St Ives Literary Institute

The first encounter 1971
The increasingly desperate plight in the Literary Institute in the inter & post war years reached a critical point in the late 1960s/1970s when as few as a dozen members existed and the building was not being well maintained. In consequence of the dwindling numbers, the acting Honorary Secretary, Frank Northfield, resorted to advertising in the local Hunts Post for new members.

By chance I met an old school friend, Roger Oldfield, with whom I had spent boyhood years in Downham Market and was surprised he too was living in St Ives and had responded to the advert. Roger persuaded me to join in the winter of 1971. Conditions were desperately severe. Play was only possible on one table in room 2. The only heating was a very old one bar electric fire (possibly one of the first electric fires invented, it was so old), consequently the temperature was only to be endured by the dedicated, brave and hardy members. We wore hats, gloves, sweaters, overcoat and scarves, just to keep moderately warm whilst playing.

In the first room you had to climb over ladders, buckets, pots of paints, scaffold poles and all manner of other building materials. Only one door could be entered through. The other door couldn’t be opened. 

To enliven matters Roger, who worked at Industra Products, an engineering company in St Ives, decided to invite a friend and colleague to join us, namely Brian Wilkin. This was probably an unexpected boon for the Lit’. Little did the ‘Management’ realise it.

This parlous state of affairs persisted from 1971 to 1975, when Stuart Mayes was introduced by the then President Bob Copley. This too proved invaluable to the otherwise dysfunctional Institute. Stuart was the owner/proprietor of Cambridgeshire Life and other county life magazines. He could see the potential and engaged with ourselves as younger members to develop that potential. Stuart had the President's ear and a significant meeting was called to form a new mamangement committee.

Bob Copley was confirmed as the President, but the former Honorary Secretary, Frank Northfield, had died. Brian Wilkin became the acting Secretary. One of Brian’s first tasks was to contact all the names in the minutes book to ask if the member was still alive. If they were, did they still want to remain a member? Many billiard cues hung on the walls had unknown owners. 

From the findings it was decided an increase in the number of members was essential to the Lit’s future. The numerous members of the Fishing Club, one of the tenants at the time, were approached and offered membership subject to a membership selection process with an application form that had been hurriedly devised and agreed.

In a meeting held on June 7th 1979 the new membership forms were seen by the committee and approved and used to vet the proposed members. Many were accepted and the future of the Lit’ was assured. A new committee, combining old and new members, was created. At this stage there was no Treasurer. Phil Vipond, owner of ‘Carpet Right’, generously carpeted the Institute, improving it beyond all recognition.

A working party was set up to remove the debris and years of neglect. Anything broken, damaged or outmoded was removed from room 1. The leaking roof in room 2 was fixed, providing 2 tables for use by the suddenly enlarged membership.

New life was breathed into the dying Institute and in a very short while league teams were formed. The premises continued to be improved, especially when Alex Taylor, the local junior school headmaster of Westfield, retired to become Secretary. With Stan Ferguson as Treasurer and Stuart Mayes as Chair, they led the Institute forward in capable hands into the late 1970’s.

Decline due to external factors
The decline of the Lit’ had been occurring over a long spell of time. Initially, the Institute suffered a loss of members in the late 19th century occasioned by the Boer War. From over 200 members, it was only about 140 strong at the onset of the Great war in 1914. Post WWI, at least 77 names are recorded for posterity, which indicates the Lit’ membership must have fallen to about half its pre-war level. The ensuing phase of employment difficulties post war stretching into the 1920’s and 1930’s witnessed a slow dropping of numbers. By WW2 membership was possibly below 50.

In the 1940’s a proposal was made to increase annual membership fees to £2.00 p.a., which resulted in the resignation of 15 members who felt it was not a reasonable charge. This state of affairs was indicative of a time when the value of the Lit’ to its members had changed significantly. Access to news, information, education and even media (via radio) had altered the perception of the function the Lit’ served socially in the town. It had gone from being an invaluable meeting point for the town’s elite in the second half of the 19th century, to being a well to do men’s billiard club in a time when billiards was declining in popularity. Joe and Fred Davis were well known figures in the sport. Because of their influence, billiards continued to feature in clubs. But as Institutes and other social centres also struggled during and after the war the Lit’ was no exception in experiencing change.

The following statements of accounts cover a period in WW2 from 1941 to 1943. Snooker provided a higher income in 1941 than billiards. This trend increased considerably by 1942, with returns from the former increasing by c. £5 per annum and returns from the latter decreasing by c. £7 per annum.

It is also possible from these accounts to deduce what was happening to membership during the early part of the war. In 1941 subscriptions totalled c. £98 for men, which at £2 per annum would show that there were about 49 members. In 1943 income from the male membership was recorded as c. £111, suggesting, as wartime conditions improved, membership increased to approximately 55. Ladies section membership does not appear to have changed significantly in the same period with only a £2 increase recorded.

The income at that time was also supplemented by the sale of tobacco and cigarettes. This was an important source of income, yielding a surplus in 1941 of c.£27 and in 1942 less than £9. This may have reflected price changes and availability. This was followed by a massive reduction in 1943.

The steady decline occurred into the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was perhaps fortuitous that in the 1970’s television introduced coverage of snooker in the programme Pot Black. This resulted in a revival of interest in the game. 

The whole period was characterised by financial problems for the Lit’. In the 1940’s the Institute made some improvements with the help of loans from the local town council. But the pattern of steady decline resulted in an AGM in the 1960’s attended by as few as three members, indicative of management problems and too few willing members.

