Cawthorne Club

Members get 10% off drinks, so why not join today! We are a local Village club situated in the award winning village of Cawthorne, Barnsley. The Club, aka, the Tivy Dale Club, Bottom Club or Cawthorne Gentlemens Club began trading on 1st July 1943. It was housed originally in the old wooden hut, a former workman's cabin, brought to Cawthorne from Dunford Bridge in the 1930's to serve as a Club House for the Golf Club which existed in Cawthorne at that time. With the outbreak of war in 1939 however, the golf course was ploughed up and the Golf Club ceased to function though it still owned the old hut. Initially renting the hut from the Golf Club, Cawthorne Club made a move to purchase the premises in 1947. Membership of the Club was first restricted to men living in Cawthorne Parish and to officers billeted in the military camp which had then been erected in the Park. In 1950, membership was extended to men living outside the Parish and in 1953, junior membership for males between 16 and 18 was inaugurated. A proposition to form a ladies section in 1951 fell through because of lack of interest, not surprisingly perhaps since a ruling by the all male committee stated that it should be 'empowered to terminate the ladies section' should the conduct of the ladies be considered undesirable!! The ladies had to wait until the 1990's before being allowed membership, with the first lady members being elected onto the committee in 2005. Throughout its history the Club has been hired by various organisations including the WI, British Legion, Football/Cricket Clubs with part of it used as a child welfare clinic in the 1940's, but for most of its time, the Club has been a predominantly male preserve where snooker, darts, cards, and dominoes could be played and a drink enjoyed. With the opening of the new premises in 1994 and the introduction of lady members shortly after, the ethos of the Culb began to change and in addition to traditional pastimes, a more varied programme of entertainments has been introduced to cater for a wider audience. Recent years have seen successful events such as Ascot Day, Race Nights, quizzes, live music and bingo evenings, with a promise of much more to come. Plans are also going ahead to provide a safer play area for children and seating for adults in the wooded area beyond the brook, over which a bridge has been built. It is hoped that these measures will give the club a wider appeal, attract more members and visitors and continue to develop facilities for EVERYONE to enjoy.