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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1164.PDF
THE LONDON FLYING CLUB, HENDON EVERYONE knows the old story of the countryman at the Zoo, who being asked what he thought of the giraffe which he then saw tor the first time, after a pause, which could almost be heard, muttered : " Well, I don't believe it." In somewhat similar vein a month or so back, our thoughts were inclined to march in sympathy with that yokel when we heard forecasts of the London Flying Club which was then in course of completion at the Hendon Aerodrome. The picture painted of what was to be the outcome of this scheme to provide London society with a real country club in London, with the added attraction of a Flying Club and all that that carries with it, was so elaborate that it was not easy to visualise what was really going on at Hendon—one has be come so accustomed to roughly fashioned and none too sightly hangars, whether in canvas, wood or otherwise. But a casual visit the other day to the Grahame White 'drome and works down by Collingdale Avenue, served as an excuse to " drop in " at the other side of the scene and have a peep at what really was being accomplished in readiness for the launching of the London Flying Club. Surprise is hardly the word. Frankly we were utterly astounded at what we saw. Instead of the anticipated more or less flimsy erections " in series " which we expected to encounter, upon arrival at the Club main gates, our car passed through and round a broad gravelled drive to the entrance to the Club itself, where were hall porters and attendants in Club uniform, immediately in evidence to attend to members or their friends. Therefore, we argued, the Club must already be in actual operation. And in another moment, upon actually entering the hall, this idea again forced itself forward. But a second or two and Mr. Claude Grahame White was notified of a visitor. During the short interval pending his arrival from some remote part of the range of buildings, we entered the reception hall of the Club with an instant feeling of comfort, luxury and content gradually spreading over us in spite of the pelting ghastly rain out of which we had just passed. Scattered about in apparent haphazard positions were roomy arm chairs of all shapes and sizes, settees in keeping which, with their big downy-looking cushions, seemed to silently invite to repose ; around the walls were writing tables at regular intervals, whilst in squares enclosed by more settees were collections of huge palms and cool-looking ferns, which on the torrid day of our visit were a very welcome antidote to the general sun-heat prevailing. Glancing through the tall windows of this capacious lounge, in the forefront a delightful series of lawns with garden seats by the hundred, and a plashing fountain on the wide terrace which runs the entire length of the Club building, met the view. On the lawns were hard tennis courts in play, with an old-world garden stone path ending with a summer-house, dividing the courts. And away beyond is a grand stretch of level grassland with a natural background of stately trees stretch ing away to the right as far as the range of sight reached. Here some 80 acres are available for the Club's actual flying members and their friends, and for the future development of sports, as circumstances may in the immediate future call for. In this connection arrangements include provision for polo, golf, squash rackets, covered tennis-courts, real ice- skating, etc. During these few moments of looking round, Mr. Grahame White, the prime mover in this delightful transformation of what was originally a portion of the old Hendon aerodrome, had materialised and under his guidance the rest of the really attractive Club premises were revealed. Adjoining the lounge and coupled up with it by a well-appointed "corridor," of such spacious dimensions as really to constitute a " junior " lounge, the ball-room was the next item. Here again the most admirable taste and forethought has been exercised in planning as charming a dancing-room as can be seen either in or out of London. It required no emphasising to convince that 2,000 could easily be accommodated in this building, whilst a very suggestive provision for future enter tainment is provided at one end in the form of a large stage, suitable, we should say, for the production in reason of almost any ordinary play. Hereon to start with will perform the Club's bands—a Hawaiian orchestral combination is the at traction which has been secured for the opening months of the autumn. At the opposite end of the " corridor " is the» main dining-room, where accommodation for a very large number of members is provided for. As to the cuisine and cellar, which later we were able to sample, if there were nothing else to attract at the L.F.C. this side of the new Club will probably quickly draw Hendon-way the cream of those who appreciate the haute cuisine with good service, midst charming surroundings. It was an experience afterwards to wander through the kitchen and its " satellites " which makes the exceptional service at all possible. No point of up-to-dateness has here been overlooked, not forgetting a very complete refrigerating plant. Everywhere the guid ing hand of experience emerges in the result. Round the huge " kitchener " in the centre of this organisation of " service " is ranged a series of sub-departments, each so placed and equipped as to ensure the minimum of walking for the staff—an important provision—the least confusion and the highest efficiency throughout the system. Wherever possible electricity has been harnessed to do the work usually and wearily carried through by hand, and the white-tiled walls, which are characteristic of this section o; the Club, suggest the impossibility of anything but the most perfect cleanli ness. A move was then made to the upper floor, where, facing the sports ground, a large, light library and writing-room occupies one corner, whilst another noble apartment adjoin ing caters for the card-playing section of the Club. Side by side with these are dressing-rooms, where both sexes can be "ore and after play ensure comfort in attire, and the luxury of a bath, etc., to follow the exertions of their particular sport. And then, beyond, right round the great building run corridors, off which the 80 bedrooms, which form a not unconsidered part of the members' accommodation, range, besides the necessary attendants' offices, bath-rooms, etc. A feature of these bedrooms is that hot and cold water is provided in every one, thus again economising labour, and a Government telephone is also installed in each of the apartments, available either for internal inter-communication or for the ordinary 'phone service, including trunk calls. In these days of increased cost what the entire undertaking means in £ s. d. makes one to think furiously, for no item which tends to comfort has been overlooked in equipping this the latest addition to London's outlets for boredom. Possibly the gross cost has been somewhat discounted by reason of Mr. Grahame White having elected to be his own contractor, and he has carried this through even to the furnishing of the place, the whole of this item having been manufactured " upon the premises " by the G.W. Co. Altogether it is hardly surprising to learn that practically without exception every visitor to the L.F.C. has put his name down for election as a member and that already, although the Club can hardly be said to have opened its doors yet, quite a lengthy list for the committee to go through is on hand, and by the time, about the middle of September, when the President of the Club, Lord Lonsdale, presides at the formal inauguration of the Club, a formidable first list of members should be in being. In the list of vice-presidents is found a number of leaders in the worlds of fashion and of sport, and with the backing which the Club now has, it is fairly safe to prophesy that it should be the vogue commencing with its opening. Ample provision has been made for the convenience of members getting to the Club, by a range of Club cars and other larger conveyances, either direct from town, where the L.F.C. headquarters are at the Ritz Hotel, or from Golders Green station or any other point of attack. Altogether those mainly responsible, working with Mr. Grahame-White, for the carrying through of this important undertaking are to be heartily congratulated. Mr. W. H. Mathews, one of the Directors of the G.W. Co., throughout has given his attention to the plans, architectural work, etc., whilst Signor Nobilli, the Manager of the Club, late of Claridges, Ranelagh, etc., has given invaluable aid in devising and installing the model systems of service which are such a strong point. The secretarial arrangements are in the very capable hands of Maj. G. B. Ollivant, to whom, at Hendon, any inquiries as to membership, etc., should be addressed. Election is by ballot, but members of the Service, sporting and other leading clubs have the privilege of going for election without the formality of a proposer or seconder. The subscription is moderate for the accommodation provided, and members of the Royal Aero Club and R.A.F. officers, past or present, have special consideration respectively in regard to modified subscriptions. In conclusion, we wish the Club a highly suc cessful future, and can well imagine that before long late joiners-up will find that it has become necessary to enforce an entrance fee, which for the moment is not being imposed. Il66
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