Issue number 101 Summer 2018

FLYERS PEAK PERFORMANCE OVER A SENTRY GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM Sport was a rollercoaster throughout autumn, winter and The East India Decanter diary THE SECRETARY’S OFFICE £85 spring. Showing a more reliable pattern, club events included

Club directory Ties Christmas festivities, popular dinners with a Scottish and CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The Silk woven tie in club April 2018 Cut glass tumbler English theme, and a general feeling of oasis in St James’s. 16 St James’s Square, SW1Y 4LH colours. £20 18 Young members’ dinner Engraved with club Telephone: 020 7930 1000 25 Wellington Barracks visit crest. £30 Fax: 020 7321 0217 26 St George’s day dinner Email: [email protected] CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Web: www.eastindiaclub.co.uk The East India Club DINING ROOM – A History May Breakfast by Charlie Jacoby. 7 Bank holiday 017 concluded with a busy club excellent evening with businesswoman and Monday to Friday 6.45am-10am An up-to-date look at the 9 AGM programme, on consecutive nights in television personality Dr Margaret Mountford Saturday 7.15am-10am characters who have made Sunday 8am-10am 18 Evening of jazz December, including the tri clubs party providing sound career advice for the next Scarf up the East India Club. £10 2 21 Wine Tour of Bordeaux and carol concert, featuring the impressive generation as well as recalling the lighter Lunch £17 Monday to Friday 12.30pm-2.30pm 28 Bank holiday Gentlemen of Hampton Court. These events moments of working with Lord Sugar on The Sunday (buffet) 12.30pm-2.30pm were well supported and a good number of Apprentice. Another speaker of merit, Dr (pianist until 4pm) Bow ties Compact June members demonstrated serious festive cheer David Purdie, once again supplied the cultural Saturday sandwich menu available Tie your own and, mirror 9 RAF Ball and stamina in attending both in the run-up to side of the Burns’ Night supper. I congratulate Dinner Dinner for emergencies, £22 our Christmas closure. We reopened in January Andy MacDonald who has taken on the role Monday to Saturday 6.30pm-9.30pm with the traditional staff party, where staff and of organiser for this celebration of all things Sundays (light supper) 6.30pm-8.30pm clip on. £20 The Gentlemen’s July Clubs of London V-neck jumper 1 Cricket match vs Chobham their partners celebrate, and your committee Scottish. He has a tough act to follow but Table reservations should be made with the Front Lambswool in Desk or the Dining Room and will only be held for New edition of 13 Jazz barbecue act as barmen for the evening as a mark of received the president’s seal of approval after burgundy, L, XL, 15 minutes after the booked time. Pre-theatre, Hatband Anthony Lejeune’s 17 Wine tasting appreciation for their efforts. On that note I another successful night. let the Dining Room know if you would like a quick £15 classic. £28 XXL. £55 am pleased to report that members have once The UK has been hit by many beasts from supper. Notelets August again been generous in their donations to the the East. According to our recent library AMERICAN BAR £3.75 staff fund which maintained the higher levels lecture, this could refer to Vladimir Putin. Club Monday to Friday 11.30am-11pm 27 Bank holiday seen in 2016. I would also like to congratulate member Franz Sedelmayer presented his Saturday 11.30am-3pm & 5.30pm-11pm Cufflinks September Tim Wilks who has recently completed 30 autobiographical book Welcome to Putingrad years’ employment with the club. which recounted his business experiences Sunday noon-4pm Enamelled cufflinks 19 Library lecture and dinner & 6.30pm-10pm with club crest, in St Petersburg as Russia, under Presidents 21 Evening of jazz Members resident at the club can obtain drinks from chain or bar. £24.50 Polo shirt Yeltsin and then Putin, descended into a 24 Lord Mayor’s luncheon the hall porter after the bar has closed. In red or black, kleptocracy with state-sponsored organised 21 Grouse dinner EAST INDIA ROOM L, XL, XXL. £28 crime. This was topical coming shortly after Monday to Friday. Light food and wine menu. Use of the popular McMafia TV drama. Only a few electronic devices on silent is permissible. Sunday lunch weeks later, the events in Salisbury provided a SMOKING ROOM & WATERLOO ROOM On most Sundays, a sumptuous Drinks and light menu from 9am to 10.30pm. Mug more chilling reminder that this country is not lunch buffet is provided to the Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm. £14 insulated from the actions of the Russians. It accompaniment of a pianist. BILLIARDS ROOM was 10 years ago that former KGB operative Open to members from 9am to midnight. Chocolate mint Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London Pass keys will not be issued after 11pm. creams £8 Bank holidays and by eerie coincidence his widow Marina GYMNASIUM Bars and catering are closed over was a guest at the club for Franz’s lecture. Open to members from 6am to 10pm. Blazers Club shield bank holidays from after breakfast After the disappointment of losing the Ashes Suitable attire must be worn. £395 (navy) £350 (sports) £35 on Sunday throughout Monday. over the winter, as much for the performance BEDROOM CHARGES (from 2018) Accommodation and continental as the result, there was extra anticipation for Includes early morning tea, English breakfast, Waistcoat The chairman speaking at the members’ and daughters’ dinner the 2018 Six Nations championship. It was discretionary £55% per per person person per per night night contribution contribution £160 Golf balls breakfast are provided. to the staff fund, and VAT. All bedrooms are non Titleist golf balls. Bearing a rollercoaster tournament with all home smoking. club crest. £29 per dozen Club plans for 2018 include a continuation nations capable of winning on any particular Members & immediate family Napkin of the room refurbishment programme as day. Ireland was deserved victor of the grand Single ensuite £124 (£75*) hook 12 rooms on the first and second floors are slam. In the club, the rugby lunches, organised Single with small shower £103 (£64*) Golf tees £40 due to be upgraded. by Matt Ebsworth, continue Single without facilities £83 (£54*) Tin of 50 ‘personalised’ Phase one is already to be a draw. Double or twin room for single occupancy £168 East India golf tees. £7.75 After the disappointment Double or twin room for double occupancy £182 East & West well underway and the Next, we host the young St James’s Suite £302 Editor: Charlie Jacoby of losing the Ashes, there 07850 195353 [email protected] second floor should be members’ dinner and, Reciprocal members & guests completed by the end of March. was extra anticipation for after that, the St George’s Single ensuite £156 (£98*) Blazer buttons Designer: Chris Haddon View from the 07792 515056 [email protected] We are also planning to refresh the Six Nations Day dinner, a key date in Single with small shower £137 (£87*) Double breasted. £50 garden Sub-editor: Lucy Sloan the website, in particular the diary is guaranteed to Double or twin room for single occupancy £196 Single breasted. £35 Print of the club Double or twin room for double occupancy £215 to provide a more interactive approach boost English morale. Looking further ahead exterior. £65 Photography: Phil McCarthy. To download or St James’s Suite £335 order photography, login to the members’ allowing members additional functionality we will be staging a club ball on Saturday 9 * Special rate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday area of EastIndiaClub.com and select event and improving member communications. I June and the ever popular Jazz barbeque in July. Post and packing for non-breakables from photography and bank holidays £3. Breakable items are for collection can however confirm that theEast & West In addition we have the debentures available Printed by: Colour3 (ColourCubed.co.uk) MEMBERSHIP CARDS from the club instead of posting. magazine will continue to be published three for Lords and the Ascot box for the Royal Members are required to carry their membership Published on behalf of The East India Club by times a year. meeting. Let us hope for a glorious summer cards at all times when visiting the club, and Charlie Jacoby, c/o The East India Club Umbrellas The calendar for the first quarter has and I urge you to sign up for these events and present them on arrival. It is essential that they are www.charliejacoby.com Short. £20 Rugby ball CLUB WINE: produced when signing for charges to accounts. Cover photo: the Front Hall already produced memorable events. The take advantage of the club’s social activities. Long. £25 £25 See page 17 for details dinner for fathers and daughters was an Duncan Steele-Bodger, chairman

2 EASTEAST & & WEST WEST – –SUMMER SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 3

501027 East & West Magazine Spring 2018 A4 20pp.indd 2 09/04/2018 09:32 Chocks away. The club is flying high, not least as it celebrates Club diary... the centenary of the RAF at its summer ball. A glorious season of events sees famous cricketers, superb Spanish wine and a CHAIRMAN’S REPORT September Spitfire cockpit pass through our doors. 6 Rowing fundraising dinner and auction 19 Library lecture and dinner 21 Jazz at no 16 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 24 Lord Mayor’s luncheon 27 Grouse dinner 28 Rugby lunch n Friday 8 June, by pure coincidence, I him as an honorary member of the East was entertained to lunch at the RAF India Club. October O Club on . This is a busy yet In late March, our gourmet dinner took friendly establishment with a fine dining room us on a gastronomic tour of the Iberian 2 Library lecture and dinner and, as you might expect, a comprehensive peninsula. It was a mainly Spanish affair 7 Harvest Festival and lunch collection of memorabilia to acknowledge its until the port finale, but Chef was at his 13-14 Classic cars weekend heritage. The next day, the East India hosted most creative, as he celebrated 20 years 17 Library lecture and dinner our summer ball to mark two significant dates of service to the club, and our resident in British aviation history: the centenary of wine expert and club member Mark Pardoe November the formation of the Royal Air Force, and also introduced us to some outstanding wines 1 House dinner as suitable accompaniment to the menu. 7 Tri Clubs Armistice Day Church Service His encyclopaedic knowledge of wine is 14 Port tasting impressive, and this event, initially inspired by the wine committee, has grown in popularity December to become a leading fixture in the club 4 Christmas party calendar. 9 Advent carols and lunch The club AGM, which was held in May, is 13 Carol concert and dinner covered later in this edition of the magazine with a transcript of proceedings. I would like Bank Holidays to offer my thanks to Henry Morris who left For the August bank holiday bars and the committee after 15 years of dedicated catering are closed after breakfast The chairman at the young members’ dinner service. You will also read that a question on Sunday 26th August and re-open was asked on the night seeking the club’s on Tuesday 28th August 2018. the 75th anniversary of Operation Chastise current views on changing the rules to allow Accommodation and continental carried out by 617 Squadron, and more female membership. This is considered by breakfast remain available. commonly known as the Dambusters’ Raid. I the committee from time to time and has have no doubt that those members and their been reviewed again in the past few months. guests who attended the ball will confirm that Although there are clearly some members Christmas this was a great club event, and the effort and who would be in favour of this move, from our The club closes for Christmas after attention to detail put in by Alex and the team regular interaction with the membership, both lunch Friday 21st December 2018 and was exceptional. We had taped windows, longstanding and recent, the committee’s re-opens at 9am on Wednesday 2nd personal ration book menus and sandbags on belief is that the likelihood of achieving the January 2019. the front steps as we were transported back threshold of 75% of voting members required to the war years, not to forget our very own to effect any change in our rules is still wholly Spitfire cockpit on display unrealistic at this time. in the hallway as a popular As I write this piece photo opportunity. It was We had taped we are in the middle of a truly memorable evening windows, personal a spectacular heatwave with dinner, dancing and ration book menus which has developed just plenty of education from in time to coincide with the and sandbags on “ summer season. It made the historical re-enactment East & West team for those of us with the front steps for an enjoyable Royal little factual knowledge of Ascot, and let us hope Editor: Charlie Jacoby this most famous bombing that it holds for Henley, 07850 195353 [email protected] raid. Our club focus on the RAF centenary will Wimbledon and our own club barbecue too. Designer: Colour3 (ColourCubed.co.uk) 07792 515056 [email protected] continue later in the year with a library lecture We have” a busy summer programme ahead, Photography: Phil McCarthy. To download and dinner to be held in September. and yet the club notice board indicates that or order photography, login to the In the past few months we have enjoyed all club functions up to and including the members’ area of EastIndiaClub.com a number of excellent club events: a well- Lord Mayor’s lunch in late September are and select event photography attended young members’ dinner and a St already fully booked. This is most encouraging Printed by: Colour3 (ColourCubed.co.uk) George’s Day dinner, which once again had and reflects the positive combination Published on behalf of The East India Club by a cricketing flavour. Alongside the patriotic of interesting events and an engaged Charlie Jacoby, c/o The East India Club www.charliejacoby.com singing it was a personal highlight to sit membership. Long may it continue. Cover photo: historical interpreters at the next to our special guest, West Indies and RAF ball Lancashire legend Clive Lloyd, and welcome Duncan Steele-Bodger, Chairman