At least the Lit’ managed to struggle. In Huntingdon a fellow institute failed completely. Its demise was noted in the St. Ives Lit’s minutes in 1954.

The response to an advertisement in 1971 for new members was very low. It did result in three vital new recruits, who became members of the new committee in the mid 1970’s. But finances were still a problem for the Lit’. Although a new wave of enthusiastic self-help had transformed the building, it was only by raising funds by members donations that the Institute began to take on its modern form and appearance of a centre properly cared for by its membership.

Progress was rapid in the right direction. The records show the acting Treasurer paid out a considerable sum, c. £4,000, in 1982 for the renewal of the roof. It had been a continuing source of maintenance problems. This indicates the Institute was on a surer footing, with management tackling the previous phases of neglect.

Variable venues and various games
The minutes from 1942–1960’s reveal the venue for committee meetings varied considerably in the past. Locations such as Barclays bank, the Town Hall, and the Institute's rooms alternating as locations. A caretaker occupied what is now part of the A&B Taxis rooms, so these were not available until after his departure. Subsequently, the Ladies Bridge Club occupied these rooms, though they generated little income, having such a small membership. Card games featured in the Institute from the 19th century, but no account of their origin exists and source of income is unknown. Chess, cribbage and dominoes were played while members waited for tables, but with decline in numbers their importance waned.

At first the new committee had held its meetings in room 1 of the Institute, with Stuart Mayes as Chairman and Bob Copley as President. Attendance was generally very good and discussions wide ranging. There was an early decision from keen players to enter a local snooker league. They found the Lit's facilities very good, cheap and an ideal venue to practice.

These meetings were conducted in a convivial atmosphere, with smoking permitted in those early days. As the tables were in increasing demand for both friendly and competitive matches, it was decided to shift the venue for the meetings, and Stuart generously offered his office rooms in Cambridgeshire Life headquarters, at the junction of Free Church Passage and Bull Lane. These premises were small, with very narrow 17th century rickety stairs that turned at the top, with a rope as a hand rail to get to the committee room. A large committee was squeezed into a small space (Stuart’s personal office) under a pitched roof with ample beams evident. Smoking was becoming problematic, especially for non-smokers. The outcome was a large push in later years, during Paul Mackenzie’s chairmanship, to make the meetings smoke free. This was contentious, some committee members resigning as a result.

When Cambridgeshire Life moved offices, the committee meetings were transferred to Stuart’s new offices of the printers in Chapel Lane. They were similarly small and difficult to access, requiring skilful negotiation of rickety stairs.

The business of the Institute revolved around table maintenance and needs. Everyone brushed the tables before and after play. A few, such as Ben & Roger Bensley and Frank Northfield, would iron the tables on a very irregular basis. Ben Bensley, and his son Roger Bensley, were very important as leading lights in league teams, which leapt up the league table year on year. Ben & Roger got the first central heating modern gas boiler installed and replaced the 19th century radiators with modern high performance ones. They also fixed the north facing wall with excellent rendering. This exists to this very day, still in an excellent state, and which has contributed to the reduction of damp penetrating that vulnerable wall and the accompanying ‘fusty/mouldy odour’. Ben additionally raised and levelled the table in the room at the top of the stairs.

Brave members lost in the wars
Major M.F.M. Meiklejohn V.C., the Institute’s real hero, was awarded the VC for his role in the Boer War. He led a charge of the Gordon Highlanders to defeat the Boer at Elands Llaagte in 1899. Wounded in 4 places and losing an arm, upon returning to England he received the Victoria Cross at Windsor Castle in 1900 from Queen Victoria. Major Meiklejohn went on to instruct at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was able to play golf and ride horses. In 1913 he joined a Brigadier General D. Henderson to inspect soldiers in the Knights Bridge London Barracks off Hyde Park. Major Meiklejohn's horse bolted. Being one armed, he failed to restrain it when it jumped railings in an effort to avoid a nurse with a baby in a pram. The horse broke its neck and Major Meiklejohn was inured. He died shortly after failed surgery in Middlesex Hospital, dying on 4th July 1913 aged 42 years. The King and Queen attended his funeral, and he was buried in Brookwood Cemetery.

Shown below is the Literary Institute's 1914-1918 Roll of Honour, listing members who served in World War I.

An Honours Board is positioned prominently in the Institute's entrance hall, listing those members who died in World War I. The text is as follows.

Revenue aspects
The minutes of early 1940’s reveal the Institute had borrowed money similar to in the 90’s to effect changes to the building, including, re-decorating, a new boiler. It was still paying for a caretaker ‘guardian’ at a magnificent salary of £1. 15s per week (today £35) plus accommodation on site, which later was deemed unsatisfactory. To do this, the Institute had debentures to repay to the Town Council, which it managed to clear over a number of years. One assumes the ‘dignitaries’ running the Institute were also involved as Mayor or Councillors and were able to facilitate this arrangement.

In the 1970’s the system remained unchanged for payment of playing time. Members paid a small annual fee of approximately £2.  An honesty book was used to record games. The cost of play was 10 pence per frame. At indeterminate intervals the then Hon Secretary and Treasurer, Frank Northfield, would collect money from members. It was rumoured that after one frame of doubles played on a loser pay basis, one of the losing team who was possibly a  millionaire who proceeded to get out his purse, shook his coins down to retrieve two, pre-decimal old pennies, which he promptly gave to his partner, saying “you played worse than me”, and therefore had to pay more.

