Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Local working men's club
Hi folks
the title of this post might put some of you right off but the Langham Working Men's club has been around for almost 100 years and is very much part of ourlocal history. Yet it hardly gets a mention and is overlooked, just as are the 2000 plus clubs up and down the country. There used to be over 4000 such clubs in their heyday in the 1970s which were often full with queues outside the doors. I am writing about clubs and although my focus is/was on Coventry, the town I grew up in, it has widened. Now I have finally joined the Langham, I am going to talk to members there and start collecting bits of history about that club. It is, like many clubs, struggling to stay open. Maybe clubs have had their day, as some say, but they are very important places to locals, especially older folk and most clubs were once the centre of local communities. I would like now and then to put up things on this site if that would be possible about the club, its life and times. and maybe we could make some links- its a part of the community which we perhaps overlook but its right there on our road! There is also the club in Wood Green and others round and about. I do this research unfunded and unsupported in my own time so I havent got any sponsors. I do have a website dedicated to clubs if anyone is interested www.clubhistorians.co.uk which tries to bring out the community aspect of clubs. (Again, it is sort of my hobby/obsession) Maybe we could support the Langham by joining it? They have bingo a few times a week and line dancing, so I am told. I could always link in HOL to my site once I have something up there about the Langham, Hugh?
cheers to all you potential club goers!
Note from Site Admin: Two blog posts about the Langham, including one with photos inside and out, can be linked to here. Further forum posts about the Langham can be linked to via the "langham working men's club" tag just below.
Tags for Forum Posts: langham working men's club
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ruth on
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dear HoLiners
I went to the quiz at the Langham last night. it was good fun and the folk there very friendly. Even tho our team only came third out of 4, we still got some little prizes plus there were sandwiches on the bar etc.
I felt there was a good atmosphere there and will be going back.
Sadly only around 20+ adults there with a few children. It would be great if we could support our local club a bit otherwise it might go under along with its 100 years of history. Next Friday they have a darts competition, and other events coming up.
Ok, its not posh and trendy but its a part of Harringay, has been for a long time and we can help keep it alive and well.
cheers! make mine a double...
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Permalink Reply by hob on
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Hi Ruth,
The darts have been moved on to friday week. 09-04-2010. £3 in and winner takes all. Spare darts available if anyone wants a go.
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Thanks Hob. The quiz was moved a couple of time so its good to keep up with things. I might go and watch- me and darts are a dangerous combination!
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What type of book are you writting, I have been looking to do a photography project on a subject like this for ages, would you need any pictures?
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Thanks for responding. There are a number of photographic projects about clubs ongoing, I have had several people get in touch with me over the years. My book is mostly text with a few pics but I would be interested in doing a text/photo type of thing as well. If you want to chat more we can connect. I'll send you a connection request
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I lived in Bethnal Green for a few years and was often at the local working men’s club; it had embraced the 40's-70 revival and frequently held rock and roll, fancy dress, mod and even burlesque nights! Now I'm not saying that the Langham Working Men's club should follow suit 100% but it may be an idea to hold some events in a similar vein and drum up some funds to keep the place going (and also spread the word of its existence).
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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I thought I was livening the area up by taking those working girls cards from the west end and putting them in the phone boxes on green lanes, but Burlesque nights at the Langham! Wow, people from Crouch End could take the 41 and get off at West Green!
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Bethnal Green is iconic with its embracing of different nites and events whilst still keeping a place for the locals. I once went there to a burlesque night but I couldnt quite get into the spirit of it as it still looked like a workingmans club and I felt like sitting down having a game of bingo! Thanks to Hob for the details of facilities in Langham. I feel great having the CIU associate pass! Women have only been allowed to purchase them since April 2007!
cheers one and all
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Permalink Reply by f1nsburyparker on
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I used to go to the Club all the time when I lived in the North, but when I moved to London I let my CIU membership lapse. It'd be a real nostalgia trip to have the little card and wallet back action.
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I am not English (nor British) as are many people round here and for me it's a completely nebulous concept. I don't have a clue about their history and as a woman am terrified to try and walk through the door: it's called 'working MEN's club', i.e. women and dogs stay outside... I hope that that is of course just a left over rudiment term and women are free to enter, but you never know... And then they do not really advertise or invite people to events and it's nowhere explained what they are about and how they came about. It all feels pretty much like a closed society. And looking at your web-site I have the feeling it's more aimed at people who understand the concept and may be even were part of it or their parents rather than people who have never heard about it.
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Hi Astrid
The working men's thing is a left over from the past (tho some clubs want to retain it!) And you are right in many ways about them being rather closed off. This is partly a cause of their decline. They have been very much linked to the working class and their communities but I am trying to somehow to open things up a little. I find I come across old attitudes in clubs and in the CIU but not everywhere, some clubs try to be more inclusive in terms of new members. Things wont change if new members dont appear. Club life might not be your cup of tea (or half of lager) but for some, it might provide a place to go to have a game of pool, a pint and a chat. I welcome all feedback and your comments are very helpful so thanks a lot for posting this.
kind regards Ruth
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