THE Conservative Club is not your average pub. For starters, it is not owned by one single person or couple. The club is run by a committee under the chairmanship of Graham Oliver, treasurer Barry Drew and secretary Phil Broad. 'We have a good team here with continuity the key to our continued progress,' said Mr Oliver. Playing an ever active role in the community is one of the main marks of the club. Every year a charity is chosen that the club as whole supports through fundraising events such as raffles, functions and race nights.
This year, the club has chosen the League of Friends of Passmore and Lamellion hospitals as the local charity it will support. In the past members, who number around 700, have put their hands in their pockets and raised large amounts for diferent charities. 'We raised a record amount of £1,700 last year for the Children's Hospice and thanks are due to the generosity of members and the organisation of the steward and his staff,' added Mr Oliver.
The stewardship of the pub itself is a position that few people have held over the last 25 years. In that time, the club has only had three main stewards-Bill Medlen (who has just celebrated his eightieth birthday at the club), Stan Wilton and current steward Alan Mayne.
Mr Mayne originally came from Wadebridge to Liskeard 33 years ago and became steward of the club six years ago. Previously he worked as commercial manager for Liskeard AFC and says that the club is well supported by the community and there is always a good relationship between customers and workers. 'There is always a friendly atmosphere in the club and everybody gets on well. We have a very good staff and try to provide value for money.' The club has also been served for three years by assistant steward David Oatey who also came from Wadebridge. Cleaner Ann Blair, main cook Pauline Lorenz and Liz Miners all undertake a variety of jobs, helping as many people as they can and ensuring the club runs smoothly.
The Conservative Club was redeveloped in 1911 at a cost of £1,200. The building was totally changed, with the ground floor originally built as a reading room and games room, the first floor having space for two full size billiard tables and the second floor having space for a gathering room, committee rooms and offices.
Snooker tables
Today, the Conservative Club stands as the only club or pub in Liskeard that has two full size snooker tables as well as the only club that provides hot food at lunch time six days a week. President, Bill Lawson, who was having a drink with treasurer, Barry Drew, says the club gets a nice group of people through the doors. Bill, who has been president for one year, has been associated with the club for around 30 years. He said, 'There is always a nice group of people here who always talk to you. The thing about the club is that you don't have to drink to come in here. A lot of members just like to sit down, have a bit of peace and quiet and just read the newspapers and here is the perfect place to do that.' Barry said, ' I have seen a lot of changes since I first joined. When I was first here, we had to go down a corridor, up some stairs and into what was then the "Gentlemen's bar" for a drink. There has been a lot of changes, but I don't go anywhere else for a drink.'
The club also provides regular cabaret nights with early evening food (which have proved to be popular), bingo and whist nights, while in summer club's own singles euchre league comes into play. There are two snooker team, which play in the Roseland Liskeard snooker league. Collette and Philip Tyler are among those choosing the club for their regular game of snooker. Philip plays for Menheniot snooker club and will play one of the Conservative Club's snooker team in April, but at the moment is teaching Collette how to play the game. Collette said 'We have been members of the club for a couple of months now and it is really warm and friendly. We have come here quite often since we joined, mainly to play snooker, but it is very relaxed and a good place to come and have a break.'
Friends Shelagh Duffy and Muriel Smith often visit to the Club before playing bridge in the public hall. Shelagh was introduced to the club through her husband and her daughter and later brought Muriel along. They are both sure of what attracted them to become members. Muriel said, 'The food is excellent here. You get very nice portions and the prices that you pay are very good. There is a good menu with virtually every taste catered for.' Shelagh added, 'There are some places that you would not go on your own to visit. I just wouldn't feel safe there. The club is different. People are always friendly and polite and I can relax here on my own without feeling threatened and have a quiet drink.'
Atmosphere great
Joseph 'Jo' Stokes, 74, has been a member of the Conservative club for four years after spending four years in the army and 24 years in the Navy. A member of the Liskeard Royal Naval Association, he says, 'The people are friendly and the stewards are good. I get on well with everybody here and members take the time to speak to you rather than just keeping to themselves.'
'I come here because people are of like mind,' was the comment of member Jim Mirrilees, who was in the club with his wife Irene and their friends Agnes Wallace and Agnes Knight. 'The atmosphere is great,' he continued. 'Everybody is friendly to you and the meals you get are good value for money. One of the best things about the club is the membership. I have been to different Conservative Clubs all over the country and wherever it is you are guaranteed of a warm welcome, with good company and good food.' Irene added, 'It is always very clean here. People are very polite and the rest of the people here I really get on well with.' Agnes Wallace had just joined the club and she added, 'I have joined because all of my friends are here and it is a nice place to come.'
Charles and Pearl Massetti say that one of the main things that attracted them to the Conservative Club were the people who came there as well. Born in Gibraltar, Charles went to Devonport Dockyard when he was 18 as an apprentice. He says, 'The club has a special ambience. The staff are excellent and everything here is very reasonable. I think that it is much better than just a normal pub.'
Pearl added, 'I really enjoy coming here. It is just so relaxing.'