Introduction

The nineteenth-century industrialisation saw the growth of towns and cities populated by working class men and women. As part of the paternalistic culture of the period, facilities were often developed in industrial areas to cater for the educational, social and recreational needs of local workers. These clubs were founded by employers providing facilities for their workers and by affiliated Trade Unions. What evolved was the Working Men’s Clubs with a strong association with northern culture. The clubs often included bars, concert rooms, billiards halls and educational facilities.

Members of the clubs paid an annual subscription to use the facilities. Across the north of England in the 1950s and into the 1960s, a network of clubs evolved. These clubs put on entertainment for their members and became famous for their social evenings. A typical night would often include bingo, raffles, live music and a star turn.

Throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s the clubs were highly popular, and you had to arrive early to make sure you got a seat. The acts were booked via the Club Concert Secretary (Mr ‘Wally’ Brigham’ at the Crescent) and paid in part by the beer sales for the evening. To succeed as a ‘turn’ at a club you had to be able to handle a crowd as the audience made their thoughts known with boos or claps. If you weren’t good enough in your first slot you didn’t come on again and you didn’t get paid!