Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen
Winter 2012 contents 2
Address for correspondence: for Address Team Pensions 5 Way Lochside Edinburgh EH12 9DT email: pensions@diageo.com hours: Working Our working Friday to hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday public holidays except Diageo Pensioner Newsletter Diageo Pensioner Contacting us Contacting on pensions tax Enquiries about pension payments, and changing bank details: on 0131 519 2020 Team Payroll Pension or a member Notifying us of a change of address bereavement: on 0131 519 2100 Team Pensions Returning to the present though, whatever your plans and preparations preparations plans and your though, whatever Returning the present to and the Trustees on behalf of the ahead, Year Christmas and the New for a very wish each of you merry to like would we Christmas, Team Pensions Year. New and healthy and a happy 2012 has been a good year for Diageo as a business, which you can read can read which you Diageo as a business, for 2012 has been a good year the UK has a sporting of view, point From update. about in the Company and taken part with – culminating host to events fantastic played in some brings This USA, in September. Illinois, in win of the Ryder Cup the European 2014 Ryder Cup. The for Venue Host expectation Gleneagles, to great where to is returning ‘The Competition’ about how can read you Inside, ago. it began all those years As Christmas draws closer, and we look forward to spending time with spending to look forward and we closer, Christmas draws As recall and year, reflect on the past also a good time to it’s friends family, and changed. things have how In response to feedback received last year, we’ve updated the style and updated we’ve last year, received feedback to In response newsletter your new-look find hope you We of the newsletter. content the regarding comments any have If you interesting. and informative you. hear from to love we’d or layout, content Diageo Pensioner Newsletter Pensioner Diageo Welcome to the annual the annual to Welcome
2 4 5 6 8 9 11 13 14 15 16 18 Diageo Pensioner Newsletter Diageo Pensioner
3 Welcome Welcome Cup Ryder The Gleneagles and era Kilmarnock – the end of a proud J & B wine offer or cold? health: Flu Winter smaller appetites Big Ideas for Food: Christmas drinks suggestions update Diageo Company investment whisky £1 billion Scotch & Sons Walker John Diamond by Jubilee safe data your Keeping scheme changes Diageo grant contents 4
Diageo Company update
Diageo is a strong business and, as our 2012 results show clearly, it’s only getting stronger.
We’ve increased our presence in the faster growing markets of the world, through both acquisitions and strong organic growth. We’ve also enhanced our leading brand positions globally, through effective marketing and industry-leading innovation, and strengthened our routes to market.
Net sales grew by 6% and our operating profit was up 9% globally. We expanded our operating margin and reported increased earnings per share.
EUROPE
NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC
AFRICA
LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
OUR GLOBAL SUPPLY IS DIAGEO IS ORGANISED ACROSS RESPONSIBLE FOR WE EMPLOY OVER 25,000 5 REGIONS WITH 21 WITH OFFICES IN 80 COUNTRIES PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION MARKETS TALENTED PEOPLE IN OVER 30 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE
Our global growth is generated by our performance an important and profitable business for us. Russia, Eastern in each of the 21 individual markets, where conditions Europe, and Turkey had an excellent year; and vodka, in each vary greatly. We are driving for growth everywhere. Scotch and Captain Morgan grew strongly across the region. Our geographical spread means that we can balance the contribution of our high growth markets with those that Thriving business in Africa, where we’ve had another are experiencing current economic challenges – which outstanding year. Net sales are up 11%, and over 40% of that is a significant source of strength. Some examples of market growth came from spirits. We are building a thriving spirits results for 2012 are: business to complement our success in beer. This is more than making up for the challenging conditions in some Number one in North America This is the most profitable of the African markets. spirits market in the world. As a result of our rigorous focus on brand building and enhancing our route to market, Outstanding performance in Latin America & the we hold the number one position and we saw a 7% growth Caribbean –19% net sales growth following great results in spirits alone last year. in 2011. We have strong growth from our brands, particularly Buchanan’s and Johnnie Walker. Strong growth in parts of Europe Despite significant economic challenges in some countries, Europe remains
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 5 £1 billion Scotch whisky investment
During the year, we unveiled plans to invest over £1 billion in Scotch whisky production over the next five years to meet growing global demand for our brands.
