WILTSHIRE Council finally confirmed the closure of The Bustard Club last month, ahead of the demolition of the East Wing complex to prepare the site for sale.

The club, which ran sports and other activities for members, was set up over 30 years ago by and for County Hall employees, before widening its membership to the residents of Trowbridge.

Lifelong member Eric Bishop has fond memories of the club, which started when a road engineer from the far south west gained promotion to Wiltshire County Council.

He says: “One of Bob Pellow's first questions when he arrived in Trowbridge was “How do I get to the social club?” Imagine his surprise when he was advised that there wasn't one.

“His reply was “Well, we'll soon change that” and he set about generating enough interest among staff to get things moving. Brian Gardner and others backed Bob all the way and a nucleus of volunteers worked miracles with minimal assets to get the club started.”

The site, provided by the Wiltshire County Council, had been part of Messrs Isley's builder’s yard, before later housing the Country Printing Department and the Education Department Supplies store.

Mr Bishop said: “I have personal memories of the site in Bythesea Road as in my early days at County Hall, I held the keys to the supplies store and answered various requests from schools all over the county to supply boxes of chalk and even bicycles for pupils living in outlying villages.

“To create funds, Bob asked for £10 donations which bought a life membership, and what a great investment that was. Equipment was gleaned from various sources and it may be best that some of them are not remembered here.

“The skittles alley was laid, using the expertise of qualified highway engineers, to provide one of the most accurate alleys in the area.”

The Bustard Club provided a new social environment for County Hall staff and their friends and soon holidays were being organised both home and abroad.

“The Italian holidays remain wonderful memories for me and many new friendships were formed,” added Mr Bishop. “On Rimini beach, we took on the Italian National Boules team - well they told us they were - and we beat them too.

“Another year we stayed near Venice and the famous B troop was formed with the multi tasking Bill Fisher in charge, but only after he had approved the quality of the water in the swimming pool, of course. Ah, B troop, where are you now?”

Over the years, the Bustard Club housed cribbage, whist, skittles, darts, pool and bingo competitions and even lunchtime keep fit sessions, as well as wedding and retirement celebrations.

The Dusty Bustards played successfully in the local badminton league and the variety evenings were always well supported, with one ventriloquist getting his audience to argue with his dummy.

“There are too many great memories to be recorded here, and too many names to mention, but most grateful thanks is due to all those who gave their time and spent blood, sweat and tears besides money, to provide so much pleasure for their colleagues,” said Mr Bishop.

“Their sacrifice has been truly huge and invaluable, and I know that their unlimited generosity will always be remembered, as well as our very own rally cry C'mon you Bustards!”