‘Earls Court, The OVC & Me’

The companion book to “No 3, Templeton Place“

It 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. Earls Court became their home from home.

Meet the twins Vera and Joyce who regularly gave the landladies of Penywern Road heart papiltations. Learn what Max had to endure when he escorted possible investors through the new OVC flatlet inhabitated by five lively Australians. Find out why Robin and Alec, when setting out for the Continent, were held captive by the pull of Earls Court. Then there was the rambunctious Back-Mac who battled to educate the British about their place in life. When “The Plague” invaded the OVC learn why it was Dr. Traub who ended up having apoplexy. Then there was the inaugural flight of the club’s “Trek Airways.” How it ever got off the ground was a mystery.

ISBN 0-620-40121-4 Obtainable from: Kiaat Creations, 9 Somerton, Bell Close, Valley Drive, Hillcrest KZN 3610 South Africa

E-Mail: mukwana@mweb.co.za There is no web site… Price (with postage) R100 (or $15 Australian)… including postage.

For those of you who know little of The Overseas Visitors Club – the notes, maps and pictures below were used by Hugh in his research for the book. The captions are from his own notes. It’s a great read – but a rather amateurish production.

The following pages are from a booklet distributed through all travel agencies in Commonwealth countries (the “Dominions!”) – South Africa, Northern & Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe & Zambia), Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Enjoy the fashions, living conditions and the prices! In those days £1 = AUD$2.00

There was also a monthly magazine…

Max Wilson was the OVC’s Founder

And Chone Dredzen was his business partner…

Where in London was all this happening? Hopefully this map was redrawn professionally for the book!

Was membership expensive? About one week’s wages then.

Max had a close relationship with Union Castle Shipping Lines – and used to charter entire ships. These 2 pictures feature a Cape Town Castle departure.

They dressed up in those days!

The OVC pioneered coach travel to Europe and helped put the Austrian village of Westendorf on the map. This shows Dennis van Genderingen (tour leader for Tan Travel) with a group of OVC members in the Café Alpenland, Westendorf in 1962. Dennis went on to reopen the OVC in 1992 (Cape Town) with Hilton Ross.