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The
Grand Order of Lady Ratlings 75 Year Celebration
All members are extremely grateful to the Grand Order of
Water Rats, for their kindness in allowing us to use some of
the following extracts taken from the history of the G.O.W.R.
l889-l947, written by P.K. Rat Fred Russell, on how the G.O.L.R.
first started.
The Lady Ratlings
"Of other events and happenings since the re-organisation
of the Grand Order of Water Rats, one of the most important
was the formation of the Lady Ratlings. In June 1929 Charlie
Austin gave a "Trigo" banquet at the club to celebrate
a win he had on a horse of that name in the Derby, his guests
including wives, daughters and other female relatives of the
members. At that banquet the idea of the ladies section of the
order was mooted, and taken up with much enthusiasm. It was
generally agreed that some such organisation would serve a very
useful purpose in bringing the ladies of the profession together,
as it was felt old friends were losing touch, and the younger
generation unacquainted, so that when social events took place
the ladies were virtual strangers to one another. Names and
subscriptions came pouring in, and from the outset success was
assured. The growth of the Grand Order of Lady Ratlings has
been remarkable, and the pessimistic prognostications that the
girls would not stick together entirely falsified. They abide
by their motto "ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE."
JULY l2th
1929 Lillian Russell was installed as Queen Ratling by King
Rat Fred Russell at New Crompton Street.
The Order's
first dinner dance was held in 1930. In 1931 the Order spread
its wings and the 'Cup of Kindness' was started by Past Queen
Minnie O'Farrell. In 1932 the first Ball was held at the Savoy
Hotel; music was played by the Lady Ratlings Band, Geraldo
and his Gaucho Tango Band, and Jack Hylton's band, and the
cabaret was The Ratlings Go-Floptomists. The Ball was a great
success and went on to become the "Annual Ball"
"Another
event of importance was the formation of the "Rats Revels"
Society in 1943, which working in co-operation with the Lady
Ratlings and superintended by the late Teddy Brown, has already
raised thousands of pounds for charities. The Society is very
grateful to Lupino Lane for so generously lending the Victoria
Palace."
In 1948
Marjorie Ristori was installed as Queen Ratling and also became
the producer of the "Rats Revels." which she continued
to do until 1967.
"Rats Revels" Victoria
Palace, 1949
The programme of the show which is inset states that l949
was the Diamond Jubilee of the G.O.W.R, and the 21st year
of the G.O.L.R, but in actual fact it was the 20th year of
our Order, and it is with great pride we look back on this
show, as every female artiste who appeared in the show were
all members of the G.O.L.R..
It was during this period of time that Water Rat Arthur Scott,
who was the general Secretary of the Variety Artists Benevolent
Fund, organised a number of shows which were held on Good
Fridays at the Metropolitan Theatre, Edgware Road. As Good
Fridays were Holy Days, entertainment was controlled by the
Lords Day Observance Society. Dancing and the wearing of theatrical
costumes were strictly forbidden. However this didn't deter
the Water Rats or Lady Ratlings because the wearing of evening
dress was permissible. The shows were a huge success. The
proceeds were donated to Brinsworth House. Throughout the
fifties and sixties the Rats Revels continued to flourish.
Victoria Palace May l967, was the year P. Q. Marjorie Ristori
devised and produced the Rats Revels show as a tribute for
the life of Dame Ratling, Sophie Tucker. Water Rats and Lady
Ratlings came from far and wide to appear. Jack Benny flew
in from America, also Ted Shapiro, Dame Sophie's pianist.
Those of us who were privileged to be there will always remember
the evening with pride, it truly was the night of a 100 stars,
everyone remembering and honouring the great star who was
no longer with us. It was also the grand finale of the Rats
Revels, and the start of a great new era.
To be continued . . .
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