Bath and County Club

The Bath and County Club is a private members' club in Queen's Parade in Bath, Somerset, England. Originally established as a gentlemen's club in 1858, it is open to all, having admitted women as full members since 1996.[1][2][3]

History

The club was established on 14 April 1858, modelled in the style of London gentlemen's clubs such as White's and Boodles.[4] Other members' clubs then in Bath included the York Club at the York House Hotel, established in 1790, and the New Club at 5 Edgar Buildings, established in 1832.[5] By 1861, both these pre-existing clubs had merged into the new Bath and County Club.[6]

In September 1858, the Bath and County Club opened with 165 members. A large house at 21 Queen Square, Bath, was leased as its headquarters and furnished using the fittings from the defunct York Club. Its membership was drawn from the many retired and serving military officers living in and around Bath, as well as professionals, politicians including Members of Parliament, and landed gentry.[7]

In the 1870s the club extended its accommodations by acquiring an additional lease on 22 Queen Square, as well as the entire block of buildings behind and to the west and north, facing Queen's Parade and Queen's Parade Place.[8]

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Bath and County Club was famous for its lavish annual balls. Usually held in April to close the Bath season, they were hosted in the Upper Rooms or Bath Assembly Rooms.[9]

Post-war years

Following the Second World War, the club struggled financially.[10] In 1953, the club became a luncheon club, rather than residential.[1] In 1978, the members agreed to sell its extensive 18th century properties overlooking Queen Square, and use the funds to renovate the club's remaining premises facing Queen's Parade.[11][10] Following the renovations in 1981, the club now had a modern bar, library, billiards room and dining room with extensive kitchens.[10]

Membership

The club first allowed ladies to become associate members in 1953.[1] Although women were allowed to dine with men, they were not allowed to drink with them until 1979, and the club retained a gentlemen-only bar.[1] Gwen Jones became the club's first lady bartender and its first club secretary, years before the club finally voted to extend full membership to women in October 1996.[1]

Membership is open to all on an annual fee basis. Benefits include the use of the Club's facilities during the daytime, as well as the opportunity to join the Club's many social and evening events, lunches and dinners. The Club also offers reciprocal membership to a wide range of prestigious Clubs around the world.[citation needed]

Notable past and present members

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Best, Wendy (28 October 1996). "City club's final barrier is breached by women". Western Daily Press. Retrieved 7 January 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Our History". The Bath & County Club. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Women 'threat' to gents only club". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 10 December 1999. Retrieved 7 January 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ A History of the Bath and County Club 1858-1983, F R Stephen, 1983
  5. ^ The History of the Bath and County Club 1858-1922, Cdr A H B Day RN, 1962
  6. ^ A Footnote to the History of the Bath and County Club, F R Stephen, 1988
  7. ^ The History of the Bath and County Club 1858-1922, Cdr A H B Day RN, 1962
  8. ^ A History of the Bath and County Club 1858-1983, F R Stephen, 1983
  9. ^ Bath Chronicle, 28 April 1870
  10. ^ a b c Weston, Peter (23 June 2007). "Time gentlemen, please; The gentlemen's club first appeared in the 16th century, when men of means would gather to converse. Peter Weston looks at the state of the modern clubs still in existence, a few weeks prior to the smoking ban". Western Daily Press. Retrieved 7 January 2025 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ A History of the Bath and County Club 1858-1983, F R Stephen, 1983
  12. ^ "Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Armitage, former 'Halton apprentice' who rose to the top of the RAF – obituary". The Telegraph. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2025 – via ProQuest.