This will involve:
• A new malt whisky distillery and major expansion of existing distilleries.
• Substantial warehousing expansion to store maturing spirit.
• Hundreds of jobs created in Diageo and wider Scottish economy.
As part of the investment, a major new malt distillery will be built, together with major expansion at a number of our existing distilleries.
Detailed plans will also be developed for a second new distillery, which will be built if global demand for Scotch is sustained at expected levels.
Over a five-year period, we plan to: Supporting this five-year investment plan, and as part of our sustainability and responsibility programme in Scotland, • Invest over £500 million in constructing the increased we also commit to contributing £5 million towards community distillation and warehousing capacity, requiring us to also; initiatives. This will involve an integrated approach across • Commit £500 million in working capital for the maturing Diageo’s production, commercial and brands heritage spirit, which will be laid down over the five years. businesses, including The Gleneagles Hotel, Host Venue for The exact total investment figures may vary over time The 2014 Ryder Cup. depending on the progress of specific projects, but the overall commitment is expected to reach over £1 billion. Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 6
Celebrating the 60-year reign of Her Majesty the Queen 1952-2012
John Walker & Sons, Scotch Whisky Distillers (By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen) has created a Diamond Jubilee Blended Scotch Whisky. Marking the Queen’s historic Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the unique blend of grain and malt whiskies – all of which were distilled and have been maturing since 1952 – is finished in a marrying cask of English oak from Her Majesty’s own Sandringham Estate.
Just 60 of these rare editions, each one signifying every year of the Queen’s reign, will be offered for sale at £100,000* each. John Walker & Sons will donate the profits from the sale, with a guarantee of at least £1 million, to Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association that preserves rare craft and conservation skills and enables them to continue and flourish.
The creation of Diamond Jubilee by John Walker & Sons provided a once-in-a-lifetime privilege for Master Blender Jim Beveridge and his apprentice Matthew Crow. Together, they explored vast stocks of Scotch whisky to seek out some of the most exceptional casks of whiskies distilled in 1952, the year the Queen acceded to the throne. Jim drew on over 30 years’ expertise and inspiration from the Walker family blending notes to create this unique and exquisite blend.
The Diamond Jubilee marrying casks are the final project by Master Cooper David Taylor, working with *exc. UK VAT his journeymen tutors and apprentices, as he retires after 42 years as a John Walker & Sons cooper. Sandringham oak, provided by kind permission of the Queen, was cut and carved into staves, shaped by hand and jointed seamlessly using age-old techniques to create the two small casks.
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 7
Celebrating the 60-year reign of Her Majesty the Queen 1952-2012
Each edition also includes a pair of Cumbria Crystal lead crystal glasses engraved by Philip Lawson Johnston. A commemorative artifact book, hand bound by Laura West at her Isle of Skye bindery and personalised for each owner by Sally Mangum, Calligrapher By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen. All the elements will be housed in a chest made by the cabinet makers at N.E.J. Stevenson, incorporating oak from Sandringham to echo the whisky marrying casks and Caledonian pine from the Queen’s Balmoral Estate.
The diamond shaped Baccarat crystal decanters stand on a crystal base with six radial legs – reflecting the decades of the Queen’s enduring reign. They are adorned with Britannia silver and leading Scottish silversmiths, Hamilton & Inches, has fashioned the collars set with a half-carat diamond, the Royal Arms, John Walker & Sons monogram and individually numbered seals.
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 8
Keeping your data safe
Here at Diageo, we take great care in how we store and If you receive a Life Certificate, you should complete the protect your personal information. We wanted to take details, sign it in the presence of a relevant witness and send this opportunity to share with you how we deal with it back to us promptly. This should ensure your details are your information: confirmed and we can continue to pay your pension.
