News - Lastest Newsletter July 2009
AGM
135 Attended the Annual Summer Champagne Party including another 40 new sabreurs. This followed our Annual General Meeting attended by 52 members. It was a record AGM of 18 minutes, barely enough for members to finish their champagne! Buffet Supper and the Portobello Jazz Band again added to the copious champagne and fun. June is normally our busiest month and the stalwart team of Maître-Sabreurs –Dominique Largeron, John Hough, Ken Chapronière, Neil Sherry and Gerard O’Shea were on parade.
Hintlesham Hall
Chevalier –Maître Sabreur Dee Ludlow had 90 guests for her now traditional Fathers’ Day Soirée de Sabrage. Three new Chevaliers were invested: Graham Hunt, another toastmaster (we seem to be colleting them), Canon Ian Morgan – distinguished cleric with a very modern outlook and Julie Payne, who surprised us as a late entry for the Chevalier Stakes, giving the ambassador just 15 minutes to arrange her investiture! Once again Champagne Joseph Perrier proved to be a superb bottle to sabrage and to drink.
Le Vacherin and Le Cassoulet
A lower than expected turnout for Le Vacherin and at Le Cassoulet this year and we hope that this a just a blip. We can already report that 2010 has two strongly recommended “Malcolm John” events. Four new Chevaliers: Dr Jennifer Brown, François Ginther and Sandeep Jaswal and Sanjay Jhurry - the two Caveaux Maîtres. Malcom sabraged a magnum and became an officer. The sabraging was as usual – fast and furious, conducted by Maître-Sabreur Neil Sherry, supported by Officers Sir Neville and Lady Purvis at Le Vacherin. At Le Cassoulet, the Surrey Connétable, David Rundle, joined the ambassador for the intronisations.
Le Vieux Pressoir
On 14th July, Philippe Brugnon held his 5th Chapitre at Le Vieux Pressoir in Rilly-la-Montagne, attended by the Grand Maître and two Grand Councillors. The Amabassador with two councillors – Pin Ong and Gerard O’Shea were also present. Amongst the new Chevaliers being invested was Nichola Lawton from Rye. Chevalier Justin Rhodes sabraged a magnum and was promoted to Officer. The “Quatorze Juillet” Chapitre was just one of the four days of feasting and fun around his traditional Bastille Day party at which Philippe’s daughter Lucie also became a Chevalier. The British and Irish contingent was as usual swamped by the Belgians!
Forthcoming Events
Caveaux Events:
Friday 11th September is The Boat’s End of Summer Champagne and dinner Party with Sabrage. Contact andrew@boatinn.co.uk normally over subscribed – so get your booking in now.
Wine Tutored Dinners.
These are gastronomic adventures with fine wines and matching food. Tuesday 29th September – The Milestone Hotel: ‘The Rhône Valley’. Contact spedreschi@rchmail.com for full details.
Le Cassoulet Monday 19th October ‘The Carnivores’ Carnival’. As the title implies- this is red wine and meat; there are no alternative menus and wines for those who have a dietary disposition. Contact Malcolm John or Sanjay Jhurry at Sanjay.jhurry@lecassoulet.co.uk
20th Grand Chapitre Britannique and Autumn Gala Dinner
Bookings for tables for the 20th Grand Chapitre Britannique and Autumn Gala Dinner on 30th October 2009. Bookings for whole tables are accepted up to 31st July and payment of the deposit by 21st August secures the table. Bookings for places will be accepted after 1st August. Tickets are – Commissioned Members £120 , Ordinary Members £130 and Guests £140. Applications for investitures to the Embassy
For further details contact embassy@goldensabre.co.uk
The Ultimate Champagne Weekend
Contact Grape Escapes for the details of the Champagne Tour, 27th November to 1st December, incorporating the 23rd Grand Chapitre International and Soirée de Gala at Champagne Pommery and other visits.www.grapeescapes.net/champagne Or email gerardoshea@ntlworld.com and I will forward the programe for this fantastic five day trip.
