The Kensington Club is a private all-male dining club for students of the University of St Andrews. Founded circa 1739 by Alexander the Laird Balgonie as a social club, the Kensington Club flourished predominately in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as a retreat for aristocratic and moneyed members of the student population. Renewed interest in the club after a period of decline in the second part of the twentieth century has led to a surge in membership since the early 2000s.
History
Alexander Leslie Laird Balgonie was born around the year 1720, the only son among five children. His father, also named Alexander, lived in the Balgonie Castle, a fortified manor of ancient origin over the bank of the river Leven, east of Glenrothes. The family's claim of descent from the Earls of Leven is disputed. The etymology of the name ‘The Kensington Club’ is unclear. The policies of the labour governments in the early twentieth century were felt with particular acuteness among the Scottish aristocracy, with their limited ability to generate income. Club fortunes took a downturn and membership began to tail off. With the exception of a brief resurgence in the nineteen seventies, the club remained almost dormant. With the turn of the century interest began once more to escalate, and the Kensington Club once again exists as a social institution within St Andrews. In 2001, in honour of this revival, Raymond, the present Laird of Balgonie, was given honorary membership and made the club patron.
Controversy
In 2018, a series of articles in several newspapers and online publications called into question the legitimacy the majority of the club’s self-reported history, including the above description. The only references to the club’s history seem to have come from unverifiable, self-written publications. Inside sources are quoted as stating that the club was instead founded in the 1970s or more recently, instead of several centuries ago. Further statements claimed that the club’s recent publicity including its annual 'secret garden party' drove it to change its name from Kensington to Jodhpur.
Activities
Private dinners for club members are held biweekly. Etiquette and manners are enforced on the penalty of port.
Club Colours
The club colours are thick red and green stripes divided by a thin white stripe
