Chicot Ginny (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Original silver-titled blue cloth in illustrated jacket 24x27cm. Printed at Rashid Printers and Stationers in Ajman. 118pp illustrated in colour and original b/w throughout, with frontis portrait of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and a couple of adverts from local sponsors. Covers near fine with some spotting to the cloth, interiors fine, jacket near fine, lightly rubbed. Compiled and written by Ginny Chilcot from personal anecdotes and recollections by past and present residents. The Club had its origins in "Henderson's Folly", a meeting place for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) staff built in 1949 close to the present site, which had been granted by Sheikh Zayed at a time when recreational facilities were scarce. The building with its own windtower, had originally been used as a local residence by Edward Henderson, formerly of the SAS, and PD(TC)'s local representative, to facilitate his meetings with Sheikh Shakhbut. After a period in the hands of the British Political Resident in Dubai, it was taken over by a group of mainly British ex-pats in the 1960s, who developed it into a venue "far enough away from Abu Dhabi town to avoid offending local sensitivities and yet close enough to make it home with little chance of serious mishap" (p11). This compiles a series of descriptions of the Folly, The Club, its members and visitors, intertwined closely with a description of Abu Dhabi's development from those early days. Especially interesting are the earliest views of the venue and contemporary life in Abu Dhabi, together with the first hand recollections of David Heard and others. Also included are opening statements by the Education Minister, and the British Ambassador, lists of Honorary Chairs and General Managers, and a bibliography. LAID IN: a printed and signed presentation letter dated 20/10/02 from Honorary Chair M.L. Twitchett, A4, 1pp, with "Celebrating the Club Anniversary 1962 / 2002" letterhead, thanking members for their input. Also included is an invitation card to the official opening of the newly refurbished Club Reception and adjoining facilities, which was conducted by the British Ambassador to the UAE, Edward Oakden, on 13 November. The book was issued free to Club members, and appears to be very rare, with Worldcat recording 1 copy at UAE University (OCLC 1425212527).