There is now a companion book to “No 3, Templeton Place” and contains more adventures and escapades of the early members of the Overseas Visitors Club who stormed into Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s… Details here…
Hi John,
You don’t know me but recently I was given copies of your Old Blue Truck pages on the OVC, London. (My comments in red italics – JRP)
Very, very interesting but you have several things not quite right in your history of the OVC.
It was started by Max Wilson (SA) and Chone Dresden (SA) and Brian Barrett (OZ) in 1954 at #3, Templeton Place when they acquired this old house, tore the inside out and opened up in the baement as the Globetrotters Rooms. They annexed #1, Templeton Place and that was followed by the acquiring of 28 Trebovir Road and 39 Longridge… Then they got Websters Hotel and renamed it Craig House at 2 Templeton Place.
A brief pause (in Brisbane) for a photo en-route the Gold Coast. Lots of talk – 40 years to catch up on. Characteristic poses – we were always competing for the best looking lady! And – He’s at it again! Another day – another Restaurant… and finally (40 years later) I get the girl! Travel safely Brian & Krisa – it was a wonderful few days…
That I’m nearly as good looking as he is… But you can decide. There’s more pictures of us here… Well, there WILL be – when Grandad and Daddy get their act together…
Welcome back Brian & Krisa… This Blogging business has its rewards. It seems (I hope to get the full story soon) a young man called Jason was cruising around the web – and found an old photo of his father (here). Brian and Krisa and I were together at the Overseas Visitors Club in 1965 to 1967, and again in Johannesburg in 1968 - then lost touch. And now he’s back – I’m delighted! We have some catching up to do.
Just prior to sitting down and writing the OVC page – I did a Google search to see what had been written by others… Nothing! A few sites devoted to relatively new businesses using the name – and some making passing reference to the ‘Real Thing’ – but very little on this famous (infamous?) London travel icon. This was the organisation that played a part in the emergence of such travel brands as Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Tours and Insight Tours – and launched the careers of thousands of young travellers to London and beyond – I was one of them…
I’ll get started on that page - in the hope that other OVC ‘alumni’ will get to read it – and make contact. Perhaps with their added input we can turn that page into something more elaborate – and a fitting tribute to the entity that played a huge part in all our younger lives.
