And FOUND!
you will recall our item about London’s original Playboy Club on Park Lane, which next month celebrates the 50th anniversary of its opening with a grand party for those who worked there until the club’s closure in 1981.
Former Bunnies, managers, croupiers, chefs and office staff are all invited, said organiser Barbara haigh, an ex-Bunny.
‘our golden anniversary reunion at the hippodrome Casino in Leicester square will be special — even the original singing Bunnies are re-forming to provide musical entertainment!’
Barbara joined Playboy in 1971 and over the years served cocktails to scores of famous actors, pop stars, sports stars and aristocrats. she once turned down a date with omar sharif. ‘The camaraderie was extraordinary and they were the happiest years of my life,’ she says.
Afterwards she became a successful publican and restaurateur with her awardwinning pub, The Grapes. in Limehouse, east London.
happily, we have garnered a bevy of former Bunnies for the upcoming shindig. Trisha Piacun emails: ‘My friend Louise and I were both Bunnies when it first opened. We’d love to attend the reunion.’
ex-Bunnies Marilyn osborn, Pamela Todd, Jane nevin, Mary Messer and Maggie simons also got in touch and are keen to attend.
And denise Irace writes: ‘I was the London club’s first Chinese Bunny, known as su-Lin. When my local paper in singapore interviewed me and put me on the front page, my parents ordered me back home! I’ll definitely be celebrating with ex-colleagues.’
there is someone you would like to trace, write to Gill Whitley, 1 Newbrook house, New hall Lane, Preston, Pr1 5Pe, enclosing an SAe, or send an email to monica.porter@dailymail. co.uk — including a contact phone number. All communications will be answered as soon as possible. this column is researched with the aid of Peopletracer (www.peopletracer.co.uk). A small donation will be requested for employing Gill Whitley’s services.