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 3 NEWS Helped by the weather, the club’s sporting sections have enjoyed full summer programmes. Even indoor sports are thriving in the heat. And there is plenty to look forward to in the autumn, especially if you own a vintage car. Shorts

A FIZZING EPICS SUMMER Chess masters

by Ben Hurworth by Habib Amir

n May, the Oriental and East India clubs’ Chess Society entered a team I of six, plus one reserve, into the inter-club speed chess tournament, The Sheldon Marshall Cup. A dozen teams took part in this annual tournament, hosted at the RAC on Pall Mall. We secured six wins and two draws out of 11 matches, which placed our team in fourth within the inter- club speed chess league. Congratulations to Sam Franklin and Yaroslav Voropayev for each winning ten impressive matches. It is reassuring, too, to see we secured the same position in the Hamilton-Russell Cup league this year as we did in speed Left-right: Charles McGhee, Rob Hurford and captain Ben Hurworth chess. Both of these positions are an competitive summer of golf saw morning guest results were John Smith (38), outstanding improvement on last year Rob Hurford, a J7 and new EPICS Phil Davidson (34) and David Freeborn (32). and reflect the energy we are developing A member win the morning members’ The afternoon foursomes was won by for the next season. Across all matches singles at St George’s Hill with 33 points Jonathan Webster/John O’Sullivan (31) with played this season, we’ve enjoyed victory on countback from Alan Botterill, with Neil Paul Blows/David Freeborn (26) and Ian against all but two teams: the MCC and Blackstone third (30). Paul Preddy (37) won Holmes/Ben Hurworth (24) taking the RAC A teams. Our team is quickly rising in the guest competition from Andrew Moye places. talent and new membership. (32) and Martyn Pellow (31). Andrew Moye Our opening two matches were played at won longest drive, with Ray McGhee winning the New Zealand Golf Club. The nearest the pin. were convincing winners on a rain affected Backgammon Rob Hurford, paired with Charles McGhee, day. Lunch proved to be the highlight for the continued his dominance by winning beleaguered EPICS team. Sadly our fortunes hard-fought season saw the the afternoon competition (22 points), didn’t improve either in our next match club beat last year’s champions. demonstrating that youth and length off the against the . A Roehampton, and Chelsea tee do help. Ray McGhee/Nigel Maile came The match always takes place Arts Club. However, seven further second (19), with Justin Jones/Andrew Moye on the final day of our mini tour to Kent and losses pushed us down the rankings third (18). Sussex. Thank you to John Braithwaite for to one above Chelsea Arts. Visit For the summer meeting, an immaculate organising again this year. The warm-up LondonBackgammonlLeague.com Woking Golf Club welcomed 30 players. rounds at Princes and Littlestone preceded Captain Ben Hurworth won the morning the match at Rye where an extremely windy Breakfast club singles (37) and the nearest-the-pin day blew our hopes of victory off course. competition. Jonathan Webster was second Finally, a competitive match against the (36) with Neil Blackstone third (33) and at The Berkshire saw the by William Downie Matt Dennehy hitting the longest drive. The Scots retain the trophy again. ast India members in the west of England have formed an EIC Breakfast club for those living and 13 October, starts at 10am at the National E working in the South Hams. It meets on Motor Museum at Beaulieu, where we Classic car day the last Friday of the month at 8.30am have been granted special access into at the Royal Seven Stars in the ancient by Richard Muir Beddall the museum grounds. It concludes with a market town of Totnes. The breakfast is reception and black tie dinner at the club an improvement on previous meetings vents on the horizon for members where we will park a maximum of 28 cars between South Hams members, usually of the club’s classic car section in St James’s Square Gardens. The speaker bleary-eyed on the platform at Totnes E include a visit to the Frazer Nash is Cannonball Jack May who still holds the Railway Station, in all winds and weathers, Archives at Henley-on-Thames on Sunday record for averaging the highest speed in awaiting the arrival of the delayed 05:56 29 July. 36 hours (83 mph!) from New York to Los to London Paddington. The Royal Seven The main annual event, on Saturday Angeles during the Cannonball Run. Stars is more comfortable.

4 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 NEWS From London jazz to Himalayan walks, the East India Club’s sporting sections continue to grow like topsy, with new sections grabbing and holding the attention of members. More shorts New snooker tournaments by Jack Swindon Rowing events

e are excited to announce two the Jimmy White of the snooker section, new tournaments to be played reach his seventh final, having dispatched W this year. The Hoffman Cup is Oliver Bolton, a winner in 2003, in the semi- an individual handicap tournament open to final… Could this be his year? Unfortunately all snooker members of The London Clubs. Bernard ran out of steam and Hassan Zamir The draw was made on 14 June and the defended his title. tournament will run until December. For The East India campaign in the London entry information please consult the notice Clubs Competition was a short lived one he Rowing Section is holding a board or contact the secretary. The inaugural this season. Having had a bye in the first dinner and auction on Thursday J7 tournament is an internal club tournament, round we faced the . Playing in 6 September, with lots including held in June and open to all J7 members. With a most beautiful billiard room in the heart of T a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce for the a handicap system in use, all players of any Whitehall, our team of Dave Creamer, Bradley day, a glamping holiday in Dorset and a ability are encouraged to participate. This Stanton and Bernard Stirzaker, captained by one-hour flight over London & the south year’s winner was Harry Swindon. Hassan Zamir, was conceding a daunting 47 The Harold Bloom Cup was contested in points per frame. Levelled at two each after east from Biggin Hill. If you have items to mid-February. The tournament saw a group the singles games, the standout frame saw donate or promises to give, please contact stage system used which resulted in some Bernard put his opponent in seven snookers Luke Corbridge at lukecorbridge@gmail. very closely fought encounters. The final saw but was still not quite enough to get him com. Contact the secretary for tickets. In Jack Swindon overcome Dave Creamer to win over the line. The doubles was a much more addition, the Rowing Section has been the title for the first time. one-sided affair with the Savage runaway selling sweatshirts (above) to section The Devonshire Cup saw Bernard Stirzaker, winners 4-2. members.

Short walk in the Chukhung Valley Jazz at No 16

by Howard Lambert ection captain Lee Farmer of the the little visited Kongma La Pass, before newly formed hill walking and reaching the high altitude village of S mountaineering section recently Chukhung, the last permanent habitation he Kate Williams Trio with Terry returned from a successful three-week before base camp and advanced base Smith came to the club in May. Himalayan climbing expedition. It included camp on Island Peak. T Writer and performer Kate Williams summiting Island Peak in the Chukhung Leaving advanced base camp at 3am (piano) is the daughter of classical guitar Valley, reached via a seven-hour ascent of on 19 May, Lee’s team crossed several legend John Williams. Her trio consists snow crevasses before reaching the of David Ingamells (drums) and Dave base of Island Peak. He reports: “It was Whitford (bass), who is frequently heard pretty technical. Using ropes and climbing in London’s top venues such as Ronnie gear, we slowly ascended the face of Scott’s, the 606 and the Jazz Café. The star of the evening was the mountain, which took several hours, undoubtedly Terry Smith whose guitar before summiting around 8.30am. All the work takes in an almost mesmeric and hard physical work was worth it though. magical quality, who has twice won the On the summit we were treated to superb Melody Maker music polls. The highlights all-round views of the Himalayas.” of a real swinging evening were Quincy The section has a busy remaining 2018 Jones’ Killer Joe and the Miles Davis and 2019 programme, with trips planned composition All Blues. to North Wales and Morocco, as well as The next event for Jazz at Number 16 ‘out of London’ day walks. Please contact is on 18 September. Tickets now available the secretary or sign up on the board for from the secretary. Lee Farmer 6,189m up on Island Peak Summit more information. Lunchtime favourites or exceptional value, the Dining The Dining Room menu is also available Room’s lunchtime favourites, such as in the more informal East India Room, F bangers and mash and fish and chips, where electronic devices can be used on are priced at £12. silent. The trio and Terry

