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great many in between that are surviving or just hanging on by the skin of their teeth, but Facebook groups don’t reach the decision makers. It’s probably fair to say that less than 20% of club goers are actually on Facebook and there are many clubs that don’t even have an internet connection never mind a website. My point here is that the few that run these groups are only connecting with a For quite a while now we’ve very small percentage of the various groups and pages people they need to and it’s cropping up on Facebook an overblown and relatively such as ‘Save our Working unimportant forum when it Mens’ Clubs’ etc. What are comes to making a difference. they doing for clubland? I Also it’s the same old people, would say very little. agencies, acts and clubs that When you read them, all there continually post promoting seems to be is a lot of old themselves and their opinions. nonsense coming from about One individual hardly travels 5 people who seem to be more out of his own club and yet interested in promoting their he seems to have assumed the own views, act or club rather role of spokesperson and great than actually raising important sage. I’ve got news for him, issues and coming up with Doncaster is not the centre solutions. There are successful of clubland universe and clubs, failing clubs and a he certainly isn’t. Clubland

ARE FACEBOOK EGOS REALLY HELPING CLUBLAND?

needs professional business minded people with a broader experience who are capable of analysing the market and developing strategies and sustainable business plans that will carry a club forward. It would certainly be a good starting point to look at our most successful clubs and copy their business model. Prattling on as a member, or founder, of a Facebook group achieves virtually nothing. It may well be a good forum for advertising a ‘What’s On’ guide but complaining about the smoking ban etc. is old news. Name and Details Supplied

DECADES OF DRINKING

decades along with some of the related issues starting off with the early years of the club movement. If the Reverend Henry Solly had had his way after establishing the Working Men’s Club and Institute in 1862, there would CLUBHISTORIANS.CO.UK have been no alcohol in clubs. by Ruth Cherrington Solly, a teetotaller who believed What’s your tipple? Bitter with that the ‘demon drink’ was the odd sounding names. Lager. G & downfall of many a working T. Pear cider. Tequila. Alcopops. man, was supported by the usual suspects such as the Temperance Whisky on or off the rocks. Reform movement. They wanted Chardonnay. Californian rose. as many men, women and even The list could go on all the way children to sign ‘the pledge’ down this column. as possible. And, once signed, We might often take for granted to stick to it since many were nowadays the range of drinks on offer when we walk into a club. A subsequently tempted to fall off the wagon and go back to drink. vast array of delights might await But Solly was sensible enough us, from all corners of the globe to know that tea and sermons in as well as more local breweries. cold church halls weren’t enough We might not venture far beyond to keep men away from drink. He our own chosen tipple too often stressed the importance of clubs and these days, with money being being sociable places with all the tight, just stick to bog-standard warmth and companionship of lager. Clubs have always been pubs, with things going on such about much more than the drink as games and interesting talks, on sale in them but nevertheless, it some entertainment as well. has played quite an important role His ideal was for clubs to be in the social and economic side of better than pubs but drink-free. club life. Over the following few Publicans and owners of other weeks, we will be taking a look drinking establishments oddly at our drinking habits over the enough supported Solly and the

Temperance people. They were worried about clubs taking away their customers, of course, but felt that without drink they would be less attractive. So they opposed drink being available in them. Some early club men also wanted their new leisure spaces to remain alcohol-free but they were in the minority. Most working men were thirsty after a long, hard day down the mine, in the factory, or tilling the land. Beer was cheap and refreshing. It helped them to relax and forget their woes. They soon had their own way with each club being allowed to decide for themselves on this issue. The ‘battle for beer’ had been won. Next week we shall look at the factors in the 20th century that affected our drinking habits.

UP CHARITY BREAKING IS HARD TO DO VICTORY

VOICE OF THE NIGHTINGALE

The Bluebell Wood Appeal has received a healthy donation from one of the region’s clubs as Darnall Victory raised £1600 for the charity. The money was raised at a fundraising charity night held on the 9th of July at the club from rafﬂes, donations, games and takings from behind the bar. Pictured below is Pauline, Jean, Paul and Graham from the club with a local representative from Bluebell Wood.

BADFINGERS Catch this sensational live band at Rotherham Trades Club on Saturday 30th July and at Southey Social, Shefﬁeld on Sunday 31st July.

For live acts - Latest LED stage lighting • Latest Laser lighting • Highend PA SYSTEMS • Repairs and spares OPENING HOURS: MON: 10AM - 7PM, TUES: 10AM - 7PM, WED: 10AM - 5PM, THURS: 10AM - 7PM, FRI: 10AM - 5PM, SAT: 10AM - 5PM

MAGIC AM by Trevor Thomas But the chances are that it’s happened to us at some point! Years later you might be able to look back with a smile thinking about why you chucked someone or got given the elbow, so the other day I opened the lines on the Breakfast Show for you to tell me your stories about finishing with a an ex partner whatever the funny reason may have been. Responses ranged from “I didn’t like the mates he knocked about with” to, “She had bad breath”. Humm. I wonder if they ever sorted it out, or may be just found a compatible partner with a similar condition!! The tales that stood out for me were firstly the one about the boyfriend who came to stay for a weekend and ended up trying to steal a smooch with Mum. He got the heave ho before breakfast could be served the next day. Anna also told us about her Star Trek obsessed boyfriend who never missed an episode. On top of going to every convention possible, the final straw came when he started wearing Mr Spock fake ears. Now I wonder if he found his Lieutenant Uhura in the end? More fun and games every morning on the Breakfast Show, and don’t forget that we’re giving you a chance to treat the whole family to a free day out at one of the oldest and best loved shows all this week. The Bakewell Show is on Wednesday and Thursday, August 3rd and 4th and we’re playing the ‘Sheepish Showdown’ every morning on Magic. Join us for a chance to win and the best of the 60s, 70s and more.

Reverend Henry Solly

RADIO NIGHTINGALE by Mel Jaques

This week I ask you to spare me ﬁve minutes of your time to help Radio Nightingale win £200. Each month the easyfundraising team have a cause of the month competition. Anyone can nominate a cause who uses the easyfundraising site and then shortlist of ten are open for votes. The cause with the most votes wins the £200. This month Radio Nightingale are among the shortlisted causes so if you do have a few minutes to spare visit www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ radionightingale and click on the Blog button in the top menu. From this page select the Cause of the Month story and you’ll have a list of the ten charities in this months shortlist. If you’ve not already registered with the site you’ll need to do this to vote – it’s free and only needs a few details, plus you can opt out of marketing emails - then select Radio Nightingale in the shortlist and click vote to complete. You’ll need to get your skates on though as the competition closes at 12 noon on 31st July 2011. Visit www.radionightingale.org. uk to buy your rafﬂe tickets for the Small Charity Car Draw and support Radio Nightingale with your chance to win a brand new Fiat 500 1.2 Pop. Radio Nightingale broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the patients and staff of the Rotherham General Hospital on 945 &1350mw and Hospedia. For more information about the station visit www.radionightingale.org.uk Contact us on 01709 304244 for more information on volunteering.

Telephone: 0114 244 8891 Website: www.full-volume.co.uk Email: sales@full-volume.co.uk

UNIT F, G3 CASTOR ROAD, SHEFFIELD S9 2DH