TWO senior staff have vowed that a popular club referred to as 'the heart of the community' will be back after a fire that changed their lives forever.
Amanda Findlay, manager at the 100-year-old Haltwhistle & District Working Men’s Club and Institute, and her husband Adrian, said they feel "numb" as they recall watching their beloved club engulfed by flames.
The tragedy struck on December 1, when Amanda was locking up and felt something was not right.
"That night, at about ten past or quarter past one, I was going to go to bed but there was a funny smell in my house," Amanda said.
"I checked my flat, on top of the club, and it was fine, so I went into the club kitchen - which is adjoined to my house, and saw some smoke.
"I then checked the bar upstairs. There was a little bit of smoke in there too, so I came downstairs to the main door to go into the bar, and I saw flames.
"The flames weren’t that bad or big at the time, but I knew that I had to get out.
“As soon as I got out of the building, I immediately called 999 and said my bar was on fire.
“I could not do anything else but stand there, barefoot, watching the club in flames. It was horrendous.
“I was not worried about my clothes and furniture but more worried as my tortoise, that I have had for eight years, George, was still upstairs – and I could not go in and rescue him.
“I was lucky enough that my rescue cockapoo, Rags, followed me out of the building. He follows us everywhere and, in this case, it was a good job. But we are hoping George has somehow survived the fire.
“What seemed like minutes after my call, the fire brigade came.
“A few had to be pulled back out as the fire was too intense, so they had to break the windows to get on top of the fire.
“It was awful to see it in flames, I had just come back from Tenerife two years ago and took up the position this year, but I had been a relief steward for 13 years – so I had a lot of memories in the building.
"We had a room set out for the children's annual disco and all the presents for them - which were destroyed in the fire.
"Luckily we were able to host it at the leisure centre otherwise it would not have gone ahead.
“It is still awful to see it each day now, but I try not to avoid it as it is something that happened.
“Although it looks bad now, we are hoping to rebuild and continue the club as the ‘club life’ is not dead and will return.
"Everyone had some memories of the club, as it was known to be the heart of the communtiy - so we hope to be back so that will continue."
Former chairman of the club, Adrian, like so many of the community, was one of the last ones in the club before the fire earlier that night and did not know something was happening until a family member came bursting into his flat.
He said: “I had been for a drink that night and I was in bed in my flat next to the club.
“It was not until my brother, who lives in the flat above me, told me that the club was on fire and when I turned my light on – all I could see was smoke filling the room.”
Not knowing what happened to Amanda, Adrian and his brother quickly put on clothes through the thick smoke and headed out of the building, where he was reunited with his wife.
He adds: “I saw her standing on the street looking at the fire with no shoes on, so without thought I headed back into my house to get them – as I knew where they were so I could get it quickly.
“I felt that was all I could do in that situation.”
As the community was woken up by the situation and many seeing the flames – businesses such as The Black Bull and many other local people were ready to help those in need.
One local Samaritan, Terry Christie, owner of The Manor House and local town councillor, offered rooms to all those displaced by fire.
“On that dreadful morning, Ady called me and asked if we had any luxury apartments free and without a second thought I gave Amanda the keys,” Terry said.
“It is a tragic story and situation – no one should be alone and homeless at Christmas.
“We live in a great community, and everyone helps each other. Andrew Pringle, a manager of ours, also volunteers at the fire service and was called out to this incident.
“Additionally, Lilli Dixon and her sister Alisha created a fundraiser which has now reached £4,000, which exceeded their goal of £500.
“We are also hoping to find George safe and well in the upcoming searches after being reassured by wildlife experts that the animal can suck themselves in the shell to get out of danger.
“We are hoping for a Christmas miracle to end this year on a happier note.”
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