The revenue generated at 10 pence a frame was not sufficient to maintain the building, tables or the subscription to one magazine. Punch Magazine was changed to Snooker Scene in 1980,  but no newspapers were subscribed to at this time.

In a meeting held on 6th November 1979 the Treasurer Mr. S. Mayes stated:

At present the Club is enjoying subsidised snooker; without the rents from the rooms let out the Club could not survive. This situation is not acceptable. I suggested an increase in subscriptions from £2 per annum to £5 per annum would pay the rates, heating, lights and cleaning. The rental income could then be used to improve the facilities, e.g., decoration, carpeting, equipment. (This proposal was seconded by Mr. N. Chadwick, and carried.)

I propose that meters should be installed to use l0 pence pieces for the over table lights. This would provide15 minutes light (and still does to this day). The cost would be approximately £40 for each meter. This is necessitated because members are not paying the playing fees despite lists on the notice board, and considerable time spent by the Treasurer in producing these lists. It is proposed that Mr. B. Clarke, who had volunteered to purchase these meters and install them for the Institute, be authorized to do so. (Mr. T. Speller seconded the proposal and the motion was carried.)

The meters were installed at a total cost of £84.00 on December 1st 1980. The first month over £30 was collected. Although the committee felt that financially the meters would be very beneficial to the club, income was not large enough to raise capital for essential work renewing the central heating. Members were asked for interest free donations of £100. 

At a meeting held on Thursday 15th January 1981, Mr. Mayes stated in the building maintenance report: 

To date Mr. D. Pitts (an architect of the Broadway) has been engaged to produce drawing specifications and quotations required to secure a grant. The quotations received indicate the cost is liable to be approximately £1,300. The grant under normal conditions would be 50% of the actual cost incurred. However, in these recessionary times this money is not so readily available. We could have secured a grant of 25% from the Cambridge Council had we applied early in the year, or 50% from the Huntingdon Council in April. (The committee decided to wait until the April, when a 50% grant was made.)

The Historic Building Restoration plaque shown below was erected when the restoration was completed.

Ladies at the Lit'
The only ‘official’ group of ladies was that playing bridge, recorded as the early 1940’s and yielding £18 p.a. in fees. The minutes do reveal from an earlier time, possibly the 1930’s, that the committee had obtained the services of a minute’s secretary, a lady of course.  This role has been retained, somewhat intermittently, to the current day. In the 1970s Rosemary Radford, Stuart Mayes secretary, brought a sense of decorum to the meetings. When Rosemary was present, the gentlemen behaved noticeably better.

Subsequently S. Phillimore, Linda Frost, Vicky Turner, Joyce Price, Linda Beard and Jacky Chapman served the committee dutifully. Most recently Lisa Marriott has been a very accurate, friendly and efficient minute taker who continues to keep the affairs of the meetings in first rate order.
Ladies could only be members of the bridge club. In the 1950s they were located in the rooms now occupied by A & B Taxis. Unlike the Institute snooker club, the ladies were well organised and kept good records of membership and activity in regular minutes, which unfortunately the Institute no longer possesses.

Jean Howard's son, John, was welcomed into the ladies bridge club when he aspired to learn the game. No other males were allowed to join. The club declined until it became dysfunctional in the 1960’s and was no longer operational in the 1970’s.

Taking care of The Institute
As late as the 1940’s a caretaker was still being employed, the role originally occupied by Mr. G Richards. By 1943 he discontinued because of ill health. The post was filled by a Mr. J. Groves from Oakington. He originally travelled into St. Ives daily to fulfil his duties, but subsequently was allowed to reside on site in the modified library room, which had been spruced up to accommodate him. This state of affairs was not allowed to continue for long as the Public Health Authority inspected the premises and did not approve of his living conditions. The committee gave Mr. Groves a fortnight’s notice to resign. He was replaced by the ageing stalwart, Mr Richards, at an increased stipend of an extra £1 per week.

Mr. Richards continued to serve until Mr. Groves resumed duties in 1946, as Mr Richards was again indisposed. Then came Mr. Hobbs in the autumn, who continued with use of the cleaned up library for some time. A succession of people in the role was inevitable. Mr. Smith looked after the premises in 1951. W. Palfer served from 1953 at a reduced cost to the Institute. Mr. Palfer continued in the post even when he moved to Papworth. Local transport made it possible for him to open the Institute from 8.30 a.m. until 6.20 p.m. His duties were to clean the premises and maintain the 'new' boiler. As the Institute was in severe financial straits the saving on cleaning salaries was a significant £49 10s per annum.

The situation continued to deteriorate and in the subsequent decade the services of a cleaner cum general factotum was no longer affordable. Mr. Palfer appears to have been the last person employed in this capacity because of overheads such as new stamp requirements for employees. Mr. Draper as a new caretaker cum general factotum in 1949, but at a later time he declined the role as it was not sufficiently remunerated. For a period in the 1960s no cleaner was affordable. Frank Northfield acted as some time cleaner and sometime secretary and sometimes treasurer at a time when the Institute was not used very much.

In the early 70’s Mrs Taylor's services were secured for £3 per month, then in the mid 1970’s Mrs Christmas, and Mrs Cornell to 1995. Linda Beard took over, next Julie Burgoyne. Anthony Marriott who took the reins in 2017, introducing polish and perfume to make the environment much better. As a result the ancient rooms were almost unrecognisable compared with their appearance in 1971.

