Royal Air Force Club
It's a shame the Gremlin Club is no more. It opened during WW2 for RAF, Commonwealth and Allied Air Forces aircrew. The rooms were cheap, the food was good and the bar was open when all others were closed. Unfortunately it went out existence in the mid sixties.
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For a visiting Kiwi, and RNZAF Rtd, the RAF Club was very handy and I've stayed there on the odd occasion, but the last time I sought a booking it was declined by some snotty sheila; no reason given!
I should perhaps add, that one of my more memorable occasions occurred in the RAF Club.On a visit to the UK a few years ago, I arrived back at the club and took the lift which happened to full of somewhat elderly gentlemen in dinner jackets covered in lots of medals!
I gave my usual affable "G'day", and one of these gentlemen said; "Ah, a Kiwi eh, you'll know Alan Deere then"?
I pointed out that while many of my , post-war, generation would certainly know of Alan Deere, and I had in fact a treasured copy of his "Nine Lives", few of us would ever have had the opportunity to meet him.
'Right" he said," we can fix that", and I was ushered along to meet the man in question. I must admit I was a bit stunned to be standing chatting to one of my real heroes. A very modest man as I recall.
I should perhaps add, that one of my more memorable occasions occurred in the RAF Club.On a visit to the UK a few years ago, I arrived back at the club and took the lift which happened to full of somewhat elderly gentlemen in dinner jackets covered in lots of medals!
I gave my usual affable "G'day", and one of these gentlemen said; "Ah, a Kiwi eh, you'll know Alan Deere then"?
I pointed out that while many of my , post-war, generation would certainly know of Alan Deere, and I had in fact a treasured copy of his "Nine Lives", few of us would ever have had the opportunity to meet him.
'Right" he said," we can fix that", and I was ushered along to meet the man in question. I must admit I was a bit stunned to be standing chatting to one of my real heroes. A very modest man as I recall.
If it would encourage the younger element to keep up their membership and perhaps one day themselves to become old farts dampening the comfy chairs in the corner, I'd certainly add my vote to a scheme reserving a number of rooms for serving officers until a week beforehand.Sentence too long and insufficiently punctuated.
However, it must be for a 'young blade' to propose this - secure in the knowledge that many of the old and once-bold would support it.
However, it must be for a 'young blade' to propose this - secure in the knowledge that many of the old and once-bold would support it.
Step up young blade - you might be surprised at the aged support you would have.
However, the above comments regarding Alan Deere are exactly why we need to let Beags and the other old farts wet the comfy chairs! Quite frankly, whilst some are as dull as dishwater, the vast majority are a delight to sink a few beers with - as some cracking Dining-In nights at Bentley Priory as a holding officer prove.
Wonder what happens when a son or daughter of a current Club member, and who holds in their own right a family membership, subsequently joins the Air Force (or Army/Navy) as an airman/soldier/sailor.
It's a shame, but there we are, and I accept the situation, as does No 1 son. Sorry Robby NL, but I'm with Wrathmonk on this one - dont hold your breath, or at least hold it until all we old old farts are dead!
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Perhaps someone ought to tap the Club "authorities" on the shoulder and point them in the direction of this thread.
Nice chap and would listen if a coherent body formed.
I would agree that 'for serving officer' rooms set aside, until D-x would be a very good way of trialing the theory that... 'we' can't book 'that' far ahead... If after 12 months the Club has manifestly lost 'bums in beds' as a result (just compare the figures under the current approach and the one offered on here) then bin the idea and hold on to the empirical evidence.
Just a thought!
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sisemen
I only dropped out 'cos I couldn't justify the annual subs while living in Oz.
Not that I'm biased, but one could look no further than the Naval Military & Air Force Club of South Australia
Membership fees for country and inter-state members, start from around $AUD200 p.a.
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Robby NL
Surely in this day and age the RAF Club should be for all the RAF,
I was not of the commissioned superhero type and I would not wish to socialise with them any more than they would wish to socialise with those of us further down the food chain. Leave them to it and at least we know where they are!
