A Warm Welcome Awaits

Tucked away behind the historic St Mary’s Church in Honley, you will find Honley Conservative Association.

Many know it as Honley Conservative Club but for locals it’s their ‘Connie Club’.

Gone are the days when it was a political meeting point. Today, its doors are open to anyone looking for a refreshing drink and friendly chat.

Having undergone an extensive refurbishment programme in more recent years, the club now caters for people and families of all ages.

Step inside and you will find a sports bar with screens that allow you to appreciate a live match from every corner of the room.

There is also a separate family room with television, and a door through to a social bar area.

The bar itself wraps around the building, making it accessible for all, and is well stocked with a selection of real ales and wines.

Upstairs you will find a snooker room with a full-sized snooker table which members and guests are welcome to use. The club once hosted the Carlsberg Cup and is now looking for new team members.

There is also a pool room, function / meeting room and kitchen. As well as sheltered outdoor smoking areas, members can enjoy a quiet drink in the enclosed outdoor drinking area, where there are wooden tables that catch the warm evening sunshine in summer months.

From Quiz Nights to Live Matches

So appealing is it, that President Barrie Sheard has been a member of the club for the last 40 years, and president for more than a decade.

Barrie said: “The sports room can be packed for live matches, so we tend to order in food for live events. We find customers also like to come in after work for a social drink.

“Our steward Stuart Harman and his staff are the friendly faces behind the bar, welcoming new members and greeting our current ones.

“Everyone is welcome. We have members from all over the world, including America and Portugal. Anyone wanting to join us for a drink can be signed in by a member when they arrive.”

The Little Touches Count

But it’s the little touches that count and make you feel so welcome here.

Barrie said: “When we have a raffle night, I like to write everyone’s names down on the back of the tickets. That way I can chat to new members and remember their names.”

Within the conservative club – and with around 600 members – it’s all about the social scene.

As well as Friday night raffles, local pool teams can often be found competing within the full-sized pool room, and the collection of trophies in the sports bar is proof to the success of the club’s crown green bowling team. There is also a winter dominos league and members can enjoy bingo and quiz nights.

“As a committee we vote on which charity we sponsor throughout the year,” said Barrie.

“Donations from the Christmas and Easter raffles have gone to various charities, including Kirkwood Hospice and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

A Conservative Home for Honley

The club itself retains the homely feel of the home it once was.

Its history dates back to 1885 when a group of businessmen bought the former house as a place to meet. It has withstood two world wars and seen generations of people walk through its doors. Within its grounds is a detached cottage that was once home to the steward and stewardess of the club but is now rented out privately.

The club’s home has been in the heart of the Honley community for over 100 years and the Association of Conservative Clubs is the trustee.

Barrie said: “The club has a long history. During the war years, the building just had a front bar and the back room still had a bath from when it was a house. A soldier once came in for a pint and had a bath before he left.”

New Members Always Welcome

The private members’ club is open to members, guests and visitors. Membership costs as little as £6 for the year.

Barrie said: “They used to have a voting box for people fighting for a place on the committee.

“These days we are looking for people to join the committee. We are always keen to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours to help. That could be anything from running the bingo, quizzes, raffles and more.

“But if it’s just a friendly place you seek to meet people, watch a live match, enjoy a pint or join one of the many activities we have in the club, new members are always welcome.”