Club pays public tribute to John

THE newly-revamped lounge in The Stanley Club in Burscough is now open to the public.

The lounge has been renamed Whittaker’s, in tribute to a much loved former steward, after a “considerable investment”.

Previously only open to club members, the venue now offers drinks, snacks, and a place to socialise with friends and family.

The lounge is named after John Whittaker, who died aged 72 last month; he lived in Burscough for 48 years, and was steward for 23 years.

Dave Fairclough, 57, secretary of The Stanley Club in Burscough, said: “John was a steward at the bar for a long time, everybody knew him.

“He was a real character, a truly unforgettable man.”

In recent years John was diagnosed with cancer, but this did little to dampen his spirits and he contivued to visit the club – which has been open since 1904.

Dave added: “Only three months ago he was still coming to The Stanley Club, he would make a trip in a wheelchair with his wife.”

Soon after his death, it was proposed in a committee meeting that the venue should be named after the father-of-one, in his memory.

An official opening of the event was held on Saturday, July 1, with the Mayor and Mayoress of West Lancashire, Cllr Neil Furey and his wife, Julie, cutting the ribbon. Members of the public, committee members, and John’s family also attended.

Guests at the opening, top; the new lounge, above; the Stanley team, left; guests ready for the grand opening, below The Mayor and Mayoress of West Lancashire cut the ribbon at the opening of Whittaker’s

John Whittaker was a much loved steward who worked at the club for 23 years, a former