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Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Latest News
Xmas and New Year Opening Times
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DecemberOpeningHours
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Mon - Thursday 12 - 11.00
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Friday 10.30 - 11.30
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Saturday 12 - 11.30
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Sunday 12 - 10.30
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Christmas Eve 12 - 11.30
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Christmas Day 11am - 1pm
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Boxing Day - Closed 27th -
28th - Closed
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Wednesday 29th 12 - 11.00
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Thursday 30th 12 - 11.00
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New Years Eve
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Open ‘til 1am
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Music to sing & dance to throughout the evening
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Countdown to the new year
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&
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“Auld Lang Syne”
Contact Us
Contact Us
We are located at:
36 Church Street
Caversham
RG4 8AU
Telephone: 0118 954 5434
Secretary’s Office: 01189 473 600
Email: cavershamwmclub@btconnect.com
Parking: The closest public car park is Chester Street car park. This is a pay car park. Access to the club from the car is via a small walk way at the back of the car park leading to Church Street.
Privacy Statement
Privacy Statement
Our Privacy Statement – What you need to know.
What is a Privacy Statement?
A Privacy Statement explains what information we hold about you, why we hold it, how we protect it for you and how you can have your information removed from our files if you wish.
Why are we providing you this information?
A new law – the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – came into effect in May 2018, and affects the way organisations keep information about their members.
What information do we hold about you and why?
The information we hold about you has been extracted from our Membership Application Forms completed by you, plus any updated information that may have been supplied to us by you since you joined the club.
We use this information to maintain our membership records and to communicate with you by way of regular email bulletins and club notices.
Who do we share your personal information with?
We do not provide Personal Information to any external sources, or other club members. Internally, the information is shared with the Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Committee Members as required.
How long do we keep your information?
We keep information for as long as we need it for the purposes for which it was collected.
What are our responsibilities and your rights?
We hold your information as necessary to fulfil our contract with you as a Member of the Club and will keep this information secure. You have the right to see copies of information held about you. Please put any requests in writing, addressed to the Secretary.
Updates
This policy was last updated in May 2018.
Neighbourhood
Neighbourhood
Although the club is located at the heart of the shopping area in central Caversham, we do have residential properties close by, and it is our responsibility to prevent them from being disturbed by noise coming from the club, its members, and their guests. Consequently, we do request that on vacating the club, that we respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and area quietly.
During club functions and parties taking place in the function room, we request that the internal door that leads to the smoking area (and snooker room) be kept closed at all times, in addition to the external door leading out to the smoking area. This minimises any noise that may spill out of the back of the club buildings.
The covered smoking area at the back of the club is closed each evening at 11pm, again to prevent any disturbance to our residential neighbours located close to the back of the club buildings.
The smoking area is closed at 11pm each evening.
Officers / Committee
Officers / Committee
The club is run by a management committee, the members of which are elected at the Annual General Meeting.
The committee discuss their recent successful Halloween event, November 2017.
The officers of the club include a President, Vice President, Chairman, and Vice Chairman. The club is run day to day by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. The bars are managed by the bar manager, under the guidance of the secretary. The club is overseen by three trustees, elected annually, but not involved in the day to day running of the club.
The Officers, and its Committee Members run the Club on behalf of its members and are obliged to ensure that the club rules and bye-laws are adhered to.
The club has a General Meeting around April/May each year, to which members are invited. Prior to the meeting, the club financial figures for the year are emailed out to all club members (for whom we have a valid email address) or alternatively are available at the club on demand.
The club officers are as listed as of September 2021:
| President | S. Dargie |
| Vice President | K. Breadmore |
| Trustees | W. Matthews |
| P. Kay | |
| A. Lambert | |
| Treasurer | M. Ferriss |
| Secretary | D. Alder |
| Asst. Secretary | C. Main |
| Committee | |
| M. Hawkins (chairman) | M. Howarth |
| G. Talbot (vice chairman) | G. Cleal |
| A. Holland | R. Hine |
| T. Rock | S. Horwood |
| A. Thumwood | Available |
| S. James | Available |
History
Club History
The club was established in December 1908 and was first opened in January 1909.
