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The East India Club Directory

The East India Club Directory

Issue number 86 August 2013

Sports news Tirailleurs Fortifications Spymasters Saxophones Gift suggestions from TUMBLERS The East India Square tumbler the secretary’s ofFIce Engraved with Club directory crest. £18.50

ATTIRE Decanter The Club ties £75 16 St James’s Square, SW1Y 4LH Silk woven tie in club Telephone: 020 7930 1000 Fax: 020 7321 0217 colours. £19.50 Email: [email protected] Web: www.eastindiaclub.co.uk Cut glass tumbler DINING ROOM Breakfast Engraved with club Monday to Friday 6.45am-10am crest. £25.75 Saturday 7.15am-10am Sunday 8am-10am Lunch BOOKS & CDs Monday to Friday 12.30pm-2.30pm The East India Club Sunday (buffet) 12.30pm-2.30pm – A History Club bow ties (pianist until 4pm) by Charlie Jacoby. Tie your own and, An up-to-date look at Saturday sandwich menu available for emergencies, the characters who have clip on. £19.50 Dinner made up the East India Monday to Saturday 6.30pm-9.30pm Club. £10 Sundays (light supper) 6.30pm-8.30pm Club song Table reservations should be made with the Front Awake! Awake! Desk or the Dining Room and will only be held for Cufflinks A recording of the club 15 minutes after the booked time. Enamelled cufflinks song from the 2009 St with club crest, AMERICAN BAR George’s Day dinner. £5 Monday to Friday 11.30am-11pm chain or bar. £24.50 Saturday 11.30am-3pm The Gentlemen’s & 5.30pm-11pm Sunday noon-4pm Clubs of London & 6.30pm-10pm New edition of Drinks can be obtained in the Waterloo Room from Anthony Lejeune’s Monday to Sunday. Members resident at the club classic. £28 can obtain drinks from the hall porter after the bar has closed. OTHER ITEMS SMOKING ROOM & WATERLOO ROOM Chocolates Service from 9am to 10.30pm. Chocolate mint slims, also available Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm. from the American Bar and the Club blazers BILLIARDS ROOM Waterloo Room. £4.75 per box Open to members from 9am to midnight. £295/£325 (navy) £325 (sports) Pass keys will not be issued after 11pm. GYMNASIUM Club Open to members from 6am to 10pm. £160 Club shield Suitable attire must be worn. £61.50 BEDROOM CHARGE Includes early morning tea, newspaper, English breakfast and VAT. All bedrooms are non smoking. GOLF Titleist golf balls.Bearing Members club crest. £29 per dozen Single with bathroom £99 (£60*) Single with shower £85 (£51*) Blazer buttons Single without facilities £69 (£42*) Double breasted. Golf tees Double or twin room for single occupancy £135 £45.00 Double or twin room for double occupancy £151 Tin of 50 ‘personalised’ St James’s Suite £251 Single breasted. East India golf tees. £30.00 £7.75 Reciprocal members & guests Single with bathroom £129 (£78*) Single with shower £112 (£68*) V-necked jumpers Double or twin room for single occupancy £153 Lambswool V-necked navy and burgundy Golf umbrellas Double or twin room for double occupancy £177 jumpers also available. £46.50 Made in club St James’s Suite £277 colours of silver, * Special rate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday Club print blue and red. £17 and bank holidays A picture of the clubhouse on a MEMBERSHIP CARDS Post and packing for non-breakables Members are required to carry their membership typical London from £3 cards at all times when visiting the club. early evening. It is essential that they are produced when 52.5cm by CLUB WINE: signing for charges to accounts. 40cm. See page 17 for details £61.50

2 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 From the St George’s Day dinner via the jazz barbecue to the Club diary... summer sporting events, the chairman reports on another

good season for the club, and a full calendar of events for the CHAIRMAN’S REPORT October 2013 autumn, from Lord Mayor’s luncheon to the house dinner 6 October Harvest festival and lunch 17 October Library lecture and lunch

November 2013 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 1 November Rugby lunch t is midsummer day. Having seen the and I want to thank all members for 6 November Wine tasting sun at midnight, thoughts of parties their support suggestions and words of 12 November Library lecture and I and summer games are not far from encouragement. dinner our minds. Wimbledon is on as I write, Congratulations to the snooker team, 14 November House dinner the Ashes tests are round the corner and victorious by a narrow margin in the 15 November Rugby lunch the London season is in full swing. It is a interclub finals held at the club in June. pleasure at this time of year particularly On the second weekend in June a group December 2013 of intrepid travellers, including me and 5 December Carol concert and dinner my wife, set off for Brussels on Eurostar The chairman at for the club’s guided tour of the Waterloo 12 December Christmas cocktail party the St George’s battlefield. This turned out to be a 15 December Advent carol service and Day dinner fantastic weekend and a great launch for lunch our involvement in Waterloo 200 which is gathering momentum now. It is worth it. January 2014 I particularly enjoyed the library 9 January Wine tasting lecture from Sir John Ure, former 30 January Burns Night British Ambassador to Cuba, Brazil and Sweden and a most entertaining writer Bank Holidays and raconteur, particularly about his Over bank holidays, bars and catering are hobby which he describes as “Travelling closed but accommodation and continental uncomfortably in remote places and breakfast is provided. This applies after writing about it comfortably afterwards.” breakfast on the Sunday of the bank holiday The next library lecture breaks new weekend and through the Monday. ground as it will be a luncheon event on 17 October delivered by Sherard Cowper- Christmas Coles, former ambassador to Afghanistan The club closes after lunch on Monday 23 in Kabul and special representative of December 2013 and re-opens at 9am on to welcome members from overseas and the UK to Afghanistan Thursday 2 January 2014. The cloakroom from reciprocal clubs, especially those and Pakistan. This will be worth taking and day lockers will be cleared of left items. from Australia who have come to take a day off for - don’t miss it! The summer lessons in the art of . party took on a different form this year The Club at 128 The club has been active and busy with a combined champagne reception kindly offers its dining facilities to our throughout the spring and summer. The (which the weather dictated was at the In members on dates when our Dining Room summer starts, I always think, on St & Out Club) followed by our own cocktail is closed. Please book in advance on George’s Day – traditionally the first day party in the Smoking Room with some 020 7399 1000 of the cricket season. The club started excellent canapés and snacks. I had the the summer off in style by celebrating the pleasure of dining with Lord Mayor Roger fact that we are English with Gifford at the Mansion a magnificent St George’s House and he told me he day dinner. A completely I welcome members is looking forward to his full house enjoyed excellent from overseas and lunch at the East India East & West roast beef and it seemed reciprocal clubs who Club on 5 September. It to inspire extra feeling and will be a great occasion Editor: Charlie Jacoby have come to take volume in the singing of as always. Also the House 07850 195353 [email protected] “ lessons in the art of Land of Hope and Glory, Rule dinner is not long away. Our Designer: Chris Haddon cricket 01279 422219 [email protected] Britannia and the club song. speaker Michael Beloff QC Photography: Phil McCarthy, Charlie Jacoby and A Georgian musical evening is worth listening to – he Alex Bray.To download or order photography, login on 1 May was very entertaining; an idea was my tutor 45 years ago. I look forward to the members’ area of EastIndiaClub.com and for further development. to seeing everyone at these autumn follow the instructions The club AGM on 15 May heard report events and I am already thinking of the Sub-editor: Cicely Drewe of another successful year for the club, ”delights of the Christmas season to come. 3 Printed by: Colour (ColourCubed.co.uk) thanks to the support and help of the In the meantime I wish everyone a joyful Published on behalf of The East India Club by committee and of course our excellent summer season – may the fish bite, the Charlie Jacoby, c/o The East India Club www.charliejacoby.com staff who make all these things happen. oars strike and ball bounce kindly for Cover photo: St James’s from the air I reflect how fast the year has passed – it Lions and pursuers of the Ashes alike. has been a pleasure to be your chairman Iain Wolsey, chairman

