FAMOUS LONDON CLUB

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1940, Page 10

FAMOUS LONDON CLUB

HOSPITALITY FOR SERVICES. LONDON, April 13. iSpecial provision is to be made for overseas soldiers, sailors and airmen on leave in London by the recently transformed St. Stephen’s Club. Formerly famous as a political rendezvous in the shadow of Big Ben, the club, which closed down a few weeks ago, has re-opened as a social centre for men of the services. It is available to the men now, though the formal opening has been postponed in the hope that Miss Gracie Fields -will be able to perform the ceremony. The subterranean entrance leading from the Club premises direct to the House of Commons, from which in old days there were exciting races when the division bells rang, will become the main entrance. The building is being rented by the War Office and has been handed over to Toe H for management. One condition is that about 160 of the 200 beds shall be available for soldiers wk-e# there is a heavy influx of mc-n oil leave from overseas. The bar from the cocktail room will now serve as a counter in the hall and the cocktail room itself is being converted into a chapel. An altar is expected to be installed and the 1 chapel consecrated very shortly. Some of the club rooms will be used as lounges and others are being converted into dormitories. The charge for a bed for a night will be 1/- and meals will be correspondingly cheap. It will be possible to get bed and full board for less than 3/- a day.