Radio club calling on volunteers

It was sent in by life member George Pool, who is pictured second left.

He and his fellow members - Chas, John and Mike - are cutting the first main beam at the West Street building.

Mr Pool was president of the WARS when, in 1985, he and secretary Carol Gee approached the council to try to get a permanent club house.

He said: “For many years WARS, like many other clubs, had no permanent venue.”

“We were moving from pub to pub, room to room, carrying our radio gear and equipment with us.”

Mr Pool negotiated with the then mayor Sam Slack that if club members were willing to do all the renovation work themselves, they could have the building on a 99-year lease at a rent of £1 a year.

“We soon realised that a lot of money was required to complete this undertaking, again the council came to the rescue with a £6,000 grant,” he said.

Mr Pool drew up the plans and volunteers began work, first of all making the building safe. The roof was re-tiled and made waterproof, and the upper floor, which had fallen in, was replaced.

Every wall and ceiling had to be renovated and plastered, then a new toilet block and bar were built in.