For 30 years the Mardons Social Club in Midsomer
Norton has been a hive of activity - but now its members face a
last-ditch fight to save it from closure. Owners Alcan, who closed the
massive factory at the end of 2006, are refusing to renew the lease on
the club, which supports skittles, snooker and a range of other
activities every night.
It’s 700 members, who drive across the
deserted factory complex to get to it, believe Alcan are going back on
an
agreement made in the 1970’s to gift the club
to its workforce in exchange for a wage freeze.
Barry Dell, who worked for the company as a
slitting machine operator, said :”It’s terrible; they
can’t take it, its our property.” Anoher long-standing
member, Cedric Brown, said:”If this closes I don’t know
where I’d go. I can remember when we also had football and
cricket pitches, but they were sold for housing.”
Lynn Whittaker (pictured below), who
has worked at the club for over 20 years, said:
”The members are faithful, loyal people who love the place.
Because of the uncertainty, we can’t plan for the future.”
Social committee member, Roger Jones, said:”It’s a
wonderful venue for the local community and also does so much for
charity. Last year we raised £5000 for the Dorothy House
Hospice.”
Committee memeber William Stevenson has arranged a
meeting with local MP Dan Norris and Alcan, but unless the company has
a change of heart the club looks likely to close in June.