The league debacle
The only time unrest and division occurred at the Lit’ was after a decision taken at a meeting held on 25th March 1980 to enter a team in the Cambridge League. The minutes noted: 

League Entry; The committee unanimously agreed to enter the Cambridge Snooker League. Mr. B. Wilkin proposed Mr. N. Chadwick should act as League/Match Secretary. Mr. S. Ferguson seconded, Mr. N. Chadwick agreed, the proposal was carried unanimously.

After lengthy discussions and reassurances with the league organisers, the team entered the league. All Lit' members were delighted by the team’s success. It was with much admiration and reflected glory that the Lit' team performed very well, from the start winning the 5th, 4th and 3rd divisions of the league in successive seasons.

The team always went to matches together, all stayed to the last frame together, then went to have a bite to eat on the way home. For most other teams, when an individual finished his matches he would go home,  leaving his team mates. The Lit' team was more cohesive and supportive.

The team members were, Roger Bensley (the captain throughout), Ben Bensley, Phil Vipond, Mark Myton, Michael Carrington, Simon Hazell (who made a 105 break against Roger as they were warming up for a match, and then promptly played poorly in the match!). George Rainsford, Martin Rainsford and Neil Chadwick each played on a couple of occasions.

In the Cambridge League, matches were normally played on Friday evenings using two tables. Fridays were always the Lit's most popular time for sociable games between members. Additionally, using two tables would exclude other Lit' members from playing when a league match was scheduled. The Cambridge League committee initially agreed that the Lit's matches could be played on Thursday evenings using just one table.

In the ensuing season the Cambridge League became intransigent on the matter of the evening to play, and insisted on Friday evening league matches. Roger Bensley, Phillip Vipond and Chairman Stuart Mayes met with the officers of the Cambridge League to ask if the Lit' could play matches on a Thursday or some other night, but this was refused.

Additionally, the Cambridge League insisted on two tables being available and refreshments to be offered to the visiting team. Refreshments were a problem for the Lit. It did not own a kettle for tea making. The Lit's male membership were not big on cake baking. The Lit' was a private members club. Even the one toilet was located in the Spiritualist Church. Other teams came from the likes of the Royal British Legions, taverns and village halls, which had facilities and lady members willing to bake.

At a Special General Meeting of the Lit' held on Friday 14th May 1983, David Ward proposed:

In view of the feelings revealed at the AGM, it is proposed that the Institute should withdraw its team from the Cambridge League at the end of the 1982/83 season and should refrain from submitting a team for any other League for an indefinite period, seconded by R. A. (Tony) Young.  

The Proposer and Seconder spoke for the proposition. Roger Bensley and Phillip Vipond were the main speakers against. After a full, frank and lengthy discussion by the members present, the proposal was put to the meeting by vote and was carried by sixteen votes to ten.

The league team thought the Lit’s attitude was wrong. They felt let down when the Lit' withdrew from the Cambridge League. The team members didn’t stop playing at the Lit’, but in time most of them went to play competitively at the St Ives British Legion and the 147 Club at Huntingdon.

Vandalism
The Institute relies upon its selection procedures to ensure members are responsible persons who will safeguard the Institute at all times. This implies a great deal of trust is needed. At times some members have evidently not “played the game”. Here are some extracts from minutes.

1983 Mr. D. Ward reported to the meeting that the lock on his cue case had been removed and his chalk and some money taken. The Committee was disappointed to hear of Mr. Ward’s loss, but in the absence of any permanent steward, they felt vigilance by all members was the only answer.

1984 The Secretary informed the meeting that an act of vandalism had taken place during the weekend of the 3-4th December 1983, 5 cue cases had been damaged, 2 cues stolen, and 2 pages torn from the visitors’ book. There was no forced entry. The House Committee was informed along with the Officers. After discussion the following action was decided:

a) Inform the police.

b) Claim from the insurance.

c) Replace the lock at the top of the stairs with one that keys cannot be duplicated without written signatures. Mr. A. Taylor was asked to obtain quotations.

d) Make a charge of £12-£50 for any lost key.

e) Instant expulsion for any member lending their keys to any nonmember.

f) The Secretary should inform the membership by letter

Move into the digital world
In 1985 Brian Wilkin started producing documents with his personal computer at home. Brian Little MBE donated a small computer to start a computer system. The first computer the Institute purchased was an Hewlett Packard (HP) computer linked to a telephone line with  a 128 mb capacity. This was replaced by a Compaq to cope with broadband speeds by a “Compaq”.

The first Lit’ printer was still in use in 2021. The accounts were developed and computerised by Brian Wilkin soon after 2000. All available records/minutes etc. were scanned into the computer over several years and many many hours by Brian Wilkin. Brian started to send the Christmas party/AGM invites by email to all the members who had email addresses.

The computer continues to be important to the Institute today. The premises entrance is controlled by a computer linked locking system which identifies which member has entered. This enables a check on comings and goings and to review usage patterns. It has proved invaluable during Without the computers it would not have been possible to research and create this history of the Literary Institute.

Replacement of the windows
Up to the mid 1970’s all the windows on the top floor were blocked up with fibre board. There was some debate about whether they were boarded up as black outs in WW2, or whether they were boarded up much earlier to prevent the paying of window tax. The window tax was introduced in England in 1696 during the reign of King William III, and repealed in 1851, which of course occurred well before the Lit’ was even built. However, despite the healthy discussions that still occur from time to time, it is the author’s opinion the windows were boarded up for the purpose of blacking out the windows in WW2, thus preventing any wartime planes from getting their bearings.

