Cartshaft Working Men’s Club, Shaw - a bar dedicated to veterans

The bar above the Cartshaft Working Men’s Club has been created by Shaw childhood friends Andy Thorpe, 53, and Grant Marsden, 58, who have turned what was once a dark and damp room into a veteran’s haven.

Andy and Grant, who are both veterans themselves, wanted to replicate a family bar they both frequented whilst serving in Germany in their hometown of Shaw.

Andy took the idea to Mark Whitney, another childhood friend and member of the Cartshaft Working Men’s Club, who offered an upstairs room that had been left empty for two years.

Andy, who served in the army for 23 years in the artillery, and Grant, who served ten years as a foot soldier, seized the opportunity.

The pair began refurbishing the room in March last year and have only recently completed it almost a year later.

The bar is decorated from floor to ceiling with war memorabilia, including medals and flags, and photographs of the many men and women from Shaw and Crompton who have served in the armed forces donated by their families.

Andy researches each veteran in the bar before hanging their picture, including when they served, accessing information through the Ministry of Defence.

Photographs of the veterans take up most of the wall space with Andy’s uncle, Joseph Tippett, a Royal Marine who lost a finger on D- Day, and Grant’s grandfather, William Marsden, an anti-aircraft gunner who served on the crane in the Second World War, among them.

Left to right: Andy's uncle Joseph Tippett and Grant's grandfather Willliam Marsden (Image: Newsquest)

The bar also has a large photograph of Winston Churchill on display, who was an MP for Oldham before going onto lead Britain to victory in the Second World War as Prime Minister, and several photographs of the late Queen Elizabeth II, as well as framed newspaper clippings from her visit to Lilac Mill in 1954.

Currently more than 25 veterans and serving soldiers use the bar and are part of a strong community.

Andy recently raised funds to remake a General Service Medal for fellow veteran Paul Kelly, an ex-paratrooper from Shaw, after he lost his original medal.

Andy Thorpe presenting veteran Paul Kelly with his new General Service Medal (Image: Andy Thorpe)

Commenting on the bar, Andy, who now works as the security team manager at Oldham Sixth Form College, said: “It’s like a happy family.

“It’s open to everybody not just veterans and there’s a friendly atmosphere.

"We get a lot of people who have family that have served in the armed forces and donated and serving soldiers who come in and have a beer with us when they’re on leave and tell us what’s happening in the world.”

Grant, who also volunteers with the Royal British Legion, added: “It’s good for us veterans because some of use suffer with our mental health and it’s a good place to talk.

“Squaddies are different, we have a different sense of humour and just understand each other.

"I can say something to Andy that no-one else would understand unless they served.

“It’s the best thing to happen in Shaw for a long time and we’re never giving up on it.”

Agreeing, Andy added: “We’re here to help our veterans, our own. Shaw and Crompton veterans and further afield.”

Asked whether the veterans share memories when they visit, Andy smiled tapped the table and said: “If this wood could talk it would make your hair curl.”

The bar is also open to veterans’ families and non-veterans.

There is also a TV with Sky Sports channels, which plays sports including football, karaoke, and a dartboard.

The bar opens every Sunday from 1pm until 7pm and serves drinks and free bar snacks as well as roast beef sarnies which are free for veterans.