THE empty and fire-ravaged working men’s club on Abbey Road, Barrow, is a sad sight but it has sparked interest in the history of the town’s social groups.

A special event has been organised at Barrow’s archive and local studies centre in the Ramsden Square library to record the clubs and buildings which have vanished.

Everything from cheap supermarket beer to the smoking ban at pubs and clubs has been blamed for the decline of working men’s and other clubs in Barrow.

Barrow archivist Susan Benson said: “In January Barrow Working Men’s Club on Abbey Road – known as the House of Lords to many - caught fire and was badly damaged.

“It has been said that a room there contained a number of documents relating to the club which have now been destroyed.

“Fortunately the minute books of the committee had been deposited in the Barrow Archive and Local Studies Centre and are therefore safe.

“We are holding a drop-in session on Tuesday, March 28, between 10am and 12.30pm and then between 2pm and 4.30pm when anyone can bring us photographs of the inside and outside of any of the social clubs that have existed in the area.

“We would be pleased to accept relevant photographs, documents, membership cards on long term loan, or to scan and return them.

“We would also like to record people’s memories of the clubs to add to our oral history collection.”

The Memories Page has taken a look through the pages of a 1957 Barrow trade directory to list the town’s drinking clubs – a few are still serving drinks but many are now just a memory.

Barrow Island Working Men’s Conservative Club, Farm Street

Barrow Labour Club and Institute, 91 to 93 Cavendish Street

Barrow Working Men’s Club and Institute, Abbey Road

British Legion Club, Holker Street

British Workmen’s Club, Hindpool Road

Cemetery Cottages Club, Schneider Road

Central Preston Street Working Men’s Club, 75 Preston Street

Conservative Club, Abbey Road

Engineers’ Trades Club, 48 Abbey Road

Greengate Street Working Men’s Club, 23 Greengate Street

Lisdoonie Club, 307 Abbey Road

Railway Club and Institute, St George’s Square

United Club and Institute, Salthouse Vale, Friars Lane

Vickerstown Working Men’s Club and Institute, Central Drive, Walney

Working Men’s Club and Institute, 7 Salthouse Road