In 1975, the old Bourne Institute in West Street was transformed into the Pyramid Club, a change of name that reflects its main activity of snooker and billiards.

It has around 150 members and although there are other leisure pursuits, including a golf section, the green baize is the main preoccupation. The building has drastically changed since those early days in the 19th century and major alterations have been carried out to conform with fire and safety regulations, notably a huge fire escape at the back which contains sixteen tons of metal. Part of the ground floor accommodation has also been turned into two self-contained flats whose income goes into the club funds.

Improvements are ongoing but the main entrance hall and staircase remain unchanged as has the imposing Victorian frontage. The original billiards room on the first floor continues in use with two tables, as in the past, but in the summer of 2004, the club initiated a £100,000 improvement scheme to increase their facilities.

This involved turning the roof space into a second billiards' room with two tables. The area was once a grain store and the roof tiles were evident before work got underway but the final result is an encased playing area worthy of any modern club and accessed by a new staircase from the main part of the building.

The club also contains a bar and television lounge for social occasions and although it is open mainly in the evenings, members who are retired may play the tables during the day and are issued with their own key to the premises to gain access.

WRITTEN DECEMBER 2004

See also     The Bourne Institute     Karen Corr