After 100 years of weather ravaging the windows, when the boarding was removed they were showing signs of wear. There were gaps in the frames causing drafts felt more than two metres away, and strong enough to move the window blinds. It was interesting to see regulars sitting where there were no drafts, whilst members who only played occasionally had to endure the drafts. The putty had gone hard both inside and out, enabling lots of pieces to fall out opening more wood surface to the elements to deteriorate. The net result was the windows frames were generally bent and twisted, with gaps appearing between the glass and their frames allowing the rain to get in. Over the 100 years or more they had been there the wood had hardened, making any kind of maintenance much more difficult and costly. 

In 2007 a decision was made to do running repairs. Michael Wicks, a local joiner, was contracted to replace putty, and replace the wooden frames themselves where needed. This cost the Lit’ £532, but was never really successful. After much soul searching and discussion the committee decided to replace all windows in the building, both ground and first floors, plus the glass sloping roof at the rear of the Spiritualist Church. 

The Treasurer sought permission from Huntingdon District Council, no mean feat. Councils do not like plastic replacing wood, especially in a conservation area. To replace the windows with wooden ones would have been three times as expensive. The Treasurer had to email photographs of all the existing windows to the Council along with technical information of the windows the Lit’ proposed to replace them with. The Council would then decide if the proposed windows complied with the Council’s standards and would look the same as the originals. 

Mike Holmes showed the Treasurer an advertisement for a West Yorkshire company called Quickslides, which described the exact windows the Lit’ needed to comply with requirements. The Lit’ also had to apply for building permission, which meant more forms and bureaucracy plus a fee of £100. An approval notice was finally received on the 2nd February 2016.

Four companies were invited to tender for the work. N & C Glass from Witchford, near Ely, installed the Quickslides sliding sash windows double glazed units during the hot summer of 2016 at a cost of £28,793, including replacement of the Spiritualist Church sloping roof at the rear of the building. 

The whole installation took place over three beautifully warm and sunny summer weeks between the 7th to 29th June 2016. Supervision of the work was organised via a roster of 7 members , with days split into 4 sessions of 2 hours each per day, totalling approximately 200 dusty, hot, interesting hours. Although members were not paid, they were provided with as much tea or coffee they could drink, and tasty sandwiches or filled rolls and sausage rolls from Greggs. Also free snooker all day long on the table that could have the covers taken off. 

It was during this freedom of playing snooker we realised the life of professional snooker players is not an easy one, practising for 6 to 8 hours every day. We were bored after 2 hours, especially when on our own. The roster worked well and the contractors were friendly.

Following the installation, N & C Glass came to do the routine snagging inspection and found a few teething problems that were adjusted to our satisfaction. However, one window was problematic. A specialist came from down from Quickslides in Yorkshire to make the necessary adjustments.  

The 2020/21 Covid 19 Pandemic
Suddenly in March 2020 the Lit’ was out of action. Its largely vulnerable members were confined, more or less to being at home, and not mixing with other members of the public.

As from March 16th 2020 the Lit’ was affected by the lockdown. The AGM had to be cancelled for the end of the month and it was not clear how long such a state of affairs might persist. Similarly, the tenants at A&B Taxis and the Spiritualist Church were excluded from running their activities. The Lit’ was closed and effectively mothballed for an indeterminate time with one key holder, Harry Mould, retaining access for regular inspections and emergencies.

The implications were far reaching and unpredictable. Firstly the management source of income was affected. The committee decided to suspend payment of dues by members as no AGM could be held at the end of March. Consideration was given to what measures could be taken if re-opening in a limited fashion became possible. Brian Wilkin investigated the measures being taken by the professional snooker body if lockdown was be lifted or modified.

Only one member was believed to have suffered with the virus and had returned to full health.

After email exchanges, on July 6th a set of additional Covid rules were circulated to members. A booking system via internet or 'phone operated so there was no more than 2 people per room. Additionally a one-hour time interval was imposed between sessions.

Blinds were rolled up, windows opened, and there was a one-way system around the table. Ball handling was strictly limited. Face masks were optional, but gloves and sanitised hands as the hallway was entered were mandatory. On completion of the session, all equipment used, as well as hands, were sanitised on leaving.

The Institute could re-offer access to all it members. In reality, few people initially resumed playing. This might have been through lack of awareness of the booking system, the difference restrictions were making to social groups and the simple reluctance of members to come out of shielding, as many were in the vulnerable age group and cautious about the whole scenario.

The management of the Institute considered the financial effect on the Lit’. Access to grants was successfully explored. The future of its tenants was uncertain. Prudent management over the past 50 years meant the Lit's reserves were sufficient for it to be mothballed for months, or even years, to preserve it for future generations. This is the real testament to the value of changes post 1971, which have consolidated the St. Ives Literary Institute as a continuing and permanent feature of the St. Ives urban landscape.

The role of the Trustees
The minutes of the 1940s include a reference to the fact that the Institute was created and originally began to be acquired as a building in part by the town’s dignitaries in 1859. The Lit' started in a building in Meeting Lane or Free Church Passage, owned by George Newton Day and Potto Brown. The ownership was transferred to the Trustees of the Lit' in 1863. Two adjoining cottages were bought from William Howard in 1903 and completed the creation of the building seen today in the Free Church Passage.

The early versions of the trust deeds were misplaced at some juncture, as was the deed of 1903. The original 19th century trust deed was consolidated into a written trust deed as late as 1903 with six signatures named, later supplemented in 1906 with a second deed of conveyance in which sixteen signatures were recorded, including the original six. These later names were included well-known dignitaries of the town, such as Dr William Reginald Grove, Charles Alfred Stiles, George Dennis Day, Frederick Maurice Warren and Robert Walter Bryant. Unfortunately there are no known records of any meetings held by the Trustees.

