1951 - 2021
WILLEMSTAD - The Britannic Club of Curaçao permanently closed on Thursday 3rd March with a final cheque presentation after a wonderful 71 years of existence. The Club was officially started in January 1951, by a group of English ladies, whom since 1949 had been meeting for tea and coffee mornings at each other’s houses. The group steadily grew and by December 1950 it was decided that the monthly meetings should be more formal. In January of 1951 The Britannic Club of Curaçao was born.
During the years to follow, the Britannic Club would organize many celebrations here in Curaçao commemorating local events such as carnival, Queen’s day and Flag Day but mostly marking events and celebrations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Commonwealth. Royal celebrations were always a favourite. The Queen’s Coronation in 1952, (see photo) The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, HM Queen Elizabeth’s 80th birthday, the marriage of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, HM Queen Elizabeth’s silver, gold and diamond jubilees but to name a few. Other holidays were also celebrated like St. Patrick’s Day, and the annual Easter Bonnet parade was a favourite amongst members. The members also always enjoyed entertaining the Officers and Crew of British Military ships during their visits to Curaçao.
Not only did the Britannic Club provide advice and support to women from Britain and Commonwealth who had moved to the island, but over the years they have raised hundreds of thousands of guilders for local charities. The Famous Annual Britannic Club “Pub Quiz” became the Club’s largest and eventually only fund raiser, due to its size and popularity. The first unofficial Pub Quiz was held in 1997 and since 2001 it was an annual event. The Britannic Club ran this yearly fund raiser for 18 years with the support of many volunteers and generous and loyal sponsors. The last one in 2019 hosted 300 people at the Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Club. It is an event that will be sorely missed by many.
The decision to close the Club was not an easy one, but a necessary one.
The Club has struggled with membership for some years now and the work of organizing fundraising events fell into the hands of a few. The recent pandemic put the final strain on the Club and the decision was made to close.
Sad, but satisfied with what the Club has accomplished over the years, Gail Johnson, the current President, gave a nice farewell speech recalling a number of the highlights and thanking some of the volunteers, all past presidents and last but not least our loyal sponsors!
To preserve the history of the Club, all important documents were donated to the National Archives.
There was a final cheque presentation to distribute the remaining funds amongst the following charities:
Stichting Shimaruku
SILOAM Curacao
Kinderoorden Brakkeput
Sea Turtle Conservation
Hospice Arco Avent
CARF
