Our History

We're one of the oldest establishments still around in Ashington.

The place was originally built just after the First World War so that Veterans returning home had a place to socialise in. At first it was a basic, rectangular wooden hut. 

This, we think, is the original building.

it's difficult to make most of it out, but it was originally a rectangular hut with very little equipment inside.

It must have been more like a Scouts Hut, designed for people to come in and have somewhere to take part in basic indoor activities.

Most of the original building is still intact, but a toilet block and meeting room were added on later.

You can clearly see windows at the front and along the side in the above picture.

Press cuttings suggest The Rotary Club helped rebuild it in 1938 at a cost of £500.

A piano, games equipment, one small billiards table and a "wireless set" were among the new equipment provided.

This was also when central heating and electric lights were added.

The transition from a wooden hut into an institute must have been dramatic - it was very popular from then on, and still is.

This was October 31st, 1938...we think.

You can clearly see windows at the front and along the side in the above picture.

We think this reopening was such a huge day for the town, with such a big donation from the public being made, with The Rotary Club being involved, and so many men (yes, men only in those days - not now though) wanting to join, that a photo shoot was absolutely necessary.

It must have been compulsory to wear the obligatory Ashington Flat Cap in those days, with a shirt and tie of course....and no smiling was allowed in those days.

Great photo.

Robson Green paid a visit a few years ago, meeting a few of the Committee while he was doing a piece on The Pitmen Painters who used the committee room for their sessions, and several professional snooker players dropped in around the 1960s. John Pullman came up a few times, we believe.

The signage has changed a bit since then, and the (now) boarded-up windows are visible in the above picture.

The institute has served the community very well for over 100 years, and we are proud to say that hundreds and hundreds of volunteers have been responsible for ensuring we still have a thriving membership today. 

And they have been led by many Committees who have ensured the place was  always well-governed, with rules in place to keep order. We owe them all a great deal.

Th Institute obtained Charity status in 2001, and is run as per The Constitution which was updated in 2018 and again in 2021.

The signage has changed a few times over the years, and the boarded-up windows are visible on our front elevation in the above picture. Windows ran all down the side too, but the vandals forced us to board them over to save on repair bills. We recently put in a couple of skylights during works to create some natural light.

We used to have barbers attending, to give members haircuts at a discount. We also had some gardeners who used to sell their fruit and veg to members - storing their produce under the tables.

We only had two tables up until a few years ago - we have three now. The third one was bought from Durham. A few of the members went down and picked it up themselves in bits, then erected it themselves here at the institute - without a real spirit level, we're told. And that's quite an achievement.

Most of the perimeter is very much as it was in the beginning, and it's stood the test of time very well. It still holds a lot of character.

Ten years ago a new road was proposed to go through the town, right through our site. We were nearly closing the doors for the last time, until a last minute change meant we stayed here.

A lot of our older members remember when the only source of heating was a single stove....the new building was going to have a better system than that though, and a few more modern bits and pieces, but it wouldn't be the same, members all thought.

Even with the promise of a more modern building with better facilities, everyone was glad when the new road scheme was abandoned - Woodhorn Road Back would continue to be home.

It's safe to say the members would not have felt the same anywhere but here.

The attached news article describes how close we were to moving.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/ashington-veterans-say-goodbye-club-1394341