ON the noticeboard is a sign which says 'The best kept secret in Liskeard'. And many first time visitors to Liskeard Liberal Club, tend to come away with the same thought in mind.

Tucked away at the rear of the ground floor of the large Isaac foot building in Barras Street, the club is housed in a fairly small room by club standards, but this is more than matched by the size of the warm welcome.

Formerly a snooker hall, the social club formed about 25 years ago , and now opens seven nights a week (7.30pm-11pm) and also on Saturday lunchtimes (11am-2pm) when a family atmosphere prevails with quite a few members bringing along their children as well.

The membership, which stands at around 150 is not big, but given that the premises are only the one room, and most members do make use of the facilities on a regular basis, it is about right. Although the management committee say new members are welcomed. To join you must be proposed and seconded by a club member, and then it will cost you a very reasonable £6 per annum or £10 for a double.

Club President is George Hocking (Dob-walls), while the management is made up of Sandra Preston who has been chairman for about 10 years, with Dave White as vice chairman, Jenny Crocker as secretary, and Jo Elliott, membership secretary.

Attractive bar

On entering the club the first thing which catches your eye is the attractive bar in pine wood, lit by soft red lighting which gives the area a pleasant ambience. And a nice surprise is the bar prices, with a pint of Whitbread just £1.40, and a Fosters lager £1.60. Behind the bar on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights is Tracy Starr, while member Mike Gillbard is helping out on the other shifts until a new bar person is employed in a few days time.

The original bar was a bit cramped but about three years ago two members decided it was time the facilities were modernised. Danny Molloy and Dave Danson spent nearly the whole of one winter in their spare time re-designing and building the bar which greatly improved not only the appearance, but also its manageability. Because there is no cellar they built in a large refrigerated area down one side to keep the beer barrels cool, and there is now the space for a larger array of beverages.

Both men are delighted with their finished handiwork as are their fellow members, and say it is all part of belonging to the club. 'Everyone is so friendly here and we were happy to put something back' they said. Danny is also the man behind the lense who has produced the large 'rogues gallery' in the corner next to the bar, with two walls being covered in photographs of past club events.

Once a month there is live entertainment, and fundraising activities also take place to help keep the club running. Just last week there was a successful auction of promises with the profit being divided between the club and the local LibDem branch, and every Friday morning the ladies hold a coffee morning. New Year's Eve is always a fun event, while various other celebrations for club members take place throughout the year.

However, the highlight of each week is the popular quiz night on Mondays, run by Norma Lammers for just over a year. She also compiles the questions and comes up with some real brain teasers to keep everyone on their toes.

In charge of all the entertainments and special events is Dave White who is soon hoping to start a fortnightly bingo session. A former fire officer, Dave retired to Cornwall about four years ago. 'I was walking down the street one night and saw live music advertised' he said. 'I walked right in and Jo Elliott served me with my first pint and I've been coming here ever since. It's a friendly little club, I enjoy it very much'.

Ladies darts

Jo is captain for the coming season of the club's skittles team 'Demons' which is a mixed side playing in the East Cornwall Skittles League. Last season the joint captains were Pam Sullivan and Chris Pope.The club also has a men's darts team in the Liskeard and District League, and hopes to improve on it creditable performance of finishing half way in the league during the coming season. For the last three the captain has been Antony Wilson.

The ladies also play darts in the Liskeard and District Ladies League, captained by Pauline Quickfall, and it is hoped that the club will be able to come up with a pool team, as many members enjoy the game. When the Cornish Times called on Monday evening Jim Hughes and Steve Hogan were enjoying a game while waiting for the quiz to begin.

Also regulars on quiz nights are Liskeard's Molly Gundry who says it is nice to be able to pop into the club whenever she feels like it, knowing there will be friendly folk around who are all nice company. In agreement was Bernie (Bells) Bunting from Common Moor, who makes a point of coming in to the club for quiz nights. 'I enjoy a whisky which is why they call me Bernie Bells' he laughs. 'But I also like a natter and the social atmosphere'.

For many members the Liberal Club has become a place where they are guaranteed friendship, company, a good old chit chat over a drink, and a little entertainment thrown in for good measure. After all, that's what being a member of a club is all about!