Lady Meux's Club

This is the Imperial Union Club, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, a gift to the working men of the town and neighbouring Enfield from Lady Valerie Meux, of nearby Theobalds Park. It opened on 9th April 1901.

The land cost £2,000 alone. The building was impressive: a central hall; a billiard room; a reading room and library, stocked with novels, biographies, travel books; various side rooms and a well-stock bar. The library books were bound in india rubber and stitched in silk to prevent them falling apart, like cheaply bound books.

It was launched with a lavish programme of entertainment and speeches. The star entertainers were singers and both early recording artists. These were soprano Esther Palliser, born in Philadelphia, but lived in London from 1897. Her “beautiful and singular voice was heard in some delightful songs.” And also American coloratura soprano Ellen Beach Yaw, known as Lark Ellen and The Californian Nightingale. Her voice was described as of ‘unusual compass’.

Also on the bill were violinist Miss Fée; a conjurer and a show of ‘animated photographs’.

Speeches of ‘gratitude and congratulation’ were made by MP Abel Smith and the 5th Marquis of Ailesbury.

Conservative politician Arthur Balfour was president of the club but wrote apologising for his absence. He would served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905.

Lord Roberts, commander-in-chief of the British Army in South Africa, wrote a letter. He had been offered the presidency of the club but declined because of its political nature.

He wrote to express his sense of obligation to Lady Meux who was roundly praised: “The arrangements, down to the minutest detail, are perfect, and as showing Lady Meux’s desire to spare neither trouble nor expense in making the club an ideal one for the working people …”. She was praised for her benevolence and goodness of heart. Each mention of her name was cheered by the large crowd.

In her will, the freehold of the club, buildings and library was given to the inhabitants of Waltham Cross. This bequest would cause a few legal problems. She stipulated the club should be used only for the purpose of spreading Tariff Reform “and not for radicals on any pretence whatsoever.”

With an eye to business, Valerie also insisted ‘malt liquors’ consumed in the club must be bought and supplied by the Meux’s Brewery, for as long as either the brewery or club existed.

Source: Pall Mall Gazette, Wednesday, 10th April 1901, p6.