Leigh Park's biggest social club has welcomed local MP Alan Mak as its newest member.
Leigh Park Working Men's Club on Dunsbury Way is the biggest of its kind in the constituency, and received a welcome boost as Alan Mak MP joined its ranks.
Founded in 1966 by two Labour Party supporters, the Club now has karge premises at the heart of the Leigh Park estate, and offers its members a range of entertainment and leisure activities, from bingo and tribute acts to darts, snookers and golf teams.
Sundays are still the busiest day of the week, when the Club runs its popular meat raffle and cash prize draw.
The Club is a popular facility catering for hundreds of Leigh Park residents, and has received a timely boost as Havant’s new MP signs up.
Mak is active across Leigh Park and has used the Club as a venue for his popular drop-in surgeries where local people can discuss national and local issues with him. The MP enjoyed his time there so much that he discussed joining with the Club’s management. The Club’s Committee were pleased to approve his application, support by the Club’s Secretary, Ray McCready, and Club President, Doug Anderson.
Alan Mak MP said working men’s clubs are still relevant even following deindustrialisation, and have successfully reinvented themselves as family-focused social hubs, catering for all ages and offering a wide range of activities.
Alan Mak MP said, “Leigh Park is a fantastic community, and the Working Men’s Club is very popular with residents. I’ve enjoyed spending time at the Club meeting members, entering the meat raffle, and holding my MP surgeries there. I’m delighted to become a full member, and look forward to supporting the Club in the future.”
Mak added, “Even with the rise of Facebook and social media, nothing beats getting together with friends and neighbours in person for a drink, a catch-up or a game of snooker or darts. Leigh Park Working Men’s Club has a fantastic, welcoming atmosphere and really represent all that’s good about our local community.”
Ray McCready, Secretary of Leigh Park Working Men's Club, said, "Leigh Park is a large and diverse community, and we welcome everyone at the Working Men's Club. We're delighted our local MP Alan Mak has given us such strong support, and I'm pleased to welcome him to our growing membership. People know Alan is active and visible across Leigh Park, and his MP surgeries at our Club have been well-received by members and residents alike"