Bearpark & District Workmens Club

Bearpark & District Workmens Club,
Before the 1914-1918 war, many Bearpark men were memebr of the Ushaw Moor club as there was no club in Bearpark,
After the workmen at Bearpark Colliery formded a lacal Federation Board comprising of miner, mechanics, enginemen, cokemen and officials. The first meeting took place at the Browney River Railway gates. It was a very largely attended meeting in the ealry 1919 and after the local business was concluded, talks began about the prospects of the workmens cleb being obtained for the village. After much discussion it was moved by Mr Joe Holmes and 2nd by Bill Greenwell the Secretary, Mr William Kingson make enquiries to form a club..
Mr Kingston had not much look with land for the premises. however the found land at the colliery belonged to the church commissioners. However he found out the land on the left hand side of the road from the corner shop to the Inkerman at Tow Law belonged to ushaw college and he was getting in touch with the Rev. Father Broadhead a Meeting was informed, W Kingston, J Holmes, R Minto, R Hodgson & J Concannon reported back to say that they could have some land below George terrace which might siut them or he would consider any other land, But after Further consultation with Ushaw College it was readliy agreed they could have the site and this was the originof Bearpark Club.
SO in the summer 1919 the club was formed and was Registered under the Industrial and Provident Society and also registered as an affiliated club with the Club & Institue Union of London...
The Chair was taken by Mr Alf Smith and the officers were voted as Follows :- Chairman - Mr T Hanson,:- Secretary - J Kelly :-Treasurer R Hodgson, but Mr Kelly stepped down and Mr Joe Holmes took the job which was held for my years.
The 1st Steward and Stewardess was Mr & Mrs Jos Gibbons who retired in the 30s, then Mr & Mrs Fred Ross became steward and stewardess and turned about to be a Good choice untill they Retired in 1963 and Mr & Mrs Joe Gott took over Retired in the mid 80s For Mr and Mrs D Marshall who retired in beginning of 2011 , Our Present Stewardess Mrs V Harbon & Mr M Harbon,
In 1968 the New land was required for the New Club which was completed on June 12th 1968 to the present with in four years the Debt of loan was paid and the Deeds became the Clubs...