You can own a labour of love
A RUN-DOWN former Labour club with a fascinating past is going to auction next week.
Starting out life as two weavers cottages, the three-storey dwellings were later transformed into a family home and Labour club in Delph, Oldham.
Owners Tony Brandwood, 65, and his brother, Richard, 67, moved into number three in 1955, with their mum and dad.
Tony said: “We moved into the house when I was about three but it was owned by the Co-op and my mum and dad paid them rent.
“We have been struggling to sell it since my mum died and it’s not in a good condition and has taken 10 years to get the freehold on the land.
“It’s quite sad really, the roof has all gone through and it’s a bit of a mess.”
The Labour club, which was located in the neighbouring house, had been a focal point of the community.
After its closure in 1958, Mr Brandwood was approached to buy it from the Co-op, which he eventually did for just £100.
He said: “They used to have the old snooker tables upstairs in the club and they would have snooker tournaments up there.
“Because we had keys for it once it had closed, me, my brother and my dad would go up and play snooker on Christmas day.” It was not until his father died, however, that the brothers found out their childhood home also held a major family secret.
Tony said: “When he died the property was passed on to me and my brother and not our mum.
“It was only then that we found out that our mum and dad were never really married, we had no idea. It was unbelievable.”
The two properties are set to go to auction on Tuesday, March 28, with a guide price of £190,000.
Potential buyers are also warned that they can’t go and see the properties due to their current state.
Auctioneers, however, are hopeful that despite the damage, the two pieces of local history will find a good home and be returned to their former glory.
Ian Hill, director of Auction House Manchester, said: “This is a rare opportunity to be able to acquire a part of Delph’s history.
“It’s situation within the conservation area of this popular Saddleworth Village is sure to make the property of interest, subject to any necessary planning consents, for someone either looking to refurbish it into one substantial dwelling or into two weavers-style cottages.”