Talk at Rotary Club of Jurong Town

Guest speaker at Rotary Club of Jurong Town, March 1, 2011, Tanglin Club, Singapore

History of The Tanglin Club
The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 & the advent of steamers resulted in a travel revolution. The small port founded by Raffles developed into a thriving trading centre. According to John Cameron, 'the everyday life of the British settlement had become more sophisticated, snobbish & exclusively European...'

In October 1865, "forty good men and true" convened a meeting for the purpose of forming a suburban social club to meet the wants of the Britishers' living in the settlement, and founded the Tanglin Club. A property in the District of Claymore was purchased in 1866 and this is the current site of The Tanglin Club today.

Today, The Tanglin Club is one of Singapore's oldest & prominent social club. It is not known how the name 'Tanglin' originated but as there are many places in Malaysia named after trees, it is possible that The Tanglin Club was named after the Saraca Tree aka 'Tanglin Tree'. A commemorative Tanglin Tree was planted in the grounds of the present clubhouse in 1990 to mark the Club's 125th anniversary.

For many years The Tanglin Club was one of the pillars of social life in Singapore for successful members of the European community. By the late 1930's its ballroom had the reputation of having the best dance floor in the island and the Club band was a focal point of attraction. The highlight of Singapore's social calendar was The Tanglin Ball. Even today the ball is held yearly in the Churchill Room, an icon of the Club. Squash and tennis are also synonymous with The Tanglin Club.

Before the fall of Singapore in February 1942, the Club was prepared for use as a convalescent depot for the Malayan Armed Service and an evacuee centre. During the Japanese occupation the Club was used as a Japanese officers' club. Having survived the vicissitudes of debt and war, age and apathy, even a major transformation, The Tanglin Club still retains an aura of exclusivity as one of the premier social clubs in Singapore today.

Having grown from "Forty Good Men" to 6,000 members, the Club prides itself on its international and cosmopolitan nature with more than 70 nationalities among its members. It has earned a reputation of prestige and quality. Tanglin Club membership is still very much sought after as it offers excellent facilities and a distinguished lifestyle to its members.

The presidents of Tanglin Club were persons of prominence such that there are many streets named after them eg Dunman Road, Anderson Road & Bridge, Read Street & Bridge, Birch Road, Bishopsgate and Finlayson Green.

The Tanglin Club today is an inviting oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation as its ambience still evokes the grace and charm of the past while reflecting its mission of being a "home away from home". Even more so today, The Tanglin Club with its strategic location, cosmopolitan membership and modern facilities, caters to the wants and desires of contemporary men and women.