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Written by Super User

Category: About

Published: 17 November 2015

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Forty Good Men and True

Forty Good Men is the story of the Tanglin Club, originally established as a social institute for select Britishers in 1865 in the island of Singapore, an equatorial corner of Britain's colonial empire in the Far East.

Drawing on wide-ranging first-hand accounts and historical commentaries, it also provides an informative glimpse of the mores and historical fortunes of the colonial elite who traditionally comprised the Membership of the Club and their role in the development and destiny of the island.

Extensively illustrated and documented with photographs and memorabilia, letters and diaries, chronicles and historical records gathered from archival and personal collections around the world, the story follows the evolution and persistence of the Tanglin Club from the early colonial period, through the uncertainties of two world wars and the turbulent pre and post-independence periods, to its successful transformation in the years after independence in 1965, which have enabled it to survive as one of the most prestigious social clubs in the city-state of Singapore.

Please click here to download and view a digitally-scanned copy of Forty Good Men. Please note that due to the large file size, the PDF file may take several minutes to download.

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Written by Super User

Category: About

Published: 17 November 2015

Hits: 198450

History of the Tanglin Club

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the advent of steamers resulted in a travel revolution. The small port founded by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, developed into a thriving trading centre, and the everyday life of the British settlement had become more sophisticated, and 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 British 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.

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 1930s, 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 over 4,000 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. the Tanglin Club Membership is still very much sought after as it offers excellent facilities and a distinguished lifestyle to its Members.

The presidents of the Tanglin Club were persons of prominence such that there are many streets named after them, for instance, 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 while its ambience still evokes the grace and charm of the past.

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Written by Super User

Category: About

Published: 17 November 2015

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The Mahjong Section has an enthusiastic group of Members play regular social games in the Club’s Multi-Purpose Games Room located in Tangles, on Level 2 of the Sports Complex.

REGULAR SOCIAL MAHJONG GAMES

 *The facilitator or Committee Member will post the sign-up sheet on the Mahjong WhatsApp Group on the sign-up day/time given above. Please sign up through WhatsApp.

Join The Mahjong Section

To join the Mahjong Section, please fill out and submit a registration form available at the Sports & Recreation Department.

Section Fund Fee

Section Fund Fee: $5.00 per Member per month | Non-Club Member $20 +GST

Guests may join any session if there is space available.

Bookings & Enquiries

For more information, please contact the Sports & Recreation Department at 6622 0588 or email sports@tanglinclub.org.