Autumn 2014
News, views and inspiration from the Anne Furbank Group Spring 2016
Boho Chic Getting Social Dinner Party Menu
COMPLIMENTARY GIFT
COLLECT YOURS during our Spring Fashion Week
Spring 2016
Welcome...
News, views and inspiration from the Anne Furbank Group Spring 2016
Unbelievably, it is 35 years since I opened the doors of my then little shop in Buckden. Where has that time gone?! Looking back, I have had a great time over those 35 years. I feel very lucky to be able to do something I enjoy and very lucky, 35 years on, to still have the passion for the business. Fashion doesn’t allow you to become stale and, to a certain extent, hospitality is the same – food and drink having fashion trends of their own. Technology is one of the most rapid developments over those 35 years. 1981, when I opened the shop was the same year that the IBM personal computer was born – look how that has transformed our lives! I am a slight techno-phobe but even I have had my eyes opened to the world of social media and how great it is to stay in touch when time is short. I am now an avid Twitter user and you can find out more and learn how to be savvy in the digital age later on in our newsletter.
Boho Chic Getting Social Dinner Party Menu
COMPLIMENTARY GIFT
COLLECT YOURS during our Spring Fashion Week
Front cover by Aideen Bodki Editor: Rebecca Furbank Design & Print: Right Click Creative Tel: 01767 262858 www.rightclickcreative.co.uk
Richard Furbank Director
Anyway, we have a packed magazine for you to get through, so make a cup of tea (or pour a glass of wine), put your feet up and enjoy.
Rebecca Furbank Managing Director
Anne Furbank Group 41 High Street, Buckden, St Neots, Cambs PE19 5WZ Telephone: 01480 811321 E-mail: mail@annefurbank.co.uk
Debbie Daniels Sales Director
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Spring
Fashion Week Monday 7th – Saturday 12th March London Fashion Week may make the headlines this February with its front row celebrities and crazy designs but Anne Furbank Fashion Week will be far more accessible and a lot more wearable. This season we mark the launch of the spring collections with a week long run of fashion shows. Yes a fashion show everyday showing you the new styles and colours we have brought to you from different brands across the globe. With fashions ranging from Boho Chic to Simple Sophistication the shows will be a great inspiration on how to wear the new looks and freshen up your wardrobe. Every day we will bring you a different fashion show at 11am, Monday 7th through to Saturday 12th March. You will need to reserve your seat as places will be limited and of course you can come at any point during the day if you would just like to be part of the Fashion Week without watching a fashion show. Bubbles will be flowing throughout the day and we have the most gorgeous gift for you to take away with any purchase during the week. To reserve your seat call the shop on 01480 811333 or email becky@annefurbank.com
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Spring 2016
Girly Gifts Monday 7th – Saturday 12th March 2016 Oh! Have we got the most gorgeous girly gift for you this Spring? A perfect, pretty mini notepad and lipstick case. Both items you will be able to take away, with our compliments, with any purchase, during the Anne Furbank Fashion Week, Monday 7th – Saturday 12th March 2016. These two gifts will give you the chance for a quick lippy touch up or to scribble those oh so important notes you musn't forget. Don’t forget to come and see us during our Fashion Week, Monday 7th – Saturday 12th March, 9.30am – 5.30pm. 5
Anne Furbank Fashion
Boho chic Chill out and relax this Spring with this season’s hippy chic fashion. Unlock your inner calm and prepare to float through the months in the early part of the year. Throw away convention and put comfort and a sense of fun into your wardrobe. Soft flowing fabrics and delicate lace are used in many of the collections this season, with meadow and floral prints to bring you closer to nature. You can go bold in colour but the overriding colour palette is to keep it natural – blues of the sky and sands of the earth. If there is a Janice Joplin inside you go for the whole layering look but if you just want to update your wardrobe without being a fashion victim embrace the look but pick out the item pieces that suit you and make you feel free.
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Spring 2016 Gaby
Gaby
Complete the look IIse Jacobsen
IIse Jacobsen
Bulaggi
Bulaggi 7
Anne Furbank Fashion
Dare to
Flair I know, I know – you have just got your head around skinny trousers and now the fashion lords are throwing flairs back at us! Don’t panic – your skinny/ slim trousers will not be out of date or old fashioned – the new flair style is just giving all of us greater opportunity to create our own fashion look. It is a look that is making a gentle return to our wardrobes, designers understanding that this is not a look for everyone so they are certainly not putting all their eggs in one basket and changing the trouser silhouette throughout the collections. The odd flair here and there is exciting and fun and available if you want to give it a go or have, ever since skinny trousers have taken over, had a hankering for a wider leg. If you are going wide then make them as long as you can otherwise you will look like a sailor with fabric whipping around your ankles. This is unless you are opting for culottes! Oh yes another bottom that has made a comeback and probably slightly easier to wear, as it has the elegance of a skirt, but the comfort and practicality of a trouser. Look to Michele for a great pair of summer culottes and at Betty Barclay’s new partner Betty & Co for a lovely flair jean.
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Spring 2016
Bulaggi
Gaby
Complete the look
K&S
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Mr Blue Sky Sun is shining in the sky, there ain’t a cloud in sight – well let’s hope so this summer – but if the clouds do persist for longer than we would like there is one thing we can promise you and that is soft sky blue will make it into your wardrobe this Spring. Designers have fallen in love a plenty with blue this season and it is beautifully blue. Baby blue, sky blue, pastel blue, call it what you like you will find it in all sorts of collections from Marc Cain to Gerry Weber, Marc Aurel and Repeat. The colour lends itself to a more relaxed dressing, definitely casual, a little sporty even, with light denim jeans and striped shirts. Inspiration comes from coastal holidays but you don’t have to be on a beach to wear the clothes. It’s a fresh look and will definitely give you a light hearted feeling when you pick your item of blue.
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Spring 2016
Nicola Sexton
Echo
Complete the look
Bulaggi
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Peaches and cream A dessert worth wearing when it comes to colour. Make sure you pick the right tone of peach with your complexion, keeping it soft but with some depth and it will lift your spirits and give you a warm glow. You can hide behind dark colours all winter, Spring is the time to lighten your wardrobe and pick out the pastels with peach being a real winner this season. Mixed with cream if you are not too pale or sand and natural tones for those of fairer complexion.
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Spring 2016 Gaby
K&S
Complete the look
Bulaggi
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Anne Furbank Fashion
In the
pink
We British love pink, and designers may take us down some wondrous colour journeys but give us a bit of pink and we get giddy with excitement. But are you baby pink or hot pink.? If it’s hot pink then Armani is your saviour this season with its fantastic collection using white as contrast. The collection is full of bold floral tops and, for those who dare, hot pink floral trousers. Alternatively Marc Cain has opted for pure baby pink. Oh so pretty and oh so girly and a great colour against most complexions so a real winner all round. Whatever your pink you can rest assured you will find some this Spring.
Echo
K&S
Bulaggi 14
Spring 2016
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Shoe corner Our new little shoe area is proving a great success – it is like entering a walk-in wardrobe full of shoes and one can never have enough pairs of shoes! There is a real trend for flatforms, a perfect spongy lift to a flat shoe; fringing has crept subtly onto shoes and you will