Cottonmill Club

A social club, called the Cottonmill Club, was launched in 1970s to provide community facilities for the residents of the new Cottonmill and St Julian’s estates. This was the original club. Membership was by subscription and in its heyday it attracted over 2,000 members. It was situated approximately where the car park to the Marlborough Pavilion was in Old Oak, Cottonmill Lane although Old Oak wasn’t there then. It closed in 1994 following a fire but it was in financial difficulties by then. A new Cottonmill Community Centre was built on the original site and opened in 2022.

Carol Leighton says that: “the club first started when a few of us young ones at the time had nowhere much to go, so a few parents started up a youth club for us in a Nissen hut behind St Julian’s Church on the dual carriageway in Abbots Avenue. This would have been in 1963 or 1964. My best friend’s late father was one of these parents, his name being Ken Gaylard. There was also Mr Wilson from Maynard Drive and four or five others. We had the youth club a couple of times a week, and on a Monday night they used to run Bingo and a raffle in order to raise funds. Socials were also arranged these being in the Nissen hut and Mandeville school hall. It was then called the Cottonmill Residents Association which was run by about six people including Ken Gaylard, Eric and Joan Wilson, a lady called Brenda who lived on Abbots Ave about opposite the butchers, on the corner. I can’t remember the others. Gradually the funds grew in order for plans to be submitted and to build the Cottonmill Club in the playing field in Cottonmill Lane. Money was raised for nearly seven years and the Cottonmill club opened in about 1971. Many residents then helped the initial six to run the club. The youth club also helped with the over 60’s on the estate laying things on at the hall, beetle drives etc. Sadly the club is no longer but if it hadn’t been for those first few parents it never would have been.” Carol remembers that she and her friend helped to paint the hut: “it was done in huge stripes with any leftover paint we could lay hands on, It was to make it brighter and cleaner than having it black. Such happy times and community spirit, we helped with fetes too, because we helped at the onset it was a big achievement to see the club built”. Russ Bowman says that some of the original names were Arthur Stonham, Brenda Crowney and a man called George.

In 1987, a model radio-controlled racing car club was set up by Vic Foster. Called St Albans Buggy Club, it lasted for several years. It closed because of vandalism.

Comments

  1. Graham Wilson

    The name mentioned as ‘George’ might well have been ‘George Wright’! I remember seeing Mum (Mrs Joan Wilson) being asked by the beer delivery driver to open up ‘The Club’ so he could make the delivery. Dad (Eric Wilson) being the Secretary, spending far too many hours ensuring all was well with the running of the club. It began as a social thing, but turned out to be so much more than a hobby. Great times and memories of working in the bar when short of personnel.

    Reply
    • Sandy Norman

      Hi Graham, Carol Leighton nee Rosher remembers you and your mum and dad and would like to get in touch with you. She says you went ballroom dancing with them and partnered Linda Stuckey who lived next door to you, She says she has a photo of you all. Leave a message on info@Sopwell.org.uk and I will pass on her details to you.

      Reply
      • Graham Wilson

        Hi Sandy,

        I am not a regular on your site, so you will see the inclusion of a report from Carol Leighton nee Rosher about me, Mum and Dad really struck home. If this site is still open and you are able to contact Carol, be it 4 years later, I would really love to be in contact with her

        Best regards

        Graham Wilson

        Reply
  2. Gary Stonham

    Surprised no one mentioned the cottonmill club carnival, my grandad used to lead the procession in his austin morris with PA speakers strapped to a roof rack. Blasting out fairground organ music from a reel to reel tape recorder on the passenger seat. He also used to compare on the stage in the dance hall, think he may also have been entertainments manager. My Grandparents lived nextdoor to the Nissen hut. Vaguely remember the prize bingo played there i must have been about 5 or 6 lol.

    Reply
  3. Gary Stonham

    Just to clarify my grandad was Arthur Stonham no E he would have hated seeing his name spelt with an E lol. My grandma was Hilda they both spent a lot of time, as others making the club a great place to go.

    Reply
    • Alan Beardmore

      Lovely to hear that Gary knew his son John well .If you would like the photo of your Grandad with Mr Hibbert you are very welcome.Please contact Sandy and I will ask her to forward it to you.
      Kind regds
      Alan Beardmore

      Reply
  4. Alan Beardmore

    Hi Gary good to hear from you.Knew your Grandparents son John in the 50’s .If you would like the original of the photo of your Grandad with Mr Hibbert you are welcome .Please contact Sandy and I will ask her to forward it to you.
    Regds
    Alan Beardmore

    Reply

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