One of the island’s best-loved institutions is marking its 80th anniversary with a party culminating in a gala tomorrow night as Devonshire Recreation Club looks back to its founding on June 1, 1945.

Derek Dechabert, the vice-president of “the Rec”, spoke with The Royal Gazette on the eve of the club opening its field for a communal fair last night.

Mr Dechabert, who was elected last year along with Kwame Steede as president, said: “This is our first big celebration since we came in as an executive and we’ve been preparing this since the beginning of the year.

“Originally when we came in, our goals were community based, getting bingo back on board, holding fun days and doing a clean-up of the area, where the community came out and helped.

“It’s about our overall sense of belonging, especially in the times when children need a place to be and we’re dealing with violence, to show that Devonshire Rec is a pillar of its community.”

He added: “It’s really up to the executive in place now to put their foot on the gas and get the neighbours back out and the whole of Devonshire in general.

“It’s not just Devonshire Rec but Wolves, Devonshire Colts — we’re all community based and it’s important that we come together for the betterment of Bermuda.

“It’s time for us to reflect on what’s taken place previously and start looking to the future, to bigger and better things.

“We acknowledge those who came before us as we look forward.”

The club owes its origins to six Devonshire residents, concerned about recreational outlets for their children, who mortgaged their homes to buy the property where the “Rec” stands.

They were Matthew James, Samuel DeGraffe, Herbert G.A. Stirling, David E. Augustus, Charles W. Thompson and Wilkie Furbert — original trustees whose names went to the club’s bar and lounge in 2008.

The club celebrated its final mortgage payment in 2017 after a long history that included a close affiliation with trade unionism and the Progressive Labour Party.

Dame Lois Browne-Evans, a national hero and leader of the PLP, was its first woman member and the club traditionally hosts the PLP’s annual delegates’ conference.

It provided a haven for picketing workers and union members to gather in the aftermath of what became known as the Belco Riots of 1965.

Celebrations, which included a bingo night on Wednesday and the gala tomorrow at Pier 6 in Hamilton, acknowledge the club’s roots while underscoring it as a place of togetherness.

Mr Dechabert said: “This fair will bring children around the club environment with a petting zoo, basketball nets, things like the egg and spoon and potato sack race, and games for adults — bringing everyone together.

“Growing up, I knew everybody around Cedar Park and that immediate area. We were all outside playing. Nowadays you don’t see that so much.

“With our Sunday gala, we’ll honour past players from our cricket and football teams, softball teams, things of that nature that a lot of our current members under the age of 40 might not know. It’s important to reflect and remember. That gives us a better sense of our responsibility to continue the legacy.”

Club membership these days is close to 100 and Mr Dechabert said the celebrations offered a chance for more people to join.

He added: “We pride ourselves on being a place of recreation, where people can come after hours to have a drink, play cards and unwind before going home.”