everyone in the club - it is not quite the same now.

"When I joined there wasn't a lot more in Wickwar to do. I couldn't wait to get in there when I was 18."

The membership at present totals between 300 and 350.

However at one time, such was the popularity of the club, membership was closed and only villagers could join.

The village population has risen to more than 2,000 and in the last 20 years more than 500 houses have been built, however this increase has not been particularly reflected in membership numbers.

Mr Pollard said: "We do get some new people who take an interest but there is not enough of them."

However the club is popular with all ages - from older long-standing members to university students home for the holidays.

Mr Pollard, who was author of a booklet celebrating the club's diamond jubilee in 1996, explained there were a few similar organisations of similar ages still around.

He believes Horton and Badminton social clubs are of similar ages.

He said: "I would like to see if any other older clubs are still around."

Wickwar Social Club has remained open for all its 68 years, including during the Second World War and Mr Pollard remembers US servicemen using the club.

All members called up into the forces during the war were made honorary members for the duration.

Mr Pollard believes the success of Wickwar Social Club is down to its convenience and is friendly family-orientated set-up.

He said: "It is a village club where you get to meet friends and perhaps have a game of darts or crib."