A Brief History
Steering committee meetings were held by local businessmen, Conservative councillors and Conservative supporters in March and May 1962, under the chairmanship of Norman B.Challenor, an Abingdon solicitor.
The club's first committee meeting was held in July 1962, the club first president was Airey Neave MP. He fulfilled this post until 1979 when he was tragically killed by an IRA bomb in the car park of the House of Commons.His widow, Baroness Neave held the post after his death, 1980 to 1982. The club's first chairman, Norman B.Challenor , held the post from 1963 until 1989. The club's first secretary , Dennis Penn, served the club from 1963 until 1973. The first steward was the husband and wife team of Mr & Mrs Poore, from 1962 until 1966.
The club's first premises in Abingdon were in Broad Street, until they were demolished to make way for the Charter developement and multi-storey car park. For a short time between 1973 and 74, the club's headquarters were in a temporary location in the Kings Head and Bell public house in East St.Helens Street. In 1974 the club moved to its present location in Helenstowe House in Ock Street, which had previously been the home and surgery of a local doctor. The premises were officially opened in December 1974 by Airey Neave MP.
The club premises underwent an extensice refurbishment in 2002 and today offer the most comfortable of surroundings, with a lounge bar, dining area, games room and family room. There is also an upstairs function room and annexe which may be hired by non-club members, the clubs current membership stands at over 1200.
Club Opening Hours
Weekdays
Monday to Thursday Daytime 11.00am to 2.30pm
Monday to Thursday Evening 5.30pm to 11.30pm
Friday open All Day from 11am until Midnight
Weekends
Saturday Daytime 11am to 3.30pm
Saturday Evening 6pm to 12.30am
Sunday Daytime 12pm to 3pm
Sunday Evening 7pm to 11pm
Room Hire
Room hire at the Conservative club is available to Non Members. For more information on room hire please see the Neave Room page.