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 5 The chairman describes how the club is in good financial health. He points to stormy weather on the horizon, including the continuing upkeep of the clubhouse, the sale of the club’s properties on Old Gloucester Street and the club’s relationship with independent schools. At a good- natured AGM, he talks about members, club events, and he thanks the staff.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL resident club artist responsible for many of the portraits of former chairmen on the third EAST INDIA CLUB ANNUAL floor. All will obviously be sadly missed. On a happier note, I am pleased to GENERAL MEETING acknowledge that we have six members who have achieved 50 years’ continuous membership and from 1 January will no longer elcome to the annual general Jacoby is looking at that – and it is felt possible be required to pay an annual subscription. meeting of the East India, that one or both of these ideas could be Messrs Crompton-Roberts, John Owen (who is Devonshire, Sports & Public W covered under changes that are required in here tonight), J Reis, JK Smith, M Thomas and Schools Club Limited. Among your officials, order to comply with the new data protection G Whitehead – congratulations to you all. all are present and we only have apologies rules, so we will continue to consider those. Socially, I am pleased to advise that the for absence from the Life President, Micky To move on to this year, I would like to club continues to be very active, and 2017 Steele-Bodger, although he is looking over my start by placing on record my thanks to the saw the introduction of the fathers & shoulder and is here in spirit. life president and the members of your daughters dinner event, which was repeated Before I start, I would like to update you on committee. In particular, to my deputy earlier this year. The summer programme is a number of questions that were raised at chairmen, Richard Robinson and Matthew looking busy, with the usual sporting events last year’s annual general meeting. The first Ebsworth, and also those other members of at Ascot and Lords, and the annual jazz one was: why do we think that two-thirds of the committee who chair our subcommittees barbecue. In place of the summer party this J7s leave and do not take up full membership? on finance, young members, wine, property year, we will be hosting a summer ball on Your committee has looked at this, trying to and library, and who work on your behalf Saturday 9 June as part of the celebrations to identify if there are themes. The reasons are throughout the year. mark 100 years of the RAF. It is some years extremely varied, but what we have found We are also indebted to our staff, under since we held a ball and this should be a is that it is a consistent percentage of 66 the leadership of club secretary Alex Bray, memorable event so I urge you to sign up and per cent – two-thirds – who fail to take it for looking after the clubhouse and our attend. up, either due to travelling away, not using members. A special mention for assistant We now have 19 societies operating within the club or deciding it is not the club they secretary, Tim Wilks, who has completed the club, providing opportunities for members thought it might be. We will continue to try 30 years of service since the last AGM was with a range of interests. The club is keen to and find out more that will help us increase held. In this regard it is very pleasing to support these initiatives, where possible, and the percentage who take it up, but we are record that the Staff Fund distribution for during 2017 we assisted the rowing section looking into it. 2017/18 maintained the generous levels with the joint purchase of a coxless four The second item was around the annual seen in 2016/17, which was some 60 per cent boat and trailer, which has enabled them to accounts and the AGM notice being put above that of 2015/16 and double that of train more regularly and compete at a wider online, and also the possibility of electronic 2014/15, so the recent increases have been selection of regattas. We are pleased to note voting. Upon reflection, we did consider maintained. that they aim to represent the club at Henley certainly the accounts and the AGM notice It is with sadness that I must record during the regatta week in July. are key documents and, therefore, we have the deaths of 46 members over the last I turn now to the financial performance of to ensure that all members receive them, and 12 months. One would not normally make the club during 2017. You should have seen many of the members may not be online or mention of individuals but these include the accounts, and the salient points have have internet access. I think it is fair to say Martin Brewer, a former deputy chairman of been highlighted in the chairman’s report. In brief: there was a modest increase in turnover that the website is under review – Charlie this club, and Theo Ramos, a Crock and the to £6.5 million. The bedroom occupancy was stable, at circa 75 per cent. We continue to see a gradual decline in covers, particularly at lunchtime, with a clear trend developing. The overhead cost-income ratio increased slightly from 24 to 25 per cent, due to the business rates and electrical safety work. We resumed the modernisation programme with 13 bedrooms completed, so the repairs and maintenance costs were up, at £881,000. We sold the FTSE 100 ETF investment and netted £809,000. We recovered £200,000 under the ongoing defalcation – also known as ‘the case’. Our surplus was £120,000 – a negative variance from last year, due to the deferment of capital expenditure in 2016. We have net assets of £32 million with reserves in excess of £4 million. I believe that this represents a satisfactory The annual general meeting, with chairman Duncan Steele-Bodger performance during the year under review

6 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL

The AGM line-up in the Smoking Room, with the president looking over the chairman’s shoulder and remain confident that the club is in sound in Old Gloucester Street – number 45, the Mr Waldron: My name is David Waldron. I financial health. staff hostel, and number 46, the next-door would like to propose that we start a process We do, of course, face a number of premises acquired in 2015. For some time, of assessing and then voting on whether our challenges. However, you should rest assured we have debated as to whether the club membership should be for men and women. that your committee will continue to monitor required a hostel, whilst acknowledging the It is the case now that the club welcomes into these items carefully and take action where key role played in past decades. This has been its public rooms men and women, generally considered appropriate. For example: there reflected by the limited occupancy seen in the because women are members of reciprocal are ongoing cost pressures from business past few years. clubs. The average experience for the rates and the London Living Wage. We have The decision to offload both buildings is average member is indeed of a mixed club. reluctantly increased subscriptions and a change of direction which we believe is in If you go out to the dining room there will may have to do so again, but also maintain the best interests of the club and reflects the ongoing, prudent cost control. There are the fundamental changes in the central London be tables entirely of men, tables of entirely business trends I mentioned earlier: certainly, property market since 2015, driven by the women and mixed tables. We have already covers are down – 7 per cent at lunchtime stamp duty changes introduced by chancellor heard in this meeting that the HMC is in the and 4 per cent at dinner time – if not the George Osborne in early 2016 and then the process of divorcing from us. The J7 is an revenue, which has actually increased, so the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Brexit important part of this process. It will become spend per attendee is up but the number of referendum result. increasingly more difficult for headmasters, or bums on seats is down. To try and counteract Both properties are on the market now and headmistresses – who, curiously, are allowed this, we have introduced a new ‘cheap and early indications are that we will lose money to be honorary members but not members. As cheerful’ club lunch menu, which we hope will on number 46 and gain on number 45. This part of the process, they will find it more and bring in new members at lunchtime, as it can is disappointing but unsurprising, and we will more difficult. be served more quickly and cheaply, rather expect the net position to be positive to the Those male members who are also than cannibalising from the existing lunch extent that once the mortgage has been paid employed in large organisations may attendees. off there will be a positive net cash flow into also find it increasingly difficult within In relation to maintaining the membership, the club’s bank account. The intention is to that organisation to be themselves a we have reintroduced the rule 14(c) consolidate our resources (from the sale of member of an exclusive, single-sex club. recruitment, which allows potential members the premises and the ETF) both to withstand who do not have a proposer or seconder to be further financial shocks, but also allow us to My understanding is that it will need to be interviewed by members of the committee entertain other opportunities proposed by a special resolution. I am not proposing it and gain access to the club membership the property committee for improving our tonight but what I am proposing, or asking, through that route. clubhouse at 16 St James’s Square. is that the committee starts in process a There are the ongoing divorce proceedings After the chairman’s speech, he took conversation that leads to an informed vote from the HMC, which manifests itself as an questions from the floor. among the members. official break in relations due to our single- sex membership status, which leaves any ongoing relationship with a school down one month’s grace rather than the current to the individual head’s discretion. We have Special resolution two months’ grace after the year end before introduced a working group to review the lapsing any unpaid memberships. The J7 scheme and look at other opportunities he club voted on a special resolution chairman says: “I think it is good financial that have become available to us. It is worth substituting the number and word discipline, but it also aims to keep the noting that 50 per cent of all J7 applicants T ‘one month’ for the number and word administration moving so that the club knows come from 20 schools, whereas the HMC has ‘two months’ in the first and final sentences where it stands with renewals come the end several hundred schools in its remit. We will of Article 13 of the Articles of Association of January rather than waiting till the end of be hosting a reception for those heads in the of the Company. The club invites members February.” autumn. to renew their membership by 31 December Those in favour: 43 in absentia, two After careful deliberation, your committee each year. This resolution seeks to allow just against, two abstentions. has taken the decision to sell both properties

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 7 The chairman: Thank you very much. I to look at what would be the likely financial had a conversation with David so I was aware impact of such a move. Would there be any that the question was coming. At this stage, upside to counterbalance the likely downside as you say, there is nothing to be done this of resignations, having said that we are full, evening, as such. I would say, however, that as it is now. this discussion does arise occasionally but The third part of my review would be ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL not very frequently in my role as chairman. I that any change would require 75 per cent feel there are three questions as part of this of votes cast at an EGM. Is this realistically debate: the first one is, are we allowed to achievable? Although, personally, I am against stay as we are? Under the law, the answer such a move, the club will change if that is is absolutely yes. We do not discriminate what our membership wants, but not one or against guests, but single-sex clubs are two of our members; it would need to be 75 permissible. Recently, there has been per cent of the members who vote. I think Questions from members after the chairman’s speech considerable positive PR for ladies-only clubs the key point would be, how do we gauge the opening up in London. It does seem to be reaction of our membership without setting Mr Seldon: The next thing, we will be double standards where gentlemen-only hares running by coming up with a premature having a vote about having creches here. clubs are viewed negatively. call to vote? The chairman: We have eight, which The second question would be: if we Following our discussion, David, at a recent I would suggest, in a straw poll here, is changed our status how would it happen committee meeting I put to my colleagues obviously very far away from 75 per cent. At and what would we look like? This is relevant here on the top table an open vote, without the moment, based on my interaction with because we are full. Our membership is preparation, gut reaction, how would they members, the response of the committee roughly 5,400, which for several decades vote on the question of accepting female and just a straw poll from those who has been judged to be the number at which membership? At that meeting, 20 per cent bothered to turn up this evening for the we are deemed to be full, in terms of ability were in favour. Just apropos nothing, in the AGM, I am struggling to see a lot of evidence to get a room and in terms of ability to get room tonight, with no chance to think about for a groundswell of change on what is a a table for dinner. How would we bring in it, vote with your gut, how many would vote fundamental issue for the club. I do, however, female membership if it was decided to do in favour of welcoming female membership commit that we should continue to keep that? Would it be only for adult, full-paying? into the club? Can you raise your hand? Eight, this matter under review. That would be my Would it be only for J7s? There are a number out of the 41 attending. response. of issues arising from that. The second part of that would be: what would happen to the DNA of the club? We are very much function-driven in this club, due to the history but also due to the building layout. As a comparison, if you go to the Oriental Club, they have no rooms the size we have here so they do not focus on function and banqueting revenue in the same way as we do. How would that work at events where some of them are men only? Now they are going to be men and women-only, all members, no guests? These are things to be thought through. I think we would also have to understand and agree on this before going to any referendum, in order to avoid the disaster we have now of a Brexit where nobody knew what it actually meant when they were

voting for something. Also, I think we need Some 41 members attended the AGM to listen to the chairman

THE COMMITTEE

he secretary and last year’s committee: (left-right) Ian T Barton, Charlie Jacoby*, Alex Bray, Alasdair Shaikh*, Richard Robinson*, St John Brown*, Sir Michael Griffiths, Simon Collins, Matthew Ebsworth, Neil Edwards, Adrian Steger, Duncan Steele-Bodger, Carl Statham, Patrick Storey, Joss Bassett and Ken Morgan*.

