National Club Annual Directors Dinner

Last Friday was the National Club's annual Directors Dinner which included a visit to the new Rooftop Patio, specially decorated for the occasion.

This is actually the outdoor rooftop furniture temporarily in the indoor rooftop space.

The fireplace is working and does a great job heating the indoor rooftop space.

Director & Membership Committee Chair Craig Smith and his wife

Past President Ed Burns dropped in. Director & House Committee Chair Sean Hoehn is with him.

National Club President Stephen Lautens and his wife Rhea.

National Club General manager & COO Bill Morari and President Stephen Lautens

Board Member Winnie Go, Desiree Torrie (past President Norm Torries' wife)
and Sean Hoehn & wife

Dinner in the Goldwin Smith Room

Rooftop Photos

Here are some photos taken yesterday of the progress on the rooftop patio. The drywall is up in the enclosed pavilion and the decking at the front and back has been installed. Cleared of the construction materials, it is quite a large space. The custom sliding doors that allow it to be opened up into a single large area are now installed as well.

A Visit to the East India Club, London

I was in London, England last weekend and stayed at one of our reciprocal clubs - The East India Club in St. James Square.

St. James Square is the heart of London's "clubland", with the Naval & Military Club (the "In & Out") across the square and half a block north of The Royal Automobile Club and a half dozen others on Pall Mall. It is a block south of Jermyn Street and two from Picadilly and Fortnum & Mason.

The East India was originally home to officers of the East India Company on their trips back to England. The main dining room is decorated with portraits of India's British administrators and military leaders.

The guest rooms are small but comfortable. The double rooms have been recently renovated, but the single rooms with bath are good for the business or single traveller. It is London, after all, and you are not there to stay in the room. Not only that, but you have the entire club as your living room, including a cosy library, an enormous reading room (where you can catch up on your horse & hounds, shooting and estate management magazines) and several lively bars.

The Library

The reading room

London is notorious for its hotel prices, but over a weekend the East India Club charges its reciprocal members just £78 a night, including a massive English breakfast (think kippers & sausage) and free WiFi. Clearly the best bargain in London. Drinks at the bar were a mere £3.20, rivalling our own $5 martini night (although ours are bigger).

Second floor bar. In this room the Prince Regent received news
of Wellington's victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. The
window is the balcony where he first announced it to the crowds.

For a reservation at any of The National Club's 250+ reciprocal clubs around the world, please contact the office.

Best regards,

Stephen

Stephen Lautens
President

Thank You Letter from HRH Princess Anne

Dear Club Members,

I am pleased to share with you a letter I received from the Private Secretary to HRH The Princess Royal following her stay last week at The National Club.

Although for security reasons we did not announce it, Princess Anne and her party stayed in the private overnight rooms at our Club, and we were honoured to host her and the charity ball she attended.

Best regards,

Stephen Lautens
President