4 minute read
History
DON’T PANIC CAPTAIN MAINWARING…
The Conservative Club was once home to Okehampton’s ‘Dad’s Army’
Advertisement
A little sneak peak behind the scenes at Okehampton’s Conservative Club reveals some rather surprising facts. Not least that the store room, filled with bottles and boxes of crisps, is behind an impenetrable steel door with impressively solid locks. You’d have to go to some effort to break in and nick a can of Coke.
Chatting to local historian and Conservative Club veteran of 45 years, Mike Wreford, however, reveals that the room was designed for a rather different purpose than housing spare serviettes.
“It was an armoury. It’s where weapons and ammunition were kept - hence the secure door!” Army manoeuvres
Most locals will be familiar with the Okehampton Conservative Club building, with its white facade and blue lettering, which has stood on the corner of Kempley Road opposite Simmons Park for over a century.
“But they probably don’t know that it was built on the original site of the old bowling green,” continues Mike. “And it was designed as a military headquarters and there was an opening ceremony on 4 July 1914.”
Okehampton has, as Mike points out, got a long tradition of being patriotic. After the Crimean War, the town, like many others, formed a ‘volunteer force’ made up of local people. And in 1908, that force became part of the Territorial Army.
“Lots of town built their own command posts, and Okehampton was no different. Throughout World War One it was used by the Territorial Army, but also for training of regular military troops. “Then by the time of World War Two, it became the base for the Local Defence Volunteers, better known as the Home Guard, as immortalised in the sitcom ‘Dad’s Army’. One of the major targets which they had to protect was the airfield situated at Folly Gate.”
Much of the building remains just as it was, give or take a change of use or two…
“So there was a drill hall, the armoury and a rifle range, which is now the skittle alley. There were the billiard room - we’ve still got a wonderful antique table we use up there - and offices. And there was a flat above for a regular member of the British Army - often the rank of sergeant - to live for training and supervisory purposes. A real life Captain Mainwaring!
High society
Just like today where the original hall hosts all sorts of events from bingo nights to weddings, the space was used by more than just the Territorial Army - and everyone was welcome.
“It was immediately made use of by the leading citizens of the town as a venue for parties and dinners. And it became home to the Okehampton Small Bore Rifle Club. During World War
Two there were many dances attended by military personnel including the Americans and Polish. It was like some kind of Hollywood film, with a haze of smoke and sea of uniforms!”
Changing the guard
By the 1960s the government were selling off drill halls, as they were no longer required. In 1968 the Conservative Club, which needed bigger premises, bought the place, for about £14,000 - “Which would have bought you four or five houses back in those days!”
Although the outside of the building was left in tact, the inside was updated, with renovations including a “deluxe bar”.
But Mike is very keen for people to know that firstly, the Conservative Club is not actually a political club (“It doesn’t matter what you vote!”), and secondly, it’s a social club for everyone, where you can play darts, hold meetings or just have a friendly chat and drink at the bar. It even does a special ‘try before you buy’ membership rate so people can see what it’s all about.
And when you’re there, you can picture the scenes of yesteryear - minus, perhaps, the smoke and the uniforms!
Okehampton Conservative SOCIAL Club
Did you know there is a social club in the heart of Okehampton right opposite the College where all our members, their families & guests can enjoy a variety of entertainment from live music to bingo nights. The Club also has a skittle alley, full size snooker table and darts that everyone can enjoy with a large comfortable bar.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS January
Thurs 12 – Cash Bingo (8pm) Sat 14 – HOY! Bingo (8.30pm) Thurs 19 – Quiz Nite (8pm) Sat 21 - Meat Raffle (9pm) Thurs 26 – Cash Bingo (8pm) Sat 28 – LIVE music: Dave Rich (9pm)
February
Thurs 2 - Cash Bingo (8pm) Sat 4 – HOY! Bingo (8.30pm Sat 11 – LIVE Music: Levi Cruz (9pm) Thurs 16 – Cash Bingo (8pm) Sat 25 – LIVE music: Leeanne (9pm)
We offer temporary membership for those who do not wish to commit to full membership. We also have a range of facilities available to hire at very competitive prices: Large hall with dance floor • Licensed bar • Kitchen • Small meeting room
Facilities are available to hire Monday – Sunday (day or night) and can be accommodated to meet your needs. You do not have to be a member to hire our facilities or attend any of our events.
