ALDENHAM SOCIAL CLUB LIMITED

A short history of your Club

The closing of the Cheques Public House caused much controversy amongst the local inhabitants.

In its place in late 1921 our Club was founded by the late J. Pierpont Morgan, the American millionaire who’s English home was Wall Hall formally known as Aldenham Abbey.

It was first opened only to male workers over 18 years of age, employed on the Wall Hall and Munden Estates and also members of the Estate Cricket Club.

Also at that time a film show was screened in the hall, about once a month on Saturday evening.

Then the Club was opened to all male persons over 18 years of age and living in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Aldenham. The annual subscription was 5/-. Also at this time an annexe was opened for a junior section, for youths between 14 and 18 years of age, their subscription was 2/6d. per annum.

It is worth noting that at this period the rental of the Club and ground was fifty pounds per year, also our patron’s yearly subscription was fifty pounds, and he often met any debts that were incurred. Thus it remained till the death of J. Pierpont Morgan in 1943, when it was offered to the members through his trustees. At the time of this offer there was a membership of 35, they maintained and carried on the running of the Club till the end of the war.

In 1946 the present Company was formed, Mr. J. Everinton of Loom Lane, Radlett, he was responsible for the legal work and drawing up our Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Mr. J. Campbell, J.P. and Trustee became the first president, Mr. Walton Inwood, the Hon. Secretary and Mr. C. J. Wright of Pegmire Lane, the Chairman of the Directors. At this time it was decided to make it a mixed Club and anyone over 18 years of age living within a radius of five miles of the Club was eligible for membership.

In 1947 the Club applied for a license to sell intoxicating liquor, and the only brewery that would accept the trade was the old Wells Watford Brewery of St. Albans Road (who later becomes part of Benskins, Watford). Also at this time the Directors and membership approved the decision that any person over 18 years of age was eligible to become a member with a limit of 400 members.

Presidents who have served our club well since then are Messieurs L. Farrow, K. Waterfield,
C. Anderson, F. Eaton and R. Penny.

The real true fact about our club is that it is our own, it does not belong to a political party or any industrial concern, it is our heritage for us to keep and hand down to the coming generation, and we are all greatly indebted to those 35 members who accepted that great gift so that we may now enjoy its pleasures.