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 3 NEWS The sports sections are a credit to the club, with cricket, rugby, Sports shorts rowing, shooting and more sedate activities including snooker, chess and backgammon available to members. If you have an Rowing interest in a sporting section, please contact the secretary he rowing section has a provisional date for a section T camp at the end of the summer, SPORTS NEWS 31 August to 1 September at Bedford Rowing Club, Bedford. Please contact the Snooker Our club night is the first Monday of every secretary. by Bradley Stanton month from 6pm and all East India members of all playing abilities are invited to join us. he East India Club snooker team The club runs two internal competitions, Shooting has won the 2013 London inter- again open to all club members. These are T club competition in a hard fought the Devonshire Cup: a scratch competition; he Club Shoot, final against the RAC. The competition is a and the Harold Bloom Cup, which is a the interclub championship, saw handicap knockout managed and hosted handicap competition. As reported in the T entries from the , by the EIC. The competing teams are last East & West, Harold Bloom, who was the Naval & Military, Buck’s, Boodle’s, representatives of other London clubs. On enormously supportive of club snooker, Caledonian, Walbrook and Brook’s, as well finals night we entered the doubles round recently passed away and we are delighted as the East India and the host. Buck’s was poised at two singles matches each. Oliver to be competing for the trophy that he a clear winner on the day, with Naval & Bolton partnered Bradley Stanton and Joe generously donated some time ago. Military pipping Walbrook for second place. Cadman partnered Hassan Zamir. The East We are always looking for players of all The East India Club team of Iain Shone, Indiamen moved up a gear and won both standards. Please see the noticeboard. Alexander James, Bill Cumberledge and Ian matches with convincing 60-point margins. Spencer came sixth, beating Boodle’s, the The evening was generously sponsored Caledonian and the City of London. by Fullers Brewery and was rounded off with an enjoyable dinner hosted by the club chairman. The captains of the other competing clubs also joined us. The event provided the opportunity for us formally to remember the excellent player and former captain of the , Joe Snooker team winners: Oliver Bolton, Joe Bampton, who sadly died in February in the The shooting team Cadman, Bradley Stanton Air Balloon disaster. and Hassan Zamir

and all remarked how privileged they felt Black Rod instructing him to arrest Company dinner to be shown round and for it to be done , and finally a letter by Joss Bassett by our fellow member Graham Holland from Hastings to the House of Lords in to whom we are all indebted for the the fifth year of the trial begging them ax Kuhnke and I had great experience. to end the trial and let him go. pleasure organising a ‘company We saw displayed copies of documents For dinner chef served a trio of M dinner’ in May, in recognition relating to anniversaries in the curries as the main course – after all of the club’s link with the ’s history that coincided with what else could one serve? These were Company and its history. It really was 2013. These included parts of the 1813 washed down with a pint of Pride and a memorable occasion thanks to the charter given to the company and the a tumbler of whisky and water. Our numbers attending and the wide cross 1858 Government of India Act which, guest speaker was the former foreign section of the club membership that following the Indian Mutiny, brought secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind who, they represented. Last year at the first about the end of company rule in India delivering his speech without notes, invitation dinner we had a respectable and replaced it with the . recounted a number of anecdotes 19 attend, but this year we were pushing Remarkable when you consider that it is about his experiences in India and the 50, a feat that we thought would be a 22 page document and a time period of Middle East before turning to a more impossible for some years. It was a mark just 30 days for the changeover of the serious point on British relations with of the interest that abounds in the club government of India. Most interesting India. It was certainly one of the best for the East India Company and of course were documents relating to the trial after dinner speeches that I have the fact that any excuse for a dinner of Warren Hastings, the first governor heard with many saying the same, and always finds support! general of India who was impeached Sir Malcolm was equally complimentary This year, thanks to the help of a by Edmund Burke and Charles Fox for about the club. number of members, a tour of the high crimes and misdemeanours. One The date for next year’s dinner is Foreign & Commonwealth Office was was a letter to the House of Lords from 22 May. Should you be interested in arranged before the dinner for those able the Commons informing them of the attending please contact the secretary. to make it. The tour was tremendous impeachment, a second was a letter to The dinner is by invitation only.

4 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 NEWS

East India golfing section EPICS is in fine form, meeting for dinners, matches and even the odd round of golf. Highlights Chess this summer include a win against the and the by Nick Lloyd club’s own summer meeting at Woking, which had members he combined East India and Oriental crossing continents to take part Club continued the 2012/13 T campaign after Christmas knowing that a strong Spring could result in a third or fourth place finish in the Hamilton- GOLF Russell Cup. The brunt of the fixture list had been negotiated prior to Christmas, with only the first match of the second half, a EPICS rearranged visit to the MCC, likely to prove by Paul Blows troublesome. Unfortunately, a weakened team suffered a heavy reverse to the strong The summer MCC team with a 4½ to ½ loss. However, meeting at Woking the team enjoyed successive victories over the Hurlingham (4½ to ½), Athenaeum (4 to 2), Chelsea Arts (4 to 1) and the Reform Club (5 to 0). The top scorer in the second half was Peter Haddock with four points, while an honourable mention is made to EPICS at their Yarislav Voropayev and Jac Thomas, who annual dinner played excellently throughout the season on Boards 1 and 2 in a league where the standard at the top is constantly increasing. Club golfing We also played four friendly matches in silverware the second half of the season, winning one and losing three. From a results’ perspective it was wonderful to score a 3 to 1 win against the RAC, who were the eventual HR Cup champions and, with a regular chess circle of 60 members, are able to field a Left-right: Grant Hayward, Graham strong team on all occasions. However, my Naisbitt, Jeremy Brassington and personal highlight of the second half was Duncan Steele-Bodger the friendly against the MCC, which despite the loss was a most convivial evening he season has been in full swing the and the . that was thoroughly enjoyed by all those since the spring meeting held at The summer meeting returned to Woking present. T our new venue, St George’s Hill, (pictured). Alan Hamilton few in from Following on from the end of the regular Weybridge. The course was in excellent Canada in the morning to take part and season, The Combined Team participated in condition for the EPICS and their guests winner was Jonathan Webster who was then the annual blitz chess competition hosted totalling 45 golfers. However a wind blowing fying back to South Africa the following by the RAC, where each player is allowed straight off the Urals meant few were day. Some even had to negotiate the M25. five minutes compared to the regular prepared to play more than nine holes after The foursomes match after a good lunch 1-hour. Unfortunately, blitz chess is not our lunch. The morning singles were won by Rod can cause problems. Not knowing his own forte and against strong and competitive Alexander with Charles Russam runner up. strength, Rod Alexander hit the ball through opponents we came eight out of 11 teams. The matches against other clubs started the green on the 14th at Woking. His playing This was despite the majestic efforts of Ed well. EPICS drew against the partner Bill Brown had to play the shot (the Farrington who scored an excellent 8 out of to retain the trophy and beat the Reform table was moved) much to the enjoyment of 10 points on Board 1. Club at Rye. Since then we have lost to both fellow EPICS members looking on. As the season draws to a close, I think there have been a number of positives. The cup team finished in a creditable fourth Areco for the Prince of Wales Trophy. There place just behind the & Cambridge Polo were some brilliant players in both teams, Club – positions we would like to reverse in by Harman Gill but Gonzalito Pieres showed he was worthy the 2013/14 season! The friendly matches of his title of fifth best player in the world. were played in excellent spirit and several embers and guests of the Polo Played on a rainy and windy Saturday the of new players were introduced to the section had the first trip of the match was decided through a penalty shot team. The 2013/14 season starts with Cup M season to spectate the sport on by Joaquin Pittaluga in the last ten seconds and friendly matches against the Reform 15 June at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo of play. The final score was a close one, 13- and Chelsea Arts Clubs respectively and Club. The East India turnout numbered 30 12 in favour of Emlor which resulted in a very September will be a busy month as we have and the event was the first high goal final exciting finish. The polo section mailing list the honour of hosting the seventh annual of the season. Emlor played Le Bamba de at time of writing comprises 91 members. Hamilton-Russell Dinner.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 5 It was a year that saw the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the London 2012 Olympics, the continued refurbishment to large parts of the club and a full programme of events for the club itself. The chairman paid tribute especially to the staff of the club for their hard work. Here are edited

