The Orkney Club
- Reference:GB 241 D47
- Dates of Creation:1882-1992
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:2.34 Linear Metres
Scope and Content
Minute books, 1882-1991; miscellaneous correspondence and administrative material, 1887-1991, including correspondence with members, 1887-1935, correspondence relating to building repairs, 1947-1975, correspondence concerning equipment repairs, 1949-1973; ledgers, 1898-1946; visitors books, 1882-1989; stock account book, 1960-1967; billiards registers, 1883-1977, including snooker register, 1954-1977; snooker and billiards cash book, 1954-1977; score books for American snooker competitions, 1964-1991; library issue books, 1913-1932; photograph albums, c1895-1992, containing portraits of members, c1895, photographs of centenary celebrations, 1992; miscellaneous accounts and vouchers, 1883-1979, including annual accounts, 1936-1971; lists of papers and magazines subscribed to, 1901-1966; papers concerning donations by members of the Club to Mr Archibald, 1939; several versions of the Club’s constitution with amendments, 1953-1970; papers of the committee, 1962-1976, mostly relating to staffing, meetings, Club events and committee decisions; lists of members, 1924-1974; membership proposals and notifications to successful applicants, 1908-1972; applications for licences under the Licensing (Scotland) Acts, 1930-1966; press cuttings relating to the Spanish-American War, 1898, and the Boer War, 1899-1902; plans, c1883-1976, including proposed plan of Club and Residence in Harbour Street, c1883, plans of proposed alterations, 1968-c1976; humorous poem concerning four older members of the Club, c1960.
Administrative / Biographical History
Established in 1826 as a society for improving and promoting local industries in the county of Orkney. The first president was Mr Samuel Laing of Papdale and the membership began with 30 members. A library committee and billiard committee were also established. At first they met in a room in the St Ola Hotel, until the owner Mrs Mary Geddes built a new building for them to meet in and for her to live in nearby in 1892. Mrs Geddes then sold the St Ola Hotel, but kept The Orkney Club building and charged the society rent. The building at that time consisted of a reading room, billiard room, toilet and caretaker's accomodation. In 1910 the Orkney Club members bought the premises from Mrs Geddes. By this time the club was more of a social meeting place for members than a society for local industries. Members, all male, met for tea, lunches and to play bridge, snooker or billiards. The reading room
sported a wide selection of magazines purchased by the club and books were borrowed from an Edinburgh library. No females, other than staff, were permitted on the premises. In the 1920s, electricity was installed and a drinks licence obtained. A small bar was created from which drinks were served in the reading room. This latter development did much to improve the club's finances which were flagging at the time. The club then remained largely unchanged until well after World War 2. Electric heating was installed in the 60's and in the late 70's the now unused caretaker's quarters were converted into a lounge bar. Further refurbishment work was completed in the 1980s which included the construction of an extension to house new toilets, a kitchen and a games room for pool, darts and functions. By this time members were allowed to invite female guests into the club although they were not permitted into the reading room or billiards room. Finally, after a surprisingly heated debate at a specially convened EGM in January 1994, a motion was passed permitting female members. The Orkney Club remains a vibrant institution. It has an active management committee with a membership of around 250 men and women and aims to continue serving its members and guests well beyond its 200th birthday in 2026. (Information from the website: http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/THEORKNEYCLUB/index.asp )
Access Information
Open
Other Finding Aids
Item level catalogue in typescript form held by Orkney Archives.