The R.A.F.A Club

Each week when I carry out research for these articles I am always pleasantly surprised with the information I obtain. I never cease to be amazed at the amount of our history and heritage that is seemingly hidden away, behind facades that we possibly walk passed quite regularly. The subject of this week's article certainly falls into that category. It is the R.A.F.A Club situated in Waterloo Square. Even this title will cause questions - what is that?

Within these premises there is a very thriving Club with facilities that includes a snooker room, restaurant, bar and a very pleasant area, which is used for a variety of entertainment from speakers to bingo, regular social events to quiz evenings. Members are also able to enjoy freshly cooked meals four days a week.

The national Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) has branches situated throughout the British Isles but only approximately one third of these have a Club. It is run as a business with the R.A.F.A branch owning the building and being registered as a Charity whilst the club is involved in the welfare events and of course the ever necessary fund raising activities. Like most organisations today all the officers are volunteers and give of their free time for others, a scenario that is echoed throughout society today.

The local RAFA club has raised around £10,000 per year for the Wings appeal in recent years. During the 1950's membership of the Club could be seen entering the annual carnival with their own distinctive float. One of the most visual events today is that of their annual Wings week in September where they have street and house to house collections for the Association. The Bognor Branch has it's own Welfare Officer who is aware of all members in the vicinity and on whom members can call in case of need.

Who are the members? The Bognor Regis Club has between 800 and 900 local members.
I assumed that all members had to have

connections with the Royal Air Force but this is not correct instead they have to have a minimum of 51% of members with Royal Air Force connections, with the balance consisting of local people. Hence many local people are members of this thriving club.

Within the building there are many reminders of the Royal Air Force. Until recently there were a large number of Squadron shields on one of the walls in the hallway, these are now dispersed throughout the club.
Also there is the regimental sword of W. Cmdr. Beresford-Brooke who was famously known locally as Brookie.

It is a very impressive building which was occupied by the Hotham Club from the time it was first built. A report in the Observer in February 1928 stated that 'it was anticipated that the premises would be completed by March 1928.' The Hotham Club was purely for Gentlemen and anyone wishing to become a member had to apply to a secretary and if accepted the initial subscription was £2.2s per annum for Town members and £1.1s for Country members. There were also plans for an entrance fee, but not for the first two hundred members. If you take the time to look up at the wrought iron railings, on the front of the building you will see the letters ' H and C' clearly depicted as a permanent record of this Club. It is thought that the site of this building was used by the old St. John's church in Market Street, as a garden, possibly to a small parsonage. Early pictures of Waterloo Square show a stonewall along this side of the square, which would have enclosed land near St. John's church.

So far I have been unable to find much information on the Hotham Club except that it was very definitely a 'Gentlemens' Club' with a live in steward who catered for all the needs of the members such as arranging meals, obtaining newspapers, serve drinks etc. The list of the members of the Hotham Club is similar to many organisations of the time, whereby it contains all the names of the people who were prominent in the formation of the town.

During the 2nd World War the nearby pier, was occupied by the Royal Navy on H.M.S. St. Barbara and their officers were invited to be members of the Club. At the end of the war the Naval officers presented their Red Ensign to the Hotham Club.

The R.A.F.A organisation was first recognised in the town around 1946, after the 2nd World War, when a small group of people started meeting in a small room above The White Horse public house in Chichester Road. They continued meeting there until 1954 when it became necessary to have larger premises. The Group purchased an ex-army hospital building, from R.A.F. Tangmere, for a charge of £450 and this was erected amongst trees in London Road. The members carried out nearly 12 months of activities to raise money and get the site ready. The land was rented from the Urban District Council and the Chairman Mr. E. M. Bates proclaimed the building open in March 1954. The exact site was near to the Police Station, where today we have Berrymill Close. Membership and activities continued to grow until eventually in 1972 the rental agreement for the land was terminated and the club was on the move again.

This move was a major event for the Club, as they were moving into 'one of the finest branch head quarters in the country.'
They were taking over the Hotham Club, which was being sold, because of the lack of use of the premises. However the club still contained all the leather chairs, small bar etc. used by the 'Gentlemen' prior to the war. The building was going to take time and money from the members to maintain it.

The new premises cost the group £21,000 of which £7,000 had already been obtained, with the balance having to be raised in the coming months. Mr. Christopher Chataway, who was an M.P., opened the building and the opening date was to coincide with the 54th anniversary of the formation of the R.A.F. Other people present included Senior Royal Air Force officers and the Chairman of the Bognor Regis Urban District Council.
Currently work is being carried out within the premises in some cases to comply with ever increasing regulations but in others to retain and maintain the impressive building. One of the most memorable sights for me, when I was shown round was the two glass domed ceilings, which allows light to flow out into the night sky. Both these domes are covered externally with a weatherproof fibreglass skin. Other work needed within the Club includes improving facilities for the disabled, painting, decorating and moving facilities to improve their use by the members. During the Festival of Local History the Club Chairman, Cliff Mewett is conducting a Local History Treasure Hunt starting from the R.A.F.A premises in Waterloo Square. There will be a charge, which will include refreshments on your return, so why not join him and take the opportunity to look within the facade of this historic building, whilst helping to raise funds for the local R.A.F.A. Welfare.

FESTIVAL OF LOCAL HISTORY - Plans are progressing well for this event in June 2003 but we are still seeking local people, groups, organisations and businesses to contact us regarding their display of their history at their usual location. Contact me now to be included in the programme.

• TELEPHONE 01243 823 820
• EMAIL: info@bognor-local-history.co.uk