Ever since the Garrick Club started receiving huge sums from A A Milne’s Winnie the Pooh bequest, members in their salmon-and-cucumber ties have fretted about how best to spend the money.
The latest scheme, which came to the fore at this week’s annual general meeting, was to build a smoking area. Other clubs, such as Boodle’s and the Cavalry and Guards, have found cosy outdoor corners where members can smoke.
But no such option is available at the Garrick, where the committee had hoped to convert the Irving Room, named after the great Shakespearean actor Sir Henry Irving, into a smoking room. Now I understand the plan has been rejected for the second time by Westminster council.
“The plan was rejected by neighbours objecting on grounds of noise,” says my man behind the arras. “Obviously, members of the Garrick are renowned for having too much fun and laughter. The Irving Room would have been no great loss.”
One thing that didn’t raise its head at the AGM is the perennial thorny question of allowing women members.
