About the Club and Elm Tree House
The Cottingham Memorial Club is a long-established social club in the centre of Cottingham. The building, Elm Tree House, is situated in Finkle Street, and set in the pleasant surrounds of Grandad’s Park, on the north side and overlooking South Street, Cottingham. The Grade II listed building is situated on land bought around 1809 and it is entirely possible that many residents of, or near, Cottingham may be unaware of its origins.
The Cottingham Memorial Club did not purchase the estate until 1949. Prior to this, Elm Tree House had been owned by various merchants of Cottingham, the last of whom was a gentleman of German heritage called Gunter Lutze. Gunter was a local coal exporter and shipping agent. He bought the estate in 1904 but at the outbreak of the First World War he changed the family name from Lutze to Lacey. In those days (and prior to the nearby flats being constructed) the estate was much larger, covering the land towards South Street, across to the corner of King Street junction and Finkle Street, where the Post Office, shops and above flats now stand.
The Club have photographs dating back to the early 1920s which show the original building and outhouses, including some of the Lutze/Lacey family members. There are other historical documents including information from the sale of the household furnishings which took place in 1935 following the death of Gunter Lacey.
One interesting fact is that during the Second World War the building was used as a Red Cross Hospital, presumably housing some of those convalescing or injured from the War.
The origins of the Cottingham Memorial Club date back over a hundred years. On returning home from the First World War, in 1919, the demobilized service men from His Majesty’s Forces formed a local branch of “The Comrades of the Great War”. A Committee was formed from the ex-servicemen of Cottingham, the aim of which was to raise funds to acquire local premises for a social facility to be used by ex-servicemen. An appeal was issued on 18th August 1919 to raise funds so that premises could be purchased in the local area. The site chosen had previously been a public house, The Angel, on King Street (where Hedon Insurance now stands). It was purchased from the Moors and Robson Brewery Ltd for £700. Further funds were required to furnish the new club. Loans were obtained on good terms from the local patrons of Cottingham, which were then paid back over time.
The Club officially opened on 3rd July 1920. Its first Chairman was Captain Ambrose Good, a local businessman with Scandinavian shipping connections. The first Club Steward (Mr F.A. Quelch) also acted as Club Secretary.
In 1921 all ex-servicemen organizations were amalgamated into one body, “The Royal British Legion”. The Club became the local branch for this organization and remains so to this day.
A few photographs from the old premises on King Street still exist. One interior photograph shows the original snooker tables, and another shows the front exterior of the building as it overlooks King Street.
After the Second World War, the Club decided to look at procuring larger premises and in a rather bold venture examined the possibility of purchasing the unused Elm Tree House building. Certain members may recognize the name FW Whiting, whose construction company built many of the houses in and around Cottingham. Fred Whiting as he was known, was also a member of the Club and was instrumental in the purchase of the new premises, the sale of which was completed in 1949.
The Club relocated to its new Elm Tree House location in 1950 with a grand opening ceremony attended by many of its members.
One of the Club’s most renowned members was the late poet, Phillip Larkin. Phillip was Head Librarian at the University of Hull and joined in the 1970s. He would often visit the Club to sample a pint or two of Tetley’s. On a few occasions in the early 1990s the Club lent its snooker tables as a practice facility for the former World Snooker Champion Steve Davis who entertained many of the members on his visits.
For many years the Club’s membership was Gentlemen only, with wives and partners having access rights at certain times. However, in 2008 the Club took a huge step forward, amending its constitution at the AGM so that women could choose to join. The Club now have more than one hundred female members.
The Cottingham Memorial Club currently has over 750 members and is open to anyone to join, male or female, so long as they are 18 years or over. There is a pleasant Bar and Lounge area which is open throughout the week, Monday to Saturday from 11.30am, and on Sundays from 12.00 Noon. The Club is open late on Friday and Saturdays with ‘time’ called at 11.30pm and at 11.00pm on other days. Dress code is smart casual.
The Club employs a General Manager, Tony Hassall, who acts as front of house and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the business. He manages the Bar and employs the Staff. The club serves good quality meals throughout the week. Tony also provides the members with social activities within the Club. The General Manager reports to the Officers and General Management Committee who meet regularly to oversee the management of the Club. The General Manager keeps the committee up to date on financial matters relating to the Club. The Club also employ a staff member to undertake regular maintenance work in and around club. Gordon Cruickshank, also a member of the Club, is the current postholder.
Aside from a well-run Bar, there are four full-size snooker tables. Members and their guests can play from 11.00am Monday to Saturday and from 12.00 Noon on a Sunday. Over the years it has proved to be a popular snooker venue and has several teams representing the Club in the local snooker leagues. Monday and Wednesday evening are the usual match nights, with occasional cup matches organized outside of these. Some nights are busier than others and the cost of playing snooker is very reasonable at just £2.40 per hour, using a waiting list system.
The Club offers a wide variety of social activity including twice-monthly Quiz Nights held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 8.30pm. Tony hosts a weekly Monday afternoon Bingo session from 2.00pm with a special offer on dining for those taking part from 12.00 Noon. The club also run a monthly Saturday Night Bingo session (usually 1st Saturday in each month) and are hoping to host some further “Dine and Show” evenings with a meal and live entertainment. The club provides occasional Saturday evening themed cuisine nights.
Monthly Saturday live entertainment evenings are popular along with other ad-hoc events such as Race Nights, Classic Car and Bike shows, and other seasonal events. The Club offer free wifi-internet accessible to members and their guests.
The Club’s annual membership subscription is currently £55. However, prospective members can apply part way through the year and pay a pro-rata quarterly based fee. Membership enquiries are always welcome in person or via email. Annual membership starts on 1st October and runs until the end of September each year.
The Club tries to promote itself using a variety of means such as a website, Facebook page, emailing and mobile texting systems, internal digital signage screens and general notices.
Guests of members are always welcome and are required to be signed in at the cost of £1 per Guest. Guests can be signed into the club up to a maximum of six times in any membership year, though can of course consider joining in their own right.
In closing, if you have ever wondered what the Grade II listed building off South Street is, it is hoped this short article has gone some way to explaining. If the Club or some of its facilities are of interest to you then you may wish to consider joining. Whether it is somewhere comfortable for a chat or drink, a bit of occasional peace and quiet, a meal, some social activity, live entertainment, or perhaps a game of snooker, the Staff will be sure to give you a warm welcome.
Contact@CottinghamMemorialClub.co.uk
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