• We only store the information we need to calculate Delays in returning a Life Certificate mean we may have and pay your pension. to suspend pension payments until we can confirm our details are correct. To avoid this from happening to you, • We never give your information to any third party or if you need help or have any problems completing your without your written consent. certificate, please contact the team who will be happy to talk • We will never call you, unexpectedly, asking for information. through any questions you have.
Be aware of bogus individuals calling you and fraudulently Can you help us find former colleagues? claiming they represent Diageo. If you get a call from someone Over the past two years the Pensions Team has been saying they work for Diageo, do not provide them with any contacting a large number of former employees with whom personal information and, if you are ever unsure, contact us. we had lost touch. We have contacted many individuals, It’s important for you to know however, that the Trustee but we are still hoping to trace some of the people not is responsible for ensuring scheme benefits are paid to the yet located. correct people. As a result, from time to time, the Pensions We hope you may be able to help us. If you are still in touch Team will contact some of our members to carry out with ex-colleagues who are not receiving a benefit from existence checks, which is an important process that helps the Diageo Pension Scheme, but think they may be entitled us to protect your pension payments. We do this by asking to one, please ask them to contact the Pensions Team you to complete a Life Certificate. on 0131 519 2100.
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter Diageo Pensioners 9 Winter Offer
Justerini & Brooks – Diageo Pensioners Winter Offer 2012/13 Since 1749, Justerini & Brooks has shipped and supplied the finest wines to clients throughout the world, including the last eight British monarchs. Following the success of our previous Diageo shareholder offers we are very pleased to release a new specially selected range of wines ideally suited for seasonal drinking, although the finer wines will also benefit from further ageing. From classic regions Burgundy, Loire, Bordeaux and the Rhone via South Australia we offer wines for every budget this winter! To take advantage of this offer please complete and return the order form on the reverse to: Justerini & Brooks (Pensioners Offer), 12 Brick Street, London, W1J 7ET Telephone 020 7493 6174 (Wednesday-Friday) • e-mail: [email protected] (please do not include your credit card details in e-mail but leave a contact number we can reach you on) Please quote DPWI12 when ordering. This offer closes on Friday 15th February 2013. For further information on Justerini & Brooks and our portfolio of fine wines please visit www.justerinis.com
Wines per case (12x75cl bottles) Case Usual Discount Price Price Les Provencales, Blanc, Vin de Pays de l’Herault, NV £45 £70.57 36% Light, crisp and easy drinking white wine from Southern France. Displaying soft green apple and citrus peel notes this is very versatile and served chilled will work as well on its own as with light and simple food. Macon Villages, Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon, 2009 £100 £141.37 29% From top Burgundy producer Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon this is an exceptionally friendly and versatile wine made in a refreshing and fruity style. This boasts all of the melt in the mouth butter and ripe apple flavours that will appeal to most palates. Drinking now this will pair perfectly with salmon, fish, turkey and game! Pouilly Fumé, Jean Claude Chatelain, 2009 £120 £147.37 19% Similar in style to neighbouring Sancerre, Pouilly Fumés typically exude an extra flintiness to its classic aromatic nose. Still fresh and lively, with dried grass, citrus and flinty smokiness. The perfect match to any seafood platter or salmon dish or simply serve as an aperitif. Les Provencales, Rouge, Vin de Pays de l’Herault, NV £45 £70.57 36% This has all the hallmarks of value Southern French red, immediately approachable with cherry and dark fruit aromas and clean, juicy flavours with a medium body; very versatile and easy drinking. Moon Harvest, Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia, 2009 £50 £81.37 39% Harvested at night to benefit from cooler temperatures this Cabernet Sauvignon is great value with ripe, deep black and forest floor fruit. Juicy on the palate and smooth on the finish; as