* Members elected to the committee in 2018, as was Oliver Bolton, not pictured

8 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 The club is a popular location for members events, from old Summer strawberries boys’ club meetings to business events, weddings and other EVENTS CLUB receptions. by Mark Leach, chef de cuisine

ating strawberries An old boys’ reception and cream on a E balmy summer’s by Stephen Withnell Ashton taught history at Stonyhurst and afternoon: what could be coached the college 1st XV before coaching better – or quintessentially more British? The truth tonyhurst College held its London England. Recent OS internationals include is, the modern strawberry is not British. It reception at the club in March, and Kyran Bracken and Ian Balshaw for England is not, botanically speaking, a berry. and proudly flew the Stonyhurst Flag over and Joe Ansbro for Scotland. S it is not even a summer fruit, as it is now the entrance to the club to mark the event. John Browne says: “The East India Club available all year round. Based in the beautiful Ribble Valley was the obvious choice for our London In Britain during the 16th century, wild in Lancashire, Stonyhurst is a Catholic reception. We wanted to bring together the alpine strawberries, which continue to independent boarding and day school for Stonyhurst community and prospective grow in our hedgerows and woodlands, 700 students. The college traces its roots parents in a venue that is steeped in history were enjoyed as the last course served at back to Saint-Omer in France in 1593, where and provides stunning surroundings, much a banquet alongside sweetmeats, comfits the forerunner to the current school was like Stonyhurst itself, making it a home from and marmalades. They were a show of founded for the recusant sons of British home. The evening was a huge success, with power and wealth as both sugar and Catholic aristocracy and gentry. The college the plans we shared being well received and spices were for kings. moved to England and to its current home in generating much conversation.” Lancashire in 1792. At this time, it was believed that eating Stonyhurst’s headmaster, John Browne, raw fruit was injurious to health, so to is a member of the East India Club, and has counter the ill effects the fruits were nominated several J7 members in recent cooked with wine and spices in the form years. The writer is a governor at the College of a pottage. Virginian strawberries and club member. were brought to England during the 17th The event was for current parents, century and were crossed with our own prospective parents, past students and wild variety. The little scarlet berry which all friends of the college. The headmaster is still grown today by Wilkin & Sons for shared details of the school’s recent their Tiptree jams is related to the original successes and plans for an international Virginian strawberry. It was only when school in Malaysia. this strawberry was crossed with the East India Club members will perhaps know large Chilean strawberry, brought back to Stonyhurst best for its rugby history – Brian The Stonyhurst flag outside the club France by Amédée Frézier in 1712, that the large fragrant strawberry that we know today was born. By the end of the 19th century, England It is a popular year for member wedding Events at the club receptions at the club, with five currently had gained the reputation of growing booked. They can be as small as 20 people the best strawberries. They were served in the Canadian Room to 130 in the Dining with cream at the inaugural Wimbledon by Anne Roberts, banqueting co-ordinator Room. And we have a good number of Tournament in 1877 and today some pre and post wedding cocktail parties, 140,000 portions are served during the he club organises events from small especially in the East India Room, which championship fortnight each year. The meetings in the Card Room to the holds 80 people. famous chef Auguste Escoffier included size and scale of the RAF Summer T Many members have been holding several classic strawberry dishes in his Ball. Everyone in management at the club annual events here for years. We have Guide Culinaire, of 1901. One such dish is is involved in a large event -from food and been doing a Thanksgiving dinner for one fraise Romanov, marinated in Curacao and drink, to table layouts, to Spitfire cockpits. member for 35 years. I have members served with chantilly cream. who ring me up, give me a date and I know In May of this year, a club member exactly what they want. One of the lovely observed that strawberries should be things about my work is the phone call on the menu as they were in season from the member about an event he has and in the supermarkets. It is true that not held for five years, and it is as if we supermarkets have created an extended, are continuing the conversation exactly artificial British strawberry season, by where we left off. developing new varieties and by the use Members trust the club to help them run a great event, which all part of the fun of polytunnels. These forced strawberries for me. This is a rewarding job. tend to have white shoulders, are crisp, The most unusual event we have tart and flavourless. organised? We did a member’s company Strawberries are in the same league as Christmas party which included Bollywood grouse, asparagus and wild salmon. They dancing. The guests were rather surprised have a natural season and this is when Catering at a party at the club and thoroughly enjoyed it. they are at their best.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 9 A century since the formation of the RAF, and 75 years since

SUMMER BALL the wartime Dambusters’ raid on the dams in Germany’s Ruhr – what more inspired theme for the club’s summer ball, saluting the indomitable, and partying with wartime swing. RAF CENTENARY BALL

t was an unforgettable evening as the black tie and RAF blue. Drinks took place in club returned to the Second World the Smoking Room and, following dinner in I War for its summer ball, conceived to the Dining Room, the band started up in the celebrate 100 years of the RAF. Historial Smoking Room once more. interpreters re-enacted key events of the Dambusters’ raid with a Guy Gibson and a Barnes Wallis playing their parts. There was an exhibition in the Library of RAF artefacts, some contributed by members, including Mrs Philip Andrews’ collection of her father’s service medals with 514 Squadron. There was also a complete Spitfire cockpit in the Front Hall. Members came dressed as all kinds of flyers and the men were a feast of Claire and Michael Johnson in front of a Spitfire cockpit in the Front Hall

The chairman on sentry duty The RAF hears Barnes Wallis’s appeal Marie Catherine Loubeyre and Martin Cox THE DAMBUSTERS’ RAID

peration Chastise was an attack on The raid breached the Möhne and Edersee about 600 Germans and 1,000 mainly Soviet German dams carried out on 16–17 dams. The Sorpe dam sustained only minor forced labourers. Production did not return O May 1943 by 617 Squadron, later damage. Two hydroelectric power stations, to normal until September. called the Dambusters, led by 24-year-old factories and mines were damaged and Of the 19 aircraft that took part in the raid, Wing Commander Guy Gibson. The modified destroyed. An estimated 1,600 civilians died: only 11 returned. Lancaster Mk IIIs dropped purpose-built bombs, developed by Barnes Wallis. The mission grew out of a concept for a bomb designed by Barnes Wallis, assistant chief designer at Vickers. German reservoir dams were protected by heavy torpedo nets to prevent a horizontal approach. At first,he wanted to drop a 22,000 lb bomb from an altitude of about 40,000 ft but there were no aircraft that could fly that high with such a heavy payload. He ultimately devised a drum-shaped bomb, equivalent to a heavy depth charge armed with a hydrostatic fuse, that would be spun backwards at over 500 rpm. If dropped at the right low altitude at the correct speed and from the release point, the bomb would skip across the surface of the water before hitting the dam wall. The residual spin would submerge the bomb, running it down the side of the dam

towards its base. Historical interpreter Lord Trenchard takes the stage to speak about the formation of the RAF

10 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 SUMMER BALL

The raiders return at the end of dinner

The Library held an exhibition of RAF memorabilia kindly lent or sourced by members. It included models from Phyllis Court in Henley which were used to brief aircrews about raids

Jack West-Sherring points to the photographs of the RAF that he produced for Spinks and lent to the club

A forces’ sweetheart sings We’ll meet again Adrian Kilby (right) talks to ‘Harold Martin’

‘Guy Gibson’ briefs the raiders

The band in the Smoking Room, Down For the Count, Aircraftman John Hume Ross, also known as maintained an upbeat 1940s tone throughout Lawrence of Arabia, played here by Jonathan Tull

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 11 WINE The club takes its wines seriously and members have taken on the arduous task of visiting winegrowers across Bordeaux and Burgundy in the last year in pursuit of viticultural gems that may be poured into glasses at your Dining Room table. We thank them! CLUB ON TOUR IN BORDEAUX

