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Dunston Excelsior Social Club
The Dunston Excelsior Social Club's first premises were in an Athol Street house and the first general meeting took place there on April 28th, 1907, when Mr. D. Whing and Mr. W. Bourn were appointed Chairman and Secretary respectively. In 1910 the Excelsior Social Club moved to their present premises.
In those early years many poignant entries were made in their Minutes, e.g. "11th November, 1908. Carried that this Club send Mrs. Gallon 2/6d. weekly in response to her letter in the Chronicle to help the starving people in this village." Also "21st March, 1909. Carried we give £2.2.0. to the West Stanley disaster.
A few years after these Minutes were written the Club established an indoor rifle range and the Dunston Boys' Team using these facilities became English champions during the First World War. Tom Goulbourn's grandfather won on one occasion and Tom has a replica of the target.
Excelsior Club outing
Excelsior Club outing 2
Felling police and the Home Guard used the rifle range before its eventual closure in 1946. In 1940 the British Expeditionary Force were billeted in the Club concert room after their successful evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk. These gallant men were given a brief respite from hostilities and benefited from the wonderful hospitality at the Excelsior.
Over the years the Club has supported a number of interests including the Pigeon Club, the Whippet Club, two Darts' Teams and two Snooker Teams. Today members have to rely on dart-boards and snooker tables.
Many officials' name are written in the annals of the Dunston Excelsior Social Club's history, having given years of faithful service to the members.
The Excelsior has in recent years enjoyed the sort of fame normally associated with places like Las Vegas and Monte Carlo. Gazza certainly put Dunston and the Excelsior in particular on the international map.
Comments
One pub missing, Rising Sun,Sunniside!!!
Posted by: John Willis at February 11, 2007 3:45 PM
Yes, we'll have to get a photograph of the Rising Sun and put this right.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at February 11, 2007 4:30 PM
The Rising Sun picture has now been added to the gallery of pubs and clubs.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at February 12, 2007 5:32 PM