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL highlights from the chairman’s speech

and presented it to the club as a memento. It East India Club annual is on display on the second foor link corridor near the lockers before you reach ‘Cecil’. In addition Somerset county has buried general meeting a time capsule at Wells Cathedral to mark the year 2012, to be opened again in 2072. or the East India Club, 2012 was again Rodolfo and Antonio in the Kitchen, hall porter We contributed club items and a number of a most successful year in all aspects Karim and Marco stewarding supervisor. members attended the ceremony. F of its operation. I would like to thank Retirees are Laurie from the Dining Room, and Among renovations, the front steps have our staff for all their hard work over the past Jenny and Liam from the American Bar. On been upgraded to Portland stone and the year. Under the command of our secretary, behalf of all members I thank them for their front lift motor has been replaced. There have Alex Bray, and his senior management team loyalty and enthusiasm, and contribution to been improvements to the Clive Room air of Keith Goldacre, Tim Wilks, chef Mark Leach the enjoyment of the club. conditioning and roof. The male staff changing and maître d’ James Dempsey, the club has May I thank members for their generous room has been refurbished. The middle continued to provide excellence and improve support this year of the staff fund. It is section bedroom corridor and stair carpet on its already high standards. The food, the a tangible way in which each of us can has been replaced down to the ground foor. wine, the bar and the events have all been demonstrate our gratitude. I hope we can An additional air-conditioning unit has been spectacularly good and I want also to pay increase this support in the future – it is installed at the front door of the American Bar. a quiet tribute to those who provide what I certainly well deserved. We are indebted to the club’s property think is the best breakfast service to be had Sadly during the year we heard news of committee under the able chairmanship of anywhere. the deaths of three former members of staff: Roger Raishbrook for their continued hard I have over the past year met other London Franco Pandolfino, Vera Sharp and Doreen work and financially unrewarded commitment. club chairmen and their members, our Hooker. They are not forgotten. The Waterloo 200 project grows in members and their guests, and received many We also heard of the deaths of 37 members significance. The club is taking part in the sincere compliments (and some envy) about of the club. They include Chistopher Martin- planning for a two day Regency fair in our club and its qualities. Jenkins (‘CMJ’ to the world of cricket), and the the square in June 2015 as part of the re- Members frequently remark to me that it is snooker master creator of the Harold Bloom enactment of the dispatches journey to the our staff who make the experience of coming interclub snooker trophy (and devotee of blue Prince Regent. It is also planning a number of to the club so enjoyable. label Johnny Walker) Harold Bloom. All will be related events and Professor Colin Seabrook Assistant secretary Keith Goldacre has sorely missed and remembered with affection is chairing a subcommittee to co-ordinate the had a brief spell in hospital but is now back by their many friends in the East India Club. various activities. Assistant secretary Keith in harness. In the future Keith will gradually For the Jubilee weekend, the club’s Goldacre, to whom we are indebted for getting reduce his workload as the Waterloo 200 arrangements proved to be successful as 22 the whole thing started, will devote a lot of his project builds in intensity and excitement. East India members and their guests took up time to the project. Suggestions are welcome Sincere best wishes, Keith. the opportunity provided by member Nick and will all be considered. The loyal support to Alex and myself Gould to be on board the county of Somerset’s The first event starts here on 8 June with an over the past year of the irrepressible vessel Avontuur in the Thames pageant. In excursion to Waterloo over that weekend on and indispensable Sandra Prendiville has addition member Peter Jennings organised Eurostar with a guided tour of the battlefield ensured that the club has run smoothly and a first day cover of stamps of the pageant led by St John Brown, chairman of our library cheerfully. I thank her for her commitment and issued by the Isle Of Man Post Office (picture committee. The trip includes a unique special enthusiasm. below). Copies are available from the office. visit to the Hougomont farm which is not open Staff long service. We mark 10 years’ service The Avontuur organisers made up a pennant to the public (see page 10 for article). for Eleno in housekeeping, Cesar in accounts, of the club’s colours which they few on board Those of you, who have read my report in the AGM papers and also the most recent East & West magazine, will be delighted to see that the last year has again been successful from a financial viewpoint, with a more than satisfactory increase in turnover (+4.1%) and generation of £171,728 net Jubilee First Day Cover depicting the Avontuur before investment

6 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 income and taxation. We owe our continued value of our rooms. Let us not forget our prosperity to our great clubhouse and its housekeeping staff – another reminder for Yachting beauty, style and heritage. contributing to the staff fund by Jim Miller Our loyal membership covers all ages – I am grateful to all members of the club’s ranging from 18 to 100 – all of whom seem to formal subcommittees – the young members’ f there is sufficient interest in a new enjoy supporting the club and its events and committee, the wine committee, the library yachting section, we could consider GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL activities which are ever growing. committee and the property committee – I having a burgee, which could bear We have the best staff in clubland. for their invaluable hard work, support and the club’s blue and silver stripes. An We continue, as is our main responsibility, enthusiasm, over the past year. alternative may be the horizontal red and to maintain and improve the clubhouse for the It is appreciated and we continue to white stripes as a tribute to the ensign benefit of members present and future. benefit from the effort enthusiasm and ideas flown from the East India Company’s ships. We have been able this year to bring generated. This is where we might start to get into the modernisation reserve up to £2.2m in I am pleased to report that the club’s legal detail but I believe one may need to anticipation of the projects referred to earlier sporting and leisure sections are in fine form consult the Lloyd’s Register of Classed and the Waterloo 200 related works. The sum and each has had a successful year. Yachts which at least as recently as 2002 is recommended as prudent by our auditors. It is most heartening to see so many apparently contained a list of registered This year, plans are well advanced to activities available to members, ranging owner and yacht club burgees. introduce a new food and drink service to from rugby and cricket, through rowing, fy- It might be entertaining to make the Luncheon Room during the day. This will fishing, shooting, golf, snooker, chess and an application to the Royal Navy for a require some adaptation to add new features backgammon. warrant for the club to issue licences while retaining fexibility for functions. Also May I take this opportunity to thank to fly a ‘defaced’ ensign denoting that a due for refurbishment are the club offices, the those who are responsible for running, so vessel is commanded by a member of the fifth foor Duke Street singles, the staff ladies’ effectively, our sporting sections. Without East India Club. I expect that a plain blue Locker Room, the Smoking Room lighting, the tireless work of those who make all the ensign or defaced blue ensign would be wiring and the basement corridor to Billiard arrangements, these club activities would not almost impossibly ambitious and I believe Room upgrade. take place. that even a defaced red ensign would In 2014, we will see the Front Hall to I am delighted to report that we have a be difficult. My understanding is that second foor redecoration, and the Waterloo total of 2,338 young members under the age the Royal Navy (actually the Secretary Room, Dining Room and Smoking Room of 30 - some 43% of our total membership. of State) will only now award this in redecoration. This demonstrates the continued popularity exceptional circumstances. It was mentioned at last year’s AGM, that of our J7 scheme and keeps the club young However, the secretary Alex Bray, the the committee was considering the possibility and vibrant. club librarian and I have been doing a little of opening up the roof area, to provide a I am pleased to report that we have six research and it is coming along well. Until serviced roof garden or terrace similar to that members – AJ Granville Esq CBE CLH, Doctor the East India Company was dissolved a enjoyed in some other clubs. NA Harker, PH Harrison Esq, DH Lewis Esq, few years after the East India Club was This project is ongoing and specialist advice AD Paul Esq, MPSD Regester Esq – all of formed, the company’s ships flew the has been sought about English Heritage whom have achieved 50 years’ continuous ensign below including horizontal stripes. approval and planning permission. We are membership and who are, from 1 January, The company built the UK’s first ironclad, looking at an outline of plans to achieve a honorary members. Nemesis, and there are paintings of a scheme acceptable to all interests within The club’s social programme last year was number of spectacular ships in the club. an affordable cost. This is being progressed most successful with all major functions full Members have also been under constant in the context of an architect’s review of to capacity and greatly enjoyed by all who instructions from the Royal Navy for possible models for the development of the attended. the last 65 years to maintain the bell of club within its existing footprint over medium The dates of all this year’s events are the great battleship HMS Malaya which and long terms. available from the secretary and will be stands proudly and well-polished in the The club’s wine and port stocks remain advertised on the noticeboard, our website Front Hall. The secretary and I have been in a healthy state. Purchases of fine wine and also in our magazine. seeking other nautical records pertaining have gone well. Our cellar therefore is well Before we move on, I would like to put to club membership of the current stocked with wines that continue to improve on record my sincere appreciation to our East India and its four predecessors by in quality and increase in value. We have president Micky Steele-Bodger, deputy members of the Royal Navy and we have also introduced a new red wine to the list to chairmen Richard Robinson, Matthew located one First Sea Lord, Admiral of the provide a balanced alternative to club claret Ebsworth and Duncan Steele-Bodger, along Fleet Lord Mountbatten plus a few other and the original club red. We await the verdict with deputy chairman emeritus Derek senior officers. of members but so far it is proving popular as Thurlow and all members of the committee If you would like to register your is the fine wine offer. for their kind support and advice over my first interest in a yachting section – boat owner I thank David Cartwright and the wine year as chairman. As Jim Lovell said in Apollo or not – please contact the secretary. committee for their skill and expertise in 13: “Gentlemen, it has been a privilege to fy selecting such wines – I have of course with you”. volunteered to help with the tasting – who May I welcome back those members re- wouldn’t? elected and also congratulate and welcome The overall occupancy of our rooms is Christian Schaffalitzky back to the committee. impressive, both by club members and Thank you to Max Kuhnke for his reciprocals. This is of fundamental importance contribution – he leaves the committee to go to our financial stability and those of us who to Sandhurst – we wish him well in his new East India Company ensign, 1700-1800 stay regularly appreciate the comfort and career.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 7 Three St James’s Square clubs came together for a single party in the summer: the East India, the Army & Navy club (the ‘Rag’) CROSS COMMUNITY CROSS and the Naval & Military club (the ‘In & Out’). After a successful drinks party, club members and guests returned to their own clubs for more drinks and something to eat THREE CLUBS RECEPTION

