The end of an era.

Ryecroft and Rawmarsh Working Mens Club is no more it is finished (bankrupt).
In the 1960's the club was so popular and wealthy new membership was restricted to family members only. I was a third generation Shaw to become a member and in turn made my two sons members on there 18th birthdays. It was a local club for local people a place where you could get to know the news and gossip that was going around. These places kept the community spirit going but went into decline with the closures of the Coal mines and Steelworks in the late 80s and early 90s
When I became a member in 1963 there were five Working Mens Clubs in Rawmarsh/Parkgate then in 1966 another WMC opened The Trades and Labour Club at Monkwood. Luckily I am also a member there, todate it is the only one still open.
These clubs were places of entertainment there were concerts nights and dance nights all week. During the shows bingo was played, raffles were held, tote tickets were sold and for the gamblers there was always the checks (the numbers game). One arm bandits (fruit machines) were very popular and probably made more money for the club then any other fund raiser.
Beer, Lager, Wines and Spirits were consumed in great quantities, food was also available.
There was a lounge were you could sit and talk if you needed a bit of quiet. There were rooms with snooker tables, pool tables, dart boards, domino tables and card tables.
TV rooms mainly for the horse racing and football matches.
A room which could be hired out for private functions.
This was the blueprint of all the clubs. Great times but sadly it is all over times have changed (but not for the better in my opinion).

Update 27/11/12.
The Club has reopened under new management it is no longer a WMC but instead it has become a private members club.

It's started crazy time.

 Entertainment in front of the Minster.

 One of our Stevens workmates helping out with the organization (a steward) crowd control.

 

The switching on of the Christmas lights in Rotherham Town centre.

Another catch up.

Life has been a bit mundane lately not boring just ordinary. We've been out and about doing the usual things Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield, Mexborough and of course Rotherham. I have also been trolling Facebook. Facebook is much easier to share photo albums on but I think I prefer blogging.

Halloween 2012.

We love Halloween, for years now we have trimmed the hallway and stairs up into a horror grotto got loads of sweets in and just waited for the trick or treaters to come.

This year was no different to any other they came in droves if anything I would say the kids were just a little bit younger. They always come with at least one parent who also gets a treat. This year they came knocking at 5 o’clock and it carried on until 8 then it started to pore down with rain, we did get one kid come at 8.30 he was soaked through to the skin poor soul. 

A slight mistake.

Outside my neighbours house a wedding car but no bride or groom no one was at home. The driver was at a loss he had come to the wrong address. I took some photos of the car then of he went.

Rotherham market.

Rotherham market the same day as the demo no one had a care.

27th Oct another demo Rotherham.

Una with her first pair of distance spectacles yes she has reached the point where bifocals are needed.

Rotherham bus station normally you would never see a policeman.

An unusual sigh outside the Minster.

Today the police were out in force again this time the National Front were having a march now they are supposed to be the real bother boys. The police were more heavily armed for this march but once again there was no bother thankfully. No one can understand why these people keep targeting Rotherham we are content with life here.

Off to Sheffield.

Usually we go to Sheffield by bus but today we decided to go by train after a look round the shops it was time for something to eat. It is Thursday Witherspoons Sheffield but no curry for me give me a belly filling brunch anytime.

Doncaster.

 Witherspoons Doncaster Thursday is curry club day and this was going to be my first chicken korma, Una had the brunch. As always when you have something different to the other person with you theirs always looks better, mine looked crap. It was tasty but not very filling, brunch for me next time. The worse thing about it was Una kept calling me garlic breath for the rest of the day. I hate the stink of garlic I never gave it a thought when I ordered.

Unas blood doner day.

Una her brother Fred and Louise his daughter after giving blood.

Just a stroll.

I don't know why they call them sea gulls they've never seen the sea.

Just an afternoon stroll over the tops to Elsecar and back.

13th October Demo.

The scene outside Rotherham Bus Station, the only people to be seen were police I've never seen anything like it before.

Una getting to know the facts.

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Rotherham was deserted today except for  the police all in anticipation of trouble. The local radio stations had broadcast warnings of possible riots and violence breaking out due to two demonstrations taking part in the town centre.

The English Defense league and an Anti Fascist group we were not to be put off, we shop on a Saturday choose what.

As it happens it all passed off peaceably I think it was the 850 Police Officers that did the trick.