Sheffield History Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Dirty Stop Out's guide to Working Mens Clubs. This is a must have With nigh on four million members and thousands more waiting eagerly to join, the success of the Working Men's Club movement in the 1970s was staggering. The countrywide movement provided the testing ground for acts that went on to break into mainstream television and true stardom. 'New Faces', 'Opportunity Knocks' and 'Wheeltappers and Shunters' were reliant on the Working Men's Clubs for raw talent and it's unlikely pillars of 1980s light entertainment like Cannon & Ball, Les Dawson and Little & Large would have enjoyed their all-conquering success without the early support of Working Men's Club audiences. The book is packed with interviews, rare photos and more. The book includes the last ever interview with Bobby Knutt who tragically died before the book was published. Dirty Stop Out's guide to Working Mens Clubs. Get it here at Amazon : http://amzn.to/2ixlhBa It's the first thing on our shopping list this week! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysander Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 An important part of our local working class culture destroyed by the assistance of Government imposed anti-smoking legislation as well as increased taxation on drink, the greed of breweries and the malign (and unexpected) affects of the policy to stop " brewery ties"...although most clubs were, in theory, free to pick and choose suppliers many were committed by the acceptance of "cheap" brewery loans for improvements. " The price of "turns" needed full concert rooms and as trade reduced the ability to pay these "turns" became ever more difficult with the result that weekends became just another occasion for a game of bingo and the downward ,slippery slope, toward closure was well on its way! ( spoken with a bit of passion from one who was "On't Committee") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Dirty Stop Out's guide to Working Mens Clubs. This is a must have With nigh on four million members and thousands more waiting eagerly to join, the success of the Working Men's Club movement in the 1970s was staggering. The countrywide movement provided the testing ground for acts that went on to break into mainstream television and true stardom. 'New Faces', 'Opportunity Knocks' and 'Wheeltappers and Shunters' were reliant on the Working Men's Clubs for raw talent and it's unlikely pillars of 1980s light entertainment like Cannon & Ball, Les Dawson and Little & Large would have enjoyed their all-conquering success without the early support of Working Men's Club audiences. The book is packed with interviews, rare photos and more. The book includes the last ever interview with Bobby Knutt who tragically died before the book was published. Dirty Stop Out's guide to Working Mens Clubs. Get it here at Amazon : http://amzn.to/2ixlhBa Highly recommended book this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob123 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I'm sure some of our members will be able to put some flesh on the bones of some of those photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beamish Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 The entertainment agents played their part in the demise of the WMC's as well. Bumping up the price of entertainers as they were from 'out of town' and 'concert secretary's', among others, not doing their job. Not to mention committee men on power trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 17 hours ago, Beamish said: The entertainment agents played their part in the demise of the WMC's as well. Bumping up the price of entertainers as they were from 'out of town' and 'concert secretary's', among others, not doing their job. Not to mention committee men on power trips. 100% agree Many put themselves before the success of their club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysander Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 In my committee days we had to rid ourselves of committee members and officials who expected. and had been used to a "share". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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