THE Lower Bourne working men’s club has cut its historic, 95-year affiliation with The Royal British Legion in a bid to “broaden its horizons and membership”.

There has been a club at 83 Burnt Hill Road, Lower Bourne since 1921 in a building once used as a barrack hut for Canadian troops at Bordon during the 1914 to 18 war.

Following the conflict, the hut was donated by the Canadian Army and moved to the present site in 1921 where it was immediately occupied by The Bourne branch of The Royal British Legion (RBL); the eighth to be formed in the UK.

However, at the beginning of this year members decided it was time to change the relationship with the RBL and the new Lower Bourne Social Club, with its affiliation to the Working Men’s Club & Institute Union (CIU), is now in residence in the old hut.

Fondly known as The Shed, the new club continues to house an active branch of the RBL but according to club chairman John Morris is now seeking to broaden its horizons and membership.

Mr Morris said: “We are a small non-political club and need to move it forward to increase and develop the membership from within the local community.

“Our aim is to provide a social club that is local, friendly and a welcoming place for people to pop in and have a drink, a game of darts, snooker or to take part in one of our other activities, such as indoor skittles, regular bingo, line dancing or live entertainment.

“In addition the club hosts a number of diverse user activities, such as successful bowls, snooker and darts teams, the Wey Valley flydressers, a group who meet monthly to discuss Commonwealth War Graves, and the Pine Wood Nursery School.”

The Lower Bourne Social Club is fully licensed and open seven evenings a week from 7pm.

Club secretary Nigel Tidey added: “Membership of the club is £10 per annum and anyone interested in joining is invited to call in to have look round, or contact us via the website thelowerbournesocialclub.wordpress.com.

“We look forward to welcoming new members.”