Fairground rides for children, a youngsters' soft play area, an outdoor bar and a beer garden...
. it's a very different scenario to two years ago at an old-school members-only club in Nottingham. Back in 2022 Basford Miners' Welfare closed after going into liquidation.
Regulars were dismayed with Josie Hart vowing: "Over my dead body." Fast forward two years, the club has a different outlook with new trustees at the helm. While there's still bingo, darts and dominoes, there's now a children's soft play area in the garden and on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26, the club is hosting fun day from 12pm with funfair rides for youngsters and games such as hook a duck.
Get the latest What's On news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp Josie said: "A lot of people can't afford to take their children to Goose Fair so we're doing a mini fair. We are charging £3 at the gate for each child and then it's free to go on as many rides as you want, as many times as you want." A member of the committee, she was at the forefront of a campaign to save the club that's located within the historic 18th century Basford Hall, benefitting from a few extensions since.
"We fought to keep it open and we have gone from strength to strength. We have done loads of events for the children. We really are a success story thanks to our trustees and committee.
If you want something bad enough you can get it," she added. The club opened decades ago to serve miners at the former Babbington colliery and .