In May 1949 The Whitehall Youth Centre published this booklet to support an appeal for £1,200 to clear its debt to the Diocese.

FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT  

It is with much pleasure that I commend this handbook to the public. It tells the story of our Youth Centre in Retford, and it unfolds in a striking manner the variety of happy pursuits, hobbies, sports and crafts, that occupy the minds of the young people who are members of this club.

I feel that the outstanding message of the book, is the tremendous amount of voluntary work and interest, that forms the background to all the work that is carried on in this place. We can read also of the close link that the club has, with the homes of its members, and this we know to he of vital concern to such a centre.

Behind all this effort is found a firm Spiritual foundation, which alone can ensure that the work will he of lasting worth and value to the members.

This is a story of enterprise and faith, and the interest and support of the reader, will ensure the continued success of a venture, which I know to he of outstanding value to the community of Retford and district.

Signed, PORTLAND, President

THE MAYOR’S APPEAL

Dear Friend,

Before my term of office as Mayor of the borough comes to an end, I am very pleased to launch an appeal on behalf of our Whitehall Youth Centre. The activities Of this centre are now widely known throughout the town and district, and we are convinced of the very great value of the work that is being done in this place. Unfortunately, in spite of all the efforts that have been made by members and friends, and also the generous grants from public bodies, there still remains a debt of £1,200 on the capital expenditure in the purchase of the premises and their equipment as a youth centre.

I make this appeal now, in the hope that there will be a very generous response from all who read my message. The work must go forward, and this burden of debt must be removed. I am confident that the good wi1l of the people of Retford and district, will ensure a ready response to this urgent plea.

I believe the club to be making a very valuable contribution to the life of our town. It is open to all young people over the age of 14 years, irrespective of religious denomination, and all the classes and groups within the centre, are under the leadership of voluntary friends, who give their time and talents to this cause.

Will you send your gift, however small, to “The Appeal Secretary,” Whitehall Youth Centre, Retford. Perhaps those who represent groups or organisations will sponsor a collection on behalf of my appeal or promote some public effort to raise funds for this cause.

The need is urgent, the effort a worthy one. I know you will not fail to respond.

Signed,  LEWIN TANNER, Mayor.

OFFICERS OF THE CLUB

His Grace the Duke of Portland, K.G. (Lord Lieutenant of the County)

His Worship the Mayor of East Retford

Brigadier General Sir Joseph F. Laycock, K.C.M.G., D.S.O. (Lord High Steward of The Borough)

Management Committee

The Rev. C. H. B. Watson, MA., The Rectory, Ordsall, Retford. (Tel. 515).

Mr. R. H. Leeke, 24, Ordsall Park Road, Retford. (Tel. 683).

Mrs. K. N. Booth. 1, Holly Road, Retford. (Tel. 597).

Mr. Mervyn Clark, Ordsall Park Road, Retford. (Tel. 711).

Mrs. Mervyn Clark, Ordsall Park Road, Retford. (Tel. 711).

Sister Gates, Chancery Lane, Retford. (Tel. 691).

Mr. R. A. Humphrey, 65, Ordsall Road, Retford.

Mr. F. Murfin, 4, Victoria Road, Retford. (Tel. 239).

Miss K. Notley, Jannock, Ordsall Park Road, Retford. (Tel. 420).

Councillor J. W. Peatfield, Hallcroft, Retford. (Tel. 189).

Mr. C. H. Smith, 53, West Carr Road, Retford.

Miss F. J. Southam, Jauucck, Ordsall Park Rd, Retford. (‘Tel 420).

Mrs. J. C. Teasdale, West Retford House, Retford. (Tel. 181).

Miss Warren, Principal, Eaton Hall Training College. (Tel. 544).

Alderman J. R. Waterfield, Holly Road, Retford. (Tel. 405).

Mr. B. Williams, 6, Grove Coach Road, Retford. (Tel. 662).

Mr. S. G. Wynne, 57, Dominic Cross Road, Retford.

Dr. John Teasdale, Bridge House, Retford.

George Muxlow, Whitehall Youth Centre, Thrumpton Lane, Retford, Notts. Club Telephone—Retford 524.

The National Association of Boys’ Clubs.

The National Association of Girls’ Clubs and Mixed Clubs.

The County of Nottingham Youth Committee.

CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE FOR YOUTH

By the Rev. C.H.B. Watson, MA., Chairman of Whitehall

For generations the Church in Ordsall parish, in common with Christians the world over, has been alive to the need for making  provision for the training and education of children and young people. “Youth work” is no new development of the mid-twentieth century.  The old Church of England School and the long records of confirmation instruction church Scouts and Guides, Clubs, and Sunday Schools have long been a feature of parochial activity, centred in the parish church of All Hallows, and the daughter-church of St Alban.