enjoyable with or without food. Rubbio, Umbria Rosso IGT, Palazzone, 2008 £75 £111.37 33% A blend of 60% Sangiovese (best known for producing Chianti), 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot this wine is lively and intense with smart juicy fruits with hints of wild raspberry and forest floor fruit. With that hint of lifting acidity common to many Italian reds this is terrific paired with tomato based and robust foods. Château Petit Bocq, Cru Bourgeois, St Estèphe, 2008 £145 £189.37 23% There is plenty of perfumed red berry fruit as well as hints of coal, cigar tobacco, graphite, rocks and cooked meats on the nose. The palate is concentrated with a good attack of sweet red and black fruits, liquorice and spice. A fine effort from this left-bank Bordeaux property. Villa des Quatre Soeurs, Margaux, 2008 £150 £207.37 28% This exhibits a really polished elegant Margaux nose of minerals, violet, liqueur fruits and loganberries. Good depth with a sweet black fruit core and graphite hints. Lovely texture, balanced, fresh and very pure. A really wonderful, value Claret for enjoying now and for the next 3-4 years. Château La Bécasse, Pauillac, 2008 £200 £261.37 23% Fragrant notes of cassis and pencil shavings are intermingled with notes of vanilla, oak and cedar. The palate is packed with crunchy red berries, hints of gravelly minerality and spice. As with many 2008s, there is real fruit precision, lovely tension and a terrific length of flavour; for immediate pleasure and with potential to age. Châteauneuf du Pape, Cuvée Felix, Domaine Versino, 2006 £280 £429.37 35% An exemplary old vines cuvée aged in two- to eight-year-old wooden barriques. With a little more Mourvèdre, than Versino’s regular Châteauneuf, which comes through strongly on the palate with its brooding but seductive flavours of ripe black fruits, leather, herb and Asian spice characteristics. Full bodied and rich; for enjoying now and over the next 5 years.
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 10
Send to: Justerini & Brooks (Pensioners Offer), 12 Brick Street, London, W1J 7ET Telephone 020 7493 6174 (Weds-Friday only) email: [email protected] (Please do not include your credit card details in e-mail but leave a contact number we can reach you on.) • All prices include VAT and are subject to any changes in VAT and duty. • All wines are to be ordered by the case. • Orders over £250 will receive free delivery to GB mainland. • Orders under £250 will incur a £15 delivery charge to GB mainland addresses. • There is a standard £30 delivery charge for all deliveries to the Highlands, Islands and Northern Ireland. • These wines are offered subject to availability. In the event of sales exceeding supply we will endeavour to offer an alternative product or vintage where available. • We are unable to accept payment by cheque.
Name: Date: Address: Tel No:
Case Code Description Price / Case Total Price Quantity 624396 Les Provencales, Blanc, Vin de Pays, NV £45 647324 Macon Villages, Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon, 2009 £100 666429 Pouilly Fumé, Jean Claude Chatelain, 2009 £120 629730 Les Provencales, Rouge, Vin de Pays, NV £45 642376 Moon Harvest, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 £50 643438 Rubbio, Umbria Rosso IGT, Palazzone, 2008 £75 634561 Château Petit Bocq, Cru Bourgeois, St Estèphe, 2008 £145 635104 Villa des Quatre Soeurs, Margaux, 2008 £150 647589 Château La Bécasse, Pauillac, 2008 £200 618081 Châteauneuf du Pape, Cuvée Felix, Domaine Versino, 2006 £280 Delivery Charge UK Mainland (orders under £250) £15 Standard Delivery Charge for Highlands, Islands and NI. £30
Total Price Card Purchase Details (we are unable to accept payment by cheque
Start Issue No 3 Digit Card Type Card Number Exp. Date Date (Switch/Maestro) Sec. Code Mastercard/Access Visa/Delta Switch/Maestro Cardholder’s Name:
Cardholder’s address if different from above
(please do not include your credit card details in e-mail but leave a contact number we can reach you on)
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 11
Retiree Grant – change to application processing
Background In today’s world corporate social responsibility is core to creating a sustainable and successful business and Diageo prides itself in the contribution that it makes to the community. One way that this is done is through our retiree grants programme, which supports the volunteering activities of our retirees in the community by providing a £100 grant to the charity they are actively involved in.