by Patrick Storey

n May 2018, head sommelier Eric Lagré is quietly maturing in conditions of ideal by the Garonne river, and this is what gives led a party of 20 members and guests temperature and humidity, before returning to the region its name, Grave. The Lurton I on the club’s first wine tour, to the inspect the winery and Marc’s Chateau, a 13th mobile bottling plant had turned up the day Bordeaux region of France. We spent three century coaching house. before, and so we watched the 2016 vintage days tasting some of the world’s greatest As members enjoyed lunch in the shade being bottled. Next, we travelled south to wines, being entertained by Michelin-starred of the lime trees in his courtyard, washed Barsac, beside Sauternes, where Marc’s chefs, and enjoying the most fascinating, down with some of Chateau Reynier’s finest cousin Berenice presides over sweet wine ancient and beautiful features of this city vintages, Mark talked about the tribulations producer Chateau Climens, which follows the and its surrounding countryside. If wine tours of viniculture. Sunshine and glamour developing trend towards biodynamic wine become regular club events, this Bordeaux trip occasionally give way to heartbreak and production. This isn’t quite organic production, will be a tough act to follow. despair when climatic conditions conspire but chemicals have been mostly replaced by Club member Marc Lurton and his wife against growers. Late frosts in spring 2017 infusions made from a variety of herbs and Agnes welcomed the party to their home, destroyed more than 90% of Mark’s crop plants, all of which grow wild on the estate. Chateau Reynier, in the Entre-deux-Mers just as the grapes were starting to form. For Our wonderful, knowledgable, friendly region. This is where the Bordelaise sunshine, this reason, if you see a bottle 2017 Chateau and supremely well organised guide for a unique clay and limestone sedimentary Reynier, you will know it is a fake. He didn’t the three days, Caroline Matthews of terroir, a wonderful blend of grapes and just a make any. Happily, as we celebrate the 40th UncorkedWineTours.com, anticipated that touch of Lurton magic combine to produce our anniversary of our relationship with Chateau our palates would be blown out by our visit club claret, our White Bordeaux, and the ever Reynier, Marc has doubled our allocation of to Chateau Climens, and so she arranged a popular cuvée heritage. Members were able to the very fine 2016 vintage, so we won’t be break from the stresses and strains of tasting see where the grapes for our 2018 vintage are running dry. with a historical tour of the city of already starting to form. We then descended Marc kindly leaned on a Tasting top claret Bordeaux. 20 feet below the vineyard to an ancient few family members to gain at 11am is hard When word leaked out that such limestone quarry where our 2016 vintage us access to other chateaux work but I am a distinguished EIC delegation in the ‘Lurton stable’, that was visiting Bordeaux, the big five pleased to report would not normally have “ ‘first growth’ chateaux literally fell welcomed visitors. Marc we rose to the over themselves to attract our is part of a wine-making challenge attention. Maybe I exaggerate. dynasty that dominates the Anyway, our first appointment region. I counted 30 Bordeaux chateaux that on day three was an hour’s drive north of are owned or managed by a Lurton family Bordeaux on the left bank of the Gironde member. There may be more. You will find the estuary at Chateau Mouton Rothschild, just name cropping up elsewhere in France, Spain, ”outside the village of Pauillac. Among the Portugal, Argentina, Chile and Australia. most sought after wines in the world, Chateau A short drive from Saint Emilion brought Mouton Rothschild 2009 will set you back Members outside Chateau Reynier us to Chateau Cheval Blanc, one of only four around £1,200 per bottle, and it won’t be Premier Grand Cru Classe ‘A’ estates in the ready for drinking until about 2035. region, where Marc Lurton’s brother Pierre is Bought by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild director. We tasted the 2011 Chateau Cheval in 1853, the ‘mouton’ refers not to the woolly Blanc after inspecting the new winery and beast that has become the chateau’s emblem, cellars. Tasting top claret at 11am is hard work, but rather to the hill on which the chateau is but I am pleased to report that we rose to the situated; the translation of Mouton is ‘little challenge admirably. Teeth gritted, upper lips hill’. It wasn’t until 1979 that Chateau Mouton stiff, the fine name and reputation of the East Rothschild was finally and formally re-

A good and fabulously expensive bottle India Club remains intact. classified as first growth. It seems as though We travelled south to the 14th century the main obstacle and objector to change castle that is Chateau de Camarsac, famed was its near neighbour, Chateau Lafite, for its connection with the Black Prince. Day which was and remains in the ownership of two was devoted to some of the finest white a parallel strand of the Rothschild dynasty. wines in the region, starting with Chateau La Lafite never actually gave its blessing to Louvière in Pessac-Léognan, on the outskirts the reclassification; it merely withdrew its of Bordeaux. The chateau is one of several objection. owned and run by Marc’s uncle, André Lurton. The tour round Mouton Rothschild was The terroir is characterised by the course surreal in the juxtaposition of old and new, Underground: the right temperature and humidity ‘gravel’ brought down from the Pyrenees science and art, opulence and tradition. The

12 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 WINE winery is, needless to say, state of the art, with as much attention paid to the aesthetics The quest for a new Burgundy as practicality. Even the vats in which the grapes are fermented were custom designed and built for the estate. Yet below the winery by Jeremy Brassington in the cellars, we watch the 2016 wine being manually ‘racked’ from one barrel to another, urgundy is a complex but relatively and poise, and made a note to follow up. drawing it off the sediment, in the traditional small area compared to Bordeaux. This was clearly a Domaine on the up. fashion, using a candle and well trained eye to There are many individual Florence and Simon have spent a detect the presence of sediment that might B producers who have tiny holdings and number of years in both California spoil the wine. The tour also included the only a handful of these who serve the and Australia, and Simon’s family own Rothschild family museum and the purpose- international market. French inheritance Champagne Mazzini. They met while built gallery in which the original artworks law dictates the splitting of an estate studying viticulture and oenology in used for label designs were on view. Since on death resulting in many Domaines Beaune. The passion, drive and appetite 1945 leading artists and others from around The Queens Cemetery, opposite Sheffield Memorial with similar names and tiny outputs. A Park,for experimentation near Puisieux, France of this young couple the world (including Dali, Moore, Picasso, further worrying trend is that LVMH and is fast elevating the quality of the twelve Warhol, Bacon and Prince Charles) have been other large groups are buying up some of wines they produce from 5.5 hectares of invited to create artwork for the bottle label, the more illustrious vineyards which will vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey- which changes every year. I am told that the result in less good wine being available at Chambertin, and Morey-Saint-Denis. artists were only ever rewarded in kind! I am affordable prices. Combine that with an Florence and Simon now tend their also told that there is now a vibrant market for extremely difficult 2016 vintage where vineyards according to biodynamic empty Mouton Rothschild bottles. allocations from UK wine merchants principles. In 2016, bad weather conditions The tasting at the end of this tour lived up became ridiculously small, and we were forced them to spend many hours in the to every expectation, starting with two fifth looking at a shortage of Burgundy for the growth wines from the Rothschild stable, club. Chateau Clerc Milon 2003 and Chateau We started looking for opportunities to d’Armailhac 2011 (we have some 2006 Clerc find sources of wine from domaines where Milon on the wine list at the moment), and there is a new generation of owners in finishing with generous tastings of the 2012 charge, which had vineyards close to the Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Whilst the latter best growers, and where changes are will certainly benefit from another 20 years’ being made which would lead to wines of cellaring, the wine really started to open up better quality. And, if possible, a Domaine after about 10-15 minutes in the glass. Its which would be prepared to deal directly structure, balance and opulence thrilled the with us. senses, both on the nose and the palate, We approached Domaine Heresztyn- for ages and ages after the last drop was Eric Lagré (left), Florence Heresztyn-Mazzini and Mazzini in Gevrey-Chambertin and were consumed. The spittoons didn’t get much use Jeremy Brassington (right) invited to visit in late November 2017 to that morning. taste the wines. Sommelier Eric Lagré Our penultimate stop was in St Julien at and I flew to Lyon and spent a day driving wet and cold to attend to the particular one of the many vineyards in the region with through the vineyards of the Côte-de- needs of every single plot. Inspired strong Irish connections. Thomas Barton Nuits and Côte-de-Beaune. by Simon’s Champenoise experience, left his native Co Fermanagh in 1722 to I had visited Domaine Heresztyn in 1998 chaptalisation was brought to a minimum form the great Bordeaux wine merchant or with Mark Pardoe MW when it was run by so that most of the alcohol in the wines negotiant Barton & Guestier. His grandson the father of the current owners Florence is natural. The introduction of a degree of Hugh acquired Chateau Langoa Barton and and Simon Heresztyn-Mazzini. The wines whole-bunch fermentation is probably the neighbouring Chateau Leoville Barton. Both were pleasant enough, had some good most dramatic change. Florence believes wines are made, side by side, in Chateau vineyard locations next to the better that it brings added freshness to the Langoa. And following a tour of the exquisite terroirs, and although briefly listed by wines. The actual maturity of the stalks gardens and winery attached to the 18th Waitrose were not sought-after. Florence is monitored carefully to avoid unwanted century residence, we tasted the wines side took over the vineyard in 2011 and her first green, vegetal aromas and flavours and by side, first the Langoa Barton 2011 and then vintage was 2012. I first tasted the 2013 remontage is used so as to achieve a the Leoville Barton 2016. Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes earlier lighter touch of extraction that benefits Chateau Angludet is a name that members in 2017 and was impressed by its purity fruit vibrancy and softer tannins. Sulphur will have seen on our own wine list from time is added parsimoniously. The domaine has to time. The 2010 vintage is on our current been working in close collaboration with list. It is a relatively small estate on the west a local cooper to adapt the level of toast side of Margaux and was our final stop on the club tour of Bordeaux. This 130 hectare and new oak to every single wine so as not estate dates back to the 12th century but was to compromise the individuality of terroir virtually derelict before it was acquired by character and preserve balance. another Bordeaux negociant, Peter Sichel, in Florence and Simon took the the 1960s. Since then its 55 hectares of vines opportunity of the 2016 Burgundy En have mostly been re-planted and are almost Primeur Campaign to visit the club and completely surrounded by forest. present their wines to the wine committee If you would like to join a future wine tour, in early January. Hopefully, members will please inform the secretary. The Domaine Heresztyn wines appreciate the new additions to the list.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 13 Club member Richard Robinson has been on the committee since 2000, most of that time as deputy chairman to successive chairmen. He set up and runs the club’s finance committee. Now MEMBER PROFILE aged 70, he reflects on a life in accountancy, on club life and what makes clubland so attractive. Richard Robinson

ichard loved school. He went to St longer exists.” Bees on the coast of Cumbria. “I really One of the more important parts of R enjoyed my time there,” he says. “It Richard’s life was the UK200Group. Formed in was a very free school. We only had lessons 1986 by former club chairman, the late David in the morning. Afternoons were devoted to Turnbull, it is the UK’s leading association sports and cycling. of independent chartered accountants and “We didn’t have cricket but we had beach law firms. It has almost outgrown its spiritual hockey, where the object of the game was to home at the East india Club, but still holds get the ball into the sea without the master- many events there. Richard was impressed by in-charge noticing that you were doing it on David’s determination and appetite for work purpose.” and helped him with both the formation and St Bees later closed: too far from a main running of UK200. He was its president for road to sustain the modern demand for four years. “It was very interesting work,” he day schools. It has since reopened as says. “You met a lot of fascinating people.” a boarding school for international UK200 helped introduce Richard to London students. Richard is pleased for the place. clubland. David Turnbull was a dyed-in-the- “They have found a market and they are wool member of the East India Club. Another back,” he says. of Richard’s friends was a member of the RAC. After school, Richard was heading “I went to dinner at both and, as I got up from for university but changed his mind dinner at the East India, I thought to myself: and chose accountancy training. He ‘This is a club’.” had boarded at schools away from He joined during the 1980s, in the days his Yorkshire home from the age of when Margaret Thatcher was a regular sight seven to 18 and wanted at Sunday lunch. “I was in the to do something from As I got up Smoking Room after lunch home. He started work from dinner at and Margaret came in and sat at an accountancy firm the East India, down with the crossword for in Middlesbrough, C Percy I thought to half an hour. Then she stood Barrowcliff, now called “ up and walked out, leaving the myself: ‘This is a Anderson Barrowcliff. crossword on the table. I was club’ Richard was the first with my sister, who had to go and trainee the firm took on who have a look. She came back and did not have to pay a £1,000 indenture hissed: ‘She’s done the whole thing!’” fee. His starting salary was £200 a year Club chairman John D Wood co-opted with 8/- deducted for National Insurance. Richard” on to the committee in 2000 because The education that the accountancy firm of his accountancy experience. He is still provided him was old-fashioned but effective. there, and in that time began and runs the “I remember going into the office and a chap finance subcommittee. Of the club’s finances, said: ‘Your first job is to add up the telephone Richard says: “They are as stable as they can directory’. You had to learn to add up by be. There are pressures at the moment. Over casting your eye down a list of numbers. the last few years, we have been operating “It is a useful skill to learn but I soon gave it at capacity – and member numbers have now up. I learned early the art of delegation.” plateaued. As a committee, we have to keep Richard passed his exams first time at the an eye on trends and look for reasons, not age of 22, became a partner in the firm aged excuses.” 27 and eventually rose to senior partner. Richard has been deputy chairman since The firm thrived, with half a dozen FTSE500 2002. “What’s good about the club is the annual company audits including two welcome,” he says. “People actually speak to supermarket chains and a building products you in an un-London-like way.” company. “At a practice like ours, we deal Richard is twice a widower and married with almost everything,” he says, “including his wife Jan five years ago. He has four doing our fair share of keeping the wheels children: a daughter in Dubai, a daughter of industry turning in Middlesbrough. It is a who has just moved from Hong Kong to town where, during this period, British Steel Dulwich, a daughter in Cheshire and a son in went from having 80,000 employees to the Middlesbrough. He also has three stepchildren low thousands and ICI, a major employer, no in Middlesbrough.

