Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> BBC Club http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1387559860 Message started by Bill Jenkin on Dec 20^th, 2013, 5:18pm

Title: BBC Club
Post by Bill Jenkin on Dec 20^th, 2013, 5:18pm

Email to members received today:

"Dear Members,

Unfortunately BBC Club’s bids to retain the W12 catering contract and gain the contract for W1 were unsuccessful. We felt it was important that members learn of this from the Club rather than newspapers, rumours or Ariel.

This is extremely disappointing given the recent loss of the Television Centre and Bush House Clubs without replacement premises, however we will still retain our Club and gyms at Western House and Elstree, our regional clubs in Salford, Perivale and Radio Lancashire and our Club Alive gym in Media Centre W12.

For 90 years (almost) we have been partners of the BBC to provide leisure and relaxation to its people. The Club team will continue to work hard to provide events, activities and benefits for our membership. The catering operations in W12 will continue as they are until April 2014, when they will be handed over to the new contractor. Members will still be able to obtain member discounts in those outlets until then. We will also be in continuous negotiation with BBC as to how we can enhance our services and best serve our members for the future and we will keep you updated in the New Year.

May we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to celebrating our 90th Anniversary with you in 2014.

Best Regards

BBC Club Board"

Title: Re: BBC Club
Post by Administrator on Dec 21^st, 2013, 4:23pm

"Would Mr. Andrew Pandy please call at reception?"

Title: Re: BBC Club
Post by John on Dec 21^st, 2013, 7:06pm

I witnessed on of those pages. We almost couldn't keep straight faces, poor old commissionaire!!!

Title: Re: BBC Club
Post by JohnW on Dec 22^nd, 2013, 10:00am

Yes, the Langham Club was a truly great place, and I have many, many cherished memories from those days.
And we were all "children" then, laughing at the announcement "Mr R. Sole - Calling Mr R Sole".
Do you think the Commissionaire ever cottoned on? Wonder whatever happened to him?
I suppose that'll be one of life's remaining mysteries.
Ah - Happy Days!!

Title: Re: BBC Club
Post by Bill Jenkin on Dec 22^nd, 2013, 11:27am

Eric was the commissionaire at TC Club. According to a post in another forum it was thought that he was forced to retire because of his age and died very shortly afterwards, "... for that had been his life".

Title: Re: BBC Club
Post by EyeTunes on Dec 23^rd, 2013, 11:11am

In 1966-1969-Lewis(?) was the commissionaire in the Ariel bar at the Langham. Fully turned out in a proper uniform with an excellent parade pitch of a voice--he claimed to drive an Alvis-who remembers him?.....not to mention George-a barman somewhat hard of hearing( who never got your order wrong though!) who looked after the Savoy Lounge round the corner from the sandwich bar overlooking the black and white tv. The former manned by ladies in sharp white 1940's canteen kit selling well done sausages behind their brief encounter BR lookalike perspex!
And while we are at it--who recalls the "all you can eat for 3/9d" salad bar overlooking upper Regents St--where you could judiciously pile your small plate with as much tinned veggies as it could take to accompany your veal and ham pie slice?

a

Title: Re: BBC Club (W1)
Post by JohnW on Dec 23^rd, 2013, 11:25am

Yep, that's the place, EyeTunes!! And although I do remember the 3/9d Salad bar (which later became Langham 1 - with a Neve desk and an 8-track - where Led Zeppelin recorded some very early [not to say noisy!] BBC sessions!) I was more a frequenter of the main bar.
I could never understand why, when it could take you 10 mins to get a round of drinks at lunchtime, they were ever able to say that the place wasn't economic to run!
Ah well, it's all water under the bridge now - but I do have some wonderful memories of those times.

Title: Re: BBC Club
Post by double-vision on Dec 23^rd, 2013, 11:46am

On a different tack, who remembers the Club in Hamilton Drive in Glasgow. Jimmy the barman was a gem. Remember to listen out for your meal order being called out in case it was "nicked" by one of the Band, the Scottish Variety Orchestra. Voracious in appetite and thirst, a fine bunch of "lads" . Oh happy days! I can recall actually running the few hundred yards from B.H. to the Club to beat the Band to the bar. Nostalgic, of course!
Dave

Title: Re: BBC Club
Post by Mikej on Dec 23^rd, 2013, 9:52pm

Two or three doors from Mrs Cameron's Guest House where we used to stay when working in GW doing things like early GW marathons. Very convenient for the BBC Club and BH. I bet she only charged well within the Sched A rate as well.

Mike