It’s all been a bit Walsall Wood lately. Here’s a bit of Brownhills ephemera.
Fresh from the bits and bobs box under [Howmuch?]’s sideboard: possibly the only photo I’ve ever seen of The Sportsman/Huntsman, the prefabricated, hideously ugly pub/club that stood on the land now occupied by the rather more aesthetically pleasing Smithy’s Forge. I had no idea it started life as a Working Men’s Club. I assume that’s the railway station building in the background with the tall chiney.
Anybody reading this know the full story? It’s come as a bit of a surprise to me. I thought the building was later than that, and I don’t quite recall a ‘concert hall’ being part of it, although it was a long, long time ago.
I’m also after a better picture, if anyone has one.
The article is from the Walsall Observer, July 5th, 1958.
July 5th, 1958 Walsall Observer image of the unfinished building that would become a local legend. I well remember the inset balcony at the top.
The article accompanying the above image read as follows:
Click for a larger, slightly more legible version.
Building To Start Again Shortly
After a lapse of about three months, work on the partly constructed new premises for Brownhills Workingmen’s Club in Lichfield Road, is to be recommence in the near future.
‘There is no truth in the story that the scheme will be abandoned,’ he added.
[Bob’s note: looks like bad edits were a problem, even then. Who said that?]
When completed the new club will incorporate a spacious concert hall, a feature that will be welcomed by the large membership, as lack of this accommodation in the old building has curtailed social events.
When work on the new site stopped because of unforeseen difficulties, there were rumours that the scheme had been abandoned because of financial problems. It was even said, one member told the ‘Observer’ that the partially completed building were to be converted into a maternity home.
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My stepdad took me there one Sunday to see a drag act. I was only a kid and we also saw father Christmas and had coach trips from the working men’s club when I was a kid
Hi Bob
was this Plumbers Paradise at one time…? Where was the Dolric nightclub?
cheers
David
Hi David.
You have the better of me there – I’ve never heard of either! But then, that’s not unusual. I can remember going in – and it was very harshly lit, like a school room. I remember the red panels, and washing flapping on the balcony on a windy day. And the rough shale car park.
Like many clubs, there must be loads of pictures about, but it’s finding them. Think of all the day trips that set off from them. People must have taken snaps.
Best wishes
Bob
HI Bob n David,
Plumbers paradise was definately in that vicinity…….i went and got a sink unit from there when we brought a mobile home on sandfield farm….that would have been about 1982.
My sister and her hubby went to the club in their courting days,late 60’s early 70’s and it was known as the Top Club.
Unsure about Plumbers Paradise, but the Dolric was whats now the nursing home on Hednesford Rd.
As for the Sportsman (may have been ugly but the BEST pub in the hillls by far) it had a function room upstairs – never heard it called a ‘concert hall’ before!
Hi Bob
scratching my head..vague ..possibly coffee rooms or tea rooms before..possibly linked to early train station..way before the Plumbers Paradise, I think. May have read it in one of the local books. Doug Birch might know!
cheers
David
It was known locally as the “Top Club” of the three in Lichfield Road at that time, the others being Middleton House and Sankeys.
The Dolric was above what was then Platt’s transport cafe in Hednesford Road.
I certainly remember the Plumbers Paradise being there. A pale, windowless, squarish box of a trade warehouse, I think. Can’t place it in time, though.
i rmember going there to a large upstairs room…function/concert room where there was an auction taking place. You know the kind……they show you loads of goodies and you hold your hand up with a fiver and basically/usually get ripped off lol. Early to mid 70s possibly.
HI Bob
I wonder, just wonder, it the original place was a popular venue with the participants in the local Monkey Run at one time..yonks ago that is. Anybody know?
cheers
David
I remember my mom going there to see Tony Holand (muscle man) I have got his autograph some where. start the bids at £1.000….Hi.
Had the following in an email from Brian Stringer today, thought I’d share it:
Hi,I remember it being known as the Top Club/Huntsmen and after being closed for some time reopened as the Sportsmen.I have a couple of queries,1.How long was it closed and 2.Did it start life as the new Brownhills WMC ?
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