14 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 So far, it has been a summer to dream about for years to come. Shooting events After a nerve-wracking British spring, where everything from GREAT OUTDOORS GREAT flowers to deer bloomed late, summer has delivered the long, by William Downie hot days that answer the promise of its dictionary definition. embers of the club’s shooting section (pictured, below) defied M the blistering weather in early LODDON CALLING July to attend the annual London inter club clayshooting challenge. Teams of four by the editor guns faced a variety of sporting targets at the Holland & Holland Shooting Ground in ead stories of pellucid streams Northolt. The ‘birds’ ranged from simulated and limpid pools where fearsome grouse to driven high pheasant. The shooting leviathans snatch carefully crafted R finished with a fast-and-furious 100-bird flies from a pollen-dusted meniscus and you Theflush. Queens The Cemetery,club team, opposite which Sheffieldtravelled fromMemorial as Park, near Puisieux, France are probably reading a fishing magazine. The far as Cumbria and Devon, shot well on the club’s section of the river Loddon at Stratfield day, but did not manage to lift the trophy. Saye, available thanks to our partnership with There is always next year. Our thanks go to the Lawyers’ Fishing Club, is, like the late Les Iain Wolsey on the Loddon the for organising the More, no less and no more than a tidily mown, No untangling that. Fish is now an invariant event. properly stocked and generally gorgeous 20ft from me. If it swims upstream, I run after Among other shooting events, the example of an English chalkstream, where it. If it rolls downstream, so do I. It becomes club shooting section visited Bisley for an you can put a little more emphasis than you clear that it is a big fish for the water, and afternoon organised by Keith Painter, where might mean to on the suffix ‘stream’. So, to now heading for a downstream bankside and members had the opportunity to shoot at catch a fish of a lifetime there is a surprise. impassable tree. With unreasonable strain on both 300 and 600 yards with a variety of Fishing, as with life, relies on your ability the 3lb cast, I haul Fish to the nettles in the rifles, including a few WWII era ones. to shoot a line accurately and with plenty to shade of the tree. It is not until I reach too far back it up. Of course, that’s what I do. The with the net that the cast snaps just above small tangle of line between the reel and the the hook. Mournfully, I watch Fish sink away... first ferrule? Well, I can deal with that while but upside-down, too tired to swim. There is the fish decides to take. a chance. Dropping rod, hauling off trousers, It had been a slow day, made slower yet shoes and socks while clasping the net in the more enjoyable by my fishing partner of the other hand, I dash around the tree, launch day Iain Wolsey’s purchase of enough drink into the water like something new from the to float a boat. Except this fish is quick. And RNLI, lunge, miss, lunge and get it. 5 lb 8oz of it is big. It drags the mayfly underwater and trout thoroughly, happily and damply earned. Wheeling out the big guns: club team members, fights like a wheelbarrow for long enough For details of all that the flyfishing section left-right, Steve Revell, William Downie, Ian to pull tight the birdsnest at my finger tips. has to offer, please contact the secretary. Spencer and Alexander James A message from the Pigeon Loft by Alan Taylor

s summer gets underway this pigeon the furthest inland frontier of the British-run and lakes on the outskirts or in the suburbs lofter’s thoughts turn to the swims territory. At first there were two or three trips of the city offered ideal swimming. Moreover, Ahe had in the past. Alas, these are not overland to Ismailia, a small town on the edge there was a good chance of finding a perfect always joyful reflections. The cold seas and of a lake adjoining the Suez Canal itself. This spot (often for yourself) to swim almost as treacherous currents off the Norfolk coast was perfect for swimming but became a rare far as you wanted. These opportunities kept in his youth did not entice him to enter the treat after Colonel Nasser came to power us sane while we were cut off from regular water often and certainly not for long. The and relations with the Egyptian government contact with the ‘outside world’ between outdoor swimming pool in his Suffolk school soured. Back in the camp there was a August 1961 when construction of ‘the seemed at first sight to offer unmitigated small swimming pool but flies discouraged wall’ began and November 1989 when its pleasure. But not so. The freshly-filled water swimming in it. In any case we had enough destruction started. soon became murky with constant use (there of these in the huge mess tents. Every meal Now, as he is deep into retirement, was no permanent filtering, just a complete was accompanied by the constant stamping swimming is limited to use of the pool below change of water in mid-term). Because of of feet to keep the flies off our knees while over-crowding there was little opportunity to eating. his flat near the coast in southern Spain. develop swimming over long distances. Not until after university in 1958 did the He chooses an early hour when no-one Arriving in the Suez Canal Zone as a prospects for swimming really improve. else is there. As long as the temperature of soldier in the spring of 1952, the pigeon Towards the end of August (in a punishing the water is 24 degrees or more he starts lofter had visions of swimming in water heatwave) the pigeon lofter arrived in West a gentle swim of a few lengths. Then it’s of ideal temperatures. Unfortunately he Berlin to become an assistant at a German breakfast on the seventh floor (one higher was stationed in Tel el Kebir, an army camp grammar school. To his surprise and pleasure than the ‘Pigeon Loft’) with an uninterrupted surrounded by 18 miles of barbed wire on he discovered that vast stretches of water view of the Mediterranean. Bliss!

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 15 There are many welcome sights in the Dining Room but perhaps the smiling face of Bonny is

STAFF PROFILE STAFF the one that lifts the spirits the most. And as well as lifting spirits, he hefts wines and all kinds of drinks to the table. Here is his story. STAFF PROFILE Bonifacio Ascuncion Dagan

Bonny worked for a restaurant in Madrid. He came to London 13 years ago following his wife, Eileen. He met much- missed former staff member Leonora Morales, who introduced him to the East India Club, which gave him a job and a home in the club hostel. He stayed in the hostel for four months. By then, Eileen was pregnant with their second child. Bonny moved out and they now live in a housing association flat in . “It means I can easily go back home to see the children when I get time off,” he says.

I love being here. It’s different from working in a restaurant. More like “ working in a private house

Bonny and Eileen have a 12-year- old son called Aeniel and a 17-year-old daughter called Almudena. They both” go to school in central London. Aeniel is in year seven at St Thomas More Language College in Sloane Square. At work, Bonny started as a waiter in the Dining Room. “Maitre d’ James gave me the chance to be a wine waiter,” he says - then with the characteristic Bonny laugh: “I couldn’t afford wine in the Philipppines. “My favourite wine is dessert wine. I encouraged Eric [sommelier Eric Lagré] to add Chateau d’Yquem to the club’s list – and I still can’t afford it.” Bonny’s working day starts at 12.15pm and the lunchtime shift ends at 4.15pm. He starts again at 7pm and finishes at 11pm. The work slots nicely in with his orn in the north of the Philippines, and went to Manila. he started work in the wife’s day, who has worked at the club for Bonny grew up farming. His parents transmission department of the Manila two years as a breakfast waitress. B grew rice and livestock – seldom Electric Company, working out where As for his career development, Bonny more than one cow, which helped them overhead power cables could go. After a has passed his level two wine certificate. plant the rice. “We didn’t have machinery,” year of that, he moved back to his local city He is worried about doing level three he recalls. “I used to help my father and my where he worked for the local Coca-Cola because of commitments at home. “James mother planting and picking rice, tomatoes, bottling plant. His next move was Spain, had to push me to do level two,” he says. beans and aubergines. where he went for five years at the age of Working at the club suits Bonny. “I love “They tried to send all of their children to 26. “Two of my sisters were there,” he says, being here,” he says. “The people are so school, even though they were very poor.” “and my brother has now moved to Spain.” lovely. It’s fantastic here. It’s different Bonny’s school career was a success. Today, he has only one sibling, a sister, in from working in a restaurant – more like He left university in his local city aged 22 the Philippines. working in a private house.”