In 1955 a further deed of conveyance was made to appoint Messrs’ Warren, S. C. Harrison, Mr J. H. Harrison, Mr. H. S. Yeandle, Mr. B. R. Morgan, and Mr. A. N. Jones as Trustees. There are no written records of the ensuing period.

A further deed of conveyance in 1980 added B. A. R. Clarke, S. G. Mayes and B. G. Wilkin to the decimated list of Trustees, along with the pre-existing surviving members such as brothers Sidney. G. Harrison and John. H. Harrison, and brother-in-law to the other two, Hadge S. Yeandle.

By 1998, as age reduced the Trustees numbers, there were just the three new members mentioned above, plus Hadge Yeandle. The rule was that once a Trustee reached the age of 75 years he had to resign. After 40 years’ service in various capacities for the Institute, Hadge Yeandle stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and retired as a Trustee. Today, in practise, each year the Board considers whether a Trustee over 70 years is able to carry out his duties with due care and consideration and is of sound mind.

This was the first recorded retirement of a Chairman of Trustees. Hadge read out his resignation letter the day before his 75th birthday. Brian Wilkin thanked him for all the work he had done, and his hospitality, particularly his bottomless bottle of choice Scotch Whisky! Without some of Hadge's decisions and actions taken a few years ago, the Institute may not be still in existence.

Details of the Trust & the role and duties of the Trustees
Our trust is a holding or custodial trust, holding the assets in safe keeping for the members. Holding or custodial Trustees are not actively involved in the management of these assets. However, Trustees must monitor the Management of the Association to ensure all legal requirements are complied with, all taxes paid and the assets of the Institute are protected for the benefit of the members.

At its simplest, Trustees receive assets from the donors (the trust document from the original owner), safeguard those assets and apply them for charitable purposes according to the wishes of the donor. 

Trustees:

1. Take the big decisions about the future for the benefit of the members

2. Ensure everything is legal and safe

3. Ensure taxes are paid

4. Ensure accounts are made, audited and inspected

5. Support the Officers and Committee

6. Ensure the work of the Institute is carried out

7. Ensure the Board of Trustees is up-to-date and skilled

8. Arrange leaseholders for any rooms let

Trustees are obliged to:

1. Act in the best interests of the charity’s beneficiaries (the membership)

2. Act together as a group rather than as individuals

3. Set aside their personal interests

4. Take legal responsibility for the organisation

5. Exercise the duty of care that a prudent person of business would in looking after the affairs of someone for whom they had responsibility

6. Keep up to date with regulations, charity law and, where appropriate, company law and best practice recommendations

The Lit' and the Land Registry

It would be foolish to suggest that everything always runs smoothly and that the Management Committee is not occasionally surprised by the turn of events. In the meeting of October 2007 the Committee were informed that the Free Church had mistakenly shown the Literary Institute as part of its property when it update its details with the Land Registry.

Fortunately evidence existed of the purchase of property from G.N. Day and Potto Brown Additionally, the minutes from 1880s showed the cottages had been purchased from the estate of the Duke of Manchester, all supported by relevant letters involving the solicitors correspondence on the matter. The evidence was shown to the Free Church and their Land Registry records were corrected.

Executive Officers and Committee Members

From the very start of the Institute there would have been some form of management, whether through Trustees in the early days, or a committee. Few records have survived This account of the history can therefore start with members who we did know.

Frank Northfield used to take the money for table fees monthly, clean the rooms and iron and clean the table (only table 1 was used at that time). He also made constant visits to ensure all was well. Even on a Sunday he made an appearance, walking round looking at everything, then announcing he was going to the ‘church with handles’... the pub!

Bob Copley a solicitor whose father started Copleys Solicitors in the Red House, had been a member for many years. In the early seventies Bob, Frank Northfield, and Ben Bensley were of the half a dozen members left. It was they who individually or by discussion and agreement made all the decisions. This situation came to an end in th emod 1970s with new members  and new energy.  Stuart Mayes with his knowledge of business, Tony Young with his considered socio-historical perspective of the Institute, and Brian Wilkin, who got things done.

Things started to change quite rapidly, formalising the committee, recording minutes and planning with priorities, clearing out all the building equipment and cleaning everything. Brian Clarke and his band of merry men came in and decorated the entire inside top half of the building plus the stairs and hall way, followed by Stuart’s friend called ‘The Magic Brush’ who painted the outside windows, guttering etc.

Paul Mackenzie he was elected to the Committee in 1985, took over as Chairman and President in 1991, then became Treasurer in 1993. Paul was a very loyal servant of the Institute, running it single handed for some months, before he  retired as President in 2016.

Clive Burgoyne, as acting Secretary, was a keen and capable snooker player. He organised the internal competitions, endeavouring to bring in new members at a time of relative waning interest in snooker. Clive retired as Secretary in 2004/5.

Since 2003, Jim Murdoch has been a very effective and capable chairman.

The current President, Tony Young, has been a loyal servant to the Lit’ constantly from the early 70’s and is still a well-respected President. (Not penned by the writer!)