School children in front of the classrooms that became the Working Men’s club.
The original building that housed the club was formerly school class rooms that formed part of the Caversham House Academy, established by Francis Knighton in the mid-19th century. Francis Knighton had already established a boy’s school in Reading, but was looking to move to the more healthy environment of Caversham, and consequently bought Caversham House by auction in 1849.
He built school classrooms over the road, and the school playgrounds were to the side of this building, where the church (on the location of the old cinema) and the library stand today. In 1872 (in the location of the current beer cellar) a tunnel was built under Church Street to link the class rooms and playground to the rest of the school on the other side of the road (in Caversham House). This allowed children safe transit across the road, avoiding the carts and horses that travelled up and down Church Street. The weather vane located on the top of the building has been restored and can still be seen today, bearing the initials of the school’s founder:
In February 1932, the club purchased additional land on the North side of the club, and a sub-committee was formed to oversee the re-development of the club buildings. This involved a new billiards room, plus rebuilding the front of the club entirely. In April 1933, a builder was appointed, and the new club was completed by 1934. A re-opening ceremony was held in the new lounge on 8th June, with a cold supper and a concert, with 83 in attendance.
The club building that we see today, at around the time of its completion in 1934.
The Annual Return for the Friendly Societies from December 1915, showing the club’s commencement in 1909.
Membership
Membership
The club membership is men only, and costs, as at 2024, £25 per year for u65 and £20.00 per year for 65+). Prices are subject to change each year so do check the current renewal subscription emails. 
A new candidate for membership must be proposed and seconded by two Members who are able, from personal knowledge, to vouch for his respectability and fitness for Membership. There is a one off £20 administration and door card fee payable by successful applicants.
Although only men may become members, ladies are most welcome as guests. Members can sign in up to three guests at a time. Sorry no unaccompanied visitors are allowed, although temporary membership is available for men who working in the area on a short term basis.
Children are allowed in the club on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, plus at specific family events, as advertised. Children may also be brought in outside of these times when the club is quiet, but this is under the discretion of the bar staff on duty at that specific time. Children are not permitted at the bar or near the gaming machines.
By joining the club you agree to abide by the club rules and bye-laws. Please review these at your leisure to check the club’s policy on all aspects of the use of the club, such as dress code, etc.
To keep members informed of upcoming events and other club news, we send out occasional emails. If we don’t have your up to date email address, please send to us via email your email address plus your name and membership number.
Annual Events
Annual Events
Goodwood: At around the end of July each year, the club organises a day out on the Friday of Glorious Goodwood horse racing. This has always proved to be a fabulous day out, and the ticket price includes the coach fare, entry to the grounds at Goodwood. Each member can buy a ticket for himself, plus up to one guest tickets. Tickets go quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.
View from the Lennox enclosure at Goodwood, August 2017.
Jolly Boys: Named after the 1989 Christmas Special of Only Fools and Horses, this is a men’s day out at the seaside. This is held in September, and the ticket price includes a drink at the club prior to departure, plus the coach fare.
Santa and his pixie are ready to greet the children.
Christmas Party: The club hosts an annual Christmas Party for children aged between 3 and 9, and is a great fun afternoon for the children and adults alike.
Tickets go on sale from November 1st, and it is always a sell-out, so please book early to avoid disappointment. The ticket price includes a present from Santa, delivered from his grotto with the help from his little pixie. Food and entertainment are provided, and there is also a toy raffle. The party is open to children and relatives of club members, and tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis.
Function Room
Function Room
The club has a large, multi-purpose function room that is available for hire (to members) for birthday parties, christenings, work functions, wakes, school reunions and other events. The room has its own bar, and is available for hire either in the day time, and/or evenings; it can cater for up to 100 people.
We can organise catering, a disco, karaoke, or other music on your behalf if required. If you have an upcoming event, please contact the club to check availability, and to discuss your specific requirements. Please see the notice in the club regarding the conditions of hire.
We also host meetings for a variety of local groups and organisations, such as the Sub-Mariners, the RSPB, the RASC, and the Korean Vets.
