A devastating fire in the early hours of Thursday October 4, 1923 saw one of the oldest workingmen’s clubs in Swindon destroyed. When fire fighters eventually left the scene at 9 a.m. all that remained of the once elegant old building were the external walls. The idea of a club for the labouring man was the brainchild of Unitarian Minister Reverend Henry Solly. Established in 1862 the Working Men’s Club and Institute Union aims included non alcoholic recreation and education in an attempt to lure the labourers out of the pubs and beer houses. Whilst the idea soon caught on, by 1875 the drinking restrictions were abandoned and members took over the running of their own clubs. The West Swindon Club in Radnor Street, pictured before the fire, was one of the oldest workingmen’s clubs and in 1923 had 700 members. Among the fixtures and fittings lost in the fire were two new billiard tables valued at £200 along with 30 or 40 barrels of beer and larg...