I remember the Chevrons Club just off Baker St in London which closed in the late 60s or early 70s. As the title suggests it was for NCOs. It had to close because of falling use.
After reading this again I think it sounds a bit bitter. That is not how it is supposed to read and I apologise. I am of the old school and think that there should be a place for each and not a place for all.
Philrigger.
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A couple of years back whilst still serving, I was on a 1 day course put on by a civilian training provider. The location of the course was the RAF Club.
I was a Cpl at the time and this was the only way that I got through the doors of the place.
I was a Cpl at the time and this was the only way that I got through the doors of the place.
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rockape2k7
A usually reliable source tells me that the matter of "blocked" bedroom reservations for serving officers was raised at a meeting last week of one of the Club's committees. I hear that the initial reaction was very favourable, with several options being put forward. The mood of the meeting, I'm told, was that it was another way of helping the more junior members, whose continued support is essential to the long-term future of our Club.
As always, the idea will now have to be taken through the admin process. However, it's encouraging to know that it wasn't simply written off as too difficult, or too expensive.
Watch this space!
As always, the idea will now have to be taken through the admin process. However, it's encouraging to know that it wasn't simply written off as too difficult, or too expensive.
Watch this space!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I have used the club regularly over the years and only had a total failure once and was given a room in an adjacent club on another occasion. There is a technique, admittedly easier in certain jobs or if you are retired.
You can book the Club at no cost months in advance. It used to be 3 but I believe that is now unlimited. You can then cancel at a few hours notice at no cost. Now that is where the 'can't get a reservation' kicks in.
It is very convenient for visiting Buck House - mother-in-law makes her annual pilgrimage. It is convenient for Chelsea too although more expensive on members day
.
It is also useful as a drop in and meeting place - I use the showers most visits. It also has a free internet service. Afternoon tea is good value. I also use the discounted parking at the Mayfair Car Park - it is outside the congestion zone, reasonable for central London and easy to use.
And this year we discovered that breakfast is free for overnight stays in August.
You can book the Club at no cost months in advance. It used to be 3 but I believe that is now unlimited. You can then cancel at a few hours notice at no cost. Now that is where the 'can't get a reservation' kicks in.
It is very convenient for visiting Buck House - mother-in-law makes her annual pilgrimage. It is convenient for Chelsea too although more expensive on members day
.It is also useful as a drop in and meeting place - I use the showers most visits. It also has a free internet service. Afternoon tea is good value. I also use the discounted parking at the Mayfair Car Park - it is outside the congestion zone, reasonable for central London and easy to use.
And this year we discovered that breakfast is free for overnight stays in August.
PN
Spooky - booked my room for the night before Members Day and thought it was more than normal! And no inclusive brekkie either. Guess breafkast will be strawberries, cream and Pimms (and probably cost as much as the room!)
It is convenient for Chelsea too although more expensive on members day
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Last time I was there I spied an Arctic Star emblem. The old boy, he looked incredibly young, flew Hurricanes in Murmansk. After the war he was an AA in Moscow. Absolutely top bloke.
Another time, another young 'un in the Running Horse, was on Wimpys in the Gulf of Aden.
And for BEages I even had a chat with his old friend BB
Another time, another young 'un in the Running Horse, was on Wimpys in the Gulf of Aden.
And for BEages I even had a chat with his old friend BB
brakedwell: "It's a shame the Gremlin Club is no more. It opened during WW2 for RAF, Commonwealth and Allied Air Forces aircrew. The rooms were cheap, the food was good and the bar was open when all others were closed. Unfortunately it went out existence in the mid sixties."
No, not the mid 60s - I stayed at the Gremlin December 1970, having "indulged" on the VC10 from RAF Changi to Brize. In those days a lot of us Aussies, having done our tour in Vietnam, hitched down to Singapore to get the VC10. My fellow passenger on the way to UK (through Gan and Akrotiri) was an RAF WGDCR (Bacon I think?) who had just ferried out a Hunter for the new Singapore Air Defence Command. Then train to Paddington (I think) and fast black to the Gremlin. Met one of my mates there as soon as I walked in, then down to The Swan on Bayswater. The nearby Columbia Club was then a US officers' club which we could also use. Good days!!
