PUTT-PUTT YORE - The East India Club
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Issue number 99 Christmas 2017 PUTT-PUTT YORE BEST FEAT FORWARDS
The East India GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM
THE SECRETARY’S OFFICE
Decanter
£75
Club directory Ties
The East India Club Silk woven tie in club
Cut glass tumbler
16 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LH colours. £20
Telephone: 020 7930 1000 Engraved with club
Fax: 020 7321 0217 crest. £30
Email: secretary@eastindiaclub.co.uk
Web: www.eastindiaclub.co.uk The East India Club
DINING ROOM – A History
Breakfast by Charlie Jacoby.
Monday to Friday 6.45am-10am An up-to-date look at the
Saturday 7.15am-10am characters who have made
Sunday 8am-10am up the East India Club. £10
Scarf
Lunch
£17
Monday to Friday 12.30pm-2.30pm
Sunday (buffet) 12.30pm-2.30pm
(pianist until 4pm) Compact
Bow ties
Saturday sandwich menu available
Tie your own and, mirror
Dinner
for emergencies, £22
Monday to Saturday 6.30pm-9.30pm
Sundays (light supper) 6.30pm-8.30pm clip on. £20 The Gentlemen’s
Clubs of London V-neck jumper
Table reservations should be made with the Front
New edition of Lambswool in
Desk or the Dining Room and will only be held for
15 minutes after the booked time. Pre-theatre, Hatband Anthony Lejeune’s burgundy, L, XL,
let the Dining Room know if you would like a quick £15 classic. £28 XXL. £55
supper.
Notelets
AMERICAN BAR
£3.75
Monday to Friday 11.30am-11pm
Saturday 11.30am-3pm
& 5.30pm-11pm Cufflinks
Sunday noon-4pm Enamelled cufflinks
& 6.30pm-10pm with club crest,
Members resident at the club can obtain drinks from chain or bar. £24.50 Polo shirt
the hall porter after the bar has closed. In red or black,
EAST INDIA ROOM L, XL, XXL. £28
Monday to Friday. Light food and wine menu. Use of
electronic devices on silent is permissible.
SMOKING ROOM & WATERLOO ROOM
Drinks and light menu from 9am to 10.30pm. Mug
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm. £14
BILLIARDS ROOM
Open to members from 9am to midnight. Chocolate mint
Pass keys will not be issued after 11pm. creams £8
GYMNASIUM
Open to members from 6am to 10pm. Blazers Club shield
Suitable attire must be worn. £395 (navy) £350 (sports) £35
BEDROOM CHARGES (from 2018)
Includes early morning tea, newspaper, English Waistcoat
breakfast, discretionary £5 per person per night £160 Golf balls
contribution to the staff fund, and VAT. All bed- Titleist golf balls. Bearing
rooms are non smoking. club crest. £29 per dozen
Members & immediate family Napkin
Single ensuite £124 (£75*) hook
Single with small shower £103 (£64*) £40 Golf tees
Single without facilities £83 (£54*) Tin of 50 ‘personalised’
Double or twin room for single occupancy £168 East India golf tees. £7.75
Double or twin room for double occupancy £182
St James’s Suite £302
Reciprocal members & guests
Single ensuite £156 (£98*) Blazer buttons View from the
Single with small shower £137 (£87*) Double breasted. £50 garden
Double or twin room for single occupancy £196 Single breasted. £35 Print of the club
Double or twin room for double occupancy £215
St James’s Suite £335
exterior. £65
* Special rate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday Post and packing for non-breakables from
and bank holidays
£3. Breakable items are for collection
MEMBERSHIP CARDS from the club instead of posting.
Members are required to carry their membership
cards at all times when visiting the club, and
Umbrellas
present them on arrival. It is essential that they are
Short. £20 Rugby ball CLUB WINE:
produced when signing for charges to accounts.
Long. £25 £25 See page 17 for details
2 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
With storm clouds of taxation approaching from the valuations
Club diary office, the chairman applauds the redoubtable spirit of the club
by enjoying its many dinners, its thought-provoking lectures
January 2018
9 Wine tasting for J7s
and his favourite – the debenture seats at Lords.
18 Library lecture and dinner
24 Members and daughters dinner
26 Casino evening CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
T
February he ODI match against the West Indies by dinner. I greatly enjoyed hearing Matthew
1 Burns’ night supper at Southampton on 29 September d’Ancona, who manages to span the political
9 Rugby lunch, England vs Wales brought to an end a long but divide by writing for both the Evening
21 Library lecture and dinner ultimately successful English cricket season. Standard and the Guardian. He spoke with
23 Evening of jazz For me the highlights were less international: candour about the new phenomenon of ‘fake
watching Chobham Cricket Club defeat the news’ as promoted by the US President’s staff
March East India Club team, in glorious sunshine, to and covered in his new book Post Truth.
16 Rugby lunch, England vs Ireland reclaim the Turnbull Cup (I am also president As chairman, I recently hosted my first
22 Gourmet evening of Chobham CC); to Lord’s to watch Rugby new member’s reception to welcome the
24 Boat races 2017 intake. This eclectic group was made
up of senior members: town, country and
April even overseas, and also many J7s. Going
18 Young members dinner through the routine of presenting our club,
26 St George’s day dinner outlining the services we provide and the
social and sporting opportunities made
May available to members it struck me just how
varied an offering we now have, and equally
1 Library lecture and dinner
how important it is that we make full use of
our club. This was pertinent at a time when
Christmas
The chairman speaking at the house dinner the finance committee was preparing the
The club closes for Christmas after
budget for 2018 and setting the level of
lunch on Friday 22 December 2017
School lose a close fought match against subscriptions that will allow us to manage
and re-opens at 9am on Tuesday
Marlborough School, a disappointing result the twin challenges of likely increases in the
2 January 2018. London Living Wage, which we fully support,
but the opportunity to introduce my young
grandson to Lord’s could not be missed; and and the definite and dramatic increases in the
Sunday lunch to the home of cricket again to watch Jimmy business rates, which we are actively seeking
On most Sundays throughout the Anderson take a career best 7-42 as England to overturn. As outlined by Iain Wolsey, in his
year, a sumptuous lunch buffet is won the final test match in emphatic style. letter to members in March of this year, major
provided to the accompaniment The club’s debenture seats are an excellent increases in essentially fixed costs can really
of a pianist. vantage point for the on-field play but for only be covered by subscriptions.
me a leisurely afternoon socialising with the Faced with rising subscriptions we must
usual suspects in the Coronation Gardens is seek to maintain the excellent value-for-
just as important. money available in the accommodation, food
As you read this we will be well into our and beverage offering. In this scenario, regular
banqueting season with numerous club club usage becomes even more important
functions in the diary all of which appear to to ensure that members get maximum value
be sold out. The Lord Mayor’s from their membership.
lunch was as usual great I greatly enjoyed These are challenging
fun and full of pomp and hearing Matthew times for all London
ceremony, with Dr Andrew d’Ancona, who clubs, seemingly under
Parmley declining the Bentley fiscal attack from the
East & West manages to span
to arrive on foot and being government, but the
met by the Company of
the political divide strong bedroom occupancy
Editor: Charlie Jacoby rates, full Dining Room and
Pikemen & Musketeers of the
07850 195353 cj@charliejacoby.com
Honourable Artillery Company with weapons events frequently sold out give me cause for
Designer: Chris Haddon
07792 515056 info@chrishaddon.co.uk to the fore and the trumpeters of the Band encouragement that our club can continue to
of the Household Cavalry. By coincidence two prosper.
