The Harington Club - History
Although the premises date from the 18th Century there existed on this site a dwelling with stables as early as 14th Century. It is not recorded whether Sir John Harington (1561-1612) of Kelston used the stables. Godson of Queen Elizabeth 1, Sir John is credited with inventing the first mechanical water closet. His grandson Captain John (later Sir John) Harington (1627-1700) is thought to have stabled his horses on the site of the Club at the time of the English Civil War.
Read "The Metamorphosis Of Ajax" - research on Sir John Harington by Dick Smith - click here
Together with his Bath trained bands of volunteers, Captain Harington fought with distinction in the skirmishes at Monkton Farleigh, Claverton and Charlcombe on 5 July 1643, alongside Haselrig's cavalry, repelled the Royalists on the north east slopes of Lansdown. The outcome of the battle of Lansdown was inconclusive as both sides withdrew with heavy casualties. Oliver Cromwell claimed a complete victory but a few weeks later the Parliamentarians abandoned Bath leaving it to the Royalists. Two years later Cromwell's new model army regained Bath, and Captain Sir John Harington gained a seat on the local council.
After the Civil War the history of the Haringtons remains obscure, and the manor at Kelston was sold. A descendent of Sir John Harington, Dr Henry Harington (1728-1816) lived at the club premises and was Mayor of bath in 1793.
As well as in this country, direct descendants live in Zimbabwe, New Zealand the USA and often pay a visit to the club when in Bath.
COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS!
Many things have changed over the last 125 years, but some things remain the same, as some extracts from minutes show:
Committee meeting held in May 1881 - "Meeting convened at 6:30pm. Meeting adjourned at 6:35pm for seven days due to intoxicating state of those present."
Minutes of a committee meeting held July 1997 - "Meeting due to be held at 7:30pm. Meeting adjourned for seven days as a result of Committee members being under the weather due to birthday celebrations."
In the early days the club premises were heated by coal fires, light was provided by gas jets, members who interfered with either of these were threatened with expulsion, but late at night on occasions the gas would be turned down so as not to attract any unnecessary attention from 'Peelers'.
JACK THE RIPPER!
In December 1888, the committee decided that in their opinion, there were four members who fitted the description of 'Jack the Ripper' at that time terrorising London's East End and that their names would be sent (anonymously) to the authorities!
Find out what else happened in 1874, the year the club was founded - click here
|
|
MEMBERS WEBMAIL