BRIDGWATER LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB.
1959 - 2024
The Bridgwater Ladies Luncheon Club was formed in 1959 and celebrates its 65th Anniversary this year.
Sir Gerald Wills was the member of Parliament at the time, passing away in 1969. In March 1970 Tom King was elected as Member of Parliament for Bridgwater, the first time 18-year-olds were given the vote, and he retired in 2001 with Ian Liddell-Grainger being elected to replace him.
Unfortunately, earlier records of the Club have disappeared in the mist of time, however the present Committee Minutes start in 1971. The Club had over 60 members and met once a month at the Royal Clarance Hotel (now Specsavers). Lunch cost 85p for 3 courses or 75p for two. The Annual Dinner cost £1.75. Among some of the Speakers at the Lunches and Dinners were Sir Jeffrey Archer, Giles Brandreth, Sir Rex Hunt, Governor of the Falkland Islands and Michael Fish, the Weatherman.
The Club briefly moved to the Bristol Hotel (Barclays Bank, now Closed) and after several more moves, they finished up at the Walnut Tree, North Petherton where they have remained for over 30 years. Although a luncheon club, throughout its history it has always given financial support to the Association raising not only money but items for 16 Northgate including a paper folding machine, a typewriter (remember those) and kitting out the kitchen.
The Association held a Christmas Fair every year involving the whole Association which then consisted of not only Bridgwater and West Somerset but Highbridge and Burnham on Sea and had over 30 Branches. After the Fair, a Dinner dance was held, and the Luncheon Club prepared the food. This led to the Club organising Summer Suppers at Barford Park for several years, eventually moving to Summer Lunches. When Col. Michael Stancombe died the Club moved the Summer Lunches to Blackmore Farm, by kind permission of the Dyer family. These events raised thousands of pounds for the Association and continues to this day although the venue has changed.
The Club visited the Houses of Parliament several times which led to the Club organising visits to parts of Europe by coach, known as” Tories on Tour.” The Club visited various parts of French, Belgium, Germany, and Holland as well as Ireland and Scotland.
As well as raising funds for the Association, members were also involved in the various elections. Not only General Elections but Local Elections, writing and stuffing envelopes. At the 2019 General Election members stuffed over 83,000 letters in one day! Members also played their part in canvassing and delivering leaflets. As well as playing their part in elections and fundraising the Club also produced Chairmen and Presidents of the Association, Councillors, JPs, Mayor of Bridgwater and even a Dame, Mary Bridges was made a Dame because of her work with the Conservative Party, she was Regional Chairman, but also the British Legion. Not bad for ladies who lunch.
After the reorganisation of the Constituency Boundaries in 2024. The Constituency was named Bridgwater (again). Ian Liddell-Grainger moved to Tiverton & Minehead and unfortunately lost the seat. Sir Ashley Fox was elected as our Member of Parliament, the only Conservative MP in Somerset.
The Club must be the oldest Conservative Association Club or Branch in the Country. Although getting political speakers is now more difficult, CCHQ once had a Speakers Department. Our speakers are now more varied and interesting, we no longer have an Annual Dinner. We have a membership of about 30 and our last event, the 65th. Anniversary Afternoon Tea was enjoyed by all those who attended. We still meet once a month at the Walnut Tree. The tradition of supporting the Association and the Conservative Party, and especially the past three members of Parliament and our present MP Ashley Fox continues.
Julie Nicholson
Chairman 2024
