THE EGMONT CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 38, 9 February 1912, Page 5

THE EGMONT CLUB.

HANDSOME NEW PREMISES IN BROADWAY NORTH.

AN AUSPICIOUS -OPENING

Last night the Egmont Club was officially opened by the Mayor (Mr J. Masters) under very auspicious circumstances, the evening taking the form of a euchre tournament and dance. The now and handsome club building, with its elegant furnishing and general cosiness, was the subject of much favourable comment, and it is whispered that the next club to be formed in Stratford will bo a ladies’ one.

In declaring the Club duly and officially open, Air Masters made a very felicitious speech. “The Egmont Club,” lie said, “is an institution in which ll have taken a great deal of interest. I think, probably, there is nothing in the town that I have taken such a deep interest in.” In referring to inception of the Club, Mr Masters said that it was chiefly due to the energies of the Rev. Flavcll, whose sole object was to provide for tho young men of the district some innocent form of amusement and recreation. He called a meeting of young fellows, and it was decided to form a club. • A strong committee was set up, and good work was done. They got the promises of a good deal of money, but in consequence of a large number of members withdrawing and joining the other club, it was thought there was not room for two clubs in Stratford, and tho project, though not lost sight of, was. abandoned. On the 9th December, the young men met to discuss the advisability of re-forming the club. A provisional committee was set up, and on December 21st an enthusiastic meeting was held. People were interviewed, and a large number of people promised monetary assistance. On February 26th the Club took over the lease of its fellow club, and installed itself in the premises vacated by the senior institution. Though these buildings were not too comfortable, the membership increased and prosperity set in. They were fortunate in numbering among them some level-headed business men who carried out the idea of purchasing a section of land, on part of which the Egmont Club now stands. There wa no money to build in sight, and the Club phid the sum of £3OO for the land, a price which was considered so high, that he himself questioned their •sanity. But they were right, and he was wrong, for half the, site was sold by the Club for £3OO, and they thus got the site, on which the. building now stands, for nothing. In order to raise the money to build the Club had issued £1 debentures, 2s payable on allotment and afterwards 2s monthly. Alembers purchased these readily, and scarcely any refused to buy. Up to the present £775 had been thus raised, but the building, with all its furnishings, had cost £1162. He urged upon some of the new; members the necessity for their own good and the welfare of the institution that they should fake up the minimum of three shares, or more. Mr Alasters concluded his address with a word of praise to the executive for their skilful management and ready help. He congratulated the caretaker on tho praiseworthy manner in which he had striven to make members comfortable, and referred to the excellence of the work done by the contractor Air. Jos Boon, and Air John Lcydon, who had been entrusted with,'the furnishing. After the orchestra, which was in fine form, had given ti few selections, Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., briefly addressed those present. Mr Hine congratulated the members of the Club on the successful opening. From a moderate beginning the Club had grown till it possessed 150 members. He would like to suggest the advisability of the executive offering some inducements to youths from the country districts to join the Club. Air Hine referred to the objects of the Club, which, he said, were to provide recreation and amusement. He again congratulated the Club, of which lid was pleased to bo a member, and hoped tTieir meetings of that kind at which the ladies were present would be often held. (Applause.) At the conclusion of Air Hine’s speech, Air Alasters explained that country members were admitted at half tho ordinary subscription, the remark being received with applause. The speechifying and afterwards tho prize-giving ceremony were both held in the large and spacious billiard room with its three magnificent tables and ample accommodation, was eminently suited for the purpose. The euchre tournament was held in the card room and in one of the adjoining rooms, and players (leastwlays tho lady ones) being initiated, as the secretary (Air Robinson) put it, into tho mystic art of billiards.

After an exciting tournament Mrs T. Lawson carried off the ladies’ prize, Mr John Leyden the gentleman’s prize, Mrs Ashton the “booby”, and Mr W. Everiss the second prize for the gentleman players. The prizes were presented by the Mayor, and opportunity was taken to give the winner of the billiard tournament (Mr Melville), the runner-up (Mr. Marshall'), and (he victor in the “Chinaman” tournament (Mr Gollop) their respective trophies. After supper had been served in the Fire Brigade Hall, dancing was indulged in into the small hours of the morning—or, to be correct, till the smaller hours of the morning. The function was undoubtedly a most successful and enjoyable one, and the Club is to be congratulated on commencing so auspiciously this new era, with all its propects of a brilliant future.

While the euchre party was in progress, a musical programme was gone through in Unc billiard room for tho benefit of non-card players. Alessrs Twohill and Dunlop were among those who contributed items.