Woodheys Club History

The Woodheys Club was founded at the end of the Second World War in 1945 by the B & C Companies of the 23rd. Cheshire Battalion of the Home Guard.

Whilst the HG were using the Club during the war, they set up a bar and when war ended they decided to continue their comradeship in peacetime. The building had originally been the home of William Brookes in the 19th. centuary and after a number of owners became a private school in the 30's. Sometime around then, the property was purchased by Groves and Whitnalls the Salford brewers and it was this company that the members of the HG approached for a lease to continue their comradeship in the form of a private members club.

Over the years the Club grew and in 1955 they suffered a financial crisis. To solve their problems the committee of the day decided to do the unthinkable, and admit ladies as associate members. The Club consisted of two rooms, one with two snooker tables and a second front room which was used for functions. Upstairs there was a self contained flat which, over the years, housed the Stewards and their spouses.

The Club has had an interesting and varied history and in 1985 it was decided to form a limited liablity company. At this time we managed to negotiate and secure a lease for 125 years for an initial payment of £40,000 with an annual rent of "one peppercorn" if required. At this time the Club was extended and a Snug Bar was added together with a third snooker table which was situated in a new area called the Chapel. Membership ws capped at 1,000 and reached a maximum figure of 900+. The current trading climate has resulted in a significant fall in membership. Further expansion in the Club had occurred in the 90's to its' present state, with an increase in the Snug Bar area and improved toilet facilities.

The Club facilities are available for private parties and external groups by arrangement with the Manager and Club Secretary.

The Club has not been without its' fair share of characters and there are at least two ghosts which are said the frequent the cellars, one being that of a long dead member who was often unable to make his own way home after an evening of imbibing revelry and, who subsequently, entering into a private arrangement with the Steward of the day to allow him the use of an old bed in the beer cellar. The second ghost's identity currently remains a mystery!

Peter N. Bramley.

Membership