Midland Band Social Club

  This picture was taken in 1914 before the Timpson factory dominated the skyline.

There were quiet a few different music bands in Kettering, 2 joined forces as a mission band, there was a disagreement so they split up and 12 of them formed a new band. They had no money so they put all their instruments on a handcart and walked through the town looking for somewhere and they came upon the Midland as we know it today. All there was at this point was the oversight of a house under construction. They started playing on the oversight. The house & shop was up for sale so they played around pubs & clubs to try and raise a deposit. After going to the bank they were turned down due to insufficient funds so they scrapped together £20 each to buy it, then they applied for a licence for an outdoor beer house.

Everything stopped in 1899 because of a war, then stopped again in 1914-1918 for the 1st World War

During the First World War a Scottish Horse Guard regiment were billeted near prior beins sent to France. The horses were stabled at Broughton House.

There is no record of a band playing in the Midland as a club but they did use upstairs as a practice room.

During the wars the Midland was a hotbed for top-class snooker, with the legendary local champion Jack Old as one of its players. In 1926-1927 the club won Kettering Amateur Billiards Championship and the National ‘Club’ Snooker Tournament, but its best season was 1935-1936 when it won six local and national trophies including the All England Championships in both billiards and snooker. In later years it became better known for its bowls club, formed in 1952, with home matches played on the park green across the road. In its earlier days the club had a somewhat cliquey reputation with a long waiting list to become a member. In the 1930’s it had around 200 members compared with the current 1000.

During WW2 over £500 was raised and sent over to over 50 members that were serving with forces.

A current member remembers that he requested membership in 1954 and had to wait 2 years to be accepted.

Improvements have been made to the original building over the years   

1966 first phase of new development plan alcove stage in the concert room, new toilets and provisions for 2 games rooms, one for billiard and one for skittles and darts.

1968 second phase of development plan with new entrance, new toilets, a secretary’s office, a new bar (swung round to the other side with store & wash up room at the back) and sealing off the stewards quarters.

  1973 Phase 1 of club improvement scheme with new games room

1975/6 New extension (second bar & lounge)

  1988 Completion of concert Hall, toilets, extension to the bar, fire alarm wiring. 

1995 Lounge improvements, big beam across in function room, shut the road and crane to lift the beam, after 2 new piers were built to take it. Stage now moved to back of concert room as supporting pillars have been removed, stage was originally on left hand side of concert room.

2024 Completion of new blocked paved front section of car park.

2025 Refurbishment of function room including ceiling respray, reupholstered bench seating, solid oak panels for bench seating, new flooring, decorated throughout. 

Please get in touch if you have any further information regarding the history of Midland Band Social Club