Wheel turns full circle for London Press Club
number of options to ensure the future
of our club. Among these was a geographical base more appealing to our members and potential members as well as somewhere f rom which we could
The Wig and Pen Club fits all "Bernard Coral has agreed that we will retain our name and membership and continue as the London Press Club.
In a recent dispatchfrom London it was announced that the London Press Club is to share premises with the famous Wig & Pen Club in The Strand just opposite the Law Courts. TedThomas; a member of the Wig & Pen
We will have our bar which will house
our memorabilia such as the Edgar Wallace Chair. Any membership drive we undertake aimed at working journalists will be supported by the Wig and
many years, looks back with fondness on the Press Club and what the new union will mean.
for
Pen.
"A communications room to enable
the filing' of copy by phone, fax nd sothe wheelturns
fullcircle
and London's embattled Press
Club has finally come home
to the venerable Wig and Pen on The
I
li rl
Strand just a few yards from glamorous Fleet Street. The Wig and Pen has been around a long time. The two houses, now knocked into one, were built in 1625 and are reputed to be among the few in the area to have escaped the ravages of the Great Fire of London. But the site goes back a great deal further in history. Roman tiles have been uncovered there and 11th century records show that it was the property of the Bishops of London. The keeper of Temple Bar lived there when the tenancy passed to the Lord Mayor of London during the reign of
roundings. Meals are also served there until late in the evening. A new venture will be a snack bar for those who cannot spare the time for a full meal, however delicious. Bernard Coral adds: "All of us at the Wig and Pen are tremendously proud to be involved with this exciting development for the London Press Club. lt now has the opportunity to develop into one of the leading press clubs in the world, with influence and prestige to match."
and
modem is being planned and rooms will be available for smalldinners and press
conferences.
"London Press Club members will also enjoy equal facilities with Wig and Pen Club members and the full use of the club's bar and restaurant, which are open from noon until late in the evening. "The overseas subscription will continue at Stg25 and the veteran mem-
bers
-
those who had completely re-
tired and were unlikely to make frequent
James l. A private tenant took over in 1672 when the wooden temple was replaced by stone and the keeper left to live in a new stone building. lt was first recorded
that the two houses were used for the selling of food and catering in 1859 and
club records show that young jurists and journalists started to meet there in 1 908. Those meetings were interrupted by the First World War and it was 1947 before the Wig and Pen came into being. It really took off when Dick Brennan took control in 1951. lt is now in the affable hands of Bernard Coral, who took over from his father, Joe. The Wig and Pen restaurant has gained a name for good food in pleasant sur-
The Wig and Pen Club. News of the move was broken to the 50 or so members of the London Press Club who attended the annual meeting in June when chairman George Westropp said: "Last year, I promised that the directors and committee would look at a
use of the club-willbe pleased to know that the Stg10 privilege subscription will be continued indef initely," Westropp said. I've been using the Wig and Pen for well over 15 years and always found it a delightful, warm and hospitable refuge
THECORRESPONDENT OCTOBER
1992
T9