By Christina Ryan: Some Bath folk know Widcombe Social Club as a music venue, for jazz, folk, Northern soul, and many other genres. Others may have been there for a wedding reception, birthday party, even a training event with work, or to watch a film. For others it’s where they go for yoga or capoeira, to sing in a choir or attend a book group.
The nostalgic might remember the old club on the same site, where they played in a darts or skittles team, or just enjoyed a pint or a port and lemon after work.
The smart, modern club we see today, celebrating ten years this year in its current building, has quite a history. It began life in 1899 as the Lyncombe and Widcombe Liberal Club Bath Workingmen’s Club at 25 Claverton Buildings, a former butcher’s shop. It was funded by John Fuller, a Liberal MP. It attracted members from as far away as the Somerset coal fields. In the 1950s the name changed to the Widcombe Workingmen’s Club. Sources do not reveal whether women were allowed in, perhaps they were less thirsty in those days.
Or maybe they were just at home, black-leading their fireplaces or ironing.
In the 1960s it became Widcombe Social Club and moved to purpose-built premises at the bottom of Widcombe Hill on the site of the historical Widcombe wharf, which had belonged to a Mrs Merry, whose main trade was the sale and transport of coal on the adjacent canal.
Money was raised through entertainment, raffles and membership fees to fund a low-rise building with a car-park where the Co-op is now. It became the home of Somerset County darts and there were also two skittle alleys, a spacious lounge with views over the canal basin, a stage and dressing room and a flat for the steward. In 2011 it was found that the club needed so much work to make it safe and secure its financial future, that a complete redevelopment of the site was begun. The old building and car park were demolished, 40 student rooms, a convenience store and a modern venue were created. It was a four year, £5million project. The new club opened in April 2016, so this year sees the 10th birthday and a weekend of celebrations is planned for July. Final details are not yet announced but there will be live music for dancing, a quiz, probably screening of a sporting event.
There are no darts or skittles in the club nowadays (although the pool table is well -used) but the focus is still very much on the local community. Last words from the chair of the management committee, Nella Stokes: “The club is a light, modern venue, which still holds true to its historic roots, retaining its membership system in a more inclusive form and acting as a hub for community-run events and providing entertainment with local audiences in mind.’
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