Faversham Club, Faversham

About us

Faversham Club is one of the oldest private clubs in Britain. Its purpose as a social club is to promote friendship and goodwill among its members.

When it began, there had been two main clubs in Faversham: the Faversham Farmers’ Club, which was founded in 1727 and had a maximum membership of 12, and the Faversham Porter Club, founded in 1793 with a maximum membership of only 16.

Therefore, an additional Club was needed. Ten wealthy and eminent Faversham gentlemen formed a committee and purchased the then disused Baptist Chapel in Gatefield Lane for £500 and founded The Faversham Club on 3 February 1884.

The Faversham Club was opened officially at 4.30 pm on Wednesday, 30 July 1884 by the Right Hon. Earl Sondes (the 1st Earl), and according to the minutes, champagne, sherry and biscuits were served to celebrate the occasion.

The Faversham Club was open exclusively to male members, and its first two Chairmen were Thomas Gillett (1884 – 1899) and Allan Tassell (1899-1909). Membership was strictly by invitation and the minimum subscription was £25. The club experienced many financial difficulties, and exclusive membership was relaxed by admitting members further than 10 miles afield on a temporary membership. An entrance fee of three guineas was charged.

In 1900 the Club was connected to the National Telephone Company. Drinks were allowed to be served until half past midnight. When Queen Victoria’s funeral took place on 2 February 1901, the Club remained closed until 5 pm.

A Games Committee was formed in 1922; billiards and snooker matches took place. In 1927 Mr. Tudor Evans provided the Club Cup for Billiards, and to this day the “Evans Cup” is played for every year. In September 1927 all original subscribers were repaid by the Trustees and the Club’s ownership officially transferred to its members.

In March 1936 Miss Joyce Garner, Ladies Billiards and Snooker Champion, visited the Club as did the hugely famous Mr. Tom Newman in 1937 and 1938.

Following the second world war, extensive repair work was carried out and paid for by the War Damage Commission after a bomb had fallen at the Newton Road and East Street junction. Over time, the Club had lost many of its distinguished and older members, but by 1947 membership had increased to 140, albeit still all male.

Following social pressure on Gentlemen’s Clubs in the 1950s to open their doors to ladies, it was decided in 1951 to admit members’ wives and female friends – but on Carnival Nights only. In 1953 and 1954 this was extended to Election Nights.

In 1968 the membership rates were raised for the first time since 1903, and this resulted in many resignations. Five years later, the Associate Member category was introduced for wives of full members. This helped restore the Club’s finances.

The early membership fees were structured according to distance from the Club, with members living within a 1-mile radius of the Town Hall having to pay the highest fee. By June 1968 membership had reached over 150, and it has grown over the years to 450.

Today’s financial stability is the result of the dedication of its Trustees and Committee Members – who invest much time and energy – and of its current members who are ensuring the successful continuation of the Faversham Club for generations to come.