Currently, application forms are processed internally, however from 1st November 2012, applications will be processed through an external agency called the Charities Aid Foundation. The overall fund will continue to be administered by the Diageo Foundation.
Why are we changing? As part of a review of the Diageo Foundation processes and the programmes it administers, we took the opportunity to look at more efficient ways to manage our retiree grant scheme. The new process will pay the grant directly into the charities’ bank accounts and remove the need for cheques to be issued.
What is changing? The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) will now administer the scheme on behalf of the Diageo Foundation and will be responsible for:
• Receiving applications from retirees and verifying that they:
- are complete and satisfy the eligibility criteria
- do not exceed one application per year.
• Sending grant payments directly to nominated charities.
• Sending statements to Charities and retirees showing that the grant has been made.
• When appropriate, sending notification to retirees detailing why requests for a grant may have been rejected.
• Providing telephone support for queries on the scheme and applications.
Application processing In order for your application to be completed quickly and efficiently there are some key points that should be followed when completing the application form. Remember if you have not completed the form correctly this may delay your application.
• Ensure that you are using the correct new form.
• Complete all details in Part A.
• Request the recipient charity to complete Part B.
• Send your form directly to the Charities Aid Foundation.
• Payments will be made quarterly (January, March, June, September).
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 12
Retiree grant request
Part A
Name: Reason for request: (Please include details of your active involvement)
Address:
Telephone number:
Pension number:
Date: Please note you can only apply for this grant once a year
PART B - To be completed by the charitable organisation who will receive the grant
Organisation name: Organisation address:
Charity number: Bank account number:
Bank sort code: Contact name:
Email: Authorised signature confirming details:
Telephone: ......
Please send completed form to: CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA T: 03000 123 000 F: 03000 123 001 Please allow 90 days for your application to be processed
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 13
Winter health: Flu or cold?
With the colder months upon us, it’s peak season for colds and flu. But how do you tell the difference? And importantly, how do you reduce the risk of catching flu?
Colds: • Come on gradually.
• Affect just your nose and throat.
• Are fairly mild so you can still get around and you are usually well enough to do your usual activities.
Flu however is a different matter… • It comes on quickly.
• It’s more common in the winter months.
• It makes you feel too unwell to continue your usual activities.
Symptoms Sudden fever (a temperature of 38°C/100.4°F or above), dry chesty cough, headache, tiredness, chills, aching muscles, limb or joint pain, diarrhoea or upset stomach, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, loss of appetite, and/or difficulty sleeping.
Prevention Preventing the spread of germs is the most effective way to slow the spread of flu.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
• Clean surfaces – keyboard, telephone and door handles.
• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Bin used tissues. People in high risk groups will be contacted by their • Avoid those who are coughing or sneezing. General Practitioner and offered a flu vaccine. Treating flu Further information is available from: The chances are you’ll be able to get well by looking after yourself at home. • Your local medical centre
• Rest. • http://www.washyourhandsofthem.com/ hand-hygiene--you/how-to-wash-your-hands.aspx • Keep warm. • http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu/Pages/ • Drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration. Introduction.aspx • Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines, such as • http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/flu/ Ibrufen, will lower a high temperature and relieve aches. • http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu-jab/Pages/ Antibiotics are not generally given for flu unless a secondary Whyitshouldbedone.aspx infection is present. Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 14
Food: Big ideas for smaller appetites
Our head chef at Edinburgh Park, Stuart Thrumble suggests an easy seasonal menu to be enjoyed now and throughout the year.
