Villagers step in to keep Bowes pub going

TEESDALE villagers have rallied round to turn their struggling workingmen’s club into a vibrant community pub by volunteering to pull pints, order stock and sort the finances.

In a triumph for community spirit, residents are reviving the fortunes of the former Bowes Workingmen’s Club.

Villagers vowed to take the premises on themselves and run it for the good of the rural community after the steward retired last year.

They left the umbrella organisation of the Club & Institute Union to go it alone a few months ago.

Since then, the small band have been completely responsible for the building, which is now known as Bowes Social Club. As well as the usual pints at the bar, there are also quoits, darts, adult pool, junior pool, family and children’s parties, charity coffee mornings, quiz nights, barbecues, ale festivals and a friendship club so older folk aren’t left isolated.

All the profits get ploughed back into the club by the volunteer committee, which is determined to keep the place going. A community takeover of Hudswell’s pub, near Richmond, has won national accolades and headlines, but little has been made of the similar success story in Bowes.

Resident and volunteer Liz Redfearn said “I suppose it’s our best kept secret but we’d like others to discover it. Just because it’s run by volunteers doesn’t mean it’s amateurish – between us we have a good deal of experience. We’re known for our real ale – it’s well kept. We’ve got people who look after the cellar and clean the lines.”

Mrs Redfearn joked two recent orders may reveal something about one regular – brews named “Under the Thumb” and “Ex-Wife” have found their way into the bar.

Other villagers put their hand up to run the bar, as well as act as the treasurer, chairman and secretary.

Gill Close, who helps behind the bar, said: “It’s home from home. People can come in on their own because it’s so friendly. We get all the ages – from 18 year olds to much older. We get some nights with such a brilliant atmosphere.”

Residents lost their shop and post office several years ago and say they want to keep their village as vibrant as possible.

Chris Redfearn said: “Someone would have to drive you to Barnard Castle or you’d have to get a taxi. This is on the village’s doorstep. It’s so handy.”

Bowes Social Club, which is on the village’s main street, has two quoits teams and now provides a base for aftermatch drinks for Boldron’s players after their pub, the George and Dragon, closed. A similar arrangement is also made for Boldron’s dominoes team. Two pool teams play at the cosy club on Thursday nights and darts players are at the oche every fortnight, while quizzers pit their wits against each other on alternate Tuesdays.

A grant was awarded through the Margaret Phyllis Mayhew Trust to run the Friday afternoon friendship club.

“It was initially organised to attract some of the older people who are stuck at home for a cuppa and a chat. They’ve known each other for years but some of them haven’t been getting out. We’ve even been taught by them how to play whist. They told us how the village used to have a Christmas tree, so we’re going to have one again,” Ms Redfearn said.

That club will resume in September after the summer break – but this time it’s being extended to all ages.

A recent takeaway night was a huge success and a Macmillian Coffee Morning raised £416. A beer festival was due to be held over the bank holiday weekend.

“People have this idea that it’s a workingmen’s club, but it’s not. It’s a place for the community – just like a proper rural village pub with a wonderful charm. When we get the fire going, it’s so cosy and fantastic to sit around having a chat,” added Ms Redfearn. Function rooms upstairs are proving popular with children’s parties.

“Anything that people want, we’ll try to do it,” said

Pat Atkinson has been a regular for more than 50 years. She said: “It’s just so nice and friendly and good for getting people together. There’s a lot of tradition here.”

The club was established in 1952 in what once was the village prison in the days of the village bobby. Bowes Club is open from 8pm every night except Saturdays, when the bar is manned from 5pm. It is shut on alternate Tuesdays.