Royal Air Force Club
Long may it stay as it is, and hopefully those moaning on here about it being SOOO expensive (really??! I am also member of somewhere close by and I can assure you that the annual subscription is 3 x what the RAF club is, plus a punchy joining fee) won't come and dampen the happy vibe the RAF club has. 
TTNav
Are you really suggesting that the Club should find the funds to support a SSC JO's membership who has not managed to find a career that will pay a hundred odd quid a year to belong to the Club? Come off it mate, there are Service Charities and RAFA Clubs for those people that haven't got the wonga to even buy a Pint in Piccadilly (the Running Horse is cheap at about £3.50 per pint).
Sadly, "poor old JO Soap" should've worked harder at school - as the saying goes.
The B Word
Are you really suggesting that the Club should find the funds to support a SSC JO's membership who has not managed to find a career that will pay a hundred odd quid a year to belong to the Club? Come off it mate, there are Service Charities and RAFA Clubs for those people that haven't got the wonga to even buy a Pint in Piccadilly (the Running Horse is cheap at about £3.50 per pint).
Sadly, "poor old JO Soap" should've worked harder at school - as the saying goes.
The B Word
The B Word,
Je suis tout a fait d'ccord! My last stay a couple of weeks ago - for dinner, a few glasses of wine, bed, breakfast and a DT was about £115. Where else can you get that on Piccadilly at that price?
If any retired officer is so hard up that they can't pay £134 for membership then the answer is simple: don't join.
Je suis tout a fait d'ccord! My last stay a couple of weeks ago - for dinner, a few glasses of wine, bed, breakfast and a DT was about £115. Where else can you get that on Piccadilly at that price?
If any retired officer is so hard up that they can't pay £134 for membership then the answer is simple: don't join.
Fortunately I'm not in the position of Joe Soap, and indeed I'm looking forward to my next stay in the Club, booked for December.
However I do detect a relentless shift in the club's emphasis from providing a reasonably priced shake down for officers when they are in London to a venue for corporate events, quite often attended by large numbers who have no connection with the RAF.
The B Word - a lot of guys worked hard at school and ended up being shafted when their pension schemes went t**s up a few years back. I just count myself lucky I'm not one of them.
However I do detect a relentless shift in the club's emphasis from providing a reasonably priced shake down for officers when they are in London to a venue for corporate events, quite often attended by large numbers who have no connection with the RAF.
The B Word - a lot of guys worked hard at school and ended up being shafted when their pension schemes went t**s up a few years back. I just count myself lucky I'm not one of them.
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TTN,
How else do you propose to raise enough funds to run the club if you don't have the occasional event in there - especially considering you intend on hugely reducing the rates it sounds for retired officers??
Running/maintaining that building costs money, staff cost money, everything costs money - don't get me wrong, it would be FANTASTIC if HMG funded the place and we could get a pint for 50p, but somehow I don't see that happening in present climate....
Pretty patronising remarks TTN... (although I am well heeled - 6 inch stilettos only on thursdays nights thanks very much)
I am with B word on this...
How else do you propose to raise enough funds to run the club if you don't have the occasional event in there - especially considering you intend on hugely reducing the rates it sounds for retired officers??
Running/maintaining that building costs money, staff cost money, everything costs money - don't get me wrong, it would be FANTASTIC if HMG funded the place and we could get a pint for 50p, but somehow I don't see that happening in present climate....
Pretty patronising remarks TTN... (although I am well heeled - 6 inch stilettos only on thursdays nights thanks very much)
I am with B word on this...
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a venue for corporate events, quite often attended by large numbers who have no connection with the RAF.
These sort of things have been going on for many years and, as snagg says, they provide a good source of income. Usually they're held in rooms that would otherwise be empty, and in my experience the attendees are not at all intrusive either during or after the event.
As for poor JO Soaps. Oh c'mon - the Club's prices are excellent vfm in London, and wouldn't be all that expensive for a 'similar' establishment elsewhere. If the fees and rates are unaffordable for a lot of retired RAF officers (mmm, really?), then that's unfortunate; but as with hundreds of other entry-fee places, it's a choice, not a charity.
Pistols at 1730 in the Running Horse in December?? And who knows, my mate Foldie might even let you have a nip of his Grouse later on
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Oh go on then! But it's your Grouse this year, Jindy, we drank mine last year because you left your bottle on the train!!!!!! We've talked about this!
The Club - A grand and good value for money establishment in a prime location in the centre of London endowed by Lord Cowdrey for the officers/retired officers of the Royal Air Force. Retired officers pay £131 to be members in 2011 and this will rise to £134 in 2012 - a mere pittance at £11.17 per month whether you use it regularly or, perhaps, biannually like me. I doubt many retired officers cannot afford it and most of the 'old boys' that I have come into contact with in my 42 years membership were 'junior officers' who served during the war and, on demob, went off to seek their fortune - and did!
Corporate entertainment? From my experience as a committee member in the late '90s, I recall that no corporate event was permitted if there was a prior Service need! So, in truth, if the room is available and BAe or whomsoever want to pay the going rate for it - better to profit than to lose by cutting off one's nose to spite one's face! At the end of the day, it can only benefit the members, the Service and industry by being able to impress foreign governments (for example) by hosting them in such splendour.
