Langham Working Men's Club
The Langham Working Men's Club is a traditional working men's club in the north London neighbourhood of Harringay
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History
The club's predecessor was the Hornsey Social Club, which was open between 1907 and 1910, and was found at 31 Turnpike Lane. The Secretary was a certain Mr. C.H. Pritlove. The club then became the Langham (Non Political) Club and Institute, named after a nearby road, and was registered under the Friendly Societies Act on 13 May 1910. It soon affiliated to the Working Men's Club and Institute Union. The club relocated to its current premises on Harringay's Green Lanes in 1915.
To begin with, the building was a large double-fronted house but it was extended back away from the road to provide additional rooms. A dance floor was laid in the new concert room. Later on a snooker room was provided upstairs where the offices are also located.
It was fortunate to avoid being bombed during the
The Lord Mayor of Haringey in 1967 was Mrs A.F. Remington and she pulled the first pint in the new lounge of the Langham that year. As she did, she declared that as it was a working men's club, she presumed they would be taking their wives along as well. In her view 'all wives were working women.' It did appear to be a women-friendly club even in the days when women were not welcome in others.
Activities
The club is still active, although there is no longer any boxing at the venue. It has been described by President, Mr. Robert Mead, as a "family club" where everyone knows everyone else, and one that looks after its members. It cares for others in the community and has always been involved in charity work. The club hosted the
Apart from regular charities that it supports, the members organise spontaneous collections such as when the Asian tsunami hit back on Boxing Day 2006. There was a marathon darts playing session plus various other activities to raise money for those caught up in the disaster.
Regular entertainment is usually arranged for Saturday and Sunday evenings with some special events on Fridays, such as quizzes.
To conform with the
Sources
- Robertson, J.G., Leading Working Men's Clubs of England, London 1952.
- The Economist, Vol 311, 1989
- Club Historians website