Bournville Community Website

[c/o BVT Outlook]

The Bournville Social Centre opened circa 1920 in two wooden buildings in Laurel Grove, off Bournville Lane. One was home to four snooker tables, the other a place for residents to meet socially and opposite was a bathhouse.

In November 1958 the snooker club moved to its present home behind the Estate Office and the local scouts and guides moved into Laurel Grove from their premises known as the ‘Lofts’, which were adjacent to the Old Farm Inn on Bournville Lane.

The building which the snooker club now occupies was built in May 1950 to provide ten study bedrooms for Fircroft College, which is now the BVT main office. It was opened by the Right Honourable Clement Atlee - later Lord Atlee - and was known ever after as ‘Clem’s Cottage’.

The Social Centre had its own committee but was responsible to the Bournville Village Council, which paid rent to Bournville Village Trust. In 1978 BVT announced that the running costs for the Social Centre were becoming excessive and suggested that other ways be explored to keep it going.

On 23rd October 1978, Bournville Village Council called an ‘extraordinary general meeting’ at the Social Centre and, after much discussion, it was decided the club should try and carry on with the Village Council and the Social Centre responsible for the running costs and paying a rent to BVT. At the same time, table meters were scrapped and an annual subscription introduced in an attempt to make the Club financially sound.

In 1979 the first lease between the Village Council and Village Trust was negotiated and signed. Don Jones (who later became club secretary), Dennis Carson (Chairman) and Bert Dyke (Treasurer) were the negotiators on behalf of the Club. In 1985 the Social Centre Committee decided to make an amicable break from the Village Council and be responsible directly to Bournville Village Trust for all costs.

Dennis Carson and Bert Dyke were the Club’s trustees for these leases until they retired in 1994 and both were made life members. John Brotherton and David Thomas took over as Club Trustees ten years ago.

[demaine]

Is it possible for anyone to join the snooker club,and if so,how much would it cost?

[demaine]

Very sorry that nobody was iterested in replying to my question.

[David]