Photography: Phil McCarthy. To download or
order photography, login to the members’ Chelsea Pensioners picked that day to attend We are entering our busiest time of the
area of EastIndiaClub.com and select event the club for the first time under our new year in the run up to Christmas and I urge you
photography
temporary membership arrangement with all to make the most of your club during the
Printed by: Colour3 (ColourCubed.co.uk)
the Royal Hospital so the American Bar was party season. I would also ask you to join me in
Published on behalf of The East India Club by awash with colour as the festivities continued thanking all the staff for the work they do to
Charlie Jacoby, c/o The East India Club
www.charliejacoby.com late into the afternoon. support us by making a voluntary contribution
Cover photo: art in the gardens by Sophie Ryder We also hosted the grouse dinner, Trafalgar to the staff fund.
dinner and several Library lectures followed Duncan Steele-Bodger, chairman
EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017 3
NEWS
President Graham Naisbitt hosted his day
EPICS at Hankley Common GC. Steve Fenton won
(35pts) with Alan Botterill second and Justin
Jones third. Sports shorts
DRIVE ON Our annual matches against the Oriental
Club and Caledonian Club ended in defeat,
by Ben Hurworth
while our match against Royal Blackheath GC Ascot
T
resulted in the customary draw.
I
EPICS member Danny Flowers is captain he club’s box at Ascot next year is
t has been a busy summer of golf. of Croham Hurst GC this year, and, as is the decorated with club photography,
Woking GC hosted our summer meeting. tradition, he invited the EPICS to a match holds 12 for a sit-down meal and
The singles was won by Rod Alexander against his club. Local knowledge proved too 18 for a buffet. The catering, additional, is
(37pts), followed by John Webster (36) and much and we slipped to defeat. provided by Ascot. Due to a cancellation
David Wood (34). Stephen Brown (43pts) the box is now available on Thursday 21
Left-right: Paul Blows,
was the guest winner and also hit the President Graham June. Please contact the secretary.
longest drive. Club chairman Duncan Steele- Naisbitt and Howard
Seymour present EPIC
Bodger secured nearest the pin and then
with his guest Stephen Brown won the
member and Croham
Hurst captain Danny Boxing
I
afternoon foursomes, John Webster and Flowers with an
EIC shield
John O’Sullivan took second place with Danny n October, Robbie Wilmont held a
Flowers and Patrick Duke third. Over the four days of our North Norfolk black tie boxing evening in support
The autumn meeting at New Zealand GC Tour the ten tourists experienced sun, rain, of military charities the Irish Guards
saw Patrick Duke (31pts) win the morning hail and 60mph winds as they attempted to Benevolent Fund, the Not Forgotten
singles from Howard Seymour who edged tame Hunstanton, Sheringham and Royal Association, Back on Track and the
out Sandip Basu on countback (both 31pts). Cromer. We lost our match against a strong Johnson Beharry VC Foundation. It took
Ian Holmes was nearest the pin while Royal Cromer team who were wonderful place in the Sheraton Grand Park Lane
guest Derek Whalley had the longest drive. hosts over an enjoyable post-match dinner. Hotel Mayfair. Members watched four
Alan Hamilton and Paul Preddy won the Christmas lunch in the Canadian Room bouts between the London Military Boxing
afternoon foursomes from Eddie Weiss and in December is traditionally a good time to Club and a select team of boxers from
Greg Hulse in second place and Patrick Duke meet the EPICS. Any club members who are Greater London and Gibraltar.
and Howard Seymour securing third. golfers are welcome to join us.
on the crew of: Benjamin Sherry (secretary),
Ben Rodford
Rowing Alexander Bamford, Peter Pratelli and Magnus
Whittle, everything slotted into place.
Close run thing On the day of the race we went off strong,
gaining on the crews in front of us until
they panicked and crashed into each other,
by Rory Hunt
T
allowing us to overtake them in the quicker
he rowing section finished off stream. At this point we had four crews side-
the summer season with a strong From back (left) to front (right): Benjamin Sherry, by-side on the Thames all fighting to get
win at Gloucester Regatta in the Alexander Bamford, Peter Pratelli and Magnus ahead. We came out of the pack third by the
Whittle at the HoR4s
intermediate 3 pairs; we obtained an Olympic time we got to Hammersmith Bridge, after
class Empacher Coxless Four with a brand knew our first race of the season would be a few close calls and blade crashes. Spurred
new set of painted blades and we reached the prestigious Four’s Head (on the same on by Rory Hunt (captain), Luke Corbridge
the A finals at Maidenhead Regatta, Lea course as the Boat Race) competing at the (fundraising sec) and Joshua Boyle (social
Summer Regatta and Gloucester Regatta highest level of competition against world sec), we sprinted the last 2.6km edging
plus bested many other clubs at Oxford City medalists and Henley finalists. ahead of the crew ahead just as we passed
Royal Regatta and Staines Regatta. Though With many of our strong athletes at the line downstream in Putney. We even
soon the cold months were upon us and universities, four dedicated members agreed got approving nods from the umpires for
so we were back on the grind with long to come down every weekend for three wearing poppies during the race in support
distance training and early mornings. We weeks to train their hardest. Once we settled of Remembrance Sunday.
result in some restitution. Unfortunately, ultimately transferred by the culprit. With
Defalcation latest and in the view of the committee quite the assistance of the relevant regulatory
T
wrongly, Royal Bank of Scotland still authorities, the club has now received a
he committee continues to seek to refuses to accept responsibility of any kind material settlement from one of those
mitigate the losses suffered as a result whether legal or moral. We have not given parties. That settlement was made
of the defalcations from the club’s up on that but in the meantime, while without admission of liability and the
bank accounts at Royal Bank of Scotland which keeping costs as low as we reasonably committee therefore necessarily accepted
were uncovered in January 2014. Although can, the committee has investigated that it should be subject to confidentiality
his assets and resources are very limited, the and where appropriate actively pursued obligations. For that reason it is not
club is close to reaching an agreement with possible civil claims against third parties possible to provide members with
the guilty party which in the medium term will through or to whom the stolen funds were greater detail.
