Images Dated 29th October 2018

The Showboat, Maidenhead

Artist's impression of The Showboat at Maidenhead, a club offering a swimming pool, sunbathing, cocktails, dinner, dancing, cabaret and sports. Towns such as Maidenhead and Bray were particularly popular due to their proximity to London and location by the River Thames. Built in the early 1930s at a cost of 21,000, the club was part of a movement to provide the upper middle class with out of town clubs and roadhouses a short drive from London. It was used as a services club and then a spitfire parts factory during the war. At the time of writing, this once splendid art deco building is due for demolition to make way for residential flats. Date: 1933

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Poulsen's river club at Datchet

Double page spread from The Bystander showing the new Poulsen's club at Datchet with seemingly the whole of London society having a jolly time. The guests are too numerous to list individually but among those enjoying the atmosphere are the actress Margaret Bannerman (bottom right), Lady Bridget Poulett (bottom left) and Miss Margaret Whigham and the Beaton sisters in the bottom right group picture. Date: 1931

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Bystander cover featuring Mrs Vyvyan Drury

Front cover of The Bystander featuring a colour photograph of Mrs Vyvyan Drury, wife of the well-known New York financier and sportsman. Formerly Miss Essex French, she was the granddaughter of Sir John French, Earl of Ypres Date: 1931

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

1930s, 1931, 30s, Bystander, Colour, Cover, Drury, Essex, French, Miss, Mrs, Portrait, Portraits, Society, Thirties, Vyvyan