Guests gather at the Naval & Military courtyard

right as you enter the Library below are volumes of excellent maps for First World War ‘European History’ and the ‘Napoleonic those who like to view their history Wars’ and leading on shelf 8 into ‘The this way. To present the other side of and Library Second World War’. They start on shelf things we have two volumes of General 6, at eye level if of medium height, Ludendorff’s war memories 1914-1918. by David Worthington with four volumes by Conan Doyle There are various personal who throughout the war accumulated recollections and books on the battles he abundance of books the First evidence, like his famous detective, to of the war including the Somme and World War spawned is going to write a military book, a ‘contemporary Gallipoli and also the best book still T increase markedly over the next narrative of a tremendous episode’. written on Verdun called The Price of four years 2014-2018 as the centenary publishing the first volume in 1916. Glory by Alistair Horne. Lyn Macdonald of the war that is still called the Great Then there are four volumes on and Richard Holmes (including War is remembered. the Mesopotamia campaign, two on ‘Tommy’) both recognised authorities In all the languages of the world there Gallipoli and 28 volumes of The Military on the subject are well represented. are histories of the war, official and Operations of The Great War in red Of course you find the war in other unofficial, its origins and causes, its binding and eight volumes of the naval sections in the Library also. As you campaigns and its battles, its armies and war in blue. Published in 1926 by the enter, Siegfried Sassoon is straight regiments, the war on land, underground, direction of the historical section of ahead of you in the poetry section at sea and in the air, at the front and the Committee of Imperial Defence, (which is appropriately next to shelves at home, men at war, women in the this collection was commissioned in of cricket books and our Wisdens). We war, myths and legends, the end of the 1916 when Asquith, the Prime Minister, have plenty of war fiction including RH war, its cemeteries, its consequences recognised “the demand which is likely Mottram’s classic The Spanish Farm and its legacies. And then we have the to arise and the desirability of providing Trilogy (1927), based on Mottram’s biographies, the novels and, of course, the public with an authentic account” as own experiences in Flanders and the poems. The Great War has a book on soon as possible after the close of the France while serving in the war. In every aspect imaginable. War. These volumes declare themselves Reference we have books on regiments Given this wealth of material, the club ‘suitable for the general reader and and medals. Something for every Library has a good selection and most for students at military school of the member. Read up and read again as members should find something to suit operations of the British Army’. They there is going to be much to think on them. The books on the war are on the are based on official records and there over the next four years.

8 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 MUSIC

To the club in May for an evening of Georgian entertainment with ‘Songs, Ballads, Catches & Music from the Pleasure Gardens’ featuring Et in Vauxhall ego. Julian Forbes, well known to St George’s Day dinner devotees as the talented tenor, and friends gave us close to Regency smut in the Luncheon Room GEORGIAN MUSIC EVENING

his summer job at the palace, turned missed the first four numbers and were Beating retreat up on time and with our shoes polished in time to see the King’s Troop RHA by Ron Collins appropriately. The reception was very departing to the Keel Row. The concert good, the museum was interesting and included the massed Corps of Drums, the a number of Guards’ Officers hosted massed Pipes and Drums ending with a t was with some delight that I us, providing interesting history and set piece Highland Cathedral. The bands received the email from the club anecdotes. I discovered again how small and bugles of the Rifles contributed I to tell me that there were after all the world really is, as I found myself their famous rapid marches including some spare places to attend Beating talking to the Director of Music for the an ever-accelerating Zorba the Greek Retreat which had been initially Scots Guards who has under him the which was amusing and spectacular. The oversubscribed. The origins of Beating son of one of my best friends, Steven massed bands of the Guards Division Retreat lie in the original purpose of Mathews. gave a medley of numbers culminating military music – to signal an event or Moving on from the reception to in sounding the retreat and the playing manoeuvre – in this case return to the the parade ground we encountered of a haunting lament by a lone piper encampment at sunset. The event has confusion as the army and the The Thistles of Helmand. After the been in its current form since 1966 Metrolpolitan Police managed to create retreat there was a fun re-enactment where it makes use of the stands a route march round Whitehall for us. of the Battle of Vitoria to the music of erected for the Queen’s Birthday We arrived at the Horse Guards entrance Beethoven, where the handful of French Parade to allow the bands of the just as they closed it for the arrival of re-enactors were outnumbered 50:1. The Guards Division to give a concert and the Queen – however we did get ringside finale was superb with the Horse Guards collect money for service charities in standing room next to the motorcade. trotting off and Foot Guards finishing on the presence of Her Majesty. After she had passed we were further When the Guards are on Parade. Our tickets included a reception at re-routed. By this time I wished I had Overall a good evening, I would the Guards’ Museum and so the East put my country shoes on, not my town definitely do it again, but this time leave India contingent, including: me straight Oxfords. the reception earlier to foil the Met’s from the office and Ned Donovan from By the time we were seated we had crowd control.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 9 WATERLOO With Waterloo’s 200th anniversary approaching and the dining room definitely had the atmosphere and we could all imagine sitting at the table clubhouse’s link with the battle that changed the course while Napoleon bragged and blustered that of European history, a party of members went back to the Wellington is a bad general and this affair is battlefield itself to relive those terrible days nothing more than eating breakfast. We know his confidence was not justified. Marshal Ney may have felt the same but could not say so. Then on up the Brussels road to la Belle A Sunday in June Alliance where Napoleon set up his command by Iain Wolsey post on Sunday morning waiting impatiently for his army to get into position so that he aturday was a long march for could press home his advantage and attack Napoleon’s army. We were more and defeat this bad general. Sfortunate. We met at St Pancras La Belle Alliance was also where the International and sped through Kent, under story ends late on Sunday evening so we La Manche, through the battlefields of did a fast-forward to see the story from Flanders and arrived in Brussels. Napoleon’s Napoleon’s point of view. The sight of the target was also Brussels but he stopped rolling country leading up to the ridge behind 30 miles short, had dinner at Le Caillou and which Wellington concealed his forces lacked waited for his army to catch up in the pouring only the massed French guns to complete the rain. We enjoyed sunshine all day, a buffet car picture. Napoleon lacked both the guns and and a fine dinner in the old fish market in the the men to start with as it took some time to centre of Brussels. get them there up the narrow cobbled road As soon as the 34 intrepid travellers arrived Tour leader: St John Brown (right) did the talking in the pouring rain. We stood on this cobbled in Brussels and boarded the bus that was to road in awe but not in rain. We surveyed the be our time machine taking us back to that Wellington hastily reinforced the Prince of battleground from the central position where Sunday in 1815, we started our immersion in Orange at Quatre Bras taking to the field Napoleon had his map table, from which history. Our excellent guide, St John Brown, himself at the centre of the action, while he rode forth behind D’Erlon’s first attack in took us back to the previous Friday 16 June the main army redeployed along the ridge middle of the day and from which he was when things nearly went disastrously wrong at Mont St Jean just south of the village finally ushered away into retreat after the for Wellington and his allies, the Prussians of Waterloo. He had previously identified village of Plancenoit fell to the Prussians with and surveyed this ridge and shared the enormous loss of life on both sides. Our own conclusion, noted 100 years earlier by the visit in the early evening to Plancenoit and Duke of Marlborough, that it was the best its churchyard, which was at the centre of defensive position from which to prevent the the fighting, was made even more evocative fall of Brussels. In the meanwhile Blücher by the presence of a number of people had suffered a mauling defeat at Ligny on in the blue 1815 uniforms of the French 16 June and was also retreating North-East guard with weapons and drums. They were towards Wavre, 18 miles away. At this point massed outside the . This stimulated our in our tour we followed in the footsteps appetites, so a strategic withdrawal to the Vive La France: the army appears of Napoleon who, unaware of precisely Hotel Metropole and dinner seemed the best where the Prussians had gone, had parted tactical move. under General Blücher. Napoleon had invaded with a large part of his army under Grouchy Our Sunday started where Wellington did Belgium with surprising suddenness having to pursue Blücher. We stayed together – at the crossroads behind the farmhouse amassed an army of a quarter of a million however and went to Le Caillou, visited the at La Haye Saint from where, mounted on men. We drove through Forêt de Soignes Napoleon museum in the farmhouse that Copenhagen, close to his aides and the which stands between the battleground and was Napoleon’s staff headquarters where he famous Elm tree (no longer there), he had Brussels. Napoleon thought it a trap into dined on Saturday night and took breakfast a view of almost the entire battlefield from which he could drive Wellington’s armies early on Sunday morning with his staff. The Papelotte on his left where he expected the but we could see how easily men on foot or horseback could pass through the wide Bastion: Wellington believed Hougoumont was crucial to the battle tracks and lanes under cover of the majestic trees. Napoleon’s forces were already driving north up the Charleroi to Brussels road to the crossroads at Quatre Bras where a corps of 16,000 or more Frenchmen met around 4,000 of Wellington’s men. This was where our tour started. Already we had a sense of the drama unfolding in the landscape around us that is largely as it was in 1815. From Quatre Bras, we retreated northwards towards Brussels, as had Wellington’s battered division. Realising late on the evening of 15 June (at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball) he had been humbugged,

