The Plumbe Street Exterior of the club built in 1923.
Although Fulledge Conservative Club only allows men to be full members, its steward is a woman. Joyce Coates is the latest in a long line of custodians of the pumps, taking the job two years ago after the death of her husband Arthur, who had previously been steward for 7 years and who was a well known figure in Burnley. The Club began when a group of local Conservative workers got together to discuss politics, and grew until in 1876 they moved into the current Plumbe St. site which had been a Rechabite meeting hall, for which they paid £450 and after improvements the club opened. Rechabites being a temperance society would no doubt not have approved. Since its formation the club has been known for its prowess at snooker and billiards, being particularly successful in their Golden Jubilee year of 1926 when they won every trophy in the Conservative League. Snooker is now the most dominant sport, with Ronnie Bannister and Clifford Holden excelling in local competitions. Outstanding figures in ensuring the survival of the club were Fred Brown, secretary from 1932 for 30 years, and Richard Taylor, Chairman for 20 years until just before his death in 1956. His brother Fred Taylor is Treasurer, and Alfred Brown, Fred’s son is secretary. The Committee room is viritually unchanged with tables which are more than 100 years old. After early growth membership dropped and the club struggled, but gradually improved until in 1907 it was ordered to improve the state of buildings behind the club, and a large assembly hall was built and opened in 1909 by Gerald Arbuthnot. It was used as a cinema and dance hall, before post WW1, rising membership meant the club was able to extend the club and build the present imposing façade. In 1940 further improvements were made and just recently, the club has been re-decorated. Membership is currently 350. The club is not affiliated to the CIU, unlike most clubs, but to the Association of Conservative Clubs. The Club is however still primarily a Conservative political club.