I was member of the RAF Club during my RAF years and into retirement, but rather pointless now that I live on the other side of the world, as I often did run into unavailability when I was a member.
No, not the mid 60s - I stayed at the Gremlin December 1970, having "indulged" on the VC10 from RAF Changi to Brize. In those days a lot of us Aussies, having done our tour in Vietnam, hitched down to Singapore to get the VC10. My fellow passenger on the way to UK (through Gan and Akrotiri) was an RAF WGDCR (Bacon I think?) who had just ferried out a Hunter for the new Singapore Air Defence Command. Then train to Paddington (I think) and fast black to the Gremlin. Met one of my mates there as soon as I walked in, then down to The Swan on Bayswater. The nearby Columbia Club was then a US officers' club which we could also use. Good days!!
I was member of the RAF Club during my RAF years and into retirement, but rather pointless now that I live on the other side of the world, as I often did run into unavailability when I was a member.
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Guests at the RAF Club
Members are welcome to bring both Serving and non-Serving people into the Club's dining and bar areas as their guests provided they are of course conforming to dress codes.
Royal Air Force Club
The previous thread on this subject unfortunately degenerated into entirely unnecessary bickering on perceived racism and was predictably closed:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...cadilly-2.html
My own interest in reopening this thread has nothing at all to do with the ethnicity of the staff, but how it is financed.
As you can see I am coming up to 65, and one of the little perks I was looking forward to was the fact that my annual subcriptions to the club were going to be frozen at the level they were on my attaining the age of 65. Now I discover that wef 1 January 2012 (ironically my 65th birthday) this concession is being withdrawn.
I dont know what perception the trustees of the club have of a retired officer. Someone who retired at 55 on a full pension, maybe worked for another 10 years in industry/commerce and picked up another one, maybe has a rental property to add to the pot - all in all quite comfortable, thank you? In my own case I struggle to maintain my membership and visit the club once a year on my limited means, but I would like to keep it up as one of the few luxuries I permit myself. I suspect I am not the only retired RAF officer who is not exactly living in clover.
In the previous thread I saw moans from serving officers that the club seems to be run for the benefit of retired members. However if like them I were to be paying half a day's pay for membership on my present rate of income, my subscriptions would be reduced by more than 50% overnight .
By the way, what is half a day's basic pay for, say, a 6 year flight lieutenant these days? I somehow suspect he/she is getting a better deal than I am.
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...cadilly-2.html
My own interest in reopening this thread has nothing at all to do with the ethnicity of the staff, but how it is financed.
As you can see I am coming up to 65, and one of the little perks I was looking forward to was the fact that my annual subcriptions to the club were going to be frozen at the level they were on my attaining the age of 65. Now I discover that wef 1 January 2012 (ironically my 65th birthday) this concession is being withdrawn.
I dont know what perception the trustees of the club have of a retired officer. Someone who retired at 55 on a full pension, maybe worked for another 10 years in industry/commerce and picked up another one, maybe has a rental property to add to the pot - all in all quite comfortable, thank you? In my own case I struggle to maintain my membership and visit the club once a year on my limited means, but I would like to keep it up as one of the few luxuries I permit myself. I suspect I am not the only retired RAF officer who is not exactly living in clover.
In the previous thread I saw moans from serving officers that the club seems to be run for the benefit of retired members. However if like them I were to be paying half a day's pay for membership on my present rate of income, my subscriptions would be reduced by more than 50% overnight .
By the way, what is half a day's basic pay for, say, a 6 year flight lieutenant these days? I somehow suspect he/she is getting a better deal than I am.
Avoid imitations
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As a retired officer I think I've got a better deal.
i.e. Never suscribed and never been to the place.
i.e. Never suscribed and never been to the place.
The medium edge of the wedge perhaps? The Club is obviously struggling for money...
Given the ever shrinking size of the RAF Officer cadre, changes in living tastes, higher priorities for hard earned money, I think the RAF Club needs to evolve radically or face extinction.
