British Society prepares to mark fifty years on the Costa del Sol

The British Society, one of the longest serving expat clubs on the Costa del Sol, is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, they are hosting a buffet lunch on 17 February at their headquarters in Benalmádena.

The event will be attended by members and former members, as well as representatives from the British Consulate.

In 1967, when the club was founded, life on the coast was very different. Franco was still in power, package holidays to Spain were just getting started and the popularity of the Costa del Sol had not yet grown.

However, there were enough British people residing on the coast, whether full or part time, to warrant a social club where they could meet.

The new British Society was established by an English couple named Fred and Mona Heap. They began with a temporary residence in the Hotel El Andaluz in Torremolinos in early 1967. By May of that year the society had moved into Villa La Loma in Torremolinos. After first renting the Villa Luisa, their current headquarters, the society purchased the property in 1977.

The villa has several social and sporting facilities, including pétanque courts, table tennis, an art room and a comprehensive English-language book, video and DVD library.

The golden anniversary is testament to the club's success, although it still welcomes new members.