Extracts from the wartime minute book.
1914 - 1917.
Jan 1914 - ”A discussion took place re members leaving during the summer, & joining again in the winter, & it was agreed that members be
allowed to pay their Annual Sub of 5/- during the 1st five months at the rate of 1/- per month. This it was hoped would remedy it to some
extent”.
[Annual subs of 5/- or 25p in today’s money, but equivalent to about £13.00 as calculated in 1998]
Jan 1914 - ”Mr Bellamy prop, Mr Hanson sec, that 6 spittoons be purchased. Mr Wightman to attend to the same”.
Dec 23 1914 - “Supper: Agreed that we purchase 5 turkeys amounting to about 130lbs. Agreed that all those who have seen active service, and
all Ambulance men who are serving their country are invited free to the supper.
Privileges to soldiers etc. Mr H Cobley prop, Mr W H Abbot sec, that all men who are serving their country in Army, Navy or Ambulance work
shall be entitled to use the Institute free, until the close of the war”.
Xmas Day 1914 - [A list of Committee members and their duty times was published. 11 names in all, each to be on duty for one hour each.
Starting from 9.00am until 9.00pm with only one hour, 1.00pm to 2.00pm being missed out when the Institute was closed]
“The Annual Supper was held on New Year’s Eve 1915 when about 120 attended the supper, and there was a good attendance at the Annual Meeting
which followed. The Institute Choir gave selections, and Mr W Barker sang solos during the evening which was an enjoyable one.
The Financial Report was a most satisfactory one, showing a clear profit on the year’s working of over £20, bringing the debt down to well
under £1,000”.
[£20 then - £1,038 today. £1,000 then - leaving a debt of about £50,000 in today’s terms]
[Many instances of discussions on installing water pipes in the ‘closets’ were held during 1915. It seems that toilets, then as now, have
always raised difficulties]
July 1915 - “Mr T Whitmore prop, Mr Cotton sec, that the Bowling Club be allowed the use of the large room on July 21, if wet, for entertaining wounded soldiers, Mr Aucott to be written to that effect”.
Dec 31 - 1915 [Annual Meeting]
“A large company present. Mr Cobley in the chair”.
[At this meeting it was agreed to limit the Committee to 10 - That left 10 Committee members plus 5 Officers]
“The Treasurer’s Report which was on the whole satisfactory, showed that we cleared £20 off the building fund which now is £960, and that we
had made a net profit of £3 during the year”.
[Once more in today’s terms - £20 - - £1,038 £960 - - £49,800 £3 - - £155]
Jan 1916 - “After hearing the report of the meeting with Messers Ormes representative it was decided to order their Table at 59 guineas less
10% dis for cash. Table to be delivered at once”.
[This order was for a new Billiard table, provided the Trustees (there were 9) agreed, and the Bank was willing to provide a loan]
[There was concern at] “The number of young members who had joined under the proper age”.
[At the same meeting] “Mr Boulter prop, Mr H Wightman (crossed out and Mr Cobly entered) sec, that we have electricity installed in the
Billiard rooms, 13 lights of 40 candle power, 3 on each table, 2 on each side of room. Estimates to be asked from Messers Thursfield to
connect electricity with Institute”.
[This suggests that in 1916 there were three tables lit by candles or probably gaslights. There were gaslights in the ‘Games Room’. The
present Snooker Hall was built in the early 1930’s]
[Later in Jan that year the estimate of £23-6s-2d was agreed for the lighting to be installed]
[Full electric lighting was agreed and installed at the end of 1917 including the Ladies Lavatory at an extra cost of 15/-]
Mar 1916 - “Agreed that the Institute be insured against air craft, & that the total be increased £100”.
“Agreed that the Institute building be insured for £1,000 and fittings £300”.
[In 1978 the figures were £60,000 and £7,100 respectively plus a public liability indemnity of £250,000]
Jan 1917 - “Agreed that we have three cards printed to hang over each Billiard table requesting members not to smoke while playing, & members
of the Committee be empowered to stop it”.
[This confirms there were three tables in use during the early 20th century. Two tables were recovered in February at a cost of £6-17-6 each -
- £365 would be today’s equivalent]
Nov 1917 - “Agreed that we have a chalkholder on approval, and that Mr Boulter get information re Snooker balls for the next meeting”.
[This was the first time Snooker has been mentioned, however, it wasn’t discussed at the next meeting, there was more concern that members be
made aware:-]
“that no nomination of members to serve on the Committee be accepted for members under 20 years of age”