Eccentric Club Online - The Eccentric Club (UK)

Although the re-launched Eccentric Club has only been in existence for a fairly short time, we have been inundated with post which included many enquiries from (and/or about) the former members of the Eccentric Club in Ryder Street, from some others - interested in acquiring our membership and members of the public conducting genealogical researches of their families... To our own great surprise, we have managed to help a number of those individuals enquiring about the old club and its members, both in Britain and abroad!

We have also received a great number of congratulations and letters of the expressed support to our endeavours, i.e. the Eccentric Club restoration.

We intend to publish here some of the most interesting pieces of our correspondence as well as the open research enquiries and appeals for any possible information from some members of the public to whom we could not help...

"My father was a member of The Eccentric Club in the early seventies. My huge sadness following his death last year prompted me to look up 'Eccentric' on the web. Our house was full of owls of every description! My Dad started the ISL (International Snooker League), with fellow eccentrics - Ray Reardon and Joe Davis. As a child, I have entered the inner sanctum of the club - the snooker room at Ryder St with Joe and my Dad. I was told I was the first girl ever to enter that room! I don't know if that's true, but I loved what The Eccentric Club was for my Dad, how much it meant to him, his devastaion when it folded, it is a part of my childhood.

The fact that it's being reformed is quite amazing to me. I would love to know who started this all off and how you came together, whether any of you are children of the former members or just admirers of the whole ethos of what the Eccentric Club was. Obviously, my experience is but a few years in relation to its history but for me it was very influential.

My father was an amazing character who loved the club with all his heart. My mother reminded me of other members, Louis Scott, Ronnie Carroll (singer in the 50's), so many... We have many photos and even the eccentric silver owl snooker trophy, awarded to my father in the 70's. My mother was very moved when I told her about your efforts... They were married for 46 years, so the year after my Dad's passing to find the Eccentric Club still exists, means an enourmous amount to her."

Rebecca Miller-Cheevers

A letter of support and congratulations from Peter Underwood FRSA, Britain's No.1 authority on ghosts, author of 46 books, veteran television broadcaster and internationally acknowledged leading paranormal investigator, member of The Ghost Club, The Savage Club and a number of other prestigious institutions.

"The world's leading ghost hunter." - The Observer

"The Sherlock Holmes of Psychical Research" - Dame Jean Conan Doyle

"Probably knows more about ghosts than any man alive." - Sunday Times

"My father was a member and I once went there for lunch. I remember the clock and also the billiard room, which at the time had paintings of naked women on the walls (allegedly to distract visiting players). My parents always went to the New Year Party at the Club - probably the only time women were allowed in! He also always used a Club diary. Fond memories of a different time and my father. Fascinating to see the club has been revived."

Mr P.W.Stevens

"I wonder whether you can help place an occasion on 12th January 1937 that is advertised in an illustration by John Hassall in the form of a menu.

Wilfred Vincent Brooks is pictured and was a member of the Eccentric Club at this time. It has been suggested that the illustrations behind him may be those of other artists in the London Sketch Club.

Is there a connection? The reverse side is a menu with the logo of 'Entre Nous 1910'. More info can be found here:

http://vincentbrooksnotes.blogspot.com/2008/03/john-hassall-draws-wv-brooks.html"

L.Greaves

"Hello. I'm researching the life of a member of the Eccentric Club: Henry Montague-Bates (Monty) 1849 - 1928 for one of his descendants. It is proving very difficult to find any information about the club, it's history and activities and I am wondering if you could possibly help me to at least know where to look!"

Ms G.Saunders




Welcome to the Club Definition of Eccentricity Contradiction in Terms Eccentric Hall of Fame Charitable Institution Reciprocal Clubs Club News & Events Registration Contact Letters to the Club Recommended Read Hire an Eccentric! Eccentric Retreat in Bath Useful Links Members Only	Although the re-launched Eccentric Club has only been in existence for a fairly short time, we have been inundated with post which included many enquiries from (and/or about) the former members of the Eccentric Club in Ryder Street, from some others - interested in acquiring our membership and members of the public conducting genealogical researches of their families... To our own great surprise, we have managed to help a number of those individuals enquiring about the old club and its members, both in Britain and abroad! We have also received a great number of congratulations and letters of the expressed support to our endeavours, i.e. the Eccentric Club restoration. We intend to publish here some of the most interesting pieces of our correspondence as well as the open research enquiries and appeals for any possible information from some members of the public to whom we could not help... "My father was a member of The Eccentric Club in the early seventies. My huge sadness following his death last year prompted me to look up 'Eccentric' on the web. Our house was full of owls of every description! My Dad started the ISL (International Snooker League), with fellow eccentrics - Ray Reardon and Joe Davis. As a child, I have entered the inner sanctum of the club - the snooker room at Ryder St with Joe and my Dad. I was told I was the first girl ever to enter that room! I don't know if that's true, but I loved what The Eccentric Club was for my Dad, how much it meant to him, his devastaion when it folded, it is a part of my childhood. The fact that it's being reformed is quite amazing to me. I would love to know who started this all off and how you came together, whether any of you are children of the former members or just admirers of the whole ethos of what the Eccentric Club was. Obviously, my experience is but a few years in relation to its history but for me it was very influential. My father was an amazing character who loved the club with all his heart. My mother reminded me of other members, Louis Scott, Ronnie Carroll (singer in the 50's), so many... We have many photos and even the eccentric silver owl snooker trophy, awarded to my father in the 70's. My mother was very moved when I told her about your efforts... They were married for 46 years, so the year after my Dad's passing to find the Eccentric Club still exists, means an enourmous amount to her." Rebecca Miller-Cheevers A letter of support and congratulations from Peter Underwood FRSA, Britain's No.1 authority on ghosts, author of 46 books, veteran television broadcaster and internationally acknowledged leading paranormal investigator, member of The Ghost Club, The Savage Club and a number of other prestigious institutions. "The world's leading ghost hunter." - The Observer "The Sherlock Holmes of Psychical Research" - Dame Jean Conan Doyle "Probably knows more about ghosts than any man alive." - Sunday Times "My father was a member and I once went there for lunch. I remember the clock and also the billiard room, which at the time had paintings of naked women on the walls (allegedly to distract visiting players). My parents always went to the New Year Party at the Club - probably the only time women were allowed in! He also always used a Club diary. Fond memories of a different time and my father. Fascinating to see the club has been revived." Mr P.W.Stevens "I wonder whether you can help place an occasion on 12th January 1937 that is advertised in an illustration by John Hassall in the form of a menu. Wilfred Vincent Brooks is pictured and was a member of the Eccentric Club at this time. It has been suggested that the illustrations behind him may be those of other artists in the London Sketch Club. Is there a connection? The reverse side is a menu with the logo of 'Entre Nous 1910'. More info can be found here: http://vincentbrooksnotes.blogspot.com/2008/03/john-hassall-draws-wv-brooks.html" L.Greaves "Hello. I'm researching the life of a member of the Eccentric Club: Henry Montague-Bates (Monty) 1849 - 1928 for one of his descendants. It is proving very difficult to find any information about the club, it's history and activities and I am wondering if you could possibly help me to at least know where to look!" Ms G.Saunders


© The Eccentric Club (UK), 2007-2008.