The Brudenell Social Club

ADVERTISING FEATURE: New look Brudenell Club opens

SIXTY-FIVE years after it was founded as a men only club for the benefit of the businessmen of Headingley, Brudenell Social and Recreational Club in Queens Road is entering a new era.

This week, as workmen were busy demolishing the old club premises - a former drill hall beginning to show it’s age - members were relaxing in the luxurious surroundings of the new club nearby.

Built for £160,000 and officially opened last night, it is now simply known as the Brudenell Social club.

And the club has not only had a change of name. It is thinking about having a change of policy - by allowing women to become members.

But the men-only link with the past is still being retained. The billiard room is strictly men-only, as is the card playing area.

Brudenell Social and Recreational Club was formed on December 8, 1913, by businessmen anxious to form a select club for gentlemen.

They first thought of buying the Hyde Park Cinema, but that idea was abandoned because a drinks licence could not be obtained.

They subsequently bought an army drill hall and the land surrounding it in Queens Road. It didn’t take long for their idea to become reality. A club was in being.

In addition to a billiard room with three tables there was a lounge where members could forget the cares of the business world over a newspaper or a quiet game of cards.

Membership of the Brudenell was strictly controlled. Before any gentleman was accepted as a full member, he had to serve a probationary period.

It quickly built itself up a reputation, but as years went by membership declined as many businessmen left the area for Alwoodley, Moortown and Adel.

And because it was once a wooden drill hall, the value of the building did not appreciate. There were problems too through vandalism.

In short, it was a club which was beginning to outlive its usefulness as it lacked many of the attractions and amenities of modern day social and recreational clubs.

So it was decided to build a new club more in keeping with modern demands. Fortunately the committee had the foresight to set aside money for a building fund.

And when a brewery agreed to grant the club an interest free loan of £120,000 spread over 15 years, a large slice of the required cost to build the new club was assured.

The rest of the money came from the sale of the steward’s house and money raising efforts by the members themselves.

While the move to admit women as members will be a break from tradition, they have for some time been welcome providing they are signed in by members.

Membership now stands at more than 700, the annual subscription being £1.62 a year, including VAT.

The new premises incorporate a tastefully furnished and decorated concert room for 400, the men-only billiard room - three tables and a pool table - facilities for darts and dominoes, and a flat for steward Dennis Wainwright and his wife Gwen.

When work is finished on demolishing the old premises there will be parking space for about 70 cars.

The club opens every afternoon and evening seven days a week. There is regular entertainment with bingo on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Its members are drawn from the people of Headingley irrespective of race, politics or religion.

Although the club has an active committee of nearly 20, five members are really at the hub of things - the president Mr Reginald Leeming; Mr Arthur F. MacTier, the senior trustee; Mr Arthur Codd, chairman of the house committee; vice-president Mr Anthony Hales and concert chairman, Mr Jack Swithenbank.

Katherine Moore is hoping to write/ compile a book on the history of the Brudenell as a fundraising project. She is looking for people to write and research material over the coming winter (2006), with the aim of publishing the book, and donating profits to the Entertainments Committee. If you have any knowledge of the Club, or would like to be involved in any way, please let us know and we will pass your details on.