The Club — making a difference
Started as a social club for British in 1962, it now has members of 84 nationalities |
When Hamish F. Macdonald reached Abu Dhabi in 1986 and tried for membership at the oldest social club in the capital, The Club, he was put on a long waiting list.
“People had no choice but to wait because [then] there were not many other similar facilities. I joined a marine club [that was closed down later] until I got the membership at The Club,” Macdonald, 62, a British national who has been the honorary chairman of the club for 14 years, told Gulf News.
The 55-year-old club’s growth from its capacity to host 3,000 members in the past to 4,500 members at present reflects the growth of Abu Dhabi as well.
“Now Abu Dhabi residents have a large number of options to enjoy the facilities of a social club. That’s why we don’t have a waiting list [for membership] at the moment but have a few vacancies,” the honorary chairman said.
The Club, a private members’ club and not-for-profit organisation in Al Mina area in the city, has had more than 33,000 members during the past 55 years. Most of them are expatriates from the West, who stay in the UAE for an average two to three years only, Macdonald said. Around 70 members have completed 30 years as members and got the privilege of honorary membership.
50th anniversary
As established by British expatriates in 1962, it was popularly known as the British Club. “We are grateful that Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan donated the land for the club,” the chairman said.
Although the members of different nationalities started joining and the club now boasts a diversity of 84 nationalities among its members, still the British constitute the largest single group. Around 50 per cent of the members are British and the rest are people from 83 nations, Macdonald said.
When The Club celebrated its golden jubilee in 2012, even the founding members themselves were unable to recall the exact date of its formation in 1962.
“So, fittingly, we have decided that a full year-long celebration in 2012 is appropriate,” according to a press note issued during the celebrations.
Some of the founders had flown in from different parts of the world to attend the 50th anniversary gala reception. Edna Green, a British woman who was a co-founder in 1962, flew in from London along with her husband to share their experience of the 1960s.
In the initial days, the club was the only refuge for male British expatriates to beat their loneliness, she had told Gulf News at the event.
“We housewives used to cook food at home and bring it for them to the club,” she had said.