New Years Day
saw a dream come true at Ferrybridge, when the Chairman of Knottingley
Urban District Council, Cr. W. O'Brien, opened the new £40,000
Ferrybridge Progressive Club in Pottery Lane. For members and committee,
it was the end of hours of planning, discussion and fund-raising.
Secretary, Mr. J.R. Smethurst, told an ‘Express’ reporter that the
idea of forming the club started three years ago, when a group of people
thought it would be an asset to the community. Nine months ago the
foundations were laid and from then on, progress has been rapid and now
the ultra-modern club is another reminder of the rapidly changing face of
the village.
The club has
a spacious games room, a lounge, a music room to accommodate 250 people,
and a steward’s flat. At present it has 1,000 members. Introducing Cr. O’Brien,
a Trustee of the club, Mr. R.P. Wilson, said; "We are very proud to
be able to offer newcomers to our area a club of this type."
Cr. O’Brien
said many delightful requests had come his way during his term of office,
"but this morning is the proudest day of the year; I cannot envisage
anything that will improve on this moment of splendour." Cr. O’Brien
said he believed in working men’s clubs and social centres. "I
think they are necessary for the society we live in" he said,
"they give people the opportunity to gather and take part in
community life."