10 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 BARBECUE Prussians to reinforce him from the East; The club took over St James’s gardens for an evening in July for across the rolling fields in the centre where he could see La Belle Alliance and maybe the annual jazz barbecue. The Kitchen staff cooked on open could have picked out Napoleon himself grills and strains from a jazz band wafted over members and with a telescope but for the mist after the guests, standing and seated, with food and glass in hand. And, rain and later the dense smoke from the guns. We too surveyed the cornfield through crucially, the weather held which D’Erlon’s troops slogged up the hill in the mud. We stood where Sir Thomas Picton fell, his famous top hat pierced by a musket JAZZ BBQ ball. Immediately in front of us stands the farm of La Haye Sainte, held for most of the day by the King’s German Legion armed with Baker rifes, which later ran out of the special ammunition required. To our right and behind us the ground falls away and we can imagine the infantry squares in chequer-board pattern, impenetrable to the repeated assault by the French cuirassiers – the heavy cavalry. Further round to the west we can see Hougoumont, and today with only a few trees in place of the tall woods that concealed the château from the south and west in 1815. Fast food: Do It was in these woods that Wellington had not ask chef for a stationed the Nassau regiment. The château well-done burger itself was defended by the guards regiments in and to the rear of the building using the hollow lane to maintain contact and supply to the four companies of men on the inside. Wellington was convinced that this bastion was the crucial point protecting his lines of supply and retreat, if needed, to and home. It was here that we went on our Sunday morning and had the unique privilege of a guided visit to the château, which, though dilapidated today, is still much as it was after that Sunday in 1815. Hougoumont is the subject of a major project of restoration to avoid its eventual collapse. The plan is to create a full scale historical museum there while preserving the site with its battlefield features including the North Gates famously forced shut by Colonel Macdonell and a handful of men of the Coldstream Guards. Battle plan Geoghegan (Trinity College Dublin), Dr We plan to hold a Hougoumont dinner at the Michael V Leggiere, Professor Alan Sked, Dr club soon. two-day conference about Alexander Mikaberidze, Dr Neil Hitchin on Suddenly we heard in the distance the Waterloo, ‘The Battle that Forged the post-war malaise in art and culture, and drumbeat of marching troops and soon A a Century’ is planned for 11-12 Dr Anthony Seldon of Wellington College on saw a contingent of French tirailleurs and September at King’s College, London. the legacy of Waterloo for British education. artillerymen marching up the hollow road Day one will see addresses by Professor Brendan Simms, Dr Michael to rehearse for a re-enactment. It was as if Professor Jeremy Black of the University Rapport and Professor Andrew Lambert Marechal Reille’s troops were still fighting of Exeter about the battle itself, a panel complete this Waterloo faculty. their way through the trees, four of which of experts including Professor Christine For more information, visit Waterloo200. still remain as a living reminder of that most Haynes, Dr Jean-Marc Largeaud and org or contact Daniel Whittingham (daniel. significant Sunday. Professor Alan Forrest. Adam Zamoyski [email protected]) or Jonathan Krause Our story then moves back to La Haye and Dr Daniel Whittingham will both ([email protected]) Sainte, the Sandpit, the Panorama painting look at Waterloo and military history, of the battle, the climb (for the fit) up the Dr Huw Davies will talk about the Lion Mound (both constructed as monuments British Army after 1815 and Professor 100 years ago) a beer (for the less fit) and Beatrice Heuser will discuss Clausewitz, of course lunch. Food in Belgium is a serious Jomini and Rühle von Lilienstern. Other business and we had an excellent meal after speakers include Professor Sir Hew which we boarded Eurostar and re-entered Strachan, Professor William Anthony Open documents: Members of the Waterloo 200 the 21st century, perhaps not much wiser but Hay, Professor Bruce Collins, Dr Patrick Dispatch committee in the Rugby Room at the club certainly better informed.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 11 From the British beef that chef prepares for a member to try

ST GEORGE’S DAY DAY ST GEORGE’S before it is served, to the Shaikh-speare by Alasdair Shaikh, to the Gilbert & Sullivan, Benson & Elgar and Cartwright & Harle of Julian Forbes, who says the English don’t know how to enjoy themselves? ST GEORGE’S DAY DINNER

They were making a language record and A message from the Pigeon Loft he had to pretend to be a young lad who by Alan Taylor suddenly bursts out with ‘Daddy, I want to be a lorry driver!’ For a brief moment he had a rom time to time a pigeon lofter ‘Isetta’ to the cognoscenti), he was on his vision of gaining the freedom of the roads and is caught slumped in a deep chair way to a recording studio in the semi-ruined driving his mighty lorry towards the setting Fin ‘vacant or in pensive mood’. The Hotel Esplanade near the border between sun. Sadly, it was already too late for such a assumption that he is concentrating on the Russian and American sectors. He had career change and it remained a dream. daffodils is probably incorrect. It might be not been there before but he knew it was Fifty years later the same pigeon lofter has that he has withdrawn into the world of close to the Potsdamer Platz roundabout. reached a stage in the club where ‘hanging ‘Walter Mitty’ and sees himself mastering Having entered this, he was unsure which around’ is slowly becoming ‘hanging on’. But some precarious situation as captain of a exit to take. On the western side an American more than ever he feels that – ‘with a little ship or ‘plane. However, more often than military policeman was vaguely amused as bit of luck’ – some youthful ambitions could not his thoughts are on a past incident in a the little yellow car passed him for the second still be fulfilled. One of these is to play the full and varied life which he recalls without time, whereas the the vacant stare on the washboard in a skiffle band. If we could form any literary prompting. face of the Russian MP had changed to a such a group, the annual summer treat for So it was a short time ago when a pigeon frown. This indicated that the possibility of all members would be a guaranteed success. lofter remembered being in Berlin – a the young driver spending the rest of his life Imagine the delight when the band strikes divided city, but with as yet no ‘wall’- in in a salt-mine could not be ruled out. It was up and the piercing voice of the washboard October 1959. Seated proudly one morning time to dash to safety – westwards. player fills club or garden with Lonnie in his newly acquired ‘bubble car’ (or Soon he was happily at work in the studio. Donegan’s ‘Rock Island Line’.

12 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 It is one of the functions of clubland to provide a civilised base

for men to plan how to conquer new lands. Author and former LECTURE LIBRARY diplomat Sir John Ure brought some of that spirit to the club in his library lecture on some of the more maverick men who played the Great Game against Russia on the Asian steppes UNCOMFORTABLE TRAVEL

