The Saltburn (Lune Street) Social Club, on Teesside, has always had women allowed in but actual membership of the club has been a men-only preserve, at least until now
A social club is preparing to celebrate its 100th year by finally letting women become members. Since its inauguration on May 2, 1925, the Saltburn (Lune Street) Social Club – affectionately known as Lune Street or The Luney – has never accepted female membership.
Women have been permitted inside the Teeside club, but actual membership has remained exclusively male. However, if the current board gets its way, this could soon change. If it doesn’t, the club may face closure due to insufficient revenue… and a lack of men, Teeside Live reports.
Originally established as a cyclists’ club, in its 1960s prime, when it boasted over 1,000 members, it was often “standing room only”, particularly at weekends.
The club remained lively and vibrant at the start of the new millennium. However, it now has just over 350 members – and club secretary Gary Wilkinson believes the “men-only” membership policy is outdated and limiting.
He explained: “We’re a private members’ club that’s still working with our 1925 articles and constitution, written in the vernacular of the time. In those days, women didn’t go in pubs on their own so, because of the cultural context, it wasn’t an issue then, but it’s clearly an issue now.”
“In the 1960s, as far as we can gather, women were still allowed in but at some point in the latter half of the 20th century, a custom and practice arose of it being ‘men-only’ and this has somehow informally turned into a kind of rule.”
“However, we’re now at a position where, like many clubs, we’re struggling financially. The working-class men’s culture is dying, and has been for a long time, because of massive cultural changes.”
“Other clubs have saved themselves by expanding and diversifying but we’re hamstrung by this men-only rule. It’s almost impossible in the 21st century to market a ‘men-only’ club and get people in there. Massive reputational damage has been done by it as the culture has changed.”
“We’ve got to the point now where we’re in serious financial difficulties and if this isn’t corrected, we will close – that’s how serious it is and our members need to know that.”
Retired academic Gary says there are parallels between Lune Street and another famed all-male club – The Garrick in London, which, just last year, voted to welcome female members for the first time since its doors opened back in 1831.
He commented: “The Garrick had a long public battle over this issue and the result was exactly what you’d expect in the 21st century – they voted to include women. The issues are the same – although we’re not as grand as The Garrick!”
After a vote last summer to allow women members just missed out on reaching the needed 75 percent mark, the board reckons a new vote – set for before Easter – will bin the blokes-only tradition once and for all. And if it does, it’ll round off nicely just in time for the club’s centenary celebrations on May 2, with plans already in motion for a whopper of a party.
The club is increasingly welcoming the community, with an open mic night sponsored by Steven James’ Guitar & Amp Centre scheduled for February 2 – everyone is invited. The club’s darts, snooker and pool teams are all flourishing.
Chairman Phil Gallon, a retired firefighter, agrees that change is long overdue and essential for the club’s survival. He shared: “I was talking to one woman recently about coming to play in one of our teams and she said ‘what, where I have to be signed in by a man? No, thank you.’”.
“Over the years, it’s been a really good, supportive place for working-class men in the local area to come in, have a chinwag and a few beers, so it’s not all bad from the past. But we’ve got to move with the times. It’s time we changed and if we don’t, the place is going to shut.”
Secretary Gary chimed in: “If the vote goes through, it will enable us to effectively rebrand the club and its reputation, increase footfall and return it to its original, much broader mission.”
He continued: “We want to be a valuable asset for the whole community but it’s difficult for us to attract sympathy or sponsorship when you’re operating a discriminatory policy.
“We want to get it out there that this is a traditional club which is moving into the 21 st century as an inclusive club that welcomes everybody and we hope the residents of Saltburn and the surrounding area will give us a try.”
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