This photograph by guest photographer Frank Bennett shows all that is left of Hyde Lads Club on Beeley Street. The club was demolished and Beeley Street lost to create a car park.
According to Thomas Middleton's History of Hyde (1932)
The Hyde's Lads' Club is one of the most novel social ventures of the day, and has excited interest throughout the country. It was founded by Mr. J.W.A. Danby, Chief Constable Of Hyde, and was opened on October 5th, 1928 in a room in the Town hall. As the membership rose to 316 in the first three weeks, the club was removed to the Wesleyan School on Water Street, where it continued to flourish. Then Mr. Danby acquired the Old Police Buildings and site in Beeley Street; the building was transformed; games rooms, library, reading-room and small lecture rooms were adapted from existing rooms; a large assembly room was made out of the old court room, and a billiards room was arranged beneath it. A large hall and gymnasium was erected on part of the site; and when completed the premises provided for every phase of work associated with such a club.The notice above the name-slab mentions nothing about the good Mr. Danby but reads
The new buildings were opened by H.R.H. Prince Henry, Duke Of Gloucester, K.G., on February 6th, 1930, and were inspected by the Home Secretary, the Right Honrable, J.R. Clynes, M.P. in 1931. The club has received the warm commendation of some of the leading social reformers of the day. The main purpose of the Club is the prevention of juvenile crime, and to rescue those who are criminally inclined by bringing them into contact with clean-living boys, and transferring their inclinations into a more healthy channel. The principal features of the Club are games, physical training and gymnastics, classes in First Aid, Library, Dramatic Society, and other educational agencies, and each Sunday evening a short service is held. The boys are in the hands of fully qualified instuctors, whose services are voluntary. The Chief Constable's hope was that the Club may be looked upon as a place where boys may spend their spare time away from the streets, and improve themselves physically, religiously, and morally.
TO COMMEMORATE HIS HONOUR JUDGE THOMAS HUGHES AUTHOR OF "TOM BROWN'S SCHOOLDAYS" WHO USED THIS BUILDING AS COUNTY COURT JUDGE DURING THE YEARS 1882-1896
8 comments:
I spent many I night here in the early 1970s, there was everything a young lad wanted there, except girls. It was sad it was pulled down to make way for a car park. This Stone gets a mention in this weeks local Advertisor.
I was going to ask if they allowed girls in that club...but Old Wom Tigley answered that for me.
It's always sad to see such institutions torn down. But I guess time must march on.
I answered your "peas porridge" question on my blog btw.
Not quite as famous as Salford Lads club - but I'm glad they kept the stone - it's lovely.
Both here and there, our city officials demolish our historic heritage to make way for parking lots. Sad to see.
Clubs like this one live on here in the U.S., although they're not for males only anymore.
It's wonderful that at least the engraved name is still there, marking the spot.
Spent many nights there as a lad, 1957 - 1961, saw some great boxing there with a local fighter called Senior, a bit of a dump inside but we didn't care, indoor footy, basketball, table tennis, all for free.
MJR
I also spent many hours here what ever you wanted to do you could.
We had football teams, boxing, judo, table tennis etc etc.
Harold Senior was the leader in my time. We also put on a black & white minstral show every year. We used to have an annual disco where girls could come in on that night only but it was not a disco therefore it did not attract too many girls.
The boxer refered to earlier was Noel Senior, he introduced me to Hyde Lads Club, he emigrated to Canada many years ago.
It was a fantastic place for young lads and its a pity that it is now a car park
Does anyone remember Howard Jones, he used to run the football for Hyde lads club?
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