Administrative History | The following information was supplied at the time of the donation (probably written by the donor):
Taddington Older People's Club, known as the TOP Club, was formed in 1965 after a public meeting had been called by Tom Chapman, Chairman of Taddington Parish Council, to discuss the needs of the older members of the parish of Taddington, including Priestcliffe, Priestcliffe Ditch, Blackwell and Brushfield. The formation of a club was suggested and approved and a committee was formed to discuss in detail the way forward. Members sought advice from the County Organiser for Old Peoples Welfare who guided them through a draft of a model constitution. The constitution was registered with the Charity Commission on 9 August 1966.
Membership of the club consisted of persons over 60 years of age and those under 60 years designated as working members being actively engaged in promoting various entertainments and providing refreshments.
The inaugural meeting of the TOP Club was held at the Bramwell Institute at 4pm on thursday 30 September 1965, the annual subscription was set at 1s.
At a much later date all the members became Committee members providing the refreshments themselves and the entertainment for the afternoon. Holidays and day trips were had during the Summer months and were self-financing. This was overseen by a Standing Committee which was annually elected by all members at the AGM. Christmas dinners and New Years parties (the latter always hosted by the Chapman family) soon became a tradition.
The Club was financed with the support of annual grants from the local authority and Parish Council, as well as members' annual subscriptions. Over the years, speakers were invited to give talks and slide shows on a wide variety of topics; many speakers were friends of the members who gave time freely and club members also gave talks about their own interests. |
Custodial History | These records were donated to Derbyshire Record Office via the Local Studies Librarian in November 2019 by the widow of an amateur local historian who had been involved with the Club. |