Dessert: Fresh raspberry and white chocolate pavlova
Ingredients for two people: 2 large meringue nests 1 tub of fresh raspberries 50g white chocolate 200 ml double cream 25g caster sugar
Method: Place half the berries into a bowl with the cream and sugar. Whisk until soft peaks form and place in the fridge. Melt the chocolate over boiling water (approx 2 minutes) and leave Main course: Turkey, cranberry and sausage roulade to cool slightly. with buttered sprouts and roast potatoes To assemble place meringue nests onto a plate, half the Ingredients for two people: raspberry and cream mix between the two nests and arrange 2 x 150g turkey escalopes the remaining berries round the plate. Drizzle the white 2 good quality pork sausages chocolate sauce over the meringues. Pinch of dried or fresh sage 200g Maris Piper potatoes 100g fresh button sprouts 50g cranberry sauce/jelly 1 chicken stock cube 25g butter or olive oil
Method: Lay turkey escalopes on cling film and season with salt and pepper. Take the skins off the sausages and mix up with the herbs and cranberry sauce to form a stuffing. Spoon the stuffing onto the turkey and roll up in the cling film. Place rolled up escalopes in boiled water, add chicken stock cube and poach for 10 minutes. Leave to cool.
Par boil the potatoes and leave to steam. Prepare and blanch the sprouts. Take turkey out of the cling film and put onto a hot tray with potatoes and roast for 15-20 minutes. Sauté the sprouts in butter.
To assemble, slice the turkey roulade into three pieces and arrange on a plate with sprouts and potatoes with gravy or sauce of your choice.
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 15
Festive Drinks
Barry Johnstone, Edinburgh Park Shop Manager provides some suggestions for your Festive drinks selection.
Coming up to the festive period, one of the things I get asked about is suitable wine recommendations for the Christmas day meal. Here are a few suggestions that should suit all eventualities and price points.
First up would have to be a bottle of something effervescent. Nothing sets the mood better than a wine done in the traditional Champagne style, bottle fermented for finesse and quality. The Justerini & Brooks Sarcey Champagne 12% (£16.15) is superb, produced by Boizel using the three permitted grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir to give a lovely softness, with biscuit notes backed by a crisp acidity. An alternative to this would being dominant. The taste is soft, with layers of red berries be the Bouvet-Ladubay Brut 12.5% (£8.15), produced and lightly stewed fruits. Excellent value. within the Saumur region of the western Loire. Great value My last choices are the most expensive, but I would suggest wine produced using the same techniques as Champagne, that if we are looking at a “drink less but spend more on the but at a much reduced cost. wine” approach that these will be the wines to go for. To me, I have tried to pair the next couple of selections to help a good quality Chablis is always going to be a winner and presentation on the table, but they will all work well with the this example – Prieure Saint-Come Chablis 12.5% (£9.99) menu opposite, so please don’t feel that you have to keep does everything right. A very clean nose with that wonderful the pairings. hint of acidity which will get the taste buds going. On the The wines from Chile are really over-performing for their palate, the acidity is there but in perfect balance, and a lovely price point, and these two are no exception. The Ochagavia clean minerality will deal with anything on the suggested Silvestre Sauvignon Blanc 12.5% (£4.55) has lovely menu. Lovely. tropical fruit notes on the nose, backed by a firm, The red I have chosen to partner it is the Voyager Estate crisp and refreshing palate. The Ochagavia Silvestre Shiraz 14% (£11.99). A classic example of a Margaret Cabernet Sauvignon 12.5% (£4.65) has nice red berry River Shiraz from Australia, this has a big nose with a lot notes on the nose, and the taste is of the red berries, of dark fruit and signs of the barrel aging coming through. layered with soft tannins to make a very approachable wine. On the palate there is a deepness and richness of red and Next up we have a white and red from the Cotes Du Rhone. dark fruit, with some spice layered through it. Big, elegant Produced by Chateau Mont-Redon, based in ChateauNeuf and very unctuous. Du Pape, these are very good examples of their style. Please be aware that these wines might not all be available The white – Chateau Mont-Redon Cotes Du Rhone 13.5% from your local staff shop, though I am sure that the staff (£6.55) has a very floral nose, with a softness of palate will be able to help out with recommendation from their balanced with some well integrated acidity. own shelves.
