THE WORLD’S oldest working men’s club has issued an appeal for funds to help keep it open.
Stalybridge’s Ridge Hill Lane WMC faces a £5,000 legal bill so it can formally change its trustees as it looks to sell the upstairs accommodation.
That would enable the establishment, formed in 1861, to keep operating – but it does not have the money to cover it.
So chief executive Paul Biship has started an initiative to meet that and hopefully pay off other debts.
All donations would be refunded when the flat upstairs is sold – but until the money is raised, the 164-year-old club faces closure.
Paul said: “The £5,000 is the figure quoted to us by a solicitor to cover fees to change the old trustees.
“But the more we receive, the better as would be able to sell the upstairs flat and also provide funds to pay off loans and credit cards.
“All that will help keep the club open.”
Ridge Hill Lane WMC currently has three appointed trustees – and should the appeal be successful, a celebration night is planned.
It would also see a community staple remain open, one that has provided and still provides support and opportunities.
Paul added: “There’s now only us and one pub open for local residents in the area outside Stalybridge town centre.
“And over the years, the club has provided things like a reading room for locals to keep up to date with news during two World Wars.
“We have hired locals for bar work through generations and in the last few years, several pubs and clubs within five minutes’ walk of the club have folded, never to open again.
“We have provided a start for many artists to entertain such as Lisa Stansfield, who first performed at the club when a schoolgirl.
“And we have men’s and ladies’ teams in darts and pool for midweek leagues, as well as and providing sides in other outdoor sports such as amateur football and crown green bowls.”
Ridge Hill Lane WMC has been won fights to stay open before, including a rescue package being thrashed out with Heineken as it tackled £40,000 debts.
In 2020, it featured on BBC’s The One Show, which staged a special concert to spotlight its plight.
It featured comedian/actor Ted Robbins, who had appeared in Phoenix Nights, as compere along with acts Rowetta, formerly with the Happy Mondays, and the Kosmonauts.
But as Paul detailed, Covid-19 had an effect.
He told The Correspondent: “We featured on The One Show when we were in a similar position and it worked for a while.
“Then Covid-19 struck and we have not recovered.”
*DONATIONS to Ridge Hill Lane WMC can be made by hand to any commitee member or by BACS or by cheque through the same process.
People can also email Paul at bish13@live.co.uk.