16 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 SECRETARY With 30 years of service at the club to his name, assistant secretary Tim Wilks is well placed A WORD FROM THE SECRETARY SECRETARY STAFF PROFILE STAFF A WORD FROM THE SECRETARY to discuss what has changed not just at the East India but across clubland. He says that the by Alex Bray word which defines clubland and the relationship between staff and members is ‘respect’. by Alex Bray nvestment in the website and the event photography tab. cuisine Mark Leach and in July by Jalal ‘Paul’ club’s facilitiesembership has floorMembers rooms willin bemidsummer. pleased to note that the Sheikh,Looking part-time ahead wenight aim porter. to celebrate Paul actually the STAFF PROFILE I continuedremained with mainThere course are other‘lunchtime repair favourites’ and maintenance are now started100th anniversary work here in of 1985 the Royal but had Air aForce break redecorationat of optimum the pricedprojects at on £12. the With cards a starter for the or year, dessert all of at inwith service a costume in the balllate in 1990s. June and, Sommelier to be Eric HogarthM Room which members is ‘respect’. If clubland could be said at the year end. £6which and are a glass managed of your according favourite, to thereour five- is Lagréannounced, and assistant a talk and banqueting dinner in September.and bars Tim Wilks to have an inner nobility, it is down to this. And is aThe private annual meeting renewal greatyear rolling quick fareplan tofor be refurbishment. had in the club’s This Dining managerAny members Farid with Gaouir RAF pass memorabilia ten years’ weservice Tim worries that respect can easily slip away. roomwindow for members has closed to Room.enables the relevant committees to see incould July. use Well that done they to themcould all.let Suchme borrow long term Among other changes to clubland in hire in conjunction withand or the separate committee to the whatI highlight is coming, two and events to guide that commitments.are a little dedicationplease be in from touch. the staff sees the club the last 30 years are computers, internet, adjacent Rugby Room.requires The club’s the various front differentThe big in staff our autumnannouncement calendar is thatwhich at are benefitIn the frombackground professional we have employees been working who email and the ease of communication. “It’s meetinghall staff rooms to be areeven light, more airy diligent and well in askingworth openthe end to allof Marchmembers our and reliable their and guests. capable The careon preparing deeply for the their club work to comply at the with club. instantaneous,” he says, and he is secretly consideringmembers to whenshow youtheir need membership a business card on Septemberbreakfast chef dinner, Genevevo being put‘Bibo’ together Ratio (see by theI am General glad to Data note Protection that within Regulations the grateful for the move to computers. “My gathering,arrival. One seminar helpful suggestionor reception. is Over a different the theEast rowing & West section,, August will 2012) include will retirean auction having complementcoming into force of staff from weMay have 2018. two As staff with handwrting is pretty terrible,” he says. “20 summercolour card we each will refurbish year to help six morethe staff bedrooms in ofcompleted promises just in an shy effort of 20 to years’ raise service. funds. withall businesses, 30+ years, we six are with required 20+ years, to have 34 with years ago, when we wrote out letters in onthis the important first floor, duty, leaving or the justpossible the six option pigeon MembersBibo was wishing recruited to book to the places club’s or kitchen offer ten+understood years and how 21 we with manage five+ personal years’ service. data longhand and typists typed them up, only loftfor a rooms card which to freshen facilitates up next swipe-in year. Behind and use auctionby chef Markitems, Leach please and get has in touch.been a There great is Iand note to a update lovely summingpolicy relevant up of tothe members feeling Joan could read my writing. She could read it theof services scenes whenelectrical in the wiring club. has As webeen explore alsosuccess. a lunch He wasin September 70 years-old organised in January. by our He ofand working staff. In for addition, the East an India update Club to when the club’s even when I couldn’t read it.” systematicallythese ideas please tested feel and free any to resulting offer your rugbysays he aficionados is looking forward for the toMy spending Name’5 Doddiemore breakfastwebsite is chef underway, Bibo spoke with tomembers the committee of the remedialthoughts. work addressed. Foundationtime with his in family, support having of motor a few neurone lie-ins and onmain his committee retirement having at the helpedend of March,with the just WeFor hadmembers a lot of who, fun fororganising whatever the reason, club ball disease.perhaps Ticketthe occasional price includes breakfast a contribution cooked for shybrief. of 20 years’ service. Clubland is business, inwant June to to give celebrate up membership: the 100th you anniversary are of tohim. the We charity. wish Bibo a very happy retirement HeAt the said: very “When beginning I received of the the year invitation the staff standards of dining have theencouraged Royal Air to Force. send A in club a formal dinner resignation and dance andLooking thank himahead for to his the dedication busy autumn to his and work fromparty the took committee, place, with I wasthanks surprised, to the staff “ improved across all clubs israther not an than annual simply occasion let your and membership therefore seesrun winterand the period club. in the dining room, please keep humbledpanel who and made overwhelmed. the arrangements I did not and expect and bedrooms are now usout. putting The club a lot likes of additionalto keep abreast effort of in the to the maitreAnother d’ Peter notable up to milestone date on changes is Tim Wilks, to your this.to those I thought committee when membersmy working who day kindly ended up to hotel standard event.reasons I am for grateful the ebb toand my flow colleagues of members. for tableassistant reservations secretary to club help services, him in his who effort in to thisgave month, up their I will time only to servebe returning behind mythe bar theirThe support refurbishment and imagination, of six-and-a-half and to the pleaseDecember as many clocked members up 30 years’ as possible. service. uniform,and to add locker to the keys, occasion. pack my Members things and in the say contactssecond-floor we made bedrooms for items in the of interest.middle of As HavingIn closing, started I am here delighted when Mr to Mhighlight Steele- the goodbye…West End in I leaveJanuary with would fond have memories, also been pride Tim believes that technology helps” the forthe all building the club is almostevents, complete. the photographs It will be can milestonesBodger was in chairman, service so Tim far passes this year: 30 20years andaware honour.” of the Lumiere light festival and the relationship between staff and members. befollowed found byunder the therefurbishment members’ area of six of first- the years’with Mr service D Steele-Bodger was passed as in chairman.May by chef de impressiveWishing oneinstallation and all an in enjoyableSt James’s summer.Square. “All the departments in the club have more interaction with members because they can exchange emails,” he says. ”But I do think one downside is that we use emails when a East India Club Wine Order Form phone call would cover many more points.” Much of Tim’s job today is communication ORDER THESE WINES as he manages the bedroom refurbishment. ORDER THESE WINES FROM OUR WINE FROM THE ACCOUNTS When electricians want to switch off the OFFICE FOR PAYMENT lights, Tim achieves agreement from the MERCHANT FOR HOME DELIVERY other departments when to do it. Among his AND COLLECTION bigger jobs, he managed the nine-month new FROM THE CLUB kitchen build. When the club put in a new ver the last 30 years, much has against hotels. “If you do that, then you boiler house, it took five months,”not helped Wines and spirits per case of 12 bottles Club claret £127 changed in London’s clubs: not become like a hotel,” he says. “If you try to by Westminster Council’s planners’ views on Club white £132 O just what they offer, but the beat them, you join them.” the final colouring of the flue,” he says. Club red (de Ciffre) £132 expectation of what they should offer. Tim For Tim, the word that sums up the Tim married his wife Therasa in 2001 and Club white Burgundy £162 observes that clubland is much busier than relationship between a club’s staff and its they live at Ashurst in the New Forest. Club Champagne (per case of 6) £149 when he started at the East India Club in Club Cognac VSOP per 70cl bottle £43.50 1987. “Standards of dining have improved Wine across all the clubs, and bedrooms are now gift box up to hotel standard,” he says. Three East Clubs still have the edge over hotels, India Club wines in a because of the relationship between Wine per case of 12 bottles staff and members in a club, which is only Please order on-line or by phone. presentation Club Champagne / £155 for 6 box – available in the most expensive hotels. ”It’s Club white / £144 club claret, because of the length of service we have Davy’s Wine Merchants, club white here,” says Tim. “The hotels have a higher Club white Burgundy / £174 161-165 Greenwich High Road, and turnover of staff. Because of that, some Club red (de Ciffre) / £144 Greenwich, London, SE10 8JA club white of them maintain a complicated indexing Club claret / £139 Tel: 020 8858 6011 Burgundy. £43 system to help them keep track of and Fax: 020 8853 3331 recognise guests.” Email: [email protected] Tim says, however, clubs are in danger All prices include VAT Website: www.davywine.co.uk/eic Not chargeable to account. Card with handling fee, cash or cheque. of judging themselves and what they do Tim receives his long service award from the committee

16 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SUMMERSPRING 2018 2018 17

501027 East & West Magazine Spring 2018 A4 20pp.indd 17 09/04/2018 09:33 OBITUARY A giant of club life, Theo Ramos, has died aged 89. The Spanish portrait painter, Anglophile and bon vivant lived most of his life in the UK. He lives on in the club through portraits throughout the club, and in the memories of happy dinners with the Crocks and the Thunderers. THEO RAMOS

he Queen Mother’s favourite portrait artist, Theo Ramos, was a Devonshire T and an enthusiastic Eastindiaman. An artist who in a career of more than half a century painted more than 800 formal portraits in oils that hang in palaces, boardrooms and homes worldwide, he has died aged 89. Other members of the royal family he painted include Prince Philip and Prince Charles. His subjects also include cricketers such as Mike Brearley. He painted most of the recent East India Club chairman portraits on the top floor, working from a small studio in Chelsea which he rented for 30 years. Theo became a member of the East India Club when it merged with the . Born in Portugal to Spanish parents, Theo with the then Duke of Devonshire. Theo called his portait of the Duke one of his ‘top ten’ he came to England at the age of 12. Even with English as a third language, he had no his portrait of Prince Philip in a hurry, and Robert Adam-designed 20 St James’s Square hint of an accent. He proudly told East & it flew to Australia one step ahead of the in 1980, the final detail was a full-scale West that he “married an English woman, Queen’s visit there. replica of Raphael’s Transfiguration. Painting and of my four sons the youngest is the Normally, members of the royal family give it took Theo two years, a lot of it spent in only one to have learnt Spanish”. She is Julia ten sittings for a portrait. Queen Elizabeth Rome, copying the original. Rushbury, daughter of the Keeper of the the Queen Mother allowed Theo unlimited He maintained his main influence was the Royal Academy, Sir Henry Rushbury. sittings for a portrait that was presented ‘portrait painter’s painter’ Diego Velázquez. Before Mr Ramos began to study painting He also admired Titian and, from the English to the First Battalion of the Irish Guards in formally, he studied architecture. He later school, Gainsborough. 1977. He recounted how, when she was in called architecture ‘a flirtation’. He trained as Theo Ramos advised the club on its her late nineties and he was many months a painter at the Royal Academy Schools, and paintings and even recruited ex-students into a commission, he ventured to ask if he taught there from 1958. to produce work for its walls. These include she was going to live long enough for him Most of his work was portraiture, and he works for the Clive Room, based on Indian to complete his work, earning the swift worked entirely in oils. His portraits of the paintings held in the Indian Records Office. writer Anita Leslie and former chancellor of response: “Oh yes, Mr Ramos, I am expecting A keen member – or as he called himself the exchequer Lord Thorneycroft hang in the a telegram from my daughter.” ‘drinking member’ – of the MCC, he saw his National Portrait Gallery. He had to produce When the company Distillers restored the first game of cricket in Oporto. Theodore Sanchez de Piña Ramos was born in Oporto on October 11 1928, though his date of birth was mistakenly registered Nick Gillham as October 30 and in later life he claimed that like the Queen he had two birthdays. His icholas Wright Gillham, James B Duke on microbiology and two books, in 1978 father was a Spanish diplomat and a liberal professor emeritus of biology at and 1994, on his special interest, the who had fled unrest in Spain and eventually Duke University and club member genetics and molecular biology of cellular N brought his family as refugees to England. since 2000, died of a heart attack in March. organelles. In mid-career, he developed an He was a painter-stainer from 1979 A noted geneticist, educator and author, he interest in the social aspects of genetics. and, when he had satisfied himself that he was born in New York City and attended the This led him to write a well received book had learned sufficient metalworking skills, Loomis School in Connecticut, with summers about a pioneer in this field,A Life of Sir a founder from 1996. He also formed his spent at the Wisconsin home of Frank Lloyd Francis Galton. While carrying out the own societies: for many years he was ‘Thor’ Wright, chasing butterflies and learning research for this book, primarily in the (chairman) of the Thunderers; other dining natural history. archives of University College London, Nick clubs, like the Crocks, the Bucks & Berks, and Nick joined the Duke University faculty in joined the club. the Devonshire, which he chaired for 40 or 1968 and was named distinguished professor Nick is survived by his wife Carol, who 50 years, gave him great pleasure. in 1982. He ran a successful genetics used to stay at the club with him two or Theo is survived by his wife Julia and their laboratory for 34 years. His accomplishments three times a year. Born 14 May 1932, Nick three sons. His eldest son, a major in the Irish included co-authorship of a 1973 textbook died 19 March 2018. Guards, predeceased him in 1986. Born on 11 October 1928, Theo died on 11 April 2018.