4 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017
NEWS
win 27 matches in succession (including one
Cricket where Viv Richards was captain).
Clive spoke about his career and the
More shorts
challenges of bringing together a team from
Clive of East India a small population spread over the 14 islands
Chess
F
of the Caribbean and noting with pride the
T
ollowing a season which included the numerous top cricketers and athletes that the
club’s annual match against Chobham W Indies have produced over the years. When he club hosted the Cosmos
Cricket Club for the Turnbull Cup, asked if there was one player he admired, Club from Washington DC in a
the club’s cricket side celebrated its 10th Clive stated Tom Graveney, whose cricketing 6-board match in October, writes
anniversary season in style with a black-tie prowess impressed him and who he felt had Nick Lloyd. The combined East India
dinner. The guest speaker was Clive Lloyd. not had the recognition that was deserved. and Oriental team took an early lead
The legendary West Indies captain took up Clive also noted that he was currently with Sandip Basu’s swift victory over
the invitation from member Graham Holland involved in the relief effort for the Caribbean Palema Copley. This was followed by
to come to the club. He was an illustrious after this year’s hurricanes, which requires Petr Tikilyaynen’s clever checkmate of
addition to the anniversary dinner. Now aged the rebuilding of some 4,000 homes and Patrick Tobin, while Colin and Angelika
73, he made his test debut in 1966, playing establishing a more resilient infrastructure determined that their match was going
India. His last test was 18 seasons later, in against future hurricanes. Clive entered nowhere and the bar was a better option
1984 against Australia. In total, he played 110 in to the fun of the evening by graciously to leave EIC/ORI leading 2.5 to 0.5. The
tests, becoming the first West Indies player to accepting a club cricket cap, studying the EIC’s Cosmos fought back to even up the match
earn 100 international caps. A middle-order cricket records put together by Nick Jones, as Tom Lyons overcame numerous checks
batsman, he scored 7,515 runs. His triumph and applauding the awards and fines given from Dan Kaszeta and Christian Urhig won
was his captaincy, which saw the West Indies out by Ed Case and Chris Douse. a close match against Rob McClatchey.
The match was decided when Nick Lloyd
finally wore down Sasha Mones’s defences
to give victory to the EIC/ORI.
Backgammon
T
he East India Club started the
season on top form beating last
year’s champions in its opening
The club plays Chobham, a match it lost Clive Lloyd accepts his cap match, writes David Brace. It came down to
the last throw of the evening with a double
required to secure a win and avoid the draw.
A double six was thrown. In order to get to
that position, the team played fantastically
taking on these seasoned warriors and put
us in a position where, with a bit of good
fortune, the match could be won.
As East & West went to press, the club
is in eighth place in the London inter-club
league. Visit LondonBackammonLeague.com
Club chairman (and Chobham president) Duncan
Steele-Bodger presents the cup The club team
The bride in intricately beaded dress with
Wedding tulle full length skirt by Ronald Joyce and
groom travelled to the club in a 1963 Rolls
C
Royce Silver Cloud.
lub member Iain Carter and his then A champagne and canapé reception in the
fiancee Katherine chose the East Smoking Room followed, accompanied by a
India Club to host their wedding live lounge set from the Distractions Band.
reception this summer. The wedding breakfast took place
They were married at St Margaret’s downstairs in the Dining Room where
Church, Westminster Abbey, on 29 July. The 80 guests enjoyed a menu including the
church has longstanding links to Parliament herb and mustard crusted rack of lamb,
and associations with many historic accompanied by a harpist and the Château
figures, including Sir Winston Churchill who Reynier claret. Thomas McCall, the best man,
married there in 1908. This was particularly was greeted with raucous laughter for his Mr and Mrs Carter
apt as Iain is the political director of the heartfelt speech.
Conservative Party and Katherine is the The party continued back in the Smoking Moon River as the first dance from the happy
project curator and collections manager at Room where guests were treated to more couple, before they retired to the St James’
Chartwell, Churchill’s home. live music and an accomplished waltz to Suite and on to their honeymoon in Sicily.
EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017 5
MOTOR CARS
After a day visiting the Studio 434 motor museum, the club’s
classic car section purred, roared and some of them chugged
into St James’s Square for its annual weekend rally in October.
RELIVING THE GOLDEN
AGE OF MOTORING Left-right: David Holmes’ 1954 Bentley, the
T
Spencers’ 1937 MG TA, and David Rolfe’s 1934
Derby Bentley Estate
he motoring section’s annual visit
en masse to the square for its black
tie dinner usually has a motoring
museum as its starting point. In recent
years , they have visited the Shuttleworth
Collection and Brooklands. This year, they
went to Studio 434 in Potter’s Bar.
A classic car collection that spans more
than 100 years of motoring, Studio 434 has
400 vehicles, 200 of them on display, from
all decades of the last century. It is not just
a museum. It is also a venue for film, TV, American style at Studio 434
advertising and promotional events. The cars
are owned by businessman Roger Dudding.
The museum generously threw open not
only its doors but the doors to the cars for
members and guests to try out.
A change of pace for Cameron Roberts, who is
usually seen in a faster car than this
Richard and Sue Muir Beddall and thei r 1928 Rolls
Royce Phantom
Before dinner in the evening, members parked
Austerity bites: the secretary tries out a new their cars in the gardens. This is Howard Seymour’s
company car Rolls Royce
Mark Turner’s Ultima GTR
Members and guests at the Studio 434 motor museum Andrew Norton arranged the Delage
6 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017
RUGBY
Matthew Ebsworth set up and runs the club’s rugby lunches. Over several years, they have
attracted top quality speakers and are a great way to open the account the day before the
on-pitch battle takes place. With Argentina and Samoa behind us, next are the home nations.
THE MAN BEHIND THE RUGBY LUNCHES
provoking, highlighting the issues over
concussion within rugby and the research
being pioneered to players wellbeing after
leaving the professional game.
At the All Blacks lunch, it was Gareth ‘Cooch’
Chilcott. Former Bath, England and British
Lions legend, Cooch made 373 appearances.
Part of the 1989 brotherhood, the touring
party to Australia which hammered their
names into Lions lore by becoming the first
and only bunch to lose the first Test and win
the series. He now runs Venatour, a sports
and educational travel company which offers
clients trips to major sporting events. Cooch
entertained a packed Dining Room with
stories of front row misdemeanours and the
black arts of propping.
