THE ALEXANDRA CLUB

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19669, 11 December 1933, Page 10

THE ALEXANDRA CLUB

The Alexandra Club is the oldest women’s club in London. When started in 1883 by Mrs Fitzroy Gardener it was situated at 132, Sackville Street, but in April of the next year it moved to 157. Old Bond Street. It then only consisted of two rooms and was known as the Ladies’ Luncheon Shopping Club. With the increasing membership further accommodation was necesary, and so in 1887 the club moved into the large house which it still occupies. The objects of the club are explained in an extract from the original book and very amusing it ell sounds to us in these days. "The Alexandra Club was established in 1884 for the use of ladies only to meet the want that has long been known to exist among those who reside in the outskirts of London, of a place where they could lunch, have afternoon tea and meet their friends when in the neighbourhood cf Piccadilly for shopping, etc. . . . and generally to give women the same opportunities of social intercourse together with the other advantages of a club that their husbands and brothers already enjoy, avoiding all that'is unwomanly, without representing any distinct school or party, political or otherwise, and to bring together those who represent or are interested in Art. Music. Literature i.r Charitable Work.” This year a great change has taken place. Besides the reorganisation under Lady Edward Spencer Churchill and redecoration of the club, the admittance of men guests for all meals has been instituted. Lectures or other forms of entertainment are not organised. It has always been the aim of the club to run it entirely on social lines. The club has a subscription to one cf ! the best known libraries. One doze.i j books are taken out each week for the i use of members. They are allowed to I write up names of books they wish .o read on a board put up for that