Our Club, “Maldon & District Constitutional Club Ltd.” was formed in March and registered on 9 th April 1908. See Register of Friendly Societies, Central Office. Under the “Industrial & Provident Societies Act of 1893” (No. IP04654R), an Co-operative & Community Benefit Registered Society. Later in the same year June, joined the Association of Conservative Clubs (ACC). The Articles, (to the right), were signed on the 9 April 1908, by the Original Applicants. The first Eight Officers. An Edwardian Gentleman’s Sports and Social Club, begins! Our “first ’Home”, is generally accepted as above 52, High Street, Maldon, now a vacant building. Formally over Frank Horton, Gentleman’s Outfitters. However, evidence has come to light that suggests, that this may not be accurate, (but watch this space!). The Club Room, was on the third floor, containing a small bar and two snooker tables, above two retail outlets.

Next 1966 to 1984

This was about to change with the move to new premises in 1966.

The Steward’s flat and Committee Room were on the top floor. All supplies, (including buckets of coal), had to be carried up three flights of stairs. Information regarding 52 High Street Maldon is scarce. It was grade II Listed on the 2 nd October 1951. In 1956 the Bar was incorporated in to the premisses.

However, John James Gibson, (12 February 1934 to 27 August 2024), thought to be the longest serving member and, one time Committee Member, recalls when he was invited there as a guest to this club. Dictated, on the 24 September 2023 the following; John Gibson, “…after climbing the stairs, refreshments were at the Bar. The last Steward was David Dent, who later became the first Steward in the new Club when it moved to new premisses in 1966. The floors were uneven and rickety, which made levelling the two snooker tables a challenge, being wedged up! Dominoes was played in absolute silence. Anybody who spoke and the game was terminated.” How things have changed! John, “..later also organized trips to various breweries, including; Trumans Brewery, Brick lane, London, with gallon flagons on the table for lunch, Inde Coope, Romford, Ruddles at Hertford End and Greene King, Bury St. Edmunds”.

“The Turner Cup, pictured was an inter-Club trophy for; snooker, darts, crib, dominoes and table bowls. Cedric Young, asked me {John}, to play in the team. Maldon Constitutional Club played against; Witham, Kelvedon, Coggeshall, Braintree and Burnham. It was on the return journey from one such match at Burnham, that Halls Coaches, (petrol), did not start and, we all had to get out and push start it. In 1966 the last Club Steward was Michael and Newler Shehan, they were to become the second Stewards in the new Club premises in White Horse Lane in 1966, remaining there till 1984”.

L. to R?….8 Wally Scrivener the Bookie,10 Freddie Stitch Past President, 11 Tom Driberg MP for Maldon, 14 Freddie Yuill. Can you name the others?