Foldie
PS. It's your bottle, Jindy
The Club - A grand and good value for money establishment in a prime location in the centre of London endowed by Lord Cowdrey for the officers/retired officers of the Royal Air Force. Retired officers pay £131 to be members in 2011 and this will rise to £134 in 2012 - a mere pittance at £11.17 per month whether you use it regularly or, perhaps, biannually like me. I doubt many retired officers cannot afford it and most of the 'old boys' that I have come into contact with in my 42 years membership were 'junior officers' who served during the war and, on demob, went off to seek their fortune - and did!
Corporate entertainment? From my experience as a committee member in the late '90s, I recall that no corporate event was permitted if there was a prior Service need! So, in truth, if the room is available and BAe or whomsoever want to pay the going rate for it - better to profit than to lose by cutting off one's nose to spite one's face! At the end of the day, it can only benefit the members, the Service and industry by being able to impress foreign governments (for example) by hosting them in such splendour.
Foldie
PS. It's your bottle, Jindy
Pistols at 1730 in the Running Horse in December??
my mate Foldie might even let you have a nip of his Grouse later on
as good whisky is wasted on me?
sure you can get a cheaper room if you go to the travel-lodge in Acton, but thats not the point really is it!
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Well yes SOSL, but you got my drift I think
Ayna Whatever
And I'm sure you'll find your food and booze will be similarlly 'cheaper' in the Hilton - probably offsetting the cheaper room price, 'specially if you have similar drinking habits to some of us on here
. But that aside, my own membership has little to do with the cost of the place; there's no way I would swap the Hilton for the personal enjoyment that the RAF Club provides for me.
Tanker
No sweat, more for us. Watch out for the ties
Bbad
He says that every f*****g year
Ayna Whatever
And I'm sure you'll find your food and booze will be similarlly 'cheaper' in the Hilton - probably offsetting the cheaper room price, 'specially if you have similar drinking habits to some of us on here
. But that aside, my own membership has little to do with the cost of the place; there's no way I would swap the Hilton for the personal enjoyment that the RAF Club provides for me.Tanker
No sweat, more for us. Watch out for the ties
Bbad
He says that every f*****g year
Anyway, I'm drinking with my Tornado mates the day before so will be too p****d to partake of too much Grouse!
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Well yes, Jinda, I did get your drift and I agree with everything else you've said on this thread.
Rgds SOS
Rgds SOS
Last edited by SOSL; 4th Nov 2011 at 18:46. Reason: To make sense
AP,
You are welcome to the Hilton.
I am attending a lunch event there (Park Lane Hilton) next month and afterwards I shall invite my fellow pi**heads to head down towards Green Park and continue the thrash in the Running Horse, where we'll probably run into yet more reprobates that we know and have a thoroughly enjoyable time.
It's not just the cost of the room, I know when I stay in London that I can always find something cheaper than the Club, but where is the ambience and the chance to meet an old mate or two?
If you find the antiseptic (cheaper) atmosphere of a hotel superior to that of the Club, then please do cancel your membership. It is your choice. Like many other people I'll continue to pay my £134 subs and value a wonderful facility on Piccadilly, which I can use whenever I find the need to be in London.
You are welcome to the Hilton.
I am attending a lunch event there (Park Lane Hilton) next month and afterwards I shall invite my fellow pi**heads to head down towards Green Park and continue the thrash in the Running Horse, where we'll probably run into yet more reprobates that we know and have a thoroughly enjoyable time.
It's not just the cost of the room, I know when I stay in London that I can always find something cheaper than the Club, but where is the ambience and the chance to meet an old mate or two?
If you find the antiseptic (cheaper) atmosphere of a hotel superior to that of the Club, then please do cancel your membership. It is your choice. Like many other people I'll continue to pay my £134 subs and value a wonderful facility on Piccadilly, which I can use whenever I find the need to be in London.
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To which I have nothing to add. I keep paying but hardly ever go there. I think I ought to start instead of buying lunch/drinks elsewhere when I'm in Llundain.
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In, Out, In...
There have been some interesting views in this thread (and some very bitter ones), but I think it's important to remember that the Club can't be all things to all people. That said, they do try by having different dress rules for different rooms - you can sit in the Running Horse all evening in jeans if you want or, if you're entertaining guests or just like wearing ties, you can use the Cowdray Room. Seems fine to me.
Of course, with so many serving and ex-serving members, we're almost guaranteed never to be happy with it!!! Personally, I've managed to break years of programming now and am very contented with the Club.
Just enjoy and don't worry about it too much.
Of course, with so many serving and ex-serving members, we're almost guaranteed never to be happy with it!!! Personally, I've managed to break years of programming now and am very contented with the Club.
Just enjoy and don't worry about it too much.
Last edited by Mach Two; 21st Nov 2011 at 11:32. Reason: To be more concise
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Bit of a gap in posts here! Maybe there is a more upto date thread.
Just had a most odd e-mail re. annual subs. It was from the Club address. But said, 'Dear Customer'. That's not me, I am a member. It was signed off: Ashwood Portable Buildings Ltd. Sent twice within a few minutes.
Can anyone cast some light on this. I have asked admin at the Club.
Just had a most odd e-mail re. annual subs. It was from the Club address. But said, 'Dear Customer'. That's not me, I am a member. It was signed off: Ashwood Portable Buildings Ltd. Sent twice within a few minutes.
Can anyone cast some light on this. I have asked admin at the Club.
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Further to my last. I have received an e-mail from the RAF Club. They are indeed false e-mails. It is recommended that you do not open them just delete. The source is being investigated.