Fees available on request. Booking forms are behind the bar. Only members can book the room and must be in attendance at the booking.
Regular Events
Regular Events
Friday Raffle / Joker Night: Each Friday evening the club hosts meat and beer raffles, plus ‘Chase the Joker’, and Card Bingo. The raffles and card bingo are open only to members, membership card required to prove membership. There are typically ten joints of meat to be won in the meat raffle, all sourced from a local butcher.
Chase the Joker is open to members only. Each ticket is £1, and the winner receives £50, and gets to pick a card from the un-selected cards on the board. If they pick one of the two Jokers, then the lucky winner receives the jackpot. The weekly prize value increases as the fund grows. Please visit the club to find out the current jackpot and to see the remaining cards on the board.
Quiz Night: A friendly, general knowledge quiz is held on the first Tuesday of each month, starting at 8:00pm. Entry is payable per person, and there is a cash prize for the winning team. Get a team together, (maximum 6 people), or just come along and you will be allocated to a team, come along!
Fish and Chip night: This is a fun evening’s entertainment, that includes a quiz, card bingo, raffle plus of course Fish and Chips (or Chicken and Chips, or Sausage and Chips). These are held on a Saturday night , see upcoming functions for dates, payable tickets can be purchased from the bar, on or before the Thursday of that week.
Music: The club regularly hosts live music, with previous acts including Ashley Stone, Dino’s and Keith. See the notice boards in the club (and the home page on the web site) for news of upcoming music events.
Sports
Sports
Snooker
The club has a dedicated snooker room with two full size tables. 
The cost to play is £3 per person at all times, Tables do not need to be booked, and are available on a first come, first served basis. If both tables are in use, you can put your name on the board, and the order of names on the board must be followed as tables become available.
Darts
The club has a darts team that play each Thursday evening, as part of the Reading Clubs Darts League, 
They also play each Tuesday evening, as part of the Reading Summer Darts League. There is also a club darts knockout completion for singles and doubles, which starts at the end of July. See the notice in the club for more information.
Pool
The club has a pool table – £1 per game. The club also has a member’s pool league – for further information, see notices in the bar or ask the bar staff.
Cribbage
The club has two cribbage teams, which play in the Courage Clubs Crib League each Monday evening (between September and May). Games are played home and away versus other clubs such as the Curzon club and the Salisbury club. The club also hosts in-house tournaments. For more information, talk to the bar staff or come down one evening when the team are playing.
Bar billiards
The club has two bar billiards teams that play on a Monday (in the winter) or a Thursday (in the summer) in the Reading and District Bar Billiards League (click here for fixtures, and here for the league table). For more info on how the game is played, have a look at this Wikipedia article.
The team has been playing in the league for over 15 years, winning the league many times. Team member Bernie McCluskey was the winner of the Bar Billiards World Championship in 1985 and again in 2000.
Bar Billiards Team 2017: Dave Alder, Keith Lewendon (c), Terry Vallis, Bernie McClusky and Terry Aldler.
For more information, talk to the bar staff or come down one evening when the team are playing.
Golf Society
The Golf Society holds various golf events at local courses. All fixtures start with a 2pm tee off, with a light lunch being served from 1pm. Guests are welcome for all golf days. The fixtures for 2019 are:
If you would like to attend any of the events then please add your name to the list behind the bar, and tick the days you are interested in coming along to.
Caversham Working Men’s Social Club General Information
Caversham Working Men’s Social Club is located in the centre of Caversham, and was first opened in January 1909. We pride ourselves on providing our members with a pleasant, friendly and relaxed environment. We offer a variety of sports and social events, and a fully licenced bar that has a wide range of competitively priced drinks, including real ales from the local Loddon brewery (Hoppit and Hulabaloo are regulars, and a guest ale is also rotated). The club also has a dedicated snooker room, a pool table, covered smoking area, and a function room that is available for hire to club members. Sky Sports and BT Sports are shown on two regular TVs and on the big screen, and WiFi is also available.
For information on Upcoming Events, please see follow this link to the Events part of the blog and the posters displayed in the club.