125.The Temple and the Hell Fire Club

Temple Island is situated a mile and a half downstream of the picturesque market town of Henley and on it is a Folly which is the HQ of Henley Royal Regatta and its  main significance of the island is that it lies at the start of the course for Henley Royal Regatta.

As we were passing the Temple, we saw a guy dressed up in a suit that was obviously one bought from a local charity shop,the trousers being rolled up , the arms of the jacket more suited to an   orangutan and the shoulder fitting would have not have been amiss if seen on the Hunchback of Notre Dame.Billy shouted out to the gentleman dressed up in the deformed suit "I say old chap can you tell us something about that fine building ?".

"Well if you really want to know about it and your not just trying to take the piss, I'll tell you a bit about it".Billy employing his acting skills once again replied " I would never ever dream of it old chap".Well"  continued 'he of  the deformed suit' , "The ornamental folly was designed by the 18th century English architect James Wyatt and  was constructed in 1771. It was originally  designed as a fishing lodge for Fawley Court, a nearby historic house.Supported by a gift of £515,000 from Alan Burrough (a Steward of the Regatta) and his wife Rosie, in December 1987 the Regatta was able to purchase a 999 year lease of the island and the temple. Following the purchase, the Stewards of the Regatta undertook restoration works to the island and the temple:

 A statue of a nymph, in keeping with the style and age of the Temple, was placed under the cupola,and for your information  nymph in Greek mythology is a minor nature goddess typically associated with a particular location such as an island." Billy regretted asking 'he of the deformed suit ''for information on the Temple and the old chap babbled on.

"By definition a folly  is a costly undertaking having an absurd or ruinous outcome however it can also mean  an  elaborate theatrical revue consisting of music, dance, and skits and this definition quite suits this building since  this elegant and exclusive venue is available for hire, both during Royal Regatta Week and throughout the year. It offers a unique setting for entertaining, whether for corporate hospitality, wedding receptions or for private parties. It also provides a secure location for confidential meetings, and an idyllic venue for presentations and promotions"

Billy thanked 'he of the deformed suit" and asked the Captain to start the engine." I never thought that Quasimodo  over there would never shut"."You did ask him to tell you about the Temple" added the First mate.

As we floated by The Temple, the Captain turned to the Cabin Boy and said “Isn’t this temple the same place that was used by the Hellfire Club all those years ago?”.”No” said Billy that old white building which we just passed on the far bank of river was the place they used, I think it’s called Medmenham  Abbey”.”Sounds like my sort of club that Billy” chirped up the First Mate, ”Well Billy Boy” added the Captain “Tell us all about the  Hell Fire Club” and try not to bore us like that hunchback bloke you've just been complaining about."

“To tell the truth chaps In don’t know much about it but it was owned years ago by some guy called Dasherwood who used to invite members to come and stay at his gaff. Him and his mates  used dress up in masks and costumes ,in the guise of some religious sect , and then indulge in all sorts of debauchery in the gardens which contained a series of statues depicting people at it  in all  manner of positions, you know a sort of  kind of back to nature Kama Sutra It is also alleged that the monks in the abbey used to go down to London by boat and bring up a rake of prostitutes dressed as nuns for an evening’s entertainment. Apparently, the club had some famous members including the Earl of Sandwich, the Marquis of Granby, Benjamin Franklin and the Prince of Wales. Things got out of hands and eventually the club moved somewhere else, but I’m not sure where it moved to, it may have been over High Wycombe way.

The Captain simply couldn’t resist getting in his two penny worth “Christ, I had a mate who belonged to the Hell Fire Club, it wasn’t the same as that one. It was or probably still is a swingers club in Sunbury-on-Thames, where you pay fifty quid to see couples shagging and if you’re lucky you may get asked to join in the fun and frolics”.”And of course in my case” added the First mate,”they’d have begged me to join in and given me fifty quid as well!!”.Not to be out –sniggered, the Cabin boy added “Probably felt sorry for you’, and by the way I’ve just Googled it on my IPod, and that club in Sunbury does exist “.