DETERMINED committee members at Burnley Garrick Club raised £350 on a sponsored walk.

Four intrepid volunteers donned their waterproofs last Tuesday – the wettest day of the week – and set about undertaking the walk to visit five of the different venues the club has performed at during its 80-year history.

The walk began in Claremont Street, Padiham, at the site of the now demolished Claremont Chapel.

The Garrick performed here from 1929 to 1932, when it moved into the old variety theatre in the New Market Tavern, and, occasionally, between 1939 and 1947.

During the Second World War few plays were produced.

In 1947 the Garrick Club moved back into the New Market Tavern – staying there until 1961, when the theatre was demolished to make way for the New Burnley Mall shopping centre.

The Tavern stood on the spot now occupied by New Look.

For the next two years the Garrick was without a venue and then in early 1964 it moved to the Bank Hall Miners’ Club, where it remained until 1966.

The Garrick then returned to the centre of Burnley to the Co-op Buildings in Hammerton Street.

For the next 20 years it was very settled in the new home, but in 1986 the building was declared in need of a major refit and the landlord would not provide the necessary funding.

The Garrick began producing plays at Burnley Mechanics in 1986 and has continued there to the present date.

Accordingly the Mechanics was the final stop on the walk.

Everyone then retired to the home of president Clifford Spencer for a welcome lunch of broth and dumplings, provided by Dorothy Spencer, Clifford’s wife and the Garrick’s social secretary.