Willey's Sports and Social Club

Photograph of members 1950–52 – can you help name them?
By Christine Trigger

The Club building was a World War Two Nissen type prefabricated hut situated on land off Haven Road where the Range is now sited.

Sixteen performers were snapped on the stage in the photograph but only six have so far been identified. Does anyone know the names of any of the unknown people?

Willey's Social Club continues to flourish on another site at the corner of Haven Road and Water Lane.

Willey's Avenue was named after the owner of Willey's Foundry and Gas Meter shop. Willey's was at one time, the largest employer in Exeter. The factory eventually closed and the buildings were pulled down some years ago. Houses now occupy the sites where Willey's Foundry and Gas Meter Shop once stood.

The photograph

Known individuals, back row from left: ... ... ... ... ... ... Jack Escott (with bow tie), who lived in Churchill Road; Minnie Escott (sister-in-law of Jack) from Courtenay Road; Alf Terry (holding a banjo) ... Tom Darke (at the piano) from Courtenay Road ...

Seated from left: Walt Dart, (Chairman entertainment committee); ...  Charlie Wyatt, Social Secretary, who lived in Wardrew Road.

By Christine Trigger

Photo:Members of the Willey's Sports and Social Club who provided informal entertainment there on Saturday nights between 1950 and 1952

Members of the Willey's Sports and Social Club who provided informal entertainment there on Saturday nights between 1950 and 1952

From a private collection

This page was added by Rowena Jay on 02/04/2008.

Comments/reviews:

These are some of the names that I think are in the photo:

From the left (looking at the photo):
Leana French (2nd from left)
- Lobit (4th from left)
Jeff Simpson (5th from left)
Jean Nickolson- who is my mother(6th from left)
Gweny Northcott (far right)

By Irene Bruce (maiden name Nickolson)
On 25/06/2008

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