Report - Burslem Working Mens Club, Stoke-on-Derp, March 2013

[BAJ]

Many thanks to the owner who granted my permission.

Cant find any history for this actual club but heres a bit on WMCs.

Working men's clubs are a type of private social club which were first created in the 19th century in industrial areas of the United Kingdom, particularly the North of England, the Midlands and many parts of the South Wales Valleys, to provide recreation and education for working class men and their families. They also began at this time in Australia.

This place really is massive with 3 floors and a cellar, mainly trashed by the copper fairys and at some point looks as though there has been a rave in the main room as all of the walls have been painted black. Not alot to see other than fireplaces and plenty of paper work dating the 1920s.

Externals

Inside

 

[GhostOfChristmasPast]

WOW.
I grew up in this WMC as my grandfather was the secretary/landlord between 1960-2003. This WMC during the 70s and 80s was packed to the rafters in both function rooms. During the 90s with the dimise of the local pottery industry the member numbers also decreased. I spent many Christmases and friday/Saturday nights until the early hours as a child in this club, a truly fond memory of a past age. Almost all who frequented this establishment are either passed away or very old. Such a shame to see these pictures and the state it was in after it closed 3 years after my grandad passed away. There was a fire upstairs in the late 80s and it was never repaired, God knows how it was passed as structurally sound to open as a business premises looking back. It was broken into many times and mainly the fruit machines were robbed. Such a time warp.

Thank you for sharing your urban exploration pictures