I believe the perception, it is certainly my own, is that the RAF Club "seems to be run for the benefit of retired SENIOR officers".
One of the great, or frustrating, depending on your point of view, things about perceptions is that they don't have to be true, or based on any facts, to be widely held - they just are!
Edited for poor spelling!!!
Given the ever shrinking size of the RAF Officer cadre, changes in living tastes, higher priorities for hard earned money, I think the RAF Club needs to evolve radically or face extinction.
I believe the perception, it is certainly my own, is that the RAF Club "seems to be run for the benefit of retired SENIOR officers".
One of the great, or frustrating, depending on your point of view, things about perceptions is that they don't have to be true, or based on any facts, to be widely held - they just are!
Edited for poor spelling!!!
Last edited by Biggus; 24th May 2011 at 20:19.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Partaking of a free breakfast last August - breakfast if free in August - I noted a former ACM in the bay window (buying a used car springs to mind) and a former Air Cdre in another corner.
There may be some truth in what Biggus says.
That said, the same weekend, I met a retired officer, I would guess gp capt but equally could have been a flt lt. He had flown Hurricanes at Murmansk. Post-war he was an attache in Moscow - fascinating.
A year or so before I met another in the Running Horse. No idea of his rank but IIRC he served on Wellingtons in the Gulf of Aden - equally fascinating.
There may be some truth in what Biggus says.
That said, the same weekend, I met a retired officer, I would guess gp capt but equally could have been a flt lt. He had flown Hurricanes at Murmansk. Post-war he was an attache in Moscow - fascinating.
A year or so before I met another in the Running Horse. No idea of his rank but IIRC he served on Wellingtons in the Gulf of Aden - equally fascinating.
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The success of the place ebbs and flows. In the late 90s when I got involved with the RAF, the place was in difficulty because it was underused and frequented primarily by a handful of old-timers.
There followed a succesful campaign to get some young blood in and get junior officers involved. Prices were set very reasonably and so in the early to mid 2000's, I and many other younger guys used the place very frequently. The Club seemed to be thriving off the back of that.
Perhaps as a result of that success they racked the prices up to the extent where I (now an airline pilot earning more than a Flt Lt) can't justify regular use of the place. I can get a hotel room of better quality than The Club, in the same area, for about half the price. Consequently I only used it once last year.
I feel they have been pricing themselves out of the market, and predictably, once again, you rarely see anyone under 40 there. The latest news from a fellow retired oficer who attended a dinner recently, was that The Club is now concerned that with the old-timers gradually fading away and with the RAF being cut back, there will be insufficient membership to support its future. The first comment is a natural truth. The second is a red herring. Encouraging greater takeup by currently serving junior officers is the key to the future of the club.
The RAF Club is great facility and I sincerely hope it prospers for many years to come. I think a better management strategy what is needed.
(If anyone knows the Air Crew Association, that organziation recently died, quite literally, because they failed to do enough to encourage a new generation of members - I would hate to see the RAF Club go the same way.)
There followed a succesful campaign to get some young blood in and get junior officers involved. Prices were set very reasonably and so in the early to mid 2000's, I and many other younger guys used the place very frequently. The Club seemed to be thriving off the back of that.
Perhaps as a result of that success they racked the prices up to the extent where I (now an airline pilot earning more than a Flt Lt) can't justify regular use of the place. I can get a hotel room of better quality than The Club, in the same area, for about half the price. Consequently I only used it once last year.
I feel they have been pricing themselves out of the market, and predictably, once again, you rarely see anyone under 40 there. The latest news from a fellow retired oficer who attended a dinner recently, was that The Club is now concerned that with the old-timers gradually fading away and with the RAF being cut back, there will be insufficient membership to support its future. The first comment is a natural truth. The second is a red herring. Encouraging greater takeup by currently serving junior officers is the key to the future of the club.
The RAF Club is great facility and I sincerely hope it prospers for many years to come. I think a better management strategy what is needed.
(If anyone knows the Air Crew Association, that organziation recently died, quite literally, because they failed to do enough to encourage a new generation of members - I would hate to see the RAF Club go the same way.)