Tournament referees
Members who in recent years have been responsible for running tournaments as referees are:

1982 Bertie Mann

1983-1985 Brian Little

1986 Brian Wilkin

1987-1988 David Ward

1989-1990 Ted Ward

1991-1992 Brian Wilkin

1993 Tony Young

1994-2010 Clive Burgoyne

2011-2012 Harry Mould

2013 Anthony Marriott

2014-2015 Brian Wilkin

2016-2021 Shane Rainsford

Trophies
The St Andrews Cup was presented in 1913 by Major M. F. M. Meiklejohn, V.C., a onetime president at the time of World War1, to commemorate his father, J. M. D. Meiklejohn, professor of education at St Andrews University, Scotland. The trophy was originally for a scratch billiards competition with a record of winners from 1906 – 1912. Billiards was an important element of the skills developed at the Institute, but gradually gave way to snooker. The minutes from 1942 – 1964 reveal that the St Andrews Trophy continued to be played for as a billiards tournament, even though the record reveals as early as 1948/9, the committee was discussing the decline in its popularity. Consequently, it is not until the resurrection of the tournament in the 1970’s that the change to it being played for as a snooker cup occurred.

The Challenge Cup is awarded annually to the winners of the doubles tournament. The records suggest the President, W. W. Warner, paid 20s 0d from his own pocket in 1884 for a billiard handicap tournament, which it is thought may have become the Challenge Cup.

The Secretaries Shield was donated by Brian G Wilkin in 1981 for the winners of the junior singles tournament.

The Highest Break Rose Bowl was donated by Ken Booth for the highest break made during a tournament competition.

The Ten Minute Shoot Out was instituted by Brian Wilkin, the trophy donated to the Lit’ by Tim Speller in 2013. The aim was to extend the range of competitions and give members more chance of winning, as it required a different set of skills and an element of luck to succeed.a

In the short 10-minute head-to-head encounters the ability to move quickly around the table, assess the best shot, execute it within a 20 second time limit and be well situated to continue is paramount. Also being able to see the angles immediately involved in the execution of the chosen shot. The speed and pressure involved make it a totally different experience from normal snooker.

The number of different winners and runners up in the competition reveals it is no respecter of normal handicap patterns and associated talents. It is unfortunate that of late it has been less well supported, since it is very much a fun experience as well as a skill developing game.

