Ex-Servicemen's Club - High Street

The history of the club began at a meeting held at the Horse and Groom on 10 April 1919 to form a sub-branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Disabled Sailors and Soldiers. This organisation became the Kegworth Branch of the Royal British Legion. A public meeting to discuss the formation of a club was held on 1 December 1920 and initial attempts to purchase a site all came to nought due to lack of money; The sites considered were, Wardle's shop on High Street ( opposite the Red Lion, in what was to become Dunmore's Cycle shop), Cabbage Nook, the Four Turns (at the junction ofNottingham Road, Sideley, Long Lane and Station Road) and the Flash (Mill Lane ). However, the first Club was built in 1921 on land at the rear of a house on London Road, but this was destroyed by fire soon after opening. Later that year the Club reopened on what was to be its final site, opposite the Cottage Restaurant.

To be able to drink there it was necessary to become a club member or be a member of the National Club and Institutes Union and the customers were mainly ex-servicemen. The Club was the cheapest place to drink in the village, and a meeting place for the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

As time went by, the qualifications for membership were diluted, and anyone could be a member by the 1960s, when live pop music on Friday nights was the major attraction. Different licensing rules applied to the Club, making it possible for children accompanying their parents to be allowed on the premises, something not then permitted in pubs generally.

The Club was run by committee and after several scandals it closed in the 1970s. It is now office accommodation for Galvatek UK Ltd.