History

The current Savage Club is a revival of a society of the same name, existing in Leeds from 1898 – 1912.

The original Leeds Savage Club was likely inspired by the original Savage Club of London, founded in 1857.

According to a paper delivered by George W. Black at the Thoresby Society AGM of 1976, the purpose of the London club was to create a place where artists and writers might ‘enjoy each others society’. The London club also developed a philanthropic element, putting on theatrical performances to raise funds for the widows and orphans of its former members. Some of these performances were attended by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The Leeds Savage Club retained the purpose of its London cousin, being founded by a group of artists, musicians and writers to provide a sanctuary for ‘kindred…Bohemian spirits’ and it likewise gained many local patrons. The club frequently put on concerts benefiting such causes as the Gateforth Hall Hospital and Wetherby Nurses Association, funded by the Lord and Lady Mayoress, the Judges of Assize, Lord Allerton and the Earl of Harewood. However, the Leeds club also detracted from the London model by developing its own, unique rituals. Savages sat on the stage at these concerts and sang a ‘war song’ at curtain up, written by members of the club!

The Leeds Savages held their first meeting in January 1899 at Mr. Owen Bowen’s studio in Cookridge Street, where he painted evocative landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. At this meeting, Mr. Edwin Bogg, was unanimously elected ‘Chief’ (or Chairman) of the club. Bogg was a framer who had kick-started Bowen’s career by buying and funding his art when the painter was just sixteen. Below the ‘Chief’, a Treasurer and Scribe, Mr. Scriven, was also elected and a committee of eight ‘Braves’, to preside over a maximum of fifty members.

Frequent ‘Pow-Wows’ were subsequently held in various locations in Leeds, but the best are said to have taken place in Bogg’s framing studio behind his shop in Lands Lane. Bogg would preside over the meetings, some of which included twenty-minute papers on subjects of interest, wearing feathered headgear! And the rituals didn’t end there… There existed a hole in the ceiling of Bogg’s workshop, and after midnight, a vocalist was bidden to go upstairs. Lying on his stomach, he would sing through the hole to the company assembled below, most of whom were in rather high spirits due to a further ritual of drinking whisky punch from the Firewater Pot! (This pot is now in Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall.)

Special Pow-Wows were sometimes called in honour of persons distinguished in the arts who were visiting the city of Leeds. Many members of the London Savage Club were hosted at these Pow-Wows, including the artist Phil May, and authors Cutcliffe Hyne, J.S. Fletcher, Oliver Onions, and Holbrook Jackson.

Occasional ‘Encampments’, or inspirational camping trips, were also organised for the Leeds Savage Club, allowing the members to share their common love of the Yorkshire Dales. A favourite place for these ‘encampments’ was the village of Castley by the river Wharfe, under the shadow of a railway viaduct on the Harrogate line.

‘Chief’ Edwin Bogg was always present at Concerts, Pow-Wows, and Encampments, but had a somewhat autocratic attitude to the club’s organisation. He was frequently criticised for this and other failures. By 1907, interest in the Leeds Savage Club had begun to wane and on the 12th February 1908, the old club was disbanded and a new one formed, consisting of the Original Founding Members. Bogg was again confirmed as ‘Chief’. This initially appeared to restore the club, as later that year there were only three vacancies for membership, but new gimmicks, such as feathered headdresses for the Treasure Hunter, Scribe and a third of the Braves, first appeared at this time, suggesting appeal was lacking. The ‘business part’ of the club was also failing and members were embarrassed to be associated with it.

‘Chief’ Edwin Bogg responded by laying aside the feathers of office at a meeting in October 1908, taking his place among the Savages as a humble member of the ‘Tribe’. He was content to simply await events, but was instantly re-elected. A year later, a ballot for the re-election of the Chief resulted in sculptor Caldwell Spruce taking office. It was decided that no member should hold the office of ‘Chief’ longer than twelve months. Bogg was given the title ‘T’owd Chief’ and made an honorary life member.

The last meeting of the Leeds Savage Club was recorded in the minutes as being held on October 11th 1912. The club faded out as WW1 loomed. Attempts were made in 1921 by the last ‘Chief’, Owen Bowen, to revive the club, but he was aging and the movement had lost momentum.

When Edwin Bogg died in 1931, aged 81, it was clear that the club’s death had long preceded his. Obituaries described him as ‘the honoured chief of the old Savage club’.