Bursley's Conservative Club

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Bursley's Conservative Club

The Big House, once the home of two of Josiah Wedgwood's uncles. It features in Bennett's writing as the Conservative Club to which Darius Clayhanger turned after leaving the Liberal Club. An imposing listed building, it is now used as offices.

Bursley's Conservative Club

photo: Dec 2008

In Bennett's writings:

Located in Moorthorne Road at the top of Duck Bank.

The Conservative Club which Darius Clayhanger joined after leaving the Liberal Club.

"Well, Mr. Clayhanger," said the steward [of the Liberal Club], in his absurd boniface way, "you're quite a stranger."

"I want my name taken off this Club," said Darius shortly. "Ye understand me! And I reckon I'm not the only one, these days."

The steward did in fact understand. He protested in a low, amiable voice, while the billiard-players affected not to hear; but he perfectly understood. The epidemic of resignations had already set in, and there had been talk of a Liberal-Unionist Club. The steward saw that the grand folly of a senile statesman was threatening his own future prospects. He smiled. But at Edwin, as they were leaving, he smiled in a quite peculiar way, and that smile clearly meant: "Your father goes dotty, and the first thing he does is to change his politics." This was the steward's justifiable revenge.

"You aren't leaving us?" the steward questioned Edwin in a half-whisper.

Edwin shook his head. But he could have killed the steward for that nauseating suggestive smile. The outer door, swung to, cutting off the delicate click of billiard balls.

At the top of Duck Bank, Darius silently and without warning mounted the steps of the Conservative Club. Doubtless he knew how to lay his hand instantly on a proposer and seconder. Edwin did not follow him."

Bennett: Clayhanger Book 3 Chapter 7

Bennett's Conservative Club
at the top of Swan Square (Bennett's Duck Square)
Continuing on from Swan Square is Wedgwood Street which
is the road to Tunstall (Bennett's Turnhill).

On the right are the Sunday School buildings of Swan Bank Methodist Church
(Bennett's Duck Bank Chapel)

Actual location / building:

No 1 Moorland Road at the top of Swan Square.

Built in 1751 as a home for John and Thomas Wedgwood (the uncles of Josiah Wedgwood). Known as the "Big House"

Now a listed building and used as offices.

| index of locations in Bennett's novels |

next: Critchlow's Chemist Shop
previous: Clayhangers Printing Works
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