New Club Door Locking System

As you will have read in previous e-newsletters, the Club has embarked on a new door locking system.

Whilst we appreciate that many feel the traditional metal bedroom door keys were one of those factors that made the Club the Club, they did cause numerous issues:

• Broken locks are a common and expensive occurrence

• Damaged doors as a result of broken keys in locks and jammed door latches are frequent and expensive to repair

• Keys get taken home by mistake and whilst many return them (thank you) replacements are expensive

And so, we recently installed Assa Abloy electronic door locks, similar to those that you may have experienced if you have stayed in a hotel, where you have been given a flat, credit card style key that you insert or tap on the door lock.

Some of course may feel that this is too “hotely.” Some may have also had issues when checking into a hotel, your bedroom was as far away from Reception as it could be and your key card didn’t work when you got there, making it a very frustrating long walk back to Reception to complain and change it for another! On that note, the technology is now far advanced; the credit card or mobile phone in your wallet will not wipe the card clean.

Your key card will be provided on check-in in a little holder that states your room number.

• Traditional keys are easy to identify and security is not as good as it could be when dealing with over 150 metal door keys in a shared building

• Security in a shared building in terms of general access and stock is vital and an area we wish to improve on.

This makes the number easy to remember and the card can also be shown in the Restaurant, Bar and Lounge when the team ask which bedroom you are staying in.

When you check out the key cancels, so if you do take it home, no trip to the post office is required. However, please do leave them with us so that they can be re-programmed for the next member.

For those interested in the future technology and potential developments of this system, it includes the ability to open doors using your mobile phone. Bedroom lights turning on and off when you go into a room is possible, but would entail an extensive re-wiring exercise in all areas of the Club. Cashless payment around the Club using your card, could also be achieved. So, future development….absolutely, if and when the Club chooses to do so.

Do let me know if you have any queries and if you are unsure how the system works the team will be more than happy to assist when you are in the club.

Virginia Masser General Manager

Young V&A

(formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood)

Re-opening its doors on Saturday 1st July 2023 following a £13 million plus redevelopment the Young V&A is designed with, and for, children under the age of 14. The space aims to inspire the next generation of artists, designers, performers and practitioners, with hands-on experiences, dedicated exhibitions and 2,000 works from the V&A’s collection of art and design.

National Portrait Gallery

After several years of redevelopment, the restoration of this stunning Grade I listed building with its many historic features, reopens to the public on 22nd June. A comprehensive redisplay of the Gallery’s Collection from the Tudors to the current day will be displayed in beautifully refurbished galleries. Opening with an unprecedented exhibition, revealing for the first time, extraordinary photographs taken by Paul

McCartney between December 1963 and February 1964 when The Beatles were transitioning from a British sensation to global phenomenon.

Summer Exhibition: Royal Academy of Arts

13th June — 20th August 2023

The Summer Exhibition is the world’s oldest open-submission art exhibition. Held every year since 1769 the Summer Exhibition displays works in a variety of mediums and genres by emerging and established artists. Prints, paintings, film and photography, sculpture, architectural works and more.

DIVA Exhibition: V&A Museum

Opens Saturday 24th June 2023

Promising to celebrate the power and creativity of iconic performers. From the Opera goddesses of the Victorian era to today’s global megastars, it will explore and redefine what it means to be a diva and how this has been subverted or embraced over time.

Dinosaur World Live

11th August 2023 – 3rd September 2023

Craig Godfrey Member Experience Manager The Membership Experience Department

The Wonderful Open-Air Theatre Set in the heart of Regent’s Park will put on a mind-expanding Jurassic adventure live on stage. Here you can discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.