The Buckland Club

Always Something New in the Stomach

Abstract

In the beginning was Buckland . . . William Buckland . . . famed theologian, dinosaur hunter and experimental gourmet, but most importantly father of fellow Victorian eccentric, Frank, after whom The Buckland Club was named. Both men actively set out to consume the weird and wonderful. Indeed, a recent BBC piece on Radio 4 about William was called ‘The Man Who Tried to Eat Every Animal on Earth’, while Richard Girling’s excellent book about naturalist Frank was titled The Man Who Ate the Zoo. In 1952, with a country still enwrapped by the gastronomic stranglehold of rationing, the Club was formed. It attracted ‘fishermen, doctors and clubbable MEN of a literary bent’, however they also needed to be living or working in close proximity to Birmingham. Seventy plus years later and the Club still thrives with upwards of fifty members and guests meeting twice annually.