The Big Smoke

South East London Meccano Club
Founded 1976.
What do they do? ‘Give Meccano enthusiasts in the area a chance to meet.’
Can anybody join? All are welcome. ‘It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced modeller or someone starting with their very first set. By the way, you don’t actually have to build Meccano models to join the club – although it is better that you do.’ There are around 60 members paying a reasonable £6 a year.
South East London Meccano Club,Sherard Hall, Court Rd, SE9 (www.selmec.org.uk).
Feature continues

Greater London Old English Sheepdog Club
Founded Unknown.
What do they do? ‘The aim of the Greater London Old English Sheepdog Club is to promote the responsible ownership and breeding of the Old English Sheepdog.’ They hold regular shows and offer advice on training, grooming and diet.
Can anybody join? If you own an OES, life membership costs £90 and gets you the annual magazine, Faithfully Yours.
(www.gloesc.co.uk).

London Cornish Association
Founded 1898.
What do they do? A non-political, non-sectarian, cultural and social organisation which promotes and fosters fellowship and goodwill among Cornish people in London.
Can anybody join? Membership is open to anyone with a Cornish connection, whether by birth, marriage or descent, and who can afford £15. Other persons connected with Cornwall may be admitted at the discretion of the council.
(www.londoncornish.co.uk).

London Didgeridoo Club
Founded Unknown
What do they do? ‘You are invited to bring your own didgeridoo or else you can play one of our high-quality didgeridoos, yidakis or magos on display.’ The group play traditional Aboriginal songs.
Can anybody join? ‘If you are new to the didgeridoo, we can help you with learning how to play this Australian woodwind instrument, and you’ll find that everyone is happy to share their own techniques and experiences with playing the didgeridoo.’ There are meetings on the third Wednesday of every month, and refreshments are free.
Aboriginal Arts, 65B West Ham Lane, E15 (020 8123 1575/www.aboriginalarts.co.uk/london_didgeridoo_club.htm).

London Association of Master Decorators
Founded 1908.
What do they do? ‘Membership of the LAMD brings the opportunity to meet representatives from other decorating firms and exchange opinions, views and discuss common problem areas.’ You also get to display the association’s nifty logo ‘which adds prestige to any company's business profile.’
Can anybody join? ‘The LAMD has naturally consisted of decorating firms resident in the London area (currently defined within the boundaries of the M25). However, membership is available to firms outside the area who may feel this to be of benefit, particularly if some of all of their work is located within central London.’ To become a member you need to be able to provide good references and have at least five years’ experience or appropriate qualifications.
(www.lamd.co.uk).

North London Society of Model Engineers
Founded 1944.
What do they do? Promote and encourage model engineering and its related pastimes. This includes modelling of locomotives, stationary steam and traction engines, slot cars, railroads and ground-level railways.
Can anybody join? If you’re a north London-based model engineer, you’re a fool if you don’t join. South Londoners can stick it, though.
(www.nlsme.co.uk).

Norbury & South London Transport Club
Founded 1935.
What do they do? ‘Our interests cover the history, development and modern day transport scene. Whether you are interested in trains, buses, trams, canals, shipping, aircraft or traction engines, we cover it.’
Can anybody join? If discussing trams in Croydon is your thing, why not? Membership costs £23 and you can get there via tram routes 1, 2 & 3; South Central and Thameslink train services and bus routes 64, 119, 194, 197, 312, 409, 410, 466, X26, and T33 – although you probably knew that.
Norbury & South London Transport Club, United Reformed Church, Addiscombe Grove CR9. (www.norburyclub.org.uk).

East London Inventors Club
Founded 2003.
What do they do? Provide opportunities to network with other inventors, and encouragement of entrepreneurial initiatives.
Can anybody join? The club is by inventors, for inventors and membership costs £25.
East London Inventors Club, University of East London, Knowledge Dock Centre, Docklands Campus, 4 University Way, E16 (www.eastlondoninventorsclub.com).

London Seduction Society
Founded 2004.
What do they do? ‘A UK based forum for men interested in picking up women. The aim of the group is to provide a support base for men who want to improve their seduction skills. The emphasis is on actually meeting up and practicing for real.’
Can anybody join? If you are desperate and male and have an urge to take the fun out of going on the pull, go for it. ‘We do not expect you to possess any particular level of skill in seduction.’ Membership is curently 2,500.
Fill in the application form on the site. ‘We won’t issue resons (sic) for rejections.’
(www.thelss.com).

South West London Twins Club
Founded 2004.
What do they do? ‘A self-help support group run by parents with advice on key issues such as breast-feeding and post-natal depression, but also on how to get out of the house when you have two or more tiny babies to deal with!’
Can anybody join? Only parents of twins or multiple births need apply.
(www.swlondontwinsclub.org).

London & Southern Counties Mouse and Rat Club
Founded 1916.
What do they do? A club for owners, breeders and exhibitors of fancy mice and rats. (Fancy means ‘hobby’ rather than ‘decorative’, by the way.)
Can anybody join? Yes, if you have access to a small furry friend, are not a cat and can get to the monthly shows in Enfield.
London & Southern Counties Mouse and Rat Club, 4th Enfield Scouts Hall, Gordon Rd (off Baker St), Enfield (www.miceandrats.com).

The Gregorian Association London
Founded 1870 (as The London Gregorian Choral Association).
What do they do? Promote the singing of Gregorian chant to English texts, and to overcome the prejudice which existed against doing so. Its policy has increased in scope, so that it is now fully oecumenical, and promotes and uses the chant in Latin as well as Modern English and that of the Book of Common Prayer.
Can anybody join? If you have a decent pair of lungs, yes.
(www.beaufort.demon.co.uk/chant.htm).

Linnean Society of London
Founded 1788.
What do they do? Named after Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, the society is a forum for contemporary discussions on genetics, natural history, systematics, biology and the history of plant and animal taxonomy. It also hosts a large collection of specimens and a library at Burlington House, Piccadilly, a home it shares with the Royal Academy of Arts, the Society of Antiquaries of London , the Royal Society of Chemistry , the Geological Society of London , and the Royal Astronomical Society.
Can anybody join? The Linnean Society draws its membership from professionals and amateurs working in fields as diverse as professional biology, genetics and taxonomy, to the history and philosophy of science. All new members must be recommended by three fellows. It costs £45.
The Linnean Society of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1 (020 7434 4479/www.linnean.org).

West London Gay Bridge Society
Founded 1986.
What do they do? Play duplicate bridge every Monday in Bayswater.
Can anybody join? Sure, men and women are welcome. Standard of play is varied, although you should have played previously. Membership is free, with a £2 charge on the night. If you haven’t got a bridge partner, they will try and find one for you.
(www.wlgbc.co.uk).

London Scalextric club
Founded 1977.
What do they do? ‘Hands-on racing, where you actually meet likeminded enthusiasts and race together on our 102ft, six-lane track.’
Can anybody join? ‘You’re never too old for Scalextric.’ Previous members include F1 driver Johnny Herbert and meetings are
held every week.
London Scalextric club, St Mark’s Church Hall, Lymington Avenue, N22 (www.londonscalextricclub.co.uk).

London Deaf Chess Club
Founded 1975.
What do they do? Play chess,weekly. The LDCC team has represented England 11 times in the Europa Cup for Deaf Chess Clubs.
Can anybody join? If you are deaf, like chess and can get to Victoria every Friday evenings between September and May, you’re in. Annual subs are £20.
(www.londondeafchessclub.com).