t John Brown brought a remarkable man to the club for the summer Great game: Sir John Ure talked about adventure SLibrary Lecture. He came with anecdotes of his life in the diplomatic service. What he would not do, he said, was tell us about his latest book, Sabres on the Steppes, in case we didn’t buy it. Sir John Ure joined the Foreign Service in 1956. Besides various posts at the Foreign Office he was third secretary (and private secretary to the ambassador), Moscow, 1957– 59; second secretary, Léopoldville, 1962–63; first secretary (commercial), Santiago, 1967– 70; counsellor, and intermittently chargé d’affaires, Lisbon, 1972–77; ambassador to Cuba 1979–81; ambassador to Brazil 1984– 87 and ambassador to Sweden 1987–91. In Who’s Who, Sir John gives his recreation as, ‘Travelling uncomfortably in remote places and writing about it comfortably afterwards’. His book credits include The Trail of Tamerlane (Constable, 1980), The Quest for Captain Morgan (Constable, 1983) and Shooting Leave: spying out central Asia in the outside the government system – or those On 30 October 1812, 10,000 Persians Great Game (Constable, 2009). within who grossly exceeded their orders. were killed by the Russian Army of the Tsar at His latest, Sabres on the Steppes, is a Many of these men were Scots. Here is Aslanduz. Russian losses numbered 150. The book about a time when men were men, Alexander Gardner, the son of a Scottish following morning, Russian soldiers surveyed Britain ruled the world and Russians were doctor who, after wanderings in Mexico, the scene looking for Russian survivors. the baddies.The two great world powers Ireland, and Russia, wound up in Afghanistan They came across an English officer armed went head to head over control of central in the 1820s as a cavalry commander for a with a pistol and waving a sabre. He killed Asia - from the Caucasus to Kabul. There was rebel chieftain, Habib-ulla Khan. Here too is six Cossacks before they shot him. Christie open warfare but also espionage, subterfuge David Urquhart of Cromarty, a young diplomat should not have been there. Russia was not and reckless adventure. Following on from who on his own initiative became the first at war with Britain. He was there to help train the derring-do of Sir John’s book Shooting Briton to contact the highland tribesmen of and equip the Persians. Leave, he tells the story of British soldiers, Circassia in the western Caucasus in 1834. These dozen or so remarkable men missionaries and mercenaries, horse traders The tribesmen, then fiercely resisting faced the hostility of the countries that and opportunists who travelled to make their a Russian invasion, were so encouraged they journeyed across and of their peoples name in the Great Game. by ‘Daoud Bey’, as they called Urquhart, (underlings having their eyes gouged out… While Shooting Leave documented the that they mistook his presence as a sign stoned to death…rewarded for the sackfuls adventures of the heroes of the covert struggle of official support from London – much to of their enemies’ heads…), unauthorised, but against Russian expansionism, this volume the fury of Lord Palmerston, the foreign strong in the belief that Britain would assist deals with the misfits and mavericks of whom secretary of the day. them in their struggles. the Establishment did not approve: the private One of them, Arminius Vambery, wasn’t adventurers and freelancers who operated even British, but a Hungarian, disguised as a Dervish – and getting away with it – who aspired to be an Englishman. There are lessons to be learned from this impeccably researched and beautifully written book. Captain Charles Christie, the son of the founder of the auction house, was sent to ‘mentor’ the fedgling Persian army, much as British troops are training up the Afghan National Army as a bulwark against the Taleban today.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 13 The former charted surveyor who now runs the Poppy Factory seeking a new trustee with a combination of property and board experience, with MEMBER PROFILE in Richmond, producing the millions of paper poppies to raise some knowledge of the armed services. money for military charities Mark’s family were and are closely connected with the Royal Navy. Among his close family he can count three admirals, MEMBER PROFILE his father, brother and cousin. For more than 90 years, the Poppy Factory has been making poppies, crosses Mark Perowne and wreaths, including those placed each year on the Cenotaph by the royal family.

It was started in 1922 to provide jobs for those injured during the First World War and, at one time, employed 175 people in the factory. The organisation now employs about 40 individuals in the factory. The annual output is still about 14 million poppies and 115,000 wreaths. The Royal British Legion buys the output from the Poppy Factory at cost and then sells it during the annual by Michael Bellegarde in his first 14 years. He Remembrance Day Appeal. went to various boarding ark Perowne has been a member of schools around southern the East India Club since 1995. He England, including Bradfield. M enjoys the happy atmosphere in After attending the College of the club and in the past has spent many hours Estate Management, which became in the Front Hall, well into the early morning part of Reading University, he enjoying the company of other stayers and joined chartered surveyor King late-night returnees. & Co in 1975 as a valuation Mark met his wife Jane at university and assistant. Following a merger married in 1977. They now live in Surrey and in 1992 to create King Sturge, Mark rose to have two adult children. become managing partner in David followed his father’s 2005. Mark’s career within the Since 2009, The Poppy Factory has started Started in 1922, for career and became a partnership saw fee income a new scheme to place injured veterans of chartered surveyor and more than 90 years, rise from £1m in 1978 to £18m all ages, and from a variety of armed forces Nicki is married and works the Poppy Factory in 1992 and a peak of £206m backgrounds, into civilian jobs close to for ITV. Mark welcomes the has been making in 2007 with a staff of 2,100 where they live across the UK. ‘warming’ towards women “ world-wide. He retired in 2010 Elected chairman of the Trustees in poppies, crosses and by the club from the days at the peak of his career during April 2013, Mark sees his role as ensuring wreaths. when he was first invited which he had played a major that the charity continues to find new as a guest and ladies had part in creating the biggest ways to fund and expand its operations so to use a separate entrance. He is a keen independent firm of chartered surveyors in as to take account of the ever increasing member of the St James’s Square Beagles, the UK. This retirement was immediately numbers of potential clients who need help the quirky group of friends who meet before the takeover of King Sturge by to find a new job. monthly and toast their hare mascot at an ”property consultant Jones Lang Lasalle. ‘What In retirement, Mark has found a cause annual Christmas luncheon. will I do when I retire?’ – a question many of to use the skills he has honed in a lifetime The youngest of three children, Mark was us ask when the day comes. Mark was invited in business. He will gladly talk to anyone born in 1952 and brought up in locations to become a trustee of the Poppy Factory, a who wants to become a supporter of the around the UK and Malta, living in 13 homes charity based in Richmond. The charity was charity.

14 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 Making port New house red out that the French press had been

celebrating the wines of Château de AND DRINK FOOD by Magda Kotlarczyk Ciffre as some of the hidden gems of the It sounds like a Bond villain – Languedoc. The July issue of Decanter ast May, the wine committee took it is actually our new house magazine was sharing that enthusiasm the decision to buy a fair amount for the wines of the Lorgeril group. I took red. De Ciffre is a wine from L of vintage port yet to be bottled. the opportunity of a holiday to the South I greeted the news with tremendous Languedoc-Roussillon of France to visit the stunning property. enthusiasm, and for two reasons. First of There, I also discovered that Patrick Léon, all, on St George’s Day, 23 April, two winters by Eric Lagré retired oenologist of Château Mouton- after the harvest, 2011 was declared a Rothschild and driving force behind the classic vintage year. Sommelier Eric and I had ince April, thanks first blend of Opus One, the iconic wine tried many of the wines and it was obvious to the wine grown by Mondavi in California, was to us that the vintage was one of the S committee, club working as a consultant for Château de finest, both elegantly fresh and powerful, members have been Ciffre. All this fills me with the certainty structured to drink in the 2070s if not later. enjoying an additional that the wine committee may have just But what excites me most is that the cellars club red, Château de unearthed something quite special. are going to hold a wine that I had the good Ciffre, a Saint-Chinian De Ciffre isn’t actually a château but fortune to help make (dare I say). wine, by the bottle and a windmill. This windmill was acquired I took part in a port bursary competition. by the glass, in both bars, in the dining room by the Lorgerils in 2007 then converted It was mid-September 2011 when my co- and for a function through the banqueting into a luxury guest house and modern winners and I boarded the train that links department. winery complex. Overlooking 35 hectares Oporto, where we had landed the day Was there a need for a new club red? of mature vineyards, the estate is the before, to the remote Douro Valley. Our final Our club claret has established itself only one in the region to sit astride the destination was Quinta de Vargellas, Taylor’s as the ultimate club wine option for border line between the two appellations fagship vineyard, lost in the wilderness, members, and the old club red, also grown of Saint-Chinian and Faugères. The deep in the wine-growing region. It is one in Languedoc like Château de Ciffre, never picturesque site, 25km north of Béziers, of the few places on earth where grapes are managed to compete with it. The old club in the Hérault department of Languedoc, still trodden under foot in lagares, shallow red is composed of ten varietals blended is an oasis of vines amid an arid garrigue together to emulate the appeal of Beaujolais landscape. Olive trees, umbrella pines and After a swinging execution wines in which Collin-Bourisset patches of wild herbs shelter the specialises. Since the blend does not noisy cicadas from the summer of the Chicken Dance, we retire meet appellation requirements, the heat. The vines are grown at for a well-deserved rest, dirty, non-vintage wine is only labelled as altitude along slopes of schist and “sticky and delighted table wine. This does not mean that limestone on the fanks of the the old club red is cheaply made, but ‘Montage Noire’, hence boosted granite troughs. Nothing replaces the action it does mean that it lacks a sense of acidity levels, moderate alcohol of the human foot to produce the best port. place. The wine committee felt that and complex mineral notes, all It crushes the grapes and releases the juice there was room for a quality fruit- contributing balancing freshness and the softest of tannins.” The action is driven alternative to the club claret. At to a wine from thoroughly sun- gentle enough so as not to break the seeds the end of a very rigorous selection ripened grapes. Round tannins open and depart undesirable bitter oils that process, Château de Ciffre give a silky feel to this blend, would spoil the wine. emerged as that alternative. which is composed of 40% It is as much an emotional destination Since the new club wine is Syrah, 30% Carignan, as it is a geographical one. The welcome is being positively received and 20% old vine Grenache warm. Great food and wine are served on the the old club red is now hardly and 10% Mourvèdre. The terrace overlooking the river. The hospitable selling, the wine committee Syrah provides pepper buzz is the only noise in the quiet of the decided that the latter should and spice to the raspberry, unspoilt valley. And of course everything be delisted in the New Year redcurrant and cherry speaks of port. Port is everywhere – most and that the next vintage of character of the wine. The of all in your glass, a glass that never seems Château de Ciffre will bear a wine is bottled early with to empty. Well, if there is ever a heaven on club label and take its place as no maturation in wood earth, this is it. the official club red, completing to guarantee optimum The feeling grows even stronger when I a high standard range of club freshness. This terroir- step into a granite lagar, knee-high in grape wines with a consistent level driven wine bursting with soup, to join the workers in ‘Libertade’, of quality throughout. The juicy fruit is at its most the second part of the treading process, wine will then be available expressive after one year at which stage everybody starts dancing from our home delivery service in the bottle, which is the freely to the accompaniment of music. I also, as requested by many stage at which we will list am definitely not a dancing queen, but the members already. it. As much as the club nectar of the gods soon helps me fap my I must say that I am thrilled claret is a must with beef, wings with the Portuguese treaders. After with the chosen wine, and our new club red matches a swinging execution of Chicken Dance, we over the time it took to ship lamb and game dishes, retire for a well-deserved rest, dirty, sticky it over to our cellars, I found notably venison, perfectly. and delighted!

