"A once wonderful Cub"

A review of Westerhope & District Comrades Social Club by Ernie written on Sunday 12th of July 2009

I worked in the Housing Dept.on Newbiggin Hall Estate, I also lived on the estate. I joined the club before it was built I paid my money to a house in Eastgarth I think that was around 1966, and the mans name was Smith.It was not known what the club was going to be called at that time. When the club was built and opened it was terrific with fabulous support of members. The lounge downstairs had a piano and singers at weekends and was always packed.Upstairs was the concert room. They had great committee, I remember Sammy Galloway Treasurer,Jackie Horne Chairman, Peter Redhead Secretery, Eddie Embleton Concert Chairman, mind it had bad times when all the members were called to a special meeting because of threats to the committee,BY persons attemting to get control of the club, fortunatly the members gave full backing to the committee,which in effect told the would be gansters for want of a better word it was all over for them.In the concert room it was open every night with music a acts,and of course big bingo Thursday Nights it had the best band in clubland (my opinion) Jonny Sampson Combo and Mirelle Grey it was wonderful every one was friends.

In 1977 the Jubilee lounge was built and Opened and that year the club was awarded the Best Club In England Award,an award it won again I'm not sure of that date.In the 80's like all clubs with the drink driving law the visitors where fewer and attendances fell off.The concert room was only opened a couple of nights,the big bingo was now held in the Jubilee lounge even entertainment was also held there. In th 90's and onwards attendanses was well down.I still have my life membership card,I do not live in Newcastle now,but I'm not far away,I'm 76 now and not as mobile as I once was, but as I write this I have been informed the club is now closed very sad I loved that club and all my old mates a lot of them are dead now but what a great place it was. .

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