The Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute – Abertillery

The Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute – Abertillery.
The Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute was situated at No20 High Street, on the corner of Mitre Street, Abertillery (as seen on the main featured image above).

The Founding of the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute.
The club began trading in February 1932.

Devenish & Co Brewery of Weymouth.
A report from 1933 (as seen below) states, the brewery Devenish & Co of Weymouth or an agent of, supplied the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute, High Street, Abertillery.

In the 1980’s, while digging an old local rubbish tip I found a bottle (as seen left). Embossed on the front of the bottle is J. A. Devenish & Co Ltd, Weymouth and it has its original D&C Vulcanite threaded stopper. For many years I have been wondering how it came to have been dumped in Abertillery.

It must have come from the local agent or supplier of the Devenish brewery company to the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute, High Street as I’m unaware of any other public house or club in the Abertillery area to have been supplied by this brewery. 

Mr William Henry Lyddon.
The founder of the club and the first steward was Mr William Henry Lyddon. Mr Lyddon and his wife had been licensees of the Colliers Arms, High Street, Abertillery. They left the Colliers Arms in 1931 and Mr Lyddon later became founder and steward at the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute, High Street, Abertillery.

Officers of the Club Summoned.
On Saturday 14th of May 1932, the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute was raided and it was found that people were being supplied with alcohol between 10.00pm and 11.00pm, during the prohibited hours. An application was made by the police that the club be struck off the register for unlawful gaming, drinking after prohibited hours and for the premises being unsuitable for the use of a club.

The police produced the club stock and takings book and it was revealed that since its opening the club had sold 43 barrels of beer, 13 dozen flagons of beer, 50 dozen bottled beer and stout and 3 bottles of port wine. the club takings were £335. 7s. 11d. on average £22 per week. The initial court case was adjourned for a few weeks and on return there were a few minor fines issued to individuals of the club for gaming and supplying but the magistrates decided not to have the club struck off.

It was at this court hearing the officers of the club were named.

The Officers of the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute.
Mr William Henry Lyddon was steward, Mr George Huntley was chairman and Mr Amos Walter Gardner was secretary. The committee were as follows – Mr William H. Lyddon; Mr George Huntley; Mr Amos Walter Gardner; Mr Ernest John Ennis; Mr Cyril H. A. Mattey; Mr Charles Jones; Mr William Pratten; Mr Daniel James; Mr Richard Smith; Mr Ivor Weybourne; Mr Alfred Green and Mr Richard Morris:

The Resignation of Mr William Henry Lyddon.
After the court case Mr W. H. Lyddon resigned as steward.

Mr C. Graves.
After the resignation of Mr Lyddon, Mr C. Graves took over as steward of the club.

Table Quoits League.
In October 1932, the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute were featured in the table quoits league, the team consisted of the following members – Mr G. Harris; Mr S. Pratten; Mr A. Lyddon; Mr G. Huntley; Mr M. Lewis; Mr W. Lewis; Mr D. Coombes; Mr G. Simmonds; Mr M. Meredith; Mr G. Harris; Mr G. Meredith; Mr C. Lloyd; Mr L. James; Mr D. Edwards; Mr B. Maggs and Mr I Weybourne:

The Resignation of Mr C. Graves.
On 30th of November 1932, Mr Graves terminated his employment as the steward of the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute. Abertillery.

Mr Ernest Garnon.
On 30th of November 1932, Mr Ernest Garnon became the steward at the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute, Abertillery. Mr Garnon’s wife was Nancy Garnon. Apart from them being mentioned in a following court case in regard to the club’s finances nothing is known about them.

The Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute Struck off the Register.
On Friday 10th of March 1933, the South Wales Gazette reported the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute, Abertillery, from February 1933 it had ceased to exist and was struck off the register.

Messrs Devenish & Co Brewers.
On Friday 14th of April 1933, the South Wales Gazette reported on a court case where “Former club officials were being sued by brewers”. Messrs Devenish & Co, brewers of Weymouth, sued Messrs C. Graves (Steward) and A. W. Gardner (Secretary) for £16. 5s. in respect of goods supplied to the Tillery Non-Political Club and Institute.

More information on the premises below.

 

Points of Interest –
Over the years, before and after the club, the premises No20 High Street, Abertillery was occupied by various people and businesses. Following are just a few –

Mr Samuel Chappell.
In 1901 Mr Samuel Chappell and his wife Mary Chappell had a milk selling business at 20 High Street, Abertillery. The premises was known as the milk shop.

Mr John Bainton.
In the early 1900’s Mr John Bainton had a ladies and gentlemen’s tailors business at the premises.

Mr Henry Blackwell.
In 1911 Mr H. Blackwell lived at the premises.

Mr George Albert Fairclough.
In 1914 Mr George Albert Fairclough was listed on the electoral register as living at No20 High Street, although, by 1918 Mr Fairclough had moved to No2 the new houses on Mitre Street.

Messrs Howard and Edward Bishop.
In 1918 Messrs Howard and Edward Bishop was living at No20 High Street, also on the electoral register were Bernard Roberts and Maggie Gray living at the same premises. The Bishop family were living at No20 until 1931.

Mr and Mrs George Albert Fairclough.
In 1927 Mr G. A. Fairclough and his wife Mrs Sarah Fairclough were living at No17 High Street selling fancy goods. The business was called “The Little Wonder Shop”, addressed No17 & 18 High Street. I believe that Mr Fairclough began his undertaking business later in about 1931, from No’s 17 & 18 High Street, Abertillery. 

After the Tillery Non-Political Club used number 20 High Street, the building was left vacant and there was no mention of anyone living there until 1960.

Mr and Mrs Malcolm Silcox.
In 1960 Malcolm and Mary Silcox was registered as living at No20 High Street, Abertillery.

Mr and Mrs Thomas Batten.
In 1969 Thomas and Blodwen Batten were listed as living at No20 High Street, Abertillery.

Fairclough’s Scooter Centre.
In 1960, Fairclough’s Scooter Centre was advertised in the South Wales Gazette as trading from No20 High Street, Abertillery. The Scooter Centre sold mopeds, motor scooters and motor cycles.

Abertillery Motor Cycles.
In 1980, Abertillery Motor Cycles had a business trading from No20 High Street, Abertillery.

Sun Bed Parlour.
In the 2010’s the sun bed tanning parlour was based at the premises.

Domestic Appliances.
In the 2020’s, Domestic Appliances has a business trading from No20 High Street, Abertillery.

(More information to come).