Working men’s clubs and institutes were central to the social and cultural lives of many communities. In some areas, they still are. They have offered affordable entertainment and have been key places for people to come together. The music performed, heard, danced to, learned, taught, and sung along with in these spaces tells us about the lives and values of individuals and communities. Studying this history also provides a new perspective on the development of popular culture from the mid-19th century to now.
The Music Histories of Working Men’s Clubs is a research project by postgraduate researcher Isabel Thomas at Newcastle University.
It invites collaboration with other researchers, and contributions from members of the public who wish to share their own unique knowledge and personal experience.