100 years of the BBC Club

Birth of the BBC sees club brought to life

In the 1920s a British Institution was formed – the British Broadcasting Corporation. The BBC, as it is now universally known, was established to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ , in the words of its first General Manager John Reith, speaking in 1922.

It’ s 1924. Howard Carter has just found the tomb of Tutankhamun, Judy Garland is making her show biz debut (aged just 21⁄ 2), and Edwin Hubble isannouncingtheexistenceofdistantgalaxies.Closer to home and London is witnessing more history in the making; the BBC and the BBC Club are founded.

Back in its day, the Club was funded by the BBC and formed a creative hub where media minds could get together over a drink (and a smoke) to come up with the next programme idea.

Founded as a private members club, the atmosphere echoed the formality of the era and shirts and ties were required when visiting.

Over the years, the Club evolved to bring people together with similar interests across a spectrum of different activities, from gliding to chess.

Sections benefited from funding from the Club whichenabledmemberstotakepartinactivitiesthey might not otherwise have been able to participate in, such as yachting or flying.

The Club also evolved a very active section for BBC retired members, creating a social bridge back into the BBC where many had spent much of their working lives.

Today, the Club is still at the heart of social unity within the BBC – albeit less formal.

AstheBBChasevolvedoverthelast100years,the Club has evolved with it. Today it is a completely independent and self-funding operation.

Gyms provide a welcome addition to improve employeewell-beingandtheClubprovidesarangeof benefits that extend outside the workplace such as member discounts in the high street, a private members lottery (with a quarterly jackpot of £10,000) and over 30 language courses.

The old values have not been forgotten and the Club now has dozens of activity groups (Connect Clubs) linking people together through sport, arts and culture.

In 2011 the Club threw open its doors to all BBC employees without the need for membership. Members, however, still benefit from reduced prices on food, drink and activities, priority booking, a free weekly Radio Times and member-exclusive events, all of which far outweigh the membership cost.

The Club has extended its boundaries beyond its London sites to provide virtual offerings which mirror the services offered in the London sites without the need for ‘ physical’ premises.

There may have been many significant changes in the BBC over the last 100 years, but the Club is proud to continue to provide employees with a consistent and stimulating social environment to complement theirworkinglives.Anditstilllivestruetothoseoriginal BBC principles – to ‘inform, educate and entertain ’ .

1932: In the

’30s the BBC Club team included three chefs. Nearly 80 years later, the Club won a catering Club of the Year Award (Club Mirror; 2011)

1939: Club members at an afternoon card school in an era when jackets and ties were normal dress code.

1933: In a timeless scene, the Club committeeenjoys a lively debate.

1999: The Bush House Club, London. Bush House was dubbed the most expensive building in the world in 1929, having cost around £2m.

1970s: The private members’ Club moved with the times, a creative hub where media minds could get together for a drink

– and a smoke.

1946: Some things never change. Piles of paperwork during a war-time Club campaign. 2000s: Comic Relief is well-supported by the BBC Club and its members

– including fundraising celebrities. 2000s: The Club’s Let’s Go to the Movies campaign proved a great success.

2000s: The Club today is completely independent and self-funding operation.

2000s: The 2010 team

–looking after 14,ooo members and 21 activitygroups.

2000s: The BBC became a celebrated winner of the Club Awards ultimate accolade, the King of Clubs. Dino Portelli (centre) accepts the Award from Club Mirror’s Sean Ferris (far left) and celebrity host John Inverdale (far right).