Burley Social Club aka the Rifle Club, Burley in Wharfedale
Founded in 1913 as the Burley in Wharfedale Miniature Rifle and Social Club.
The formation of an all-male rifle & social club in the village was first considered at a meeting at the Red Lion Hotel on July 1st 1913. The first president to be elected was Joseph Hartley Foulds. This though wasn't the first miniature rifle club in the village.
The first was set up in 1908 as the "Burley in Wharfedale Miniature Rifle Club" in the Drill Hall (Victoria Hall), Peel Place, by the Burley Territorials/Volunteers (Burley Detachment of the 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade). Their miniature rifle range was in the basement of that building. Joseph H Foulds was a member of the volunteers.
The formation of an all-male rifle & social club in the village was first considered at a meeting at the Red Lion Hotel on July 1st 1913. The first president to be elected was Joseph Hartley Foulds. This though wasn't the first miniature rifle club in the village.
The first was set up in 1908 as the "Burley in Wharfedale Miniature Rifle Club" in the Drill Hall (Victoria Hall), Peel Place, by the Burley Territorials/Volunteers (Burley Detachment of the 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade). Their miniature rifle range was in the basement of that building. Joseph H Foulds was a member of the volunteers.
Its puzzling as to why there would be two clubs having very similar names, doing very similar things at the same time.
The suspicion is that Joseph Hartley Foulds fell out with the organisers of the Burley in Wharfedale Miniature Rifle Club & set up his own by adding "& Social Club" to distinguish it from the first one.
The suspicion is that Joseph Hartley Foulds fell out with the organisers of the Burley in Wharfedale Miniature Rifle Club & set up his own by adding "& Social Club" to distinguish it from the first one.
On August 6th 1913 the miniature rifle and social club became affiliated to the National Miniature Rifle Association.
The club started out on its present site on September 24th 1913, with the club being officially opened on October 11th 1913.
The club started out on its present site on September 24th 1913, with the club being officially opened on October 11th 1913.
At the official opening a dozen bottles of whisky were purchased, 6 bottles at a cost of 42 shillings a dozen and 6 bottles at 37 shillings a dozen. Beer was to be sold at 2.5 old pence per pint and one penny for a half pint. The steward at the time was paid 7 shillings and 6d a month.
The rifle range - a 25 yard range - was in the cellar of the building and ammunition was sold at 5 rounds for a penny.
In addition to the rifle range, other activities included darts & dominoes. Later a snooker table was purchased.
The rifle range - a 25 yard range - was in the cellar of the building and ammunition was sold at 5 rounds for a penny.
In addition to the rifle range, other activities included darts & dominoes. Later a snooker table was purchased.
Old Gentleman of the "Rifle Club" (pre-war) Burley in Wharfedale.
Back Row L to R: Walter Thorne; Willie Farrand; ??; Harry Lofthouse; John Hustwick; Jim Wall; Bill Cawood; Fred Horton; Jack Curry; W. Stephens; F. Hargreaves; C. Crook; Bob Hargreaves.
Middle Row L to R: Arthur Sykes; Mel Lofthouse; G. Mirror; Sam Saxton; Jackie Simpson; Jim Dykes; Chas. Peacock; George Collins; Laurie Kirkbright; Bill Bentley; Fred Mitchell; Walter Forrest.
Front Row L to R: Billy Pickles; ?. Laoghlin; ??; Jack Lupton; Bill Lupton; Joe Foulds; C. Lupton; W. Lupton; Haggai Harvey; Charlie Hargreaves; Bob Hargreaves (father); Harvey Horner; Jack Culpan.
Back Row L to R: Walter Thorne; Willie Farrand; ??; Harry Lofthouse; John Hustwick; Jim Wall; Bill Cawood; Fred Horton; Jack Curry; W. Stephens; F. Hargreaves; C. Crook; Bob Hargreaves.
Middle Row L to R: Arthur Sykes; Mel Lofthouse; G. Mirror; Sam Saxton; Jackie Simpson; Jim Dykes; Chas. Peacock; George Collins; Laurie Kirkbright; Bill Bentley; Fred Mitchell; Walter Forrest.
Front Row L to R: Billy Pickles; ?. Laoghlin; ??; Jack Lupton; Bill Lupton; Joe Foulds; C. Lupton; W. Lupton; Haggai Harvey; Charlie Hargreaves; Bob Hargreaves (father); Harvey Horner; Jack Culpan.