Former rugby section chairman Tom McGoldrick
Matthew is also chairman of the Young
Members Committee and has encouraged
the growth of the club’s sporting sections,
especially the rugby section, which is
about to start its season. This is the rugby
section’s tenth anniversary season. It played
its first match in 2008 at the Heineken 10s
tournament.
M
atthew Ebsworth has turned an
80-minute game into a two-day
festival of rugby. His lunches at
the club are held on the Friday before the
Saturday of the match. This November, there
were lunches in advance of the Barbarians vs
the All Blacks and England vs the Wallabies.
Ex Northampton among others, Matthew
has enough friends in the game to keep the
speakers coming.
At the England vs Australia lunch, the
speaker was Tom May formerly of England,
Newcastle, Toulon, Northampton and
London Welsh. Tom’s speech was thought-
Left-right: Neil Edwards, Gareth Chilcott and
Matthew Ebsworth
EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017 7
GAME
Club members and other guests visited Drewton Manor
in East Yorkshire, owned by club member Chris Taylor. Target shooting
They enjoyed excellent pheasant and partridge shooting,
and a comfortable stay in Chris’s house. 50m rifle
by Joss Bassett
YORKSHIRE PHEASANTS
T
he club’s shooting section
O
visited a range in the City of
ne of Yorkshire’s best pheasant enjoyed a day’s driven shooting, looked after London and shot air rifle and
shoots, Drewton Manor, attracts by owners Chris and Eileen Taylor. They pistol at 10 yards, and benchrest and
guns from all over the world. Its stayed in the manor, which Chris and Eileen gallery .22LR rifles at 25 yards. Thanks
topography, on the edge of the Yorkshire have made superbly comfortable. The bag to Zal Rustom for the pictures
Wolds, makes it ideal for high pheasant was 194. Thanks to Maria Morgan for the
shooting. Club members and other guests pictures.
The shooting party
A drive at Drewton Manor Ken Morgan and Pyper
Grouse dinner
A
t the annual grouse dinner,
former Beaufort huntsman Tony
Holdsworth entertained members
and guests after dinner with foxhunting
horn, and stories including one that involved
a chair and two shoes. The day of the grouse
dinner marked chef’s welcome return to
work after illness. Holding the fort and
producing 80 tender grouse was his second
Eastindiaman
in command, Francis.
Shooter and grouse dinner regular Ron Rosner
The magic trick: the kitchen produces the grouse à Charlie Jacoby (left) holds the microphone for Tony sends in this photograph of himself in the 1960s.
point for members and guests Holdsworth as he positions his shoes Stationed in Nepal, he tamed and kept a leopard.
He also had to shoot a marauding tiger in Pakistan.
8 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017
EVENTS
A packed house roared with approval and laughter at the
speech given by international rugby referee and barrister
Jazz at No 16
Wayne Barnes after the house dinner. by Howard Lambert
T
he occasional jazz evenings
RUGBY HOME TRUTHS organised by Iain Wolsey have ‘the
chops’ to become the newly-formed
jazz section, ‘Jazz at no 16’, which counted off
AT THE HOUSE DINNER into its first official A section in September
with a concert at the club featuring the
M
excellent Spike Wells Trio with legendary jazz
embers and guests enjoyed one of and blues guitarist, Terry Smith.
the best house dinners yet, with The Trio consisted of Spike Wells on
excellent food and wine, and a drums, the versatile and virtuouso Mark
hilarious speech by Wayne Barnes. Edwards on keyboard and Nigel Thomas
Appointed the youngest ever A Panel on double bass, and were enthusiastically
referee, Wayne Barnes presided over 20 received by a sell-out audience. The
minutes of overtime in one France-Wales enthusiasm increased when Terry Smith
match. He landed in the top three most joined them. Spike has known and played
loathed people in New Zealand alongside with Terry since the late 1960s. “Terry’s
Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden touch is a million miles away from the
following one decision. His speech crackled stridency of most amplified guitarists,” says
with dry observations about how he copes Spike. “He is so musical and sensitive as well
with the fans’ opinions. Laughter... as swinging and ‘bluesy’.”
The highlight of the evening was Terry’s
imaginative bossanova take on the beautiful
ballad When Sunny gets Blue.
It is intended to hold regular events at the
club and the next concert will be on Friday
23 February when, by popular demand, the
same quartet will perform. Book early to
avoid disappointment!
If you are interested in Jazz please sign up
to the section via the noticeboard or contact
the secretary’s office.
..as they listen to the woes of Wayne Barnes, rugby referee and the third most hated man in New Zealand
Spike Wells in action in the Smoking Room
Hot and cold flyfishing
T
he flyfishing section offered Brandon, which lies 300 miles north-east
members a wide range of fishing of Mauritius. There are beginners’ days
this summer, from the beat it and a day after grayling at Wherwell. The
shares with the Lawyers’ Fishing Club on section’s annual dinner is at the club on 13
the Loddon at Stratfield Saye to a trip to St January 2018. For details, please contact
the secretary.
Flyfishing section chairman Peter Matthison
with his 7lb 8oz bonefish Iain Wolsey casting on the Loddon Terry Smith: musical and sensitive
EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017 9
YACHTS
Named after Col Newman, who led the St Nazaire raid, the
Newman VC trophy has become a popular inter-club race.
THE NEWMAN VC TROPHY
COMES HOME
by Jim Miller racing later in the day. The Fishery South
O
Cardinal Mark passed by silently to port and
n a rising neap tide with overcast Eagle headed for the West Winner post, a
skies and in a northerly force 3, the quick flashing green. Next, the port Eastoke
Rustler 36 Eagle slipped her moor- can was sighted, a quick flashing red. Eagle
ings on Hayling Island out into the pitch dark. went for that before working toward the Bar
She was on a mission to moor at Seaview on Beacon, a single red flash every 10 seconds,
the Isle of Wight dressed overall by 0630. The on a track of 193 true, and finally she passed
author – the commodore – was at the wheel, the tripod dolphin of West Pole, two red
alone as the afterguard. Vice commodore, flashes every 5 seconds, and out safely into
Lieutenant Mike Smith ZANR, and the ‘pre-J7’ the English Channel. With the exit pilotage
Louie Roberts, a recruit from the second row complete as first light was upon Eagle, the Defending: last year’s champions, the RAC boat
of the Dulwich College pack and a younger vice commodore took up a heading of 260
sibling of two J7s, were tasked as spotters on magnetic until he was abeam the Winner
the foredeck. South Cardinal Mark, next altering course
Only the occasional message passed over slightly to port in order to bisect the Cambrian
the light drumbeat of the Yanmar 3GM engine Wreck and other wreck south east of it.
