Monday 19 August 2019

The Crow's Nest

One of the best hidden secrets in the City of St John's is the Crow's Nest Officer's Club. The entrance can be easily overlooked as you walk down the steps on the left of the National War Memorial on Duckworth Street. A plaque tells part of the story.
At the height of the Battle of the Atlantic in WWII, in 1942, St John's was the home port for the Newfoundland Escort Force, a handover point for the critical supply convoys across the Atlantic.  The Crow's Nest Officer's Club served as a retreat for the remainder of the war where allied naval and merchant officers could relax, share stories of victory and loss, and have a home cooked meal.  The Club has become a living museum owned and supported by volunteer members. It commemorates the contribution of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve,  and the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve during WWII.
The Crow's Nest was originally known as the Seagoing Officer's Club during WWII, opening it's doors on January 27 1942.  It was a safe space where officers could relax with other officers who understood the horrors of war only too well.  It still maintains it's war-time look and feel with an extensive collection of gunshield art and memorabilia from the Battle of the Atlantic.
I dropped in for lunch one Friday, and spent a couple of hours sharing a table with some fascinating people. The Club Secretary, Margaret Morris, was a fountain of knowledge about the history of the Club, and is passionate about preserving the stories and sacrifices of the men who served on those Naval ships so long ago.  And not only was there good conversation to be had, I enjoyed moose stew for the first time, washed down with an ice cold QV Iceberg Lager!
A couple of days later, I noticed that even though the Crow's Nest is usually closed on Mondays, there was a concert there that Monday evening.  Kelly Russell would be sharing his Tunes and Tales.  Kelly Russell is a leading musician in Newfoundland and has been part of many well known bands playing traditional music, and has been awarded the Order of Canada.  Kelly recreated the unforgettable characters of Uncle Mose, Grampa Walcott, Aunt Sophy, Skipper Bartle, and King David (a billy goat)..... great stories of the imaginary outport community of Pidgeon Inlet originally written by his father, storyteller Ted Russell. And shared the living traditional music of Newfoundland on his fiddle and his concertina.
Every seat was taken, and the audience were spellbound by his playing and his storytelling. What a lovely amusing and talented man.  Totally unforgettable evening, well worth my walk in the pouring rain to get there.

14 comments:

  1. How lucky you were to hear Kelly perform!

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    1. I was doubly lucky as I heard Kelly Russell perform the next night too, as part of the band in "No Change In The Weather" at the LSPU Hall.

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  2. Both outings sound wonderful. As does the rain.

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    1. It was pouring and didn't have an umbrella! But the concert was worth every raindrop.

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    1. Definitely worth a visit just to see all the WWII memorabilia on the walls.

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  4. Your day and evening sound delightful.
    I like learning history through music and entertainment.
    We used to eat at the Officer's Club at the Presidio in San Francisco since Hubby's Dad was an Army Officer. I like getting into places that the general public isn't able to do.

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    1. The Crow's Nest is a very well kept secret. It says "Members Only" but non-members can visit for lunch on certain days. The moose stew is highly recommended!

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  5. The Crow's Nest is a great name for that place.

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  6. What a nice looking place, I like the name.

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  7. Oh that must have been a wonderful evening Shammi. Moose stew for lunch you say, how was that?

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    1. The moose stew was yummy.... rich and tender and full of flavour with some flaky pastry on top! Top marks to the chef!

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