ABOUT BLTC
BLTC has been in existence for over 100 years and the history of Club is recorded in the meticulously kept minutes of the various Committees that have been formed to run the Club. The official minutes record that the inaugural meeting of the Club was held on 21st December 1899 in Ward Hall where Rev TG Forsythe, one of three clergymen among the founding members, formally proposed the establishment of a club.
The Club was originally located on Downshire Road and quickly drew support from local residents. In fact even today some people still refer to the Club as “Downshire” even though the Club moved to its present location in Farnham Park shortly after the First World War with a 999 year lease from Lord Bangor.
As well as the Clubs history the minutes also reflect the events of the time:
1901 - At the second Annual Meeting Club Members marked the death of Queen Victoria.
1906 - A trophy was presented to the Club by Officers of HMS Cornwall in recognition of the hospitality shown to them by Members of the Club. The trophy, the Officers insisted was to be used for a Ladies competition - you know what they say all the nice girls love a sailor!!
1918 - The minutes reflect the relief following the end of the First World War and the sadness that nine Members had been killed in the conflict.
1946 – Amplifying equipment bought for use at the Saturday night dances – Bangors first disco!!
1951 – Special permit obtained to purchase “an amount of rationed goods for catering at events during the winter”.
2000 – BLTC celebrates its 100th year.
As today the Club had to battle with the growing number of other attractions and distractions for people’s time and was kept alive by a group of stalwart members whose hard work and effort has ensured that we have the Club we have today.
Today’s Members work just as hard to ensure that the Club will continue for at least the length of its lease!! (Hopefully anyway.)