A Broadstairs club thought to have been established in 1919 by First World War veterans says it has stepped into the 21st century by removing a rule that only men could be full members.
Women have been able to become ‘associated’ members, through a partner/husband, of the Broadstairs and St Peter’s Comrade Club for the past three years but in January the committee decided to go all in with the full member option.
New landlady Natalie Thomas has been in her role for four weeks and is looking forward to welcoming more members, both men and women, to the club.
The mum-of-one, who formerly worked at the Belle Vue in Ramsgate, said: “We are moving with the times. We have lots going on, quizzes and barbecues and we are starting a bingo night and live entertainment.
“There are three snooker tables and we do a lot of collections for charities.”
During the club’s early year one of its benefactors was the MD of the Cherry Blossom shoe polish company, Mr Mason.
He donated the premises for the ‘Old Comrades’ club which was based in a wooden hut in the grounds of his home Castle Gay at the bottom of Belmont Road and Wardour Close.
Mr Mason was a teetotaller meaning there would have been no alcohol at the club.
The Comrades Club is later listed in Kelly’s Directory 1922 as being based in The Broadway in premises which is now a hairdressing salon. By that time it had an alcohol licence and was – and still is- a Shepherd Neame customer.
In around 1932 the club moved to its current home at St Peter’s Road (opposite the Gulf/Budgen’s garage).
The building had been occupied by Dr Ronald Morton Lidell, medical officer for the Broadstairs and St Peter’s Urban District Council. The Comrades Club bought the property for £1175, borrowing £850 of that from the Isle of Thanet Building Society. The debt was repaid by 1943.
There have been some alterations to the building since those days with the last major structural alteration in 1987.
The club currently has around 240 members. It is owned by the membership with a committee taking any necessary decisions.
Natalie, who has worked in the pub trade since she was 18, said: “With the club you get the same clientele so you get to know people better than you would in a pub. They make you feel safe and looked after here.”
The Comrades Club is hoping new people will join the membership. It is also offering temporary memberships during Broadstairs Folk Week which will be £5 for the week.
Usual prices are £25 one off joining fee and £37 per year, although anyone joining now will pay £17.50 as it is halfway through the year.
Contact the club on 01843 862243
The point of the comrades was so men could talk about men stuff . And hide from there other half’s for a few hours. And only long term broadstairs and st peters residents could be members. I used to visit my Dad and uncle’s sadly all passed away .they’d oppose it .none members and visitors couldn’t even get served .but it was so cheap . But times change and businesses need to do what they can to survive. 🤞 it will .Good luck From the Bradley Family.