pushing out 5.5 knots at 2950 RPM down Abeam Cambrian Wreck, Eagle’s tender Puff
below. During his pilotage the commodore was launched and taken into tow before the
had briefed the three known unlit dangers in crew made a run for it over the shipping chan-
the narrow channels running out to sea; the nel to Seaview. As the bunting was raised to
Sweare Deep racing mark, the Mill Rythe port dress overall on the mooring at 0634, the
can and a starboard can at Pilsey further out. commodore received a call from his friend the
Other than the steaming light high up the skipper of the Hurlingham (a very fast sailor
mast and the tail light, all white lights aboard with a recent third in class in the RTI, who
were off; GPS screens were dimmed to mini- had sighted Eagle from his hotel) to welcome
mum; and head torches and chart table set Eagle to the Isle of Wight.
to glow a dim red in order to maintain night Once all the crews had arrived, including
vision. The commodore was eager that the our Solent captain, Alex Van Ingen, in the
foredeck should spot the unlit racing mark. big 11-tonne Catalac cat Sea Spice and the
Even though that would come off consider- St Nazaires on the superb Oyster Mythos,
ably the worst in a collision involving Eagle’s both now moored in the Seaview trots in line
8-tonnes ramming it at a polished trotting astern with Eagle, lots for the Mermaids were
pace, the commodore has been protective drawn, the skippers briefed and the crews
of his bows ever since the squadron’s padre, taken out to boats. The conditions at Seaview
Lachlan Mulholland, used Eagle to conduct were an easterly-running neap tide in the
a substantial and unauthorised accidental morning, due to ebb to the West from noon, a
reorganisation of the pontoon facilities in the force 2 from the North-West and sunny spells
Port of Cherbourg. with some stratocumulus and more puffy
As the first bacon and egg sandwiches cumulus breaking up the blue.
came up into the cockpit, the vice commo- As a prelude to what can only be called a
dore was at the helm ‘to get a hand in’ before close race series, the first race was a short
one to get the crews warmed up, involving
a running start down through the moorings
just half a mile to a leeward mark, followed
by a beat to the line. The Army & Navy got off Eagle, dressed at Seaview
to a tremendous start winning that race well,
the Travellers pulling off a quick second and The second race, longer in that it included a
the EICYS Solent captain’s boat an efficient wing mark and a windward one before a reach
third. With the vice commodore on the helm, to the line, saw impressive efforts again by
young master Roberts in the middle and the the Army & Navy, EICYS Solent captain and
commodore up front on the bag, this trio from Travellers Paris, these three swapping posi-
the EICYS had a rather inauspicious start, tions to second, first and third, respectively.
coming last after a failed attempt to find less The Army & Navy were leading the regatta
Commodore Jim Miller adverse current in shallow water. still therefore and the EIC Solent captain had
10 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017YACHTS
Trafalgar dinner
A
fter a talk by Dr Roger Knight,
the club held a Trafalgar dinner
to commemorate Britain’s most
famous sea battle. With speeches by
Rear Admiral Kingwell CBE, interludes by
other Royal Navy officers and sea shanties
sung, the 112th anniversary of the action
against Napoleon’s forces was a ‘victory’.
HMS Victory, in chocolate
The EIC Solent captain’s crew and the Travellers Sea shanties sung
Club Paris afloat Winners: members of the EICYS
pulled up into second. Otherwise notably, was in the lead. Approaching the windward the left side of the course into the moorings
this race saw a disaster for the defenders, wing mark, the two EICYS boats were right as though he was heading for a beer in the
the RAC, coming in last, plus perhaps a sign side by side in the lead. It was exciting stuff bar. By the time he tacked out to sea he had
of better things to come from the EICYS and among the banter it became apparent clearly overdone it and fell back into fifth. The
commodore / vice commodore boat, with a that the commodore was of the opinion that RAC and St Nazaires continued to harry and
fourth. The latter boat adopted some new the Solent captain had undercooked his port chase down the vice commodore as hard as
tactics in the third race. These were to ‘fol- tack out to sea and, now on starboard, he was they could but he was trucking no over-takers
low the French’ who were obviously picking pinching and slowing in a doomed attempt to and obtained another line win.
routes well, to make much more extreme fetch the mark, his confidence high but wan- We had a sunny and most excellent lunch,
adjustments to sail trim, and to implement a ing, and then there was no denying it: the vice arranged by our absent rear commodore
now-secret method for re-bagging the bag. commodore shot past into the lead. Even with racing, Paul Rose, and, after several beers and
Suddenly, the vice commodore was on fire. He the Solent captain, the RAC and the St Naza- then coffees, it came to attention that the
passed the leeward mark in third place, right ires chasing him hard, there was no catching wind had gone. The race officer gave it half an
behind the Travellers and, shadowing them him. It was a one-two for the EICYS. hour. And another. But it was no good. There
closely, he now found himself in the lead, hav- There is not a lot to say about the fourth was no more wind, only beer and coffee. The
ing sailed right past to windward on the beat. race since your writer was in the lead, franti- morning’s results would stand with a discard.
The commodore in the meantime invented his cally operating the vice commodore’s bag, It became apparent that the racing had
new secret bag re-bag procedure, a way to re- pole and sail trim and looking forwards most been very close indeed. The two EIC boats
bag without constant movement in the boat, of the time so he did not see a lot. It is safe to were in the lead, both on six points, split only
and he also found some apparently odd yet say that the vice commodore was fast: even by the vice commodore’s two wins and also by
extreme adjustments to the genoa halyard when the commodore, a veteran of more than his more recent win giving him the regatta.
tension and fairlead tracks, kicker, Cun- 1,000 spinnaker launches, bizarrely put the The Army & Navy were third with seven
ningham, outhaul and traveller, made out of pole out on the leeward side and attached it points and we only had a further ten points
frustration, to be most surprisingly beneficial to the guy so as to cause a terrible scrambled separating them from all the other crews.
even in a force 2. With the vice commodore egg mess on one launch. The vice held his po- After speeches of thanks by our Solent
now also confirming that the bilges had been sition and his polite verbiage too. The Solent captain to all the attendees who had made
pumped, their boat was rocketing right along captain was also going well, right up at the excellent efforts to attend the regatta, the
and catching the EICYS Solent captain who front, but he made a strange departure up prizes were awarded.
EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017 11EVENTS
also used to make points about the brutality
Library lecture of the battle.
The Battle of Isandlwana in 1879 was
the first major encounter in the Anglo–Zulu
DISASTER AT War between British forces and warriors
of the Zulu Kingdom. A Zulu force of some
ISANDLWANA 20,000 warriors attacked a portion of the
British main column consisting of about
R
1,800 British, colonial and native troops.
