East India Club's Controversial Merger Talks with Mixed-Gender City Club
Standing in stately splendour in the corner of St James's Square, barely half a mile from Buckingham Palace, the East India Club unashamedly proclaims itself to be 'a gentleman's home from home' – or, more specifically, 'a home from home for dynamic and sociable gentlemen'. But this resolutely all-male institution, whose past members included the late Sir Denis Thatcher and current ones number the ever vibrant Nigel Farage, may be about to undergo a controversial and perhaps painful transition.
Preliminary Discussions Spark Internal Controversy
I can disclose that the club, which levies a substantial £1,781 annual subscription on those aged 35 or over, has embarked on 'a preliminary discussion' to amalgamate with the City of London Club. This handsome, stucco-fronted bastion sits just a couple of hundred yards from the Bank of England in the heart of the City's financial district.
While such preliminary discussions might initially seem inconsequential – given that the East India Club, founded in 1849, has previously merged with four other clubs including the Sports Club in 1939, the Public Schools in 1972, the Devonshire in 1976, and the Eccentric in the 1980s – this potential merger represents a fundamental departure from tradition.
A Clash of Membership Philosophies
All previous mergers involved reassuringly men-only establishments, whereas the City of London Club, founded in 1832, is 'open on an equal basis to all', indicating a clear willingness to embrace female members – something the East India Club has consistently resisted throughout its history.
'The East India has consistently voted against having a mixed membership,' a club stalwart reveals, expressing anguish over what he suggests is a deplorably underhand manoeuvre by some within the club's hierarchy. The club itself declines to comment on the ongoing discussions.
Potential for Dramatic Change
If change does come to the East India Club, who would bet against one of its members turning the situation to dramatic advantage by introducing a particularly feisty female member? 'Nigel could propose Sarah Pochin,' muses a club boulevardier, referring to Reform UK's first female MP who has previously called for a ban of the burka.
Such a policy would likely find a comfortable majority throughout the St James's area, though it would represent a seismic shift for an institution that has proudly maintained its male-only status for nearly two centuries. The potential merger raises fundamental questions about tradition versus modernity in London's exclusive clubland.
Royal Punk Fascination Revealed
In other society news, Princess Margaret's secret passion for punk rock has been revealed through recollections of a royal audience. 'I went with fashion designer Katharine Hamnett to St James's Palace and Princess Margaret said we had been invited because they wanted to meet and see what a punk rocker looked like,' recalls I Want To Be Free singer Toyah Willcox.
'She was fabulous and had a very wicked sense of humour,' Willcox adds, suggesting that perhaps Margaret shared some of the punk movement's rebellious spirit despite her royal position.
Political Connections and Warnings
When disgraced former Downing Street aide Matthew Doyle was introduced to the House of Lords last month, one of his two ermine-clad supporters was Labour peer Roger Liddle. Liddle, who used to serve as bag carrier to Peter Mandelson, hosted meetings at his townhouse where Mandelson would plot with Sir Keir Starmer's ex-chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. Observers suggest Lord Liddle should watch his step given these political connections.
Trinny Woodall's Bizarre Beauty Regimen
Trinny Woodall, who once gave blunt fashion advice on the makeover show What Not To Wear, has adopted a rather bizarre approach to skincare. The 62-year-old beauty mogul recently donned a Skin LED Red Light Therapy Mask complete with dual-action neck and décolletage system during a workout.
'I'm not prepared to let my skin health go, even if it does mean scaring my team in the process,' says Trinny, who wore the futuristic contraption at work, creating quite the spectacle for colleagues.
Anne Hegerty's Unconventional Self-Defense
The Chase star Anne Hegerty has revealed her unconventional approach to dealing with would-be muggers in Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan's increasingly lawless capital. 'I've never had a problem being mugged in London, but I've had a couple of people attempt it before,' the 67-year-old television personality explains.
'Once in Manchester and once in Middlesbrough, and both times they've left empty-handed because I screamed and swore a lot at them,' Hegerty continues. 'In Middlesbrough, I swore so much they were, like, 'I'm going to report you to the police'. I said, 'I don't care, that's my f***ing shopping bag.' So they dropped it and ran.'
She adds with characteristic wit: 'Middle-aged, respectable lady suddenly swearing like that – it's confusing.'
Royal Archives Seek New Custodian
The Royal Household is seeking someone to look after their extensive files and books, with a job paying up to £65,000 per year based at Windsor Castle. Perhaps with a telling reminder to the former Prince Andrew, the job advert states: 'You'll be preserving history and knowledge from the past for millions to admire today and into the future.'
Portia Jett's Marriage Vow
Following Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba's candid admission about his 30-year struggle with pornography addiction, his ex-wife Portia Jett has declared she will never marry again. After their nine-year marriage collapsed in 2024, the former TV researcher admits the idea of marriage has been 'ruined' for her.
'I have a different view of marriage and the advice I would give my children,' says Portia, who has two young children with the television presenter. 'The divorce process is one of the hardest and most stressful things I have ever been through. I would never put myself through that again.'
Portia is now in a relationship with Joshua Saxon Birch, a 37-year-old British-German businessman working in data management, and is looking for long-term commitment in the form of a 'promise ring' rather than traditional marriage.
Alan Titchmarsh Prunes Property Price
Television gardener Alan Titchmarsh has been forced to prune the asking price of his Hampshire farmhouse after it failed to find a buyer despite extensive publicity. The 76-year-old host put his 17th century, five-bedroom property in Holybourne on the market for just under £4 million last September, but five months later has slashed the asking price by £450,000.
Titchmarsh explained that he and his wife Alison, who have lived at the house since 2002, want to be closer to his two daughters and grandchildren in Surrey, prompting the decision to reduce the price to attract potential buyers.