In the early days of the late War, when the national Service of Youth programme was being devised, it was under the influence of the Rev. J. Ramsbotham, then rector of Ordsall, that there was a marked expansion of the Ordsall Youth Fellowship.  His successor, the Rev. R. Foskett, from his early days in the parish, saw the need for unified leadership and central premises.  Accordingly, in the last months of the War, Mr Foskett, with the full support of the Parochial Church Council, seized the opportunity of acquiring the present premises in Thrumpton Lane, with the object of bringing together the youth organisations of the parish in company with other young people of Retford and district.  The founding of “Whitehall Youth centre” was intended as a piece of pioneer missionary work on the part of Ordsall Parish to develop Christian citizenship among the youth of the borough.

The work prospered under the leadership of Mr. Foskett and the first warden, Mr. N. Barritt.  With the appointment as warden of Mr. George Muxlow in September, 1947, a new and brilliant chapter opened in the history of the Centre.  Mr. Muxlow brought with him great personal gifts of leadership and inspiration, sprining from wide experience of church work, especially among young people in Plymouth and Liverpool.  Under his guidance the Club expanded and new activities were developed.  The building itself has been transformed, with the furnishing of a number of hitherto derelict or unused rooms.  The Club Chapel of St. George, opened a few months after Mr. Muxlow’s arrival, has become the pivot-point of the life of the Centre.

THE PURPOSE OF “WHITEHALL”

One of the most important of the problems of our post war days, is the right training and character building amongst the young people of the World.  Those who cherish the Christian  way of life believe and know, that only in that way can the true answer be found to such a problem.  If we can so influence the lives of our rising generation, so that they will learn to follow that way of life, which leads to a full and happy manhood and womanhood, with an affection for the noble and beautiful things of The World, then indeed the greatest possible contribution will have been made to the future peace of mankind.

It may seem that such a high ideal is far removed from the purpose of a “Youth Centre” in a small town of some 15,000 inhabitants . . . . yet that really is the purpose of our Whitehall youth Centre.  We hope by our work in this place so to influence the lives of our young members that they become filled with a spirit of unselfish service, and purposeful living, that when they take their place in the World, as full grown men and women, something of the spirit of their club days may find a place in their hopes and plans and ideals.

Through all the varied activities that take place here; in all the fun and fellowship of our programmes, we are trying to do this work.  We may not always see the results of our efforts, indeed, we may not always succeed, but our aim and our purpose is fixed, and with high hope, resolve, and humble patience we set ourselves to the task, knowing that the cause is a worthy one, and a practical contribution to the peace and happiness of a troubled world.

GEORGE MUXLOW, Warden

CLUB ACTIVITIES

The centre is open to any boy or girl in Retford and district between the ages of 14 years and 20 years of age. (New members are nor normally accepted after their 17th birthday). Every evening (except Wednesday) the premises are open from 6 p.m. until 9.30 p.m. and all members pay a subscription of  sixpence per week. During the various evenings of the week there are many group activities, which members may join; all these groups are led by voluntary leaders, who give much time and thought to the conduct and preparation of these meetings.

A typical weekly  programme is as follows :

Mondays—

Sessions of Country Dancing for the girls; and later as a mixed activity, ballroom dancing.

Piano Tuition. Private lessons are given to members in the Music Room, on a lovely ‘Grand’ piano (the gift of a club friend).

On alternate weeks, there is a full-length “Talkie” film show, in the club Assembly Hall.

In an informal and happy atmosphere, the young people meet for a Handwork Group, where all kinds of useful, and attractive work is carried out.

In a tiny room now christened “The Pink Room” (because of its bright decoration) the girls have a weekly Sewing Class and here besides making things for themselves, the members have made valuable contributions to club efforts, on stalls, etc.

The boys meet in the Assembly Hall for an evening of indoor games and PT.; and from time to time by arrangement with rite C.C.P.R. in Nottingham, the County Football Coach comes to give series of demonstration sessions.

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Drama finds an important place in the programme of the centre and this is the night of the the regular group meeting. Most ambitious annual full-length productions, fill the greater part of the work of this group, besides an annual entry in the local County Drama Festival. A Revue, entitled Riot, and J. P. Priestley’s Laburnum Grove,  together with a One Act Festival production ‘filled the bill’ for the 1947/48 session. This year The Linden Tree, another play by Priestley, was an outstanding success.

