A beloved social club which was left on the brink of extinction will become "more than a place where old people meet to play bingo". After long months of campaigning, members of the Basford Hall Miners' Welfare Social Club, in Goldcrest Road, have told of their excitement and hopes for the future.
The future of the club was given new hope after CISWO, the charity which previously ran it, allowed a new set of trustees to take control. The club now needs to obtain the proper licensing before it can open, says Josie Hart, who spearheaded the members' campaign.
Neighbours in Basford breathed as sigh of relief as their dear club is now here to stay after a long battle. Expansion plans are underway and it plans to welcome people of all ages, and is looking to host events for children and families.
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Jennifer Boulton, a retired resident in the area, 70, added: "All children will be welcome. It will be bigger and better.
"I feel very passionate about it because my dad was a miner. He used to come here, and every time I go in I can imagine him leaning by the bar. It is more than just a social club. People here really need it."
Ms Boulton, who is also one of the neighbours who is actively looking after the park on Goldcrest Road, added: "We will be helping them and they will be supporting us. We are more than happy to host events of the club in our park.
"It has been a long battle, but once we get our licence we will be up and running even better. It shows how great the community here is."
Kevan Ray, a parcel driver in the area, added: "It will be more than just a place where old people meet to play bingo. It will be for everyone and very inclusive."
The 62-year-old, also a member, added: "They will host football events for children, and families will be welcome too. The club will come back with a completely new board of trustees who care about this club.
"There are around 250 houses in this community, so we hope that everyone will make use of it. If they do, the club will be a success."
Mark Parker, 62, a member at the club, added: "I am a member, and I can say that we need this club here so much. I am death delighted that is staying."
"It is great news. We need somewhere to go - and under the new plans it will be a great place for everyone.
"The community deserves something like this. And hopefully it will be used by everyone."
After the announcement, Josie Hart told Nottinghamshire Live: "We weren't going to go anywhere. We made it pretty obvious we were here to stay". The 74-year-old from Aspley added: "It's been a real bad five or six months trying to get it. Sometimes I thought we weren't going to do it but with the help of everybody - the trustees and the members - we seem to have got there
Nine trustees will work for the charity in total, with only one, Frank Spencer, remaining from the previous board. Mr Spencer told Nottinghamshire Live that he was confident the club would open. "Sometimes I have been a bit fed up with it, but it should be open soon. We're confident that it will be," said the 75-year-old.