Info & Image courtesy of Yvette Horton
1939-1945 During the Second World War the miniature rifle range was used by the Home Guard for practice.
1950s
By 1955 the miniature rifle range had fallen out of use.
The club became affiliated to the "Club and Institute Union (CIU)". Women were only allowed in if accompanied by a full member.
1960s
Burley Rifle Club outing 1967 - donor Barbara Davy
Names listed on reverse: Ted Coulters; H. Pullan; A. Thorne; W. Harrison; Dick Stone; caretakers wife; E. Thorne; Mr Glasspool (retired Police Inspector, Otley); Ben Mason; Mrs Newby; Albert Vine; George Seed; John Lindsay; bus driver; Bill Patrickson.
1970s
1970 Dec - Advert in Wharfedale & Airedale Observer for Rose & The Shamrocks. Concert Secretary F. N. Hunter. Organist Eddie Bell.
1971 December - Image below of the premises of Burley in Wharfedale Miniature Rifle & Social Club.
1971 December - Burley in Wharfedale Miniature Rifle & Social Club Committee.
Back Row L to R: J. Taylor; Ronnie Pattison; George Pickard; D. Brown; Eddie Bell.
Middle Row L to R: Joe Holgate; Jan Wysocky; Les Green; W. Marshall; Fred Hunter; Eric Wrighton; Arthur Roberts; Anthony "Tony" Hall.
Front Row L to R: William "Bill" Patrickson; Harry Renton; Maurice Wilkinson; Louis or Lewis Stone; George Thorne; Joe Lupton; Tom Glasspool.
Middle Row L to R: Joe Holgate; Jan Wysocky; Les Green; W. Marshall; Fred Hunter; Eric Wrighton; Arthur Roberts; Anthony "Tony" Hall.
Front Row L to R: William "Bill" Patrickson; Harry Renton; Maurice Wilkinson; Louis or Lewis Stone; George Thorne; Joe Lupton; Tom Glasspool.
In 1972 the old club buildings were demolished and the old rifle range was filled in. During the re-building the club members were housed in Burley in Wharfedale Sports Club at Hodson Park, where a friendly atmosphere was maintained.
The footprint of the current & 1972 rebuilds of the site are similar, but noticeably different to that which existed in 1889 when there was a malt kiln and stables on the site. And again in 1934 when the Rifle Club had been using the site for 21 years.
November 1972 saw the reopening of the club
In the 1970s Sandra & Tony Hall ran the bar in the club. (Centre & right in the image below).
Burley Rifle Club Association Football team
Burley Rifle Club Football Team.
Top Row L to R: Paul Cutting, Andy Stokes, Martin Cummings, Anthony McGowan, Dave Akitt, Mick Wardle.
Bottom Row: Bobby Rockett, Brian Maston, Terry Rockett, Phil Lupton, Alan Dibb, Martin Irving.
Info courtesy of Kate Wardle.
Top Row L to R: Paul Cutting, Andy Stokes, Martin Cummings, Anthony McGowan, Dave Akitt, Mick Wardle.
Bottom Row: Bobby Rockett, Brian Maston, Terry Rockett, Phil Lupton, Alan Dibb, Martin Irving.
Info courtesy of Kate Wardle.
1990s
In 1999, what was originally an all-male club, allowed women to become associate members.
Undated image, believed to be from the 1990s of Burley Rifle Club Football Team. If you can name the people, please get in touch via the contact form.
Back Row L to R: 1. ??; 2. ??; 3. ??; 4. ??; 5. ?? ; 6. ??; 7. ??; 8. ??; 9. ??; 10. ??.
Front Row L to R: 11. ??; 12. ??; 13. ??; 14. ??; 15. ??; 16. ??; 17. ??; 18. ??.
Year ????
Front Row L to R: 11. ??; 12. ??; 13. ??; 14. ??; 15. ??; 16. ??; 17. ??; 18. ??.
Year ????
Burley Community Library & Burley Archive, Grange Road, Burley in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire England LS29 7HD
Please refer to the Home page for up-to-date opening times. Closed Wednesday & Sunday
Burley Archive & Local History Group: Drop-In Sessions Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For other times please contact us
Burley Archive & Local History Group: Drop-In Sessions Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For other times please contact us