The Story of the House of Cassell
staff dinner there was invariably a good sprinkling of guests, including some of the authors whose books appeared in the Cassell list. It gathered popularity year by year until it, too, was interrupted by the war.
At these and other social gatherings the musical talent resident in the staff was always in evidence. For some years there existed a La Belle Sauvage Glee Party, which held no mean place among the Glee Parties of London. At one time it regularly gave Christmas concerts at Bethlem Hospital, which were greatly enjoyed by the unfortunate inmates of that old City foundation, and for some years it officiated as the choir at the Friday midday service at the journalists' church, St. Bride's, Fleet Street.
In past days cricket matches between teams representing different sections of the House were played. These friendly contests have ceased, but in 1920 Cassell's Athletic Football Club was started, and at once set about making fixtures for the following season. In 1908, when the late Lord Roberts was warning the nation that it might have to fight for its existence, a Rifle Club was established, with a range on the lofty roof of the works. It had a not undistinguished record, winning the Elkington Shield in 1910, and also the Printers' Rifle League Championship for 1912–13, and it continued to flourish until the war claimed its members for active service. The Belle Sauvage Swimming Club, founded in 1901, numbers in its ranks some of the best swimmers in London. It won the Team Swimming Championship of London open to the Printing and Allied Trades in 1908 and the following three years, and secured the honour again in 1921, so making a record. It also holds the 200 yards championship of the Printing Trades of London and the John Fry cup. There is, again, a Belle Sauvage Bowling Quartette which considers that it can give a good account of itself as occasion offers. The Chess and Draughts Club dates from 1912, and has a clubroom in Fleet Lane, where it matches its skill against that of clubs connected with other firms.
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