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 15 STAFF NEWS STAFF Staff news From studying to be a midwife in the Philippines (anything to escape life on her parents’ farm), Nilda moved to London, found Long service work cleaning and is now an evening maid at the club

hef Antonio Damato and stewards’ supervisor Marco Coffaro both STAFF PROFILE C achieved ten years’ service and are here presented with their certificates by the chairman and senior staff Nilda Miranda

Left-right: chairman Iain Wolsey, Marco Coffaro, Antonio Damato, assistant secretary Tim Wilks and Joe O’Farrell Farewell to Liam

ilda Miranda joined the club in June I got £40.” 1999. An evening maid, she cleans, She worked for a chemist in Golders N hoovers and dusts offices, any Green and then her friend Lolita, who function rooms that need attention and any worked at the club, recommended her. “I bedrooms with late departures. had never heard of a members’ club,” she Goodbye: Liam O’Brien and the chairman From the Philippines, Nilda graduated in says. “I was excited to work here. I’m very midwifery in the 1980s. She started work in friendly to everyone and everyone is very iam O’Brien has retired from the the Metropolitan Hospital in Manila. She is friendly back. American Bar. The committee originally from Mindanao where her parents “When I told my family I had a job in a L congratulated him for his service farmed rice and maize. She has two brothers club, one of my sisters asked me if I was over the years. He will be missed. and five sisters, all of whom a dancer. I told her it is not a still live in the Philippines. disco club. I took a magazine When I told my family “Every year I go home for home - the one which has a Wine award holidays,” she says. “I buy I had a job in a club, picture of me getting my ten presents for everyone. they one of my sisters years’ service certificate, so like London T-shirts. asked if I was a I could explain what kind of “When I was young, I “ club it is. I had to explain that dancer. It’s not a would go to work on the this is a members’ club.” disco club! farm every Saturday. My Nilda now lives in father told me: ‘If you want Cricklewood with her a good life, you have to study. If you don’t husband, Oliver Miranda, who is Leonora’s study, you will have to be a farmer’. I didn’t nephew and who manages a transport

Left to right: Maitre d’ James Dempsey, Nora want to be a farmer.” business for his father. She has two Espinosa and the chairman Nilda came to the UK in 1988. She had a ”children, a son of 26 and a daughter of cousin who helped her. “When I first came eight. ine steward Nora Espinosa has to London, I loved it,” she says. “Money in She now works 9.30am to 2pm, cleaning passed the second of the six London is very easy. I had an old lady. I helped for a lady in St John’s Wood, arrives at the W stages she needs for her wine her in her house. I worked for four hours and club at 3pm and works until 9pm. qualification.

16 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 CLUB NEWS CLUB recipient of the East India Club award for A word from the secretary chef of the year at the University of West by Alex Bray London went to Lorraine Pascale who won the David Gaydier memorial trophy. The chef’s he wider by members during the day. All being well industry association has been granted royal friendships and we shall complete these projects in early recognition for its contribution to education T camaraderie September. and training in culinary excellence and is now that the club fosters A couple of months ago our head known as the Royal Academy of Culinary is a tangible element housekeeper for the last five years Doris Arts. And our kitchen has been awarded top of our club life. The Neville let us know she was emigrating to New marks for food hygiene after a three hour club table, especially Zealand. With no luck persuading Doris to unannounced visit by the environmental at dinner, is a great stay and carry on her good work we welcome health inspector. Congratulations to Mark for example of members and reciprocal members Mrs Lazarova as our new head housekeeper. this critical appraisal. discovering connections or interests that Mariya’s career has been in high-end London Ten-year long service pins go to chef they share. The buzz of stories and laughter hotels and, in recent years, smaller scale Antonio Damato and stewards supervisor typifies club life. Equally the club has properties which aim to provide a home from Marco Coffaro. The club has 39 out of our always fostered the premise that members home atmosphere. This will suit us well. 100 staff who have 10, 20 and 30 plus years’ should not drink alone in the American Bar, Senior manager Bruno Corazza is to be service. Barman Liam O’Brien had a farewell which ensures that they get chatting. This congratulated for successfully completing drink with the committee on his retirement emphasises the club’s friendliness, which is so the advance certificate in human resource after 15 years’ service in the American Bar. often appreciated and commented on. management run by the Chartered Institute of Congratulations also to Violetta and Ronald Since my last report, work on the building Personnel Development. Chef Christine Tully on the birth of their son Jayson and to Farid has improved the female staff changing rooms competed in the young chef’s competition and his wife on the birth of daughter Louise. and the corridor from the New York Room run by the Club Secretaries & Managers Thinking ahead to the especially busy to the Gym and Billiards Room. In addition Association and came third out of nine autumn and winter dining period, please keep we have been planning for three renovation young chefs. Wine steward Nora Espinosa James up to date on any changes to your table projects this summer. A modest refurbishment undertaking her wine exams has passed the bookings in support of his efforts to please as of the fifth foor Duke Street single rooms second out of six stages as she strives for the many members as possible. and facilities. The complete refurbishment qualification that both Eric and Magda hold. Finally, please keep us up to date wth of the office space and a soft refurbishment Presented in recognition of our chef your current email address, for ease of of the Luncheon Room to facilitate its use who died in a cycling accident, this year’s communication. East India Club Wine Order Form

ORDER THESE WINES FROM OUR WINE ORDER THESE WINES MERCHANT FOR HOME DELIVERY FROM THE ACCOUNTS OFFICE FOR PAYMENT Wine per case of 12 bottles Totals I enclose a cheque payable to Davy’s AND COLLECTION Club Champagne / £145 for 6 for £ FROM THE CLUB Club white / £111 OR Club white Burgundy / £132 I authorise you to debit my Wines and spirits per case of 12 bottles Mastercard/Visa/Maestro by Club claret £107 Club red / £92 Club white £101 Club claret / £117 £ Club red £82 Card no Club white Burgundy £122 Club Champagne (per case of 6) £135 GRAND TOTAL Club Cognac VSOP per 70cl bottle £43.50 Name Issue no Membership no Expiry date Address Wine gift box Three East India Club wines in Postcode presenta- tion Daytime telephone Please send your order with credit box – club claret, card details or cheque to: Special delivery instructions club white Davy’s and 161-165 Greenwich High Road, club white Greenwich, London, SE10 8JA Burgundy. Tel: 020 8858 6011 £41.25 Fax: 020 8853 3331

Email: [email protected] Not chargeable to account. Card with handling All prices include VAT Website: www.davy.co.uk fee, cash or cheque.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 17 RECIPROCALS Cosmos Club The East India Club boasts a wide range of reciprocal clubs by Derek Johns all over the world. We welcome members’ write-ups of their experiences, good or bad hen I am in Washington DC I always try and stay at the Muthaiga Country Club W Cosmos Club founded in 1878 by men distinguished in arts, literature by Feisal Gwaderi and science. In 1988, the club voted to welcome women as members. There are special day, a surprise party for my father’s two buildings. In 1997, the adjacent former 70th birthday and my parents’ 40th French military mission was renovated, wedding anniversary – and the staff rose called Hillyer House, but I prefer to be in the to the occasion. old main mansion. Chef Eric and his team delivered excellent food. It drew a number of compliments, with more than one person saying that it was the best food they had tasted at the club. The service on the night from Charles and his team was smooth, attentive and unobtrusive. In the lead up to the occasion, the events and am a member of the East India Club with reservations teams, and Eunice Kamau in temporary membership of the Muthaiga particular, were very helpful. I Country Club. Overall, Muthaiga staff have a real can- I held a dinner in the Mimosa Room, a do attitude and are a pleasure to deal with.

