The building at its opening in 1881

In January 2003, during the clear-out of the old Working Men's Club by volunteers from the Royal Borough and the village, a prize piece of 'rubbish' was rescued from the skip - a complete set of the Club's minutes from 1881, which were thought to be lost. These were the records of the day to day management committee, but as the Trustees' separate minutes are still safely in the hands of the last Trustees, the record of the Club's past is now complete.

However, the Club did not begin its life on this site. It was originally founded as a social club by George Cleversley and held in the old workhouse building at the end of the present Holmlea Road.

We are not sure whether the original meetings at the old workhouse constituted a Working Men's Club, but the movement to establish these organisations dates from 1862, when the first one was opened in London, so George Cleversley may have been aware of it and of the growth of others around the country. The idea came from Henry Solly, a Unitarian minister and political activist in improving the lot of the poor. The stated aim was to establish places 'where men can meet for conversation, business and mental improvement, with the means of recreation and refreshment, free from intoxicating drinks'. This restriction on alcohol within the movement was challenged fairly soon and caused Solly to resign from the national organisation; at Datchet beer was certainly served from the outset. However, George Cleversley was merely a builder and the Duke of Buccleuch's lease agreement was not with his committee but with a group of socially superior inhabitants who were trusted with the general overseeing of the Club. The Trustees held the title to the land and buildings, and they advised or warned as appropriate but they held themselves distant from the lower classes for whom the Club was intended. Communication was ensured by one or two of the Trustees attending the management meetings to keep an eye on what was going on. The vicar was the President of the Club, as he was of almost every other organisation in the village at the time.

This print (above) shows the Working Men's Club in 1881 when it was opened by Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Christian. As can be seen from the print, the building was originally smaller than it is now. The porch is a later addition and the single-storey extension at the rear was paid for in 1887 by Lady Georgiana Needham of Datchet House, who also gave the village its drinking fountain. This new room was the first Village Hall, designed so that the whole ground floor could be thrown open for larger gatherings. In the background of the print, on the left, the cottages are the original houses in Green Lane, most of which have now been rebuilt. On the right is the farmhouse built by the Tarrant family as a dairy farm in the 1870s, while the path running past it is now the vehicle entrance to St Mary's Primary School. The flock of sheep and small boy shepherd are a reminder that working farmyards were still operating in the village in the 1880s.

The building cost £500 and was funded by public subscription, led by £100 from the Duke of Buccleuch. Its opening by royalty was not unusual; Queen Victoria and her daughters knew the village and the grandest of its inhabitants very well and would have taken a condescending interest in the welfare of the working classes. The Club soon became the focus for many aspects of village life; musical, theatrical and social evenings were held there as well as lectures and classes in a wide variety of technical subjects and improving hobbies. The proposed move of Datchet's library to the building is very appropriate, as there was a reading room there from the start. From 1905, this upstairs room housed one of the Club's chief attractions - the billiard tables, both large and small. Card games were also popular, but it was forbidden to play for money. The amount of beer consumed by members was also restricted (one and a half pints each an evening) to ensure good behaviour, and expulsions for disorderly or abusive conduct did take place. The committee spent a considerable amount of time debating the quality of the beer served and ensuring the best supply, although in 1904 it was emphasised by the Secretary that during a Ladies' Concert the bar should remain closed.

The Club Room, the Games Room and the Village Hall were all available to hire by other organisations, adding considerably to the Club's income. The Cricket Club, the Horticultural Society and the Football Club were among those who held their functions here, as well as Mothers' Meetings and the Baby Clinic. High points of village life were the annual Exhibitions of work by adults and children; woodwork, needlework and drawing as well as many other 'arts and industries', with prizes to be won. A distinction was made in social status; the embroidery and fine artwork submitted by local ladies (some with grand titles) was for admiration only, while there were prizes for such things as laundry, an ironed shirt or a knitted vest for the lower orders.

The Club's central role in village life continued well into the 20^th century, until the advent of other meeting places. At the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935, it was a focus of the festivities and several group photos have survived of revellers in fancy dress, which it should be possible to display in the restored building. It was for most of its life an entirely respectable place to be (as well as serving cheaper beer than the pubs) and was well run by solid pillars of the community. After a brief hiatus, it is good to see that this building, with all its past associations, will be returned to community use in the heart of the village.