Christian and Geraldine Schaffalitzky who toured
ob Caskie returned to the club (see Equipped mainly with the traditional assegai the battlefields with Rob in 2016
East & West, issue 97) to deliver a iron spears and cow-hide shields,the Zulus
lecture about the Zulu army’s rout of overwhelmed the poorly led and badly
British forces in the battle of Isandlwana. His deployed British, killing more than 1,300.
powerful and compelling style kept members
agog, not least because anything less might
attract a thwack on the leather chairs of the
Smoking Room from his knobkerry, which he
Rob signed copies of his books after the talk
St John Brown thanks Rob
Rob in full flow Rob takes questions after dinner Audience agog
Lord Mayor’s lunch
T
he club welcomed the Lord Mayor
to its annual lunch in his honour.
Principal of the Harrodian School in
Barnes and Lord Mayor of London for 2016–
17, Dr Andrew Parmley is a past master of
the Worshipful Company of Glass-Sellers.
The Lord Mayor speaks
The Company of Pikemen & Musketeers of the
Honourable Artillery Company
Members and guests enjoy the speeches
The Lord Mayor arrives on foot Members and guests assembled in the
Smoking Room
Trumpeters of the Band of the Household Cavalry Lunch in the Dining Room Lord Mayor Dr Andrew Parmley and the chairman
12 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017EVENTS
Donald Trump can claim another success: he has brought into
relief the difference between truth and ‘post truth’. Newspaper
Harvest Festival
A
columnist Matthew d’Ancona gave the club his view. fter gathering at the club for
morning coffee, members and
MATTHEW D’ANCONA guests took a coach to the Chapel
of St Peter Ad Vincula in the Tower of
London for the harvest festival service
ON POST TRUTH presided over by the Reverend Roger Hall,
chaplain to HM Tower of London and our
M
club chaplain.
atthew d’Ancona is angry. The The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad
well-known writer and a highly Vincula (literally ‘St Peter in chains’) is the
regarded political commentator parish church of the Tower of London.
feels his very job is under threat from a world It is situated within the Tower’s Inner
that no longer seems to want truth in its Ward and dates from 1520. It is a Royal
writing. Peculiar, a name that refers to St Peter’s
He sees ‘post truth’ as particularly at work imprisonment under Herod Agrippa in
in politics. Brexit, and the election of Trump, Jerusalem. The Chapel is probably best
loom largest in his catalogues of fakery and known as the burial place of some of the
mendacity. He sees the tactics of the Leave most famous prisoners executed at the
Tower, including Anne Boleyn, Catherine
Matthew d’Ancona Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Thomas Cromwell,
Thomas More and John Fisher.
society relaxes its defence of the values Chef organised from the club a
that underpin its cohesion, order and presentation loaf of a wheat sheaf
progress: the values of veracity, honesty with mice, which ceremoniously joined
and accountability’. That it has done other gifts of food contributed by the
so he locates, in significant part, in the congregation for the local borough of
vapid emotionalism of the baby boomer Tower Hamlets food bank, which Roger
generation. and his wife Barbara support.
Members and guests who attended his Roger’s sermons are always interesting
Matthew d’Ancona’s book examines the issue Library lecture were gripped by his views. and humorous and, while making his
serious and thought-provoking points, he
campaign — the warnings of an invasion of referred to his recent wet two weeks on
the UK by Turks; the hugely exaggerated exercise with the 306 field hospital unit of
claim that healthcare spending could rise by the army medical service reserves.
£350m a week once that sum was no longer The impressive choir and organist under
sent to Brussels — as cynical ploys. the direction of Colm Carey makes for
He instances the rise of anti-Semitism an especially lovely service, after which
everywhere, based on both new and members head back to the club for Sunday
old libels; and in the UK, the flight from lunch to the musical accompaniment of
use of the MMR vaccine, resulting in the our own regular pianist Oliver Sheen.
rise of sometimes fatal infections. ‘Post
truth’, he writes, is ‘what happens when a The lecture took place in the Smoking Room
Rev Roger Hall and the club’s gift
The service in the Tower of London
After dinner, Matthew took questions from his audience
EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017 13MEMBER PROFILE
There is something about the Royal Navy and what it does to a man. Club member Rear
Admiral John Roberts is someone that anyone would like to be in their nineties: good spirited,
a raconteur, healthy and active. He has had a remarkable life, too.
REAR ADMIRAL JOHN ROBERTS
C
lub member John Roberts is the kind more so. He passed into the Royal Navy in In 1960, the Royal Navy gave John
of 93-year-old who invigorates all 1937. His war service included escorting command of the frigate St Bride’s Bay, and
he meets. His can-do spirit and good Arctic convoys, and he would retire from the he spent 18 months with her in the Far East.
health make him an inspiration. His life story Royal Navy 40 years later with the rank of His job included flag-flying, with visits to the
Rear Admiral. He joined the club in 1962 and Gilbert & Ellis Islands and hosting a cocktail
has been an active member ever since. party at Pearl Harbour. “The only person who
The Royal Naval College at Dartmouth was spoke English on the Gilbert & Ellis Islands was
a kind of strict public school in the 1930s the local schoolmaster,” says John. “He told me
Punishment included ‘official cuts’ – being that a ship had called on the island ‘the other
strapped to the exercise horse in the gym day’. I looked it up. ‘The other day’ was 1937.”
in front of 44 people and Sergeant Brown John spent 1962 and 1963 at the
would administer 12 with a rope end. Admiralty and then took command of
John went from the College in 1941 to another frigate, Galatea, again in the Far
the battlecruiser HMS Renown. With war East. “In those days, we kept two aircraft
declared in 1939, she was first stationed in carriers at Singapore,” he says. “Now we do
Iceland to prevent the German battleship not have two aircraft carriers.”
Tirpitz entering the Atlantic via the Denmark John’s last ship was the Ark Royal from
Strait. The Bismarck had already got out and 1971 to 1972, which took part in the defence
went on to sink HMS Hood. As a result of the of British Honduras, about to be invaded by
Royal Navy’s blockade, the Tirpitz did not fire Guatemala. He recommends a book about
a shot in anger. that campaign called Phoenix Squadron,
After Renown, and taking part in the which explains why Britain needs an aircraft
“
1943 North African landings, carrier. John says that many of the
John served in the destroyers Joining the reasons people give for aircraft
Tartar and Serapis. In the latter East India Club carriers are wrong. “If you listen to
he was involved in escorting Parliament, they talk as if we are
is one of the
convoys to North Russia. He an empire,” he says. “I don’t think
recalls the cold, and the fate
better things I we recognise that we are not much
of one mariner rescued from have done more than Denmark or Holland. We
the sea off Murmansk. His have history, which the Americas
stomach had frozen and they had to defrost don’t have. But we do not have the troops to
him by pouring warm water down his throat. deploy.”
Because of gangrene, they then amputated On retirement, John joined the world of
both his legs without an anaesthetic. business, working for Aeronautical & General
Serapis took part in supporting the D-Day Instruments in Croydon, selling specialist
Normandy landings, for which John was cameras around the world, mainly in India.
awarded the Legion d’Honneur, though He went from there to being director of BPIF
with modesty typical of many people who and then he became a consultant, helping
fight in wars, points out that “I didn’t see a small companies make sales overseas.
German for the whole of the war. Nobody John is married to his fourth wife. He has
thought they were being brave. It was like an three children and five grandchildren. He
adventure and I wanted to be in it.” lived in Northamptonshire for nearly 30
Serapis hove to five miles from the years. After his third wife died, he met an old
French coast. Forward observation officers friend from Singapore and went to the opera
would radio the map locations of German with her. She lived at Whitstable and he
armament and Serapis would shell it. married her and went to live there with her
At the end of the Second World War, so three years ago, aged 90.
many men left the Royal Navy that the service He joined the club in 1962. When he was
found itself short of pilots. John stayed and at the Admiralty, he would go to the Senior
retrained as a pilot, flying from 1947 to 1960, United Services Club, where the Institute of
starting on Seafires. The Royal Navy lent him Directors is now, but tired of the constant
to the Australian Navy for a year in order to saluting. He joined the East India Club
go to Korea. He recalls a day off pheasant because of his interest in sport. The club took
shooting in Korea when the drive had to be over the old Sports Club in the 1930s and
halted as someone realised they were keeps strong links with the world of sport to
standing in a minefield. They were led out this day. “Joining the East India Club is one of
of danger by an army chaplain. the better things I have done,” he says.
14 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017WINE
The club’s sommelier held a tasting of sweet wines, much enjoyed and appreciated
by members and guests. Here he tells the story of this much sought-after yet often
overlooked style of wine.
SWEET FOR MY SWEET
by Eric Lagré, head sommelier stage of the fermentation process through
T
mutage, an addition of raw brandy, fortified
he history of sweet wine making wines such as port, sherry and madeira came
sums up the wine trade in the to light. Mutage is the most potent way to
Ancient World. Only wine with a high stabilise wine, as demonstrated by Pineau
alcohol and sugar content was stable enough des Charentes, which is no more than fortified
to travel in those days. unfermented grape juice. At the turn of the
Making wine is straightforward; let the 20th century, filtration became so fine that
yeast metabolise the grape sugars into the yeast could be taken out of the equation
alcohol until it runs out of nourishment and altogether. Hardly has Moscato d’Asti had time
dies. Since that process results in dry wines, to develop bubbles and alcohol that it is filtered
the ancients had to be ingenious in order to clean then bottled. Mutage and filtration
achieve sweetness. They discovered that, by achieve levels of aromatic freshness virtually
concentrating the sugars in the fermenting unseen in sweet wines before. Balance is an
juice, the relentlessly sugar-rich environment issue. The former style is often dominated
Eric and a selection of sweet wines
would eventually mix with the increasing by the fiery potency of brandy while the
level of alcohol to make a poisonous cocktail latter can prove sickly. If sugary sweetness water content, deep frost will yield eiswein. A
fatal to the ferment. Two techniques were isn’t an issue, why not add sugar? Because combination of humidity and marked diurnal
used to concentrate the sugars in grape juice regulations prohibit it! Only champagne can temperature variations will ultimately trigger
and make the first sweet wines; either the legally be finished with a dosage of rectified the botrytisation process that Ottoman
juice was simmered down in a process known grape must and cane syrup today. Hungary used to make Tokaji.
as inspissation, as in the cooked wines of the The most terroir-driven way to achieve Trying to speed these processes up in the
French region of Provence, or grapes were sweetness in wine is to leave the grapes comfort of a winery will always result in simpler
picked early then air-dried in a process known hanging on the vine and let nature do the wines with more dried-fruit aromas and less
as appassimento in Italy or soleo in Spain. concentrating job, such as the German tartaric freshness of acidity. And since the risk
Until distillation was developed to spätlese. Cool and breezy conditions will turn and cost of leaving the grapes exposed to the
commercial scale in the 17th century, the the over-matured grapes into raisins without whim of the elements, diseases and voracity
sweet wines of the Mediterranean dominated compromising their acidity in a process known of wildlife with longer hang times means that
the international market. By artificially as passerillage, as in South Africa’s legendary late-harvested wines never come cheap, be
elevating the alcohol level in wine at any Constantia Wyn. By naturally freezing their suspicious of sweet wines with a low price tag.
our names on them with chalk. Thereupon
A message from the Pigeon Loft we returned, crestfallen and empty-
handed, the 200 yards home.
by Alan Taylor November 1945. We heard on the wireless A surprise was in store. About 8.30 that
I
that a cargo ship had run aground on evening came a knock at the door. It was ‘Mr
n this special anniversary year our treacherous sandbanks a mile or so out to S’. “Come and get your oranges”, he said. No
thoughts turn to Jane Austen. The sea. On returning from school early that time was lost. The recently turned-on street
people of Cromer on the Norfolk coast afternoon, news reached us that the ship lights gave us a clear run. Soon we were
are proud that in Emma, Mr Woodhouse was unloading much of its cargo in order back home with our crate. Unsure whether
quotes the enthusiasm of his doctor, Perry, to float free again. Moreover, the rising the police might search our premises, we
for the ‘very pure air’ to be enjoyed at this tide was carrying some of this, crates of hid the fruit. It was concealed everywhere
seaside resort. Alas, this pigeon lofter did oranges, towards our beach. – behind books, at the bottom of beds and
not spend his young years at Cromer but in a Down to the beach this pigeon lofter and in the toes of socks. Then it was the turn
village called Mundesley seven miles to the his brother rushed, meeting many coming of the crates. For several days plumes of
south. We were convinced that the air here up carrying crates full of the unexpected smoke arose from back gardens all over the
was as good as any that Cromer could offer. booty. We soon had our own crate (ours village as these were burned to destroy the
By the end of the Second World War, we was full of grapefruit, half of which we evidence. A couple of weeks later, when the
were again able to use most of our beach exchanged for oranges). Alas, on reaching ‘coast was clear’, the fruit was exposed to
for bathing. Unfortunately the lifting of this the homeward road we were faced with the light to ripen for Christmas.
restriction was not accompanied by the end several policemen barring our route. We And what a Christmas that was. On
of food rationing, which remained for many were instructed to hand in our crate at the recalling the occasion, the only suitable
years. Oranges were not actually rationed lifeboat house nearby. ‘Mr S’, the man in words that come to mind are those spoken
but were only rarely to be had. This, briefly, charge of the lifeboat (whom we all knew by Dickens’ Tiny Tim: ‘A Merry Christmas to
came to an end one Wednesday morning in well), took charge of these crates, writing us all! God bless us everyone!’
EAST & WEST – CHIRSTMAS 2017 15STAFF PROFILE
Ever wondered how the enormous amount of food, drink other goods enters and leaves the
club? The answer lies with one man, our cellarman Ricky, who ensures that the wine you
drink at lunch makes its last journey from lorry to sommelier.
STAFF PROFILE
He moved from there to reception for two
Ricky Gwee years, and then to the cellar where he is
now, aged 34. He lives in Swiss Cottage with
wife Marlene and their three boys, Kai, Ché
and Dax, aged between ten and two.
Ricky came to work at the club after
working in retail and studying media and
communication at City of Westminster
College. Elias told Ricky that the club is a
good place to work.
“ The worst thing that
happened was a pallet of
wine that fell off the back
of a lorry. Miraculously,
”
only one case broke
“It was my first job in hospitality,” says
Ricky, “and I found I really liked it.
“After two years in the Ladies’ Drawing
Room, I felt I had learned everything I could
learn. Downstairs gave me a change of
scenery and new skills.”
The job of cellarman gives Ricky control
of all stock that comes into the club, and
all stock that leaves it except on board
members. Whether it is food, alcohol or
sanitaries, the club’s departments hand
Ricky requisition lists every day. “When
it arrives, we sign for it, store it for when
needed. We have four house wine cellars
and a ‘bin cupboard’ for storing wines. That’s
were we rack all the wines that are on the
wine list, plus there is the main wine cellar.”
The club’s stock of port was in the big
B
cellar at the back of the building, but has
orn in the Royal Free and raised Ricky started work at the club in 2005 since moved to an external warehouse.
in Kilburn, Ricky came to the aged 21. His first job was in the then Ladies’ Ricky liaised with sommelier Eric to label
club because his friend Elias was Drawing Room, now the Waterloo Room, what was going and what was not going.
working here. where he spent two years as a bar steward. Five warehousemen took four days to move
more than 8,000 bottles of port.
That was one of Ricky’s bigger jobs.
Usually he handles between eight and ten
Farewell to Finbar orders that arrive every day, in the mornings
I
from 6.30am. He spends his afternoons
t is with sadness that the club records processing the paperwork.
the death of Finbar Kennedy, long time Does he ever drop a bottle? “It can
barman in the American Bar. He was well happen,” he admits. “It does happen. the
enough to come to the club’s staff pension- worst thing that happened was a pallet
sers’ tea party in the summer, but he died of wine that fell off the back of a lorry,
of a brain tumour in September, aged 71. A Miraculously, only one case broke.”
lively and cheerful character, with a deep When Ricky hears the phrase ‘wine that’s
knowledge of and commitment to the club, easy on the palate’, it means something
he will be missed. Finbar, who has died aged 71 completely different to him.
16 EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017SECRETARY
A WORD FROM THE SECRETARY
by Alex Bray
I
nvestment in the introduction even more easily, book events take up the invitation or have been in touch.
club’s facilities and view bookings that you have for rooms Hopefully an aberration on the part of
continued over and events. For first time users log in with a member/guest this summer who was
the summer with the your member number and the email address following a peculiar fashion of wearing smart
refurbishment of seven we have recorded for you. The members’ shoes but apparently no socks. It is not in the
bedrooms on the third area also carries all the photographs of club dress code, but for the record we are a ‘no
floor, replacement of events to enjoy. We are looking forward to peds’ club, in either sense of the word.
the front hall and main staircase carpet and upgrading the website in 2018. With the Dining Room opening at 6.30pm
upgrading the running gear of the Duke We are a great club for port and happily for pre-theatre dining, we can recommend
Street lift. Feedback about the refurbished consume 550 bottles of vintage port a year. the quickest menu items to get you away
bedrooms is complimentary for the quality Hence the popular annual port tasting that in time.
of the design and build and the provision of sommelier Eric runs. As for the etiquette As ever, please keep the Dining Room
walk-in showers. of passing the port it is incumbent upon informed of any changes to your table
Members may like to know that the club all diners to make sure that everyone who bookings to help maitre d’ Peter and chef in
has provided the Royal Hospital Chelsea wishes to has the opportunity to help their efforts to please as many members as
with access for its residents to visit. We have themselves to the port. Keep it moving, possible for lunch and dinner.
had the privilege of receiving the first few especially down a long table. Beware being I sadly report the passing of staff
veterans in their iconic scarlet uniforms. The the poor, fabled Bishop of Norwich. pensioners Finbar Kennedy and Milagross
Royal Hospital was founded by King Charles Appreciation to member Ron Rosner who Malata. Finbar retired as head barmen in
II in 1692 and, to this day, provides care and donated a number of books to the Library on 2011 a few months shy of 17 years’ service.
support, comradeship, community and a the subject of the Raj, Eastindiamen, clubs The club has been passed Finbar’s extensive
sense of purpose for all Chelsea pensioners and schools. The Library already had some collection of pin badges and will find a
in recognition of their loyal service to the of the titles but was grateful to receive the way to display them. Mila had been a room
nation. others and add them to the catalogue. attendant since 1984 until her retirement
We have added some more features to the Member Lelio Freccero living in Singapore as an exemplary employee in 2007. Both
members’ area of the website. Under the ‘my kindly asked fellow members there to watch funerals were attended by the club and
account’ tab you can now organise a letter of the grand prix. A few members were able to fellow staff pensioners.
East India Club Wine Order Form
ORDER THESE WINES
ORDER THESE WINES FROM OUR WINE FROM THE ACCOUNTS
MERCHANT FOR HOME DELIVERY OFFICE FOR PAYMENT
AND COLLECTION
FROM THE CLUB
Wines and spirits per case of 12 bottles
Club claret £127
Club white £132
Club red (de Ciffre) £132
Club white Burgundy £162
Club Champagne (per case of 6) £149
Club Cognac VSOP per 70cl bottle £43.50
Wine
gift box
Three East
India Club
wines in
Wine per case of 12 bottles presentation
Club Champagne / £155 for 6 Please order on-line or by phone.
box –
Club white / £144 club claret,
Davy’s Wine Merchants, club white
Club white Burgundy / £174 161-165 Greenwich High Road, and
Club red (de Ciffre) / £144 Greenwich, London, SE10 8JA club white
Club claret / £139 Burgundy.
Tel: 020 8858 6011
£43
Fax: 020 8853 3331
Email: sales@davy.co.uk
Not chargeable to account. Card with handling
All prices include VAT Website: www.davywine.co.uk/eic fee, cash or cheque.
EAST & WEST – CHRISTMAS 2017 17You can also read