The red – Chateau Mont-Redon Reserve Cotes Du Rhone I wish you all a happy, prosperous and healthy festive period. 14% (6.99) has a depth of character on the nose, pulled Drink well, but please drink responsibly. together from the blend of grapes used, Grenache (probably)
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 16
The Ryder Cup comes home
Diageo is delighted to be an official partner of was the reigning Open champion, Ray the holder of the The 2014 Ryder Cup. When the Ryder Cup matches US Open. On the US side, Hutchison held the US PGA title come to Gleneagles, one could say that the tournament and Hagen had already begun to establish his legend with is returning to the place where it all began. two majors of an eventual eleven.
History remembers that the event didn’t officially begin until It was the first time an American golf side had ever been 1927, when Walter Hagen’s USA trounced Ted Ray’s Great assembled and the first time the great nations had come Britain at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. But what together for a match. And it took place in Perthshire. about Gleneagles in 1921 when a strong USA golfing team Dubbed the International Challenge, it was the forerunner first set foot on Scottish soil to play the best we had to offer? of the Ryder Cup.
In May 1921, the RMS Aquitania, built at the John Brown The action began on 6th June 1921. Five matches in foursomes shipyard in Clydebank, pointed her way out of New York and ten singles to determine the kings of the golfing world. harbour and set sail for her homeland of Britain. On board As the regal splendour of the Gleneagles Hotel had yet to be were ten famous golfers, including Hagen from New York, realised (and completed), the players were housed in railway the Texan Wild Bill Mehlhorn and alongside them, wrapped carriages. What they lacked in luxury was more than made in the Stars and Stripes, Jock Hutchison from St Andrews up for by the beauty of the surroundings. and Freddie McLeod from North Berwick. “Pretty as a picture,” said Hagen as he surveyed the scenery. The USA team arrived at Gleneagles to take on a storied “If a man can’t play golf here then he can’t play,” said Wild Bill. British side that had at its heart, James Braid, Harry Vardon, “Aye,” said Duncan. “This is as beautiful as golf gets.” JH Taylor, Ted Ray and George Duncan. All icons, they had Coming from George, the sternest pro around, that was 20 major championship victories between them. Duncan some compliment.
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 17
It was thought America would win; that their young and hungry players would sweep Britain’s old guard away. Britain’s Vardon and Braid were 51 years old. The former had suffered terrible illness and won his last major seven years before; the latter finished his Open championship domination fully ten years earlier. Against the odds, the final score was Britain ten and a half to America’s four and a half.
Despite the score, the American captain commented that, “this is a glorious place to be.” Everyone agreed the matches should be repeated. It was soon after that the International Challenge would be reborn as the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup, which, you could say, will be coming home in 2014.
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 18 Kilmarnock – the end of a proud era
Friday 23 March 2012 marked the end of an era at Kilmarnock when the last bottle was produced at Hill Street. Fittingly the last bottle to run off the lines, a litre of Johnnie Walker Red Label, will remain in Kilmarnock – as part of an exhibition at the Dick Institute, the local Museum. Staff at Hill Street received a special bottling, booklet and DVD to preserve the memories and stories of the site.
The future of the site The site clearance is underway and due to continue until summer 2013. This is a key part in preparing for the development of the new Kilmarnock College Campus, which is planned for the site.
We’ve agreed to donate ten acres of the Hill Street site for the campus and have worked closely with Kilmarnock College and East Ayrshire Council over the past two years to develop the plans. With some 7,500 students, the construction of a new £50m college campus will be a big boost to the town centre and hopefully attract students from a wide area given the easy train access to the site. The new campus is the central focus of Diageo’s effort to ensure there is a long-term legacy at the site, which will benefit Kilmarnock and the people of the town.
On Saturday 30 June, the final Hill Street Kilmarnock party everyone to catch up with old friends and colleagues. All in all took place at Ayr Racecourse. Over 400 people gathered for it was a fitting tribute, to the site and everyone who worked the final celebration many of whom were meeting for the there, that so many people were able to share the experience. first time in several months. It was the ideal opportunity for
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter Diageo Pensioner Newsletter 20
Diageo Pensioner Newsletter - Winter 2012