Tournament winners

ST ANDREW'S CUP SINGLES 

Year Winners Runners-up

2017 Anthony Marriott John Corbett

2016 Anthony Marriott Johnny Mulgrew

2015 Anthony Marriott John Corbett

2014 Malcolm Holmes John Corbett

2013 Malcolm Holmes Peter Leary

2012 Anthony Marriott Anthony Bullough

2011 Darren Haxell Malcolm Holmes

2010 Darren Haxell John Corbett

2009 Anthony Marriott Darren Haxell

2008 Darren Haxell Anthony Marriott

2007 Darren Haxell Clive Burgoyne

2006 Darren Haxell Clive Burgoyne

2005 Darren Haxell Nigel Keepin

2004 Darren Haxell Stephen Stokes

2003 Anthony Marriott Darren Haxell

2002 Mark Dockerill Stephen Stokes

2001 Darren Haxell Clive Burgoyne

2000 Clive Burgoyne Jon Warboys

1999 Jon Warboys Clive Burgoyne

1998 Ian Burry Richard Bensley

1997 Clive Burgoyne Nigel Keepin

1996 Jon Warboys Richard Bensley

1995 Howard Stapleton Clive Burgoyne

1994 Clive Burgoyne Roger Bensley

1993 Clive Burgoyne Roger Bensley

1992 Eric Davies John Masser

1991 Martin Godhard Brian Little

1990 Ian Hodgkin Roger Bensley

1989 Not recorded

1988 Roger Bensley Colin Stapleton

1987 Arthur ‘Ben’ Bensley Brian Little

1986 Clive Burgoyne Dick Botwright

1981 Mark Mitten Adrian Bouch

1980 Martin Rainsford Arthur Bensley

1979 Not recorded

1957 F. Northfield

1956 Not recorded

1955 A. G. Shelley

1954 Not recorded

1953 Not recorded

1952 H. R. Harrison

1951 C. King

1950 C. King

1949 S. C. Harrison

1948 F. Northfield

1947 Not recorded

1946 P. Hampshaw

1945 F. Hammond

1944 F. Northfield

1943 F. Chambers

1942 D. Rowlinson

1941 D. Rowlinson

1940 D. Rowlinson

1939 Not recorded

1938 G. W. Wright

1937 S. Martin

1936 C. F. Allan

1935 D. Rowlinson

1934 R. F. Churchard

1933 C. F. Allan

1932 C. F. Allan

1931 C. F. Allan

1930 E. E. Chambers

1929 G. W. Kisby

1928 G. W. Kisby

1927 Not recorded

1926 G. W. Kisby

1925 C. Collinson

1924 C. Collinson

1923 G. W. Kisby

1922 G. W. Kisby

1921 C. Collinson

1920 C. Collinson

1919 G. W. Kisby

1918 G. W. Kisby

1917 G. W. Kisby

1916 B. W. C. Hawke

1915 G. W. Kisby

1914 G. W. Kisby

1913 Not recorded

1912 C. Speller

1911 H. L. Whiteman

1910 A. W. Landles

1909 T. W. Bayne

1908 C. Speller

1907 F. G. Russel

1906 C. Watts

THE CHALLENGE CUP DOUBLES 

Year Winners Runners-up

2018 Tom O’Connell Anthony Marriott
John Corbett Melvyn Marriott

2017 Brian Wilkin Shane Rainsford
Harry Mould Geoff Pryke

2016 Anthony Marriott Anthony Bullough
Melvyn Marriott Malcolm Holmes

2015 Tom O’Connell Brian Wilkin
John Corbett Harry Mould

2014 Anthony Bullough Tom O’Connell
Malcolm Holmes John Corbett

2013 Brian Wilkin Tom O’Connell
Peter Leary John Corbett

2012 Tom O’Connell Darren Haxell
John Corbett Martin Woodbridge

2011 Darren Haxell Harry Mould
Martin Woodbridge John Miles

2010 Darren Haxell Anthony Marriott
Martin Woodbridge Melvyn Marriott

2009 Anthony Marriott Gavin Smith
Melvyn Marriott Nigel Keepin

2008 Anthony Marriott Gavin Smith
Melvyn Marriott Nigel Keepin

2007 Anthony Marriott Darren Haxell
Melvyn Marriott Martin Woodbridge

2006 Anthony Marriott Clive Burgoyne
Melvyn Marriott Darren Readman

2005 Anthony Marriott Tom O’Connell
Melvyn Marriott John Corbett

2004 Clive Burgoyne Darren Haxell
Jon Warboys Mark Dockerill

2003 Darren Haxell Clive Burgoyne
Mark Dockerill Jon Warboys

2002 Clive Burgoyne Greg Sarath
Jon Warboys Melvyn Marriott

2001 Clive Burgoyne Darren Haxell
Jon Warboys Greg Sarath

2000 Clive Burgoyne Paul Mackenzie
Jon Warboys Colin Stapleton

1999 Clive Burgoyne Paul Mackenzie
Jon Warboys Colin Stapleton

1998 Roger Bensley Arthur Bensley
Martin Godhard Richard Bensley

1997 Clive Burgoyne Martin Rainsford
Jon Warboys George Rainsford

1996 Paul Mackenzie Arthur Bensley
Howard Stapleton Roger Bensley

1995 Arthur Bensley Richard Bensley
Roger Bensley Martin 

1994 Arthur Bensley Richard Bensley
Roger Bensley Martin Godhard

1993 Ian Hodgkin Arthur Bensley
Richard Bensley Roger Bensley

1982 Mark Mitten Simon Hazell
Keith Pauley Arthur Bensley

1981 Phillip Vipond Mark Mitten
Roger Bensley Keith Pauley

1980 Arthur Bensley Keith Pauley
Bertie Mann Keith Sole

HANDICAP

Year Winners Runners-up

2017 John Corbett Tom O’Connell

2016 Shane Rainsford Brian Wilkin

2015 Melvyn Marriott Anthony Marriott

2014 Tom O’Connell Tony Young

2013 Malcolm Holmes Geoff Pryke

2012 John Corbett Brian Wilkin

2011 Brian Wilkin Darren Haxell

2010 Darren Haxell John Corbett

2009 Anthony Marriott Malcolm Holmes

2008 Darren Haxell John Corbett

2007 Anthony Marriott John Corbett

2006 Anthony Marriott John Corbett

2005 Tom Cordory Clive Burgoyne

2004 Tom Cordory Darren Readman

2003 Stephen Stokes Anthony Marriott

2002 Darren Haxell Tom O’Connell

2001 Mark Dockerill ` Clive Burgoyne

2000 Clive Burgoyne Greg Sarath

1999 Clive Burgoyne Jon Warboys

TEN MINUTE SHOOT OUT 

Year Winners Runners-up

2018 Brian Wilkin Shane Rainsford

2017 Shane Rainsford Johnny Mulgrew

2016 Shane Rainsford Harry Mould

2015 Malcolm Homes Brian Wilkin

2014 Sid Toombs Tony Young

2013 Brian Wilkin Malcolm Homes

2011 Melvyn Marriott Anthony Marriott

JUNIOR

Year Winners Runners-up

1983 Simon Hazell Simon Carr

1982 Not Contested

1981 Simon Hazell M Bourke

1980 Simon Hazell Simon Carr

Executive Officers in recent years

PRESIDENTS

2017-2021 R. A. (Tony) Young
2001-2016 Paul Mackenzie
1998-2000 Robert (Bob) Copley
1997 Stuart Mayes
1983-1996 Robert (Bob) Copley

CHAIRMEN

2003-2021 J. R. Murdoch
1999-2002 P. Mackenzie
1998 S. Mayes 1980 (Shared) 1983 – 1990
1997 P. Mackenzie
1994-1996 S. Mayes
1991-1993 P. Mackenzie
1983-1990 S. Mayes 1980 (Shared) 1983 – 1990
1971-1982 Robert (Bob) Copley
1980 S. Mayes

TREASURERS

2018-2021 Shane Rainsford
1998-2017 Brian Wilkin
1995-1998 Colin Stapleton
1995 Paul Burry
1993-1994 Stan Ferguson
1992 R. A. (Tony) Young
1980-1991 Stan Ferguson
1971-1979 Stuart Mayes
1950-1970 Frank Northfield

SECRETARIES

2019-2021 Howard Sercombe 2019 – Present (2021)
2018 Brian Wilkin
2004-2017 R. A. (Tony) Young
1994-2004 Clive Burgoyne
1991-1993 Stuart Mayes
1991 Albert Culf
1990 R. A. (Tony) Young
1986-1989 Alex Taylor
1976-1985 Brian Wilkin
1973-1975 Robert (Bob) Copley
1950-1970 Frank Northfield, Bob Copley and Ben Bensley as a joint post

Copyright R. A. Young. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the copyright owner to whom enquiries should be addressed.