History
Founded
Honiton Working Men’s Club was founded in 1904 and started life as an early library where working men of the town could read and play games such as chess. A similar, more prestigious “gentleman’s” club called ‘Honiton Club and Reading Room’ had existed in Kings Street (where Blackmore Electrical now is) since 1880. This club closed in 1937.
Purpose
The Club was established using books, magazines and sundries from the then disbanded ‘Honiton Literacy Institute’ that had been in the town since the 1840s. The material was loaned to the Club from the Town Council for a sum of £50 and included a numerous number of books and periodicals on arts & science, biographies, natural history, travel, poetry and romances! There were also originally two mahogany chess tables and a set of draughts. In fact, until 1926, the Club was known as ‘Honiton Workmen’s Club and Reading Room’. It remained as this sort of establishment for nearly 60 years, not getting a licensed bar until the 1960s!
Story
The Club’s first President was Seabourne W Hook, a local butcher who ran his business on the corner of Dowell Street (now demolished) and was later mayor of Honiton three times. The original committee consisted of twelve men (including Mr Hook):
- W J Vosper, boot finisher
F J Nott, coach & motor painter - H E Carnell, school teacher
- E J Woolcott, orderly
- W H G Drawer, assistant school master
- C E Pridham, bank clerk
- P H Wyatt, gardener
- A Woodrow, carpenter
- C King, Sgt. Devon Regiment
- J Tucker, law clerk
- H J Gollop, saddler
- Cyril N Tweed
Cyril Tweed. the then deputy town clerk, who oversaw the nauguration of the club, went on to become Club President himself in 1911, a position he held for over 25 years. His portrait still hangs in the club today.
The earliest documented, and probable original site of the Club, was 70 High Street (originally called ‘Old House’) which was converted into two separate shops at a later date. One of these is now believed to be ‘The Crusty Cob Bakery’, which is still on the High Street and trading today. The other shop is believed to have been ‘Boots’ before it was relocated to a larger site on the opposite side of the road.
The club occupied the ground floor whilst the first floor was a private flat. One of the caretakers in the early years was a Mr Albion Wyatt, a local painter and decorator. During WWI the building was taken over by 11th Devon Regiment and in 1915 by the Red Cross as a VAD hospital. During this time huts were built to the rear of the Club and used as a hospital by the Voluntary Aid Service (V.A.D) for wounded soldiers.
Moved
Honiton Working Men’s Club moved to its present day location in 1968. The Club’s current site was ironically once several poor working men’s cottages but in the early 20th century the land was incorporated into the expanse of Allhallows Grammar School. The present day building was erected in 1900, originally used as the school gymnasium. When the School left the town in 1938 the building was taken over by Board and Gibbs Agricultural Engineers who used the premises as a ‘David Brown’ Tractor Dealership. Board and Gibbs ceased trading in the late 1940s. Most of the old school buildings have since gone, and Tuckers Court now stands on the site of the old playground. The club first leased what is now the snooker room and skittle alley before later taking on the whole building after the agricultural merchants vacated the ground floor. A bar was added in 1970 The Club itself was later extended in 1982.
