I’ve always loved design sites; architecture to graphic arts – always been an interest – but now it’s more for inspiration! One often runs into stuff from the past – or friends’ pasts… Annie worked for Pan Am before she came to the OVC in the 60s – and, when she moved to Sydney in the 70s, she returned to Pan Am – when these posters were current. I remember an older poster in her office – featuring Bermuda – but I can’t find it.
Hello there – my name is Peter Henning and we live in Buckingham UK, having moved across from Cape Town in March 2008. The following photos are from mid 1955 to mid 1956 (my first trip). The first photo was taken in Leeds. A few words about the crew of the taxi… Brian Rose (ex Cape Town) and my partner in the trips – me, looking thoroughly pissed off, sleeping outside, getting wet and hungry. Eddie Strick – South African Airways pilot who was murdered a few years ago on his (more…)
Missed a lunch appointment in Windsor… so we spent a couple of hours at Henry VIII’s palace, Hampton Court. By then Annie and David had returned from the lunch and were answering their phone, so we dropped in… The following day we drove up to London, and I got to spend the whole day with an old friend I hadn’t seen for 45 years. Lester is still managing large buildings – and lunch would have turned into breakfast, if the kids hadn’t arrived to drag me away.
During the 50s, 60s and 70s, many thousands of young wanderers began their world travels at The Overseas Visitors Club, in Earls Court (Kangaroo Valley). My first hotel management gig was there – and for three years Brian Duffin and I had an apartment on the 2nd floor (Picture 4, directly above my head – famous apartment that!). My young friend didn’t want to stay – kept muttering about ‘drinks’ and ’dinner appointments’ – but I suspect he felt that the place was haunted. Not surprising – I KNOW it is! Click on any thumbnail, scroll through.
These guys are having far too much fun… Just in from Annette… “Taken in Chelsea on 9th June… Max, Lester, me, Eric, Margie and David my hubby – the only non OVC (person) present !! (more…)
It was late – and I was bored… so I took a walk down memory lane – actually it was down Margravine Gardens. I told Google Earth to take me to Barons Court Tube Station, then zoomed down, turned right and ‘walked home’ down Margravine Gardens. Home, that was, in 1967… (more…)
For years I’ve been trying to find a photo of this notice board! It was from here that so many stories started – including this one! It seems that the OVC is soon to get a little of the recognition that it deserves – there is talk of a documentary being produced. I spent an hour on the phone with the London based producers yesterday – and will be in touch with a few of you personally over the next few days… There’s more about the notice board here - and I should not forget the credit for this photo (thank you Jordan): It was shot by the famous Terence Spencer – for Time Magazine.
It’s good to see that a few Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) identities are still getting together and raising a glass (or 6)… In these pictures, just in from Lester, are (in no particular order) (more…)
Two days ago – in London – a few of our old friends from the Overseas Visitors Club got together for lunch… L-R – Lester Jolly, Annette Crossley, Margie Ellis, Eric Muller and Maxine Hitchcock – none of us have changed at all – except… I’ve just counted the bottles – looks like just 2 per person. Ah well, guess we are slowing down a bit!
Close to the lively centre of the pretty Provençal village of Saint Didier, facing vineyards and open countryside rising towards the plateau of Vaucluse, are two quite independent cottages, L’Amandier and La Courette, for holiday lets throughout the year. This is where we found Annette Crossley (nee Cowderoy) who is helping with the Overseas Visitors Club section of this site.
Lester Jolly has just sent me a parcel of old photographs. All taken at the Overseas Visitors Club (London) in 1963 to 1965. More here…
