Club History
The intricate connections between the Conservative Club and Conservative Party here in Royston are a mystery to many, but a quick look at our history may provide some of the answers. The Club is well over 100 years old, and was officially affiliated to the Association of Conservative Clubs in 1898, and in 1998 the Club celebrated its Centenary, although the Club, and the Association had been in existence for some years before. In 1886 officers of the Association party formed a committee to discuss the creation of a club to provide a social meeting place for Royston Conservatives, and to promote conservatism in and around Royston. A year later money was provided by party members and the club started trading in 1887.
Over the following years the club formed its own management committees with the party appointing the trustees. (This has now changed, with the Trustees being appointed by the membership at a General Meeting.) This left the Association free to concentrate on the political side.
Here are a few important dates in the Club’s history.
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1886 |
A meeting was held for the purpose of forming a Conservative Club for Royston. It was unanimously decided to form a Conservative Club with Mr John Phillips as Chairman. |
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1887 |
A loan of £10 was made by Mr William Thomas Nash, to be repaid out of the assets of the Club, when the committee decided that funds were available. |
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1896 |
The Membership register for that year showed that each member chose the amount of their own subscription. These ranged from five pounds to half a crown! |
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1898 |
The Club officially affiliated to the Association of Conservative Clubs. |
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1899 |
Confirmation was received from the National Union of Conservative Clubs that the Club had been affiliated. |
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1916 |
In the Will of Mr William Thomas Nash, deceased, it was stated that the loan (made in 1887) need not be repaid. |
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1961 |
An additional mixed bar was made available to both men and lady members. New furnishings were provided, and television and other amusements were added. |
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1990 |
Mr Michael Portillo MP officially opened an extension to the Club. |
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1998 |
The Club celebrated its official Centenary. Among the celebrations was a ball held at the Officers Mess at Duxford. Guests of Honour were Mr Oliver Heald MP, and his wife Christine, and Rt Hon Sir Marcus Fox MBE, Chairman of the Association of Conservative Clubs, and his wife Lady Ann Fox.
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The Club continues to uphold the traditions on which it was founded, and we hope it continues in the same vein, and remains a success for the next 100 years.