The Many Lives of 21 Newton Lane Outwood

When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 Outwood Hall and it’s estate had existed since the early 1700’s but there was no village or town of Outwood. Instead there were a number of hamlets spread over a large area which together made up the township of Stanley cum Wrenthorpe. The building which was later known as 21 Newton Lane was built in 1841 as a Wesleyan Methodist chapel and it was the earliest place of worship in the area which would later become the town of Outwood.

From the mid-1890s, Outwood witnessed remarkable growth due to the development of the mining industry. Housing developed along the major roads and Outwood became a colliery village. Not everyone worked at the pit however. Brickmaking, market gardening, rope making and shopkeeping played a part in this growth. With this growth, the original chapel was deemed too small, and a larger building was planned and built nearby on the Leeds Road, and our building hosted its last service in 1902.

According to one source, it then became a base for the Salvation Army, but this stage in its life needs further research. What is known is that it later existed as “The Comrades Club” which was registered at the address in 1921 and it provided alternative facilities to the Outwood Working Men's Club for many years. Plans for an extension in 1937 in the name of “Outwood Comrades and United Services Club” show a large billiard room, a reading room and a servery. In the mid-1960s a very significant expansion happened with the addition of a large function room attached to the original building and a stewards flat being built on the roof. The facilities have not changed significantly since then but it traded for some years as a night spot under the name Damars, then became Cheers bar before years becoming a free house trading as The White Rose in the last couple of years.
Many happy memories have been created for local working people at 21 Newton Lane.

Timings

Sunday 20 September:

1400-1800

Location & directions

The White Rose, 21 Newton Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 3JD

Contact on day:

Paul Gaywood

Telephone number:

+447771696640

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

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