The Severn Bridge Social Club

Club History

In 1963 Chepstow Urban District Council members A. J. Huntley and Griff Edwards made enquiries to form a social club. They approached the Chepstow Labour Party to hire a hall at Pembroke Road School and a public meeting was convened to set the wheels in motion to form a committee to setup the club. The proposals were that the committee, when elected would canvas the Bulwark area to ask for interest in taking a £1 share membership. The enthusiasm shown by the local residents gave them the confidence to go ahead and the first meeting was held at the Royal Oak Hotel in Welsh Street Chepstow. Three brewers were approached for a loan of £65,000 to build the club. Webbs Brewery of Aberbeeg was selected and the ground known locally as Claypits Farm was purchased at a total cost of £5,000.

The Original Committee

Mr. A. J. Huntley – Chairman
Mr. Elfed Phillips – Vice Chairman
Mr. John Day – Secretary
Mr. Roy Ward – Treasurer
Mr. W. Whittle – Entertainment Secretary
Mr. C. G. Barnes
Mr. Griff Edwards
Mr. Ron Bird
Mr. Allan Jones
Mr. David Griffiths
Mr. Les Hurley
Mr. David Rees
Mr. Viv Rhys Taylor
Mr. Max Holley succeeded Mr. John Day as Secretary

The Building of the Club

Mr. R. (Dicky) Paine was the architect who drew up the plans for the club and the work was put out to tender. A few members objected to the club and the words “Taffy’s Go Home!” were daubed over the club walls! The club was completed in October 1965 and was officially opened by Major S. A. Snazell on Thrsday 28th October 1965. The first name given to the club was the Chepstow Labour and Bulwark Social Club.

Many thanks to Mr. John Huntley and Mr. Gordon Boulter for their input in writing this page.

Latest Refurbishment

Severn Bridge Social Club
Bulwark Road, Bulwark
Chepstow
NP16 5JN