Ivy Leaf key is major find for society

Mike Lawson and Mark Johnson with Chadderton Ivy Leaf Club Commemorative Key received from Major Radclyfff

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HISTORY enthusiasts have unlocked part of Chadderton’s past thanks to a donation which arrived by registered post.

Chadderton Historical Society has been sent the ceremonial key presented to Major Charles Robert Eustace Radclyffe when he opened the former Ivy Leaf Club on June 25, 1921.

The Chancery Street club, demolished around 1970, was the original headquarters of Chadderton Royal British Legion — the third-oldest branch in the country.

The first event was a well-attended smoking concert with entertainment by the Emerald Concert Party. Within a week there were 97 ordinary members, 11 honorary members and 34 women.

Major Radclyffe was the last lord of the manor of Foxdenton and Chadderton, and the ornate key was donated by his daughter, Lady Maureen Black.

It is in its original case which features an inscribed, silver ivy leaf.

Society secretary, Michael Lawson, said: “It just came by registered post one morning. Lady Black has a lot of stuff to do with Chadderton, and anything she comes across she gives to the society as she is our patron.”