L'Inizio

The Club Sociale Italiano di Finchley (CSIdF) was formed some 30 years ago by Padre Pier Giorgio Venturini of the Saveriani Fathers and Zino Daley. Coincidentally, the Saveriani Fathers principal head-quarters was in Parma, an area from which many of the Club's founding members and committee originated from. It was the Saveriani Fathers who proposed the idea of the social club despite the existence of a similar and well established club at St. Peters in Clerkenwell; the principal difference with this Club being that it would be created to cater for those from the Italian Community that had left the Islington and Clerkenwell areas and had moved to North London. At the time there existed no place for Anglo-Italians in North London to meet and socialize. In fact, the founding committee was formed by a group of friends in the local community whose first action was to organise social gatherings every Friday night, where members of the Community could play Briscola, Tre Sette and Quintiglio. The involvement and support of the Saveriani Fathers in founding the CSIdF was extremely important in driving forward the concept of a new club, in fact to this day and in recognition of this initial and vital support, it is written in the Club's statute that where possible it should contribute to the well being of the Saveriani Fathers and their charitable work.

The first gatherings to be arranged by the newly founded Club were simple social events which sought to attract families and provide them with a meeting place and an opportunity to socialize with others from the local Community. A typical event would involve traditional but simple food (panini with mortadella, formaggio or prosciutto cotto) and the odd glass of wine or bottle of beer. However, the functions would not have been successful had it not been for their music; in fact in some of the more traditional events, the music was important in attracting people. The Club's events have been graced by the musical talents of Mario & Pasquale, the Viaziani Group, Collini (famous for playing the accordion whilst also having a whistle in his mouth!), Allodi, Marcello and Pino Piletto.

The first few cene balli were held in the Empire Rooms in Tottenham Court Road, however, once a solid group of members had established itself, the decision was taken to move such events to St. Philip the Apostle, Gravel Hill, Finchley Central on a more permanent basis. It was Father L. Thomas who initially gave the Club permission to use the church hall which would become the Club's base for the next 20 years. The decision to locate to this venue made sense as the Anglo-Italian Community in the area was of a significant size and it was central to the Community. The Club and the Church had a strong relationship throughout this period and enjoyed and benefited from many successful events together.

Look out for Part II in the Winter Edition of Lo Stivale!