Cosmos Club: located in Washington DC

It is located centrally at 2121 View from the bar Massachusetts Avenue in the embassy area and built in the style of the French baroque, new tankard has arrived at the be done in the comfort of the club on the with gardens of wisteria, beautiful magnolia American Bar. Rob Farrow donated rowing machine in the gym. trees and an abundance of azaleas – all in full A two tankards to the club. One of Roger Raishbrook tells this story well: fower when I stayed there this April. Notable them, a silver tankard, went straight out one Sunday lunchtime, former prime on the first foor of the house is the Warne of the door to the Phyllis Court Club in minister Margaret Thatcher met Roger of ballroom, today used for musical concerts, recognition of its members’ kindness in the property committee. receptions and dances. There is a large continuing to invite the East India Club to “I think you have made a good job of the library and an abundance of international take part in rowing time trials. The other ‘Ladies’,” she told him. newspapers available. Breakfast is taken in tankard, which is glass-bottomed, is the “I can’t speak for the Gents,” she added. the Garden Room; an excellent chef provides ‘Henley Pot’ which the rowing section Roger said: “Would you like to see the a wide choice of international cuisine and my presents at its annual dinner to the member Gents?” large suite on the fourth foor was quiet and of the club who can row the Henley Regatta Mrs Thatcher said yes, so Roger cost me US$320. distance in the shortest time. This is open to showed her. “Far too good for the men,” all members and happily for those at the bar, she commented. Metropolitan does not require you to wet your bob. It can Club by Nick Long ust a quick note to say how fantastic and welcoming The Metropolitan Club in J New York is. Make sure it never leaves the reciprocal list. Fantastic roof top terrace overlooking Central Park and wonderful staff just like the EIC! Just wish we had an outside terrace too!

Inter-club backgammon gets emotional in the Clive Room

18 EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 N Elliott Esq M Drayton Esq G Bruandet Esq New members A Frahm Esq JGT Earls Esq V Coleridge-Matthews Esq NEW MEMBERS The club welcomes the following: AR Wood Esq RE Hill Esq AR Mizelle Esq D Kingdom Esq AL Anthony Esq B Melson Esq G Clements Esq S Smith Esq JF Stedman Esq JN Morton Esq PS Bettle Esq JM Mohin Esq OBE DW Taylor Esq R Sinton-Hewitt Esq I Oliver Esq MJ Campbell Esq JJ Newmark Esq FDJ White Esq OT Hill Esq HH Judge Oliver-Jones QC RC Cartwright Esq JC Pike Esq S Piano Esq MTM Rowe Esq PW Gray Esq SD Combes Esq G Scotton Esq AW Collinson Esq BH Spence Esq, Y Goto Esq JD Huntman Esq AB Shellim Esq D Cooke Esq PJ Walsh Esq H Blackett Esq M Lebmeier Esq PW Tarrant Esq MR Davies Esq A Welch Esq K Lewis Esq AM Wright Esq WA Donald Esq JF McCarthy Esq

CE Johnson Esq HH Parkhouse Esq H Treble Esq New J7 members Norwich School St Paul’s School Uppingham School The club welcomes the following: EDD Jones Esq MR Pattison-Appleton Esq G Tuckett Esq T Abrams Esq N Finney Esq King’s School, Worcester Caterham School Merchant Taylor’s School W Joyce Esq AG Payne Esq E von Ottenritter Esq A Adamou Esq H Flawn-Thomas Esq Stamford Endowed Schools Haileybury Merchant Taylor’s School Pangbourne College WF Judd Esq D Pini Esq MC Wilkinson Esq AJ Ahuja Esq JCH-S Flint Cahan Esq Newcastle-Under-Lyme School Stamford Endowed Schools St Paul’s School Haileybury C Jude Esq MJ Poole Esq OH Wolf Esq R Alderson Esq DA Foord Esq Pocklington School Worth School Oratory School A Resek Esq Uppingham School St Edmund’s School, NJR King Esq T Wye Esq AG Allen Esq Canterbury Malvern College Mill Hill School City of London School MCM Groehe Esq TF Lee Esq S Raithatha Esq J Allen Esq Oratory School Ellesmere College Leicester Grammar School Oundle School CAW Hamilton Esq M Lisley Esq O Shale Esq Merchant Taylor’s School J Barnett Esq Eltham College Deceased D Sharma Esq HE Amos Esq Stonyhurst College WHJ Hammond Esq A Manji Esq Wellington College, Berkshire SB Bramley Esq TJ Benham-Mirando Esq Magdalen College School Monmouth School JFG Shields Esq GF Butterworth Esq JW Harrison Esq WJH Martin Esq JN Burgin Esq Repton School BW Fitzgerald Esq Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital West Buckland School Wellington College, Berkshire RJS Staniforth Esq WS McCann Esq NJG Hazzan Esq Sebastian Felix Mead M Chappel Esq St Columba’s College, St K Reincke Esq Rugby School Winchester College Berkhamsted School Albans EC Rowell Esq A Helly d’Angelin Esq AHB Millar Esq D Charchoglyan Esq WEB Stewart Esq RE Sawyer Esq Sevenoaks School Downside School King’s School, Canterbury Ashville College ARD Wright Esq OBE WEH Hennah Esq JI Mortimore Esq CJ Creasy Esq N Subbiah Esq Berkhamsted School Wells Cathedral School Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital Haberdashers’Aske’sBoys’ NA Cumberlege Esq J Herman Esq Y Narayan Esq D Tanna Esq Gone away Blundell’s School St Paul’s School City of London School Bedford School R Bundy Esq GA Curwen Esq DEC Hertz Esq AJP North Esq JR Taylor Esq A M Callison Esq Uppingham School Kingston Grammar School Perse School Merchant Taylor’s School L Hardaker Esq AS del Castaño Juristo Esq G Hudson Esq CJ Nunn Esq JGA Theriez Esq Miss S A Hulke Oratory School Haileybury Merchiston Castle School Downside School I Kantsedikas Esq AO Dowsett Esq SM Jain Esq PD Ogston Esq OE Tobey Esq P King Esq King’s School, Tynemouth Fettes College St Edward’s School, Oxford Blundell’s School A G MacK Esq O Fatimilehin Esq T Jenkins Esq N Panchal Esq MRM Townley Esq Christopher Overholt Wellington College, Berkshire Berkhamsted School Haberdashers’Aske’sBoys’ Eastbourne College A Tanna Esq

Harriet Harman, Labour’s shadow culture, All Tory party leaders made honorary Politics media and sport secretary, went a step members of the . It was only further and called for a ban on all men-only after the Carlton ended 200 years of The prime minister sport clubs.Deputy prime minister Nick tradition in 2008 by accepting women Clegg told a radio station: “I’m dismayed the members that Cameron accepted an doesn’t like clubs [Muirfield] club does not accept women as invitation to join. Up until then, he had newspaper report suggests that members. I find that inexplicable in this day turned the offer down because of the club’s prime minster is and age, I really do. long- standing refusal to give women full Ano fan of gentlemen’s clubs. His “I find it so out of step with everything membership. spokesman says that Cameron, a former else that’s happening in the rest of society. Some 200 women are already “associate member of White’s, now holds the view that “I think many people will just shake their members” of the Carlton, but they have no clubs “look more to the past than they do head and say: ‘How on earth is this still voting rights or any say in how the club is to the future”. Cameron’s father was once possible in this day and age?’.” run. Until now, the only full female member chairman of White’s. The prime minster has a clubbable past. was Margaret Thatcher, who was given The prime minister made his position clear He was a member of the Bullingdon Club at honorary membership when she became after he had given his support to culture Oxford University, a men-only club, and also party leader in 1975. secretary Maria Miller, who said she would attended Eton College. not attend the Open Golf Championship in , the , Muirfield because of its men-only policy. was also a member of the Bullingdon Club. Asked whether the Prime Minister will Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions encourage Cabinet colleagues to give up Secretary, is believed to be an honorary life any memberships, the spokesman said: “He member of Pratt’s. Cameron’s spokesman certainly shares the view set out by the has not ruled out his boss rejoining a club at culture secretary on this.” a later date.

EAST & WEST – SUMMER 2013 19 Reciprocal clubs

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

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