Quite a unique group which meets every Thursday is The Puppet Group.  Here the young people have built their own theatre, and made the Puppets, and are now at the stage where they have been able to give public performances, which have been most attractive and successful. Lighting effects and Scenery are all part of the work of this group.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of our building, is a small carpenters’ shop, and here a small but enthusiastic group meet each week, to make such things as are possible with the restricted supply of timber; and also to repair the club chairs and tables which so constantly have to be ‘treated’ in this shop. Also they can learn under expert guidance, how to use their tools—and to care for them.

Thursday is the night of our Table Tennis “Home” league matches, and in this sphere of activity we have two boys’ teams in the Retford and District T.T. League, and also one girls’ team in the newly formed Ladies’ League.

Each Friday evening we hold a set programme in our Club Library at 7.30 p.m., and this means that every week we bring into our Club a visiting speaker.  The subjects of these weekly fireside talks varies tremendously, so that almost every interest is catered for. The Central Office of Information offer very valuable assistance in arranging these programmes, and on many occasions the talks have proved so popular that members have requested a return visit.

Almost every Saturday afternoon finds our boys engaged either in a league or friendly football match, and when no playing pitch is available in the town, we spend a very useful afternoon’s practice on our own Club grounds, and sometimes invite visitors to share a “ six— a-side” match on this pitch.

Every Saturday evening we hold a “Programme of Social Games,” in our Assembly Hall, while the Football fans hold an “inquest” on the day’s play.

The premises open at 7 p.m. on Sundays, for “Quiet” games, and punctually at 8 p.m., the bell sounds, as a call to our Club Chapel, and here we share in one of the great events in the Club programme – “Sunday Night at 8,” which is the title of our weekly Club Service. It is only on very rare occasions that every seat is not filled at this gathering. Popular Hymns, Simple Prayers; and a Talk, often by a visiting friend, combine to make this Service of wide appeal to our members.

After the Service the Canteen is open, and then for the last half-hour we share a combined programme of “The Quiz,” or “Twenty Questions” variety.

In a very brief way we have outlined the typical set activities that week by week under voluntary leaders are still being carried on in our Club premises, but do not think this is all; the true work of a Club is often done in ways that cannot be truly portrayed in the words of a book  The happy informal talks around a fire, the cup of tea shared at the end of a group meeting, the message of a visiting speaker, the fun and fellowship shared with people of a similar age, laughter and good sportsmanship, the “Red Letter” events; all these things make the true spirit of the Club; and they are the things which enable the lives of young people and fit them for citizenship in the adult world.

Games of every description are provided for the use of members ; the Library is well stocked with books, and current periodicals and magazines appear on the tables.  The wireless is provided in a separate room, where members may listen to their favourite programmes, without undue noise from the rest of the Club.

One of the outstanding things at our “Whitehall” Club is our canteen.  Here, night by night, we are able to provide lovely home-made refreshments to our members.  This is due to the fact that we can count on the loyal and unselfish service of nearly twenty Mothers and Friends, who come day by day to bake the foodstuff in our own kitchen, and then to serve behind the counter at night.  Neatly arranged tables enable the members to consume their purchases in the happy atmosphere of the Canteen, without wandering through the Club.  The whole of this wonderful service by the ladies is given, without any cost to the Club.  Many hours are spent by these friends as a “labour of love” for the Club and its members.

In the Summer days we spend our week-end and summer camps together; we plan cycle outings and coach trips to well-loved beauty spots.  Many of our members are very proficient swimmers, and take part in many competitions and galas connected with this fine sport.  The long Summer days also bring to the Club opportunities for outside events, organised in aid of the funds of the Centre, and much hard work has been done in our own grounds, to tidy and beautify the lay-out.  Many distinguished visitors have from time to time paid official visits to the Club, and on these “red-letter” occasions the members have always taken a prominent place in the proceedings, and won high praise for their Club, by their self-made speeches.

One room we have not so far mentioned is our Warden’s Office.  This is in many ways the centre of a great part of the Club life, for both in the hours of the day, as well as during Club hours, this office is the place where, both in formal and informal gatherings, many of the plans and programmes are talked over together, and here too, many of those close friendships between Warden and Member, grow stronger as a result of the sharing of joys and sorrows, hopes and ambitions.  Above the fireplace in this room hangs a little printed verse, the words of which seem to sum up, in a simple way, one of the big lessons we try to teach in all the plans and programmes that we share in the life of this, our Club: -  

It’s just a matter of give and take,

If we want to be happy all day.

Just do our best for everyone’s sake,

Drive sorrow and sadness away.