WOMEN'S CLUBS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 87, 9 October 1937, Page 18

WOMEN'S CLUBS

IMPORTANCE IN ENGLAND

HISTORIC LONDON PREMISES

London is known as "the centre of clubland, " and from this source the whole club movement for women took its birth in the nineteenth century. In this article in a recent issue of the "Cape Times," Miss Maggie Oblowitz,. a Cape Town professional woman, gives personal impressions and reminiscences of a recent visit to England, when she had the opportunity of sampling London's club life for women. It is difficult for those who live in far distant parts of the Empire to realise how club life plays an integral part in, and adds to the interest of the life of the English woman, she writes. And to the visitor to England, a knowledge of the clubs and the facilities they offer is invaluable. It must be remembered that the majority of people live some distance from London proper, and the person who goes home for luncheon Is a rarity. The average woman, whether she be worker or shopper, is away from home all day, and if she wishes to go to»a theatre in the evening she will find it inconvenient to go home for her supper. During the day time the modern and comfortable nestrooms and restaurants attached to nearly all the larger department stores are very well patronised. After closing time their place is taken by the restrooms attached to the large cafes. But it can hardly be said that it is possible to "rest" in them. CLUBS GIVE SOLUTION. The Londoner therefore joins some club within easy distance of the West End and the theatre world. Here, in comfortable surroundings, she can while away an odd hour or two, can glance through periodicals, or write letters and enjoy a refreshing pot of tea. And in the evening she can utilise' the club premises for v changing into evening dress, entertaining a friend or two to dinner, and, if her home is some distance from London, she can arrange to spend her night there. The number of clubs is legion, ranging from those which cater for some special interest common to its members —whether it be music or politics— to those which demand no more than an introduction by a member and payment of its subscription. The subscription rates have a wide range, according to the nature of the club, but on the whole membership of some club or other is open to the woman of average means. IN HISTORIC SETTING. Of the residential clubs visited, two were of particular interest. Crosby Hall, the headquarters of the British Federation of University Women, is an international hall of residence for women graduates. Any member of the thirty-six national associations of university women, whether resident or non-resident, is entitled to use the hall as a club and to entertain guests there. Crosby Hall itself is an historic building and a unique and beautiful example of fifteenth century English architecture. Jiarly this century the fabric of the hall was moved from its original setting, required for business premises, and re-erected near the river, on ground which was once a part of Sir Thomas More's Chelsea garden. The beautiful stonewor : of thr> windows, the vaulting of the oriei, and the curved oak ceiling, which are the glory of the old hall, have been fitted together again, and the place presents very much its original appearance. Attached to the hall is a residential wing containing fifty bed-sitting rooms, many of which have been furnished by donations from different national associations of university women. In this beautiful setting one may meet university women from many parts of the world, some busy on research work, others visiting London. An efficient Hospitality Committee helps to entertain the visitor, and many a university woman has pleasant memories of luncheons and dinners eaten in that lovely old hall, of garden parties on the smooth lawns which border on the river—and of interesting who belong to this great fellowship. MIXED MEMBERSHIP. Another club, in surroundings very different from the serenity and dignity of Crosby Hall, is to be found in Westminster, in the heart, of the West End. It is the London and National Society for Women's Service. This club, which was formerly the London Society for Women's Suffrage, dates from 1866, and has passed through many different phases. Women's service is the name covering a network of practical, social, political, and economic activities, and its object is to improve the position of women and to attain equality of opportunity between men and women. Though the membership of the society proper is open to men and women— the president is the Rt. Hon. Viscount Cecil of Chelwood, K.C.—club residence is confined to its women members. This society is one of the most useful of women's organisations. Its membership subscription is only £1 a year, while overseas members may enrol for 5s per annum. An annex has facilities for bedrooms and breakfast, while changing rooms and baths are also available. There is, too, a restaurant where excellent meals are obtainable at cheap rates. There is also an information bureau which acts as an intelligence department for all societies and individuals! in England and abroad who are interested in questions affecting women's employment and opportunities. In ad- j dition there is a Junior Branch. The activities of the society cover a! wide field and cater for such varied tastes as lectures and politics, economics, art, etc., to dramatic sections, social work groups, and a walkers' and swimming club.