Stanley Street Sport and Social Club

The brand-new state-of-the-art £80,000 facility boasts modern decor and those all essential disco lights and dance ball - perfect for that special occasion.

Antony Coupe, from the club’s management and finance committee, said they were delighted to celebrate the opening of the new concert room - around 60 years after the club first started.

“Over the years the club has evolved into an impressive multi-room building geared to cater for a wide variety of interests,” he said.

“We are really looking forward to having a grand-opening for members only on Thursday 28th March with top class entertainment all night.”

“And to reward our members for the disruption while they work has been going on, we are going to give them 30p off every drink throughout the night.”

“In addition to this, there will be a full Easter programme of live entertainment throughout the Easter weekend open to all members and guests.”

The club is proud to offer a wide range of events to suit all ages and tastes and says entertainment on offer will only get bigger and better thanks to the new concert room.

Wednesday and Friday are bingo nights with five sessions of bingo run throughout the night.

Said Antony: “Even in this economic climate, the club boasts excellent jackpots to be won on the bingo ranging from £50 - £1,000 throughout the sessions, so come along and have a go.”

“The club also raffles Spot the Ball cards which goes to the Children’s Section to fund outings to Skegness and Bridlington and pantomime trips at Christmas.”

The club is also proud to offer free live entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays, with duos, trios and live bands taking to the stage throughout the year - at a total annual cost of £40,000.

Ballroom dance nights take place on Thursdays and unbeknown to many the club also boasts a well-maintained garden and bowling green with smoking facilities to the front and rear of the premises.

Antony said club officials see the venue as an ‘extension of the family’ with facilities on offer to appeal to all ages and interests.

“We have five snooker teams, a pool team, a fishing section, a Tuesday club for senior citizens, darts and dominoes and a ladies’ darts team, so we have plenty going off at the club every night,” he said.

“It’s nice to see younger people using the club - especially at weekends, which is the key to the club’s longevity.”

Although Stanley Street Sport and Social Club is a private members club, it retains membership of the Federation of Railway Clubs, who are affiliated to the Association of British Clubs.

It began around 60 years ago when a group of railway workers decided to establish their own club.

British Railways owned a piece of land along the Lincoln to Sheffield railway line that fitted the bill.

But the tin hut premises soon proved to be inadequate as membership was opened to local bus company employees.

It was soon replaced by a single storey building known as The Railway Club before becoming the Stanley Street Sport and Social Club in 1991.

Nowadays the club boasts a committee of 12, plus three officers and four trustees to oversee day-to-day matters.

Membership is open all year round - you can join for £12.50 with renewal at £5 a year, with concessions for pensioners and junior members.

Over the years the club has held various fundraising events, raising thousands of pounds for good causes, including Bluebell Wood, Retford Hospice, Help the Heroes and Notts Air Ambulance.

Anyone interested in finding out more should call Mick Camm or Roy Presswood on 01909 473863