The Comrades Club 1940 to 1949
Godmanchester

In February 1946 it was decided to purchase the first cooling system so as to cool the beer. On the Wednesday 13th February 1946, the ladies issue was raised again and it was agreed to allow ladies in the tennis tournament but that no alcohol should be served and that all doors should be locked except the one leading into St Annes Lane.

On 23rd January 1947, Mr Kisby was appointed President. Later that year the question of affiliation to the C.I.U. was investigated but no action was taken. At the same meeting Mr Kisby stood down to be replaced by Mr Summers. Mr Barringer was elected Vice-President with a Mr Readwin as Secretary/treasurer, names remembered by a number of club members today.

Darts was a favourite game in the club, there being 6 boards in the original premises and 2 in the bar area. Darts were so popular that if you didn't put your name up at the end of the evening you would have a job getting a game the following evening. Cards were still popular and many a time the steward would go home leaving members playing cards sometimes all night.

They would help themselves to beer but would always leave the money on the counter. Over the years the club's fortunes continued to prosper with takings increasing every year and in 1949 the turnover was reported as £7085 1s 8d.

 

The Comrades Club 1950 to 1959

At the Annual General Meeting 27th January 1951 Mr Barringer was elected President with Mr J Looker as Vice-President. Our current Secretary Treasurer, Mervyn James was elected to post on 23rd October 1951 and has now served the club for nearly 44 years.

At the Annual General Meeting 25th January 1952 Mr J Looker was elected as President with Mr P Thompson as Vice-President. It was also decided to form a sub-committee to look after the club's finances to ease work on the main committee, and the finance committee still exists today, meeting half an hour before the general committee.

In 1952 the ladies issued was raised again when the Huntingdon & District Darts League wanted to use the club's facilities for darts competitions and also requested admission of ladies. The main request was granted but the admission of ladies was refused. 1952 saw the club purchase its first cash register.

1953 the Huntingdon & District Darts League again raised the question of ladies but again was refused. On 13th October 1953 it was decided to advertise for interest to run a Thrift Club. The result was 50 members responded and eventually 70 took the option up. Rules were drawn up on 17th November, 1953 and the club was formed. It was started by Mr Trafford James, one of our current Trustees, and the club was a resounding success with receipts and membership increasing most years. Trafford ran the club for 26 years.

1954 saw Mr J Looker elected as President and Mr P Thompson as Vice-President. Again the ladies issue was raised and a momentous decision was made to allow ladies in as guests on a Saturday night. The same year the Huntingdon & District Darts League asked about ladies and this time they were admitted. In view of the decision to allow ladies entrance, the sports committee organised a concert party and wives/ladies allowed entrance on the night. A room was made available in the hut for the ladies but escorts had to purchase drinks, the room to be opened on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

1959 saw the "News of the World" holding its area finals in the club. 1960 saw the election of Mr P Thompson as President, and Mr E Summers as Vice-President.