The Oriental Club in London, one of the UK's premier clubs, has admitted the ODU as an alumni member. This entitles ODs wherever they are in the world to join and use 'The Oriental' and its huge range of reciprocal clubs internationally.

Membership brings a myriad benefits, including no entrance fees for any OD. For younger members, the great advantage is the arrangement known as the OC7. ODs between the age of 18 and 25 join for a one-off subscription (i.e. not annual) of £350. ODs between the ages 26 and 30 would pay a one-off fee of £500. ODs 30 and older will pay the Club's normal annual subscription and ODs older than 30 joining for the first time will not have to pay the introduction fee or require to be proposed or seconded.

(To join the Club normally fopr non-ODs, they require that applicants are proposed and seconded by two existing Members, both of whom have been Members for more than twelve months and who know the candidate well.)

The Club offers myriad facilities and benefits, not least of which is its location, business facilities, including video-conferencing and upmarket accommodation at much better than hotel rates for members. In addition, The Oriental is know for its vibrant and varied social calendar and, so reputation has it, the best curry in London. There are also forty ensuite bedrooms.

For further information, have a look at the Club's website.

Networking with other member alumni associations is encouraged and almost inevitable. The Oriental has arrangments with Benenden School, Charterhouse School, Eton College, Haileybury, Harrow School, Malvern College, Marlborough College, Merchant Taylors' School, Oundle School, Radley College, Rossall School, Rugby School, Sherborne School, Shrewsbury School, Stowe School, St Dunstan's College, Wellington College, Wetherby Senior School and Winchester College.

If you are interested in applying for membership, please contact Nicky Bicket (Branch Secretary of the UK Branch of the ODU; nbicket@katale.co.uk) so he can let you have the application form and a letter confirming you're an OD. Note that ODs are not required to find a proposer or seconder.

Feel free to get in touch with Nicky if you'd like to chat about the pros (and not many cons).