18 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 New members The club welcomes the following: NEW MEMBERS

S Adcock Esq MI Ferro Esq ND Laswon Esq JMR Rennie Esq RG Veal Esq AI Bladt-Cohen Esq S Harrison Esq MR Letza Esq CJ Robson Esq D Wakil Esq MJ Braddick Esq DTM Hartman Esq CA Morgan Esq FJMF Rous Esq DJ Warburton Esq C Campbell Esq SM Hodgson Esq L O’Keefe Esq OE Ryan Esq MJ Watts Esq MR Constant Esq WH Holtz Esq SP Phipps Esq J Sacarello Esq Dr SJ Douglas D Kinch Esq JP Quinn Esq MP St John Webb Esq W Fell-Smith Esq PR Kittow Esq DS Ranetunge Esq JM Stanley Esq New J7 members The club welcomes the following:

Aldenham School Denstone College Hilton College Ryde School STA McMahon Esq W Morgan Esq JM Bezuidenhout Esq WM Fawdry Esq M Au Esq

Barnard Castle School Downside School John Lyon School Sedbergh School Worth School R Green Esq M Vickers Esq B Brace Esq GS Shinger Esq J Horan Esq J Higgs Esq H Hamilton-Deeley Esq Bedford Modern School Kelly College Shrewsbury School Eastbourne College S Mughal Esq NDYR Cording Esq JC Fearn Esq T Alston Esq C Sathirathaya Esq Gone away HCG Den Brinker-Darby Esq We have lost touch with the Bedford School Kimbolton School WT Street Esq P Alberti Esq BG Meek Esq following. If you know where JBY Brockway Esq they are, please put them in MR Berlemann Esq Sidcot School Epsom College touch with the secretary: LMM Szeto Esq X Buoy Esq AH Smith Robson Esq King’s School, Canterbury HEJ Burdge Esq J Tsao Esq E Mudasiru Esq T Mitamura Esq St Albans School M Savalni Esq JJ van de Wetering Esq Canford School LW Vaghela Esq O Carr-Middleton Esq MNO Dack Esq JC Varghese Esq A Chamberlain Esq Latymer Upper School Deceased JMR Cheli Esq H Roseberg Esq It is with regret we announce Charterhouse St Bede’s School R Kuttel Esq the deaths of the following D Moore Esq A Sales Esq B Yucemen Esq Lord Wandsworth College members (with date joined): S Zaroubin Esq GE Elson Esq Sir G Arthur (October 2003) Cheltenham College Stowe School MH Bull Esq (June 1968) SM Cook Esq Giggleswick School P Edinborough Esq NW Gillham Esq (March 2000) Loretto School A Hancock Esq JR Hinchliffe Esq (February AJ Biedenharn Esq Christ’s Hospital Sutton Valence School 1999) TW Walker Esq Haberdashers’ Aske’s E Mazumdar Esq RV Mosseri Esq (September Boys’ Repton School 1950) Cranleigh School SA Binns Esq G Dunn Esq Trinity School TSDP Ramos Esq (December JSF Wilkinson Esq B Foreman Esq 1969) Royal Grammar School, WH Summ Esq (October 2017) Culford School E Chia-Croft Esq Guildford F Allum Esq SYP Singh Esq AT Rutledge Esq JEM Cathcart Esq

A word from the chaplain

by Canon Roger Hall MBE, club chaplain

ear friends, my mother is approaching 91 and my sister D decided that she needed a new set of pans. So, off to the shops they went. At the counter, the young man said he had two sets of pans, one with a 15-year guarantee and five-year warranty and another set that had a 25-year guarantee and a ten-year warranty. At this point, my mother burst into laughter and said: “Do you know how old I am young man?” Looking rather sheepish, he suggested she went for the first set. My sister (always one with a good sense of humour) looked at the young man and said: “If mother dies before the guarantee runs out, perhaps we can have our money back?” Mum lives every day the best she can, plans no further than six months ahead Canon Roger J Hall MBE is Deputy Priest in Ordinary to HM the Queen at HM Tower of London. East India Club and leaves the rest to God. That kind of members are always welcoming to worship at the Tower of London as, pictured here, at the annual harvest faithful, steady hope is a lesson to us all. festival service. Details of services and events: TheChapelsRoyalHMTowerOfLondon.org.uk

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018 19 Reciprocal clubs

BERMUDA PAKISTAN The East India welcomes members of Tucker’s Town Mid-Ocean Club Karachi Sind Club other clubs from all over the world, Islamabad Islamabad Club CANADA who may use the club’s facilities as if SRI LANKA they were their own. A reciprocal Montreal ] James’s Club Colombo Colombo Club arrangement has been made for University Club Nuwara Eliya Hill Club ] members to visit these clubs when a Saint John, NB Union Club SINGAPORE card of introduction, obtainable from Toronto National Club Singapore Tanglin Club the club secretary, is required. These University Club of Toronto SOUTH KOREA clubs have all been chosen for their Albany Club Seoul ] Seoul Club suitability for our members but have UK different facilities. Vancouver Terminal City Club Vancouver Club Belfast ] Ulster Reform Club Edinburgh New Club If you are going to visit any of them, Victoria, BC Union Club of Royal Scots Club we suggest you telephone first and British Columbia Glasgow Western Club find out about them. Let us have your ] EUROPE Guernsey United Club views on your visits and tell us if you Henley on Thames Phyllis Court Club Barcelona Círculo Ecuestre have found other clubs with whom we Isle of Wight Royal London Yacht Club, Cowes should enter into reciprocal Bilbao Sociedad Bilbaina Liverpool ] Athenaeum Club arrangements or if one of these, in Brussels ] Cercle Royal Gaulois London ] City of London Club your opinion, is no longer suitable. ] ]] Hurlingham Club Dublin Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club (membership card and photo ID is essential ) Frankfurt Union International Club Newcastle Northern Counties Club AFRICA Gothenburg ] Royal Bachelors’ Club upon Tyne SOUTH AFRICA Perth Royal Perth Golfing The Hague ] Nieuwe of Literaire Societeit Society & County and City Club Cape Town Cape Town Club de Witte USA Durban Durban Club Hamburg ] Anglo-German Club Albany, NY Fort Orange Club Johannesburg Country Club of Helsinki ] Helsinki Svenska Klubben Berkeley, CA Berkeley City Club Johannesburg Boston, MA Algonquin Club Luxembourg ] Cercle Munster Rand Club Harvard Club Madrid ] Financiero Génova Union Club Kimberley Kimberley Club ] Real Sociedad Española Bethesda, MD Kenwood Golf & Pietermaritzburg Victoria Country Club Country Club Club de Campo Polokwane Pietersburg Club Cincinnati, OH Queen City Club Oporto Oporto Cricket & Lawn Chicago, IL Standard Club Port Elizabeth Port Elizabeth St George’s Club Tennis Club Union League Club University Club of Chicago KENYA Paris ] Cercle de l’Union Interalliée Detroit, IL Athletic Club Nairobi Muthaiga Country Club Los Angeles, CA Riviera Country Club ZIMBABWE Stockholm ] Sällskapet Mountain Lake, FL Mountain Lake (open Nov-May) Bulawayo Bulawayo Club HONG KONG Osterville, MA Wianno Club Harare ] Country Club (open May-Nov) Hong Kong ] Hong Kong Club Harare Club Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis Club ] Hong Kong Cricket Club New York, NY Princeton Club AUSTRALIA Lotos Club INDIA Metropolitan Club Adelaide Adelaide Club Union League Club Naval, Military and Air Force Calcutta Tollygunge Club Norfolk, VA Norfolk Yacht Club of Adelaide Mumbai Royal Bombay Yacht Club & Country Club Public Schools’ Club Golden Swan Philadelphia, PA Union League Club Brisbane Queensland Club Phoenix, AZ ] University Club JAPAN Tattersall’s Club San Francisco, CA Marines’ Memorial Association Tokyo Tokyo American Club University Club Canberra Commonwealth Club St Louis, MO ] Racquet Club Hobart Tasmanian Club MIDDLE EAST Seattle, WA Rainier Club Launceston Launceston Club Bahrain ] British Club Fort Worth, TX Fort Worth Club Melbourne Athenaeum Club Dubai Capital Club Washington DC Army & Navy Club Australian Club Cosmos Club University Club Melbourne Club NEW ZEALAND Auckland Northern Club ] Accommodation not available Newcastle Newcastle Club Christchurch Canterbury Club ]] Sports facilities not available Perth ] Western Australian Club Christchurch Club Members are reminded that the production of a Weld Club current membership card and photo ID is essential Dunedin Dunedin Club Sydney Australian Club when visiting . Our reciprocal clubs Napier Hawke’s Bay Club Union, University & usually require an introductory card which may be Schools’ Club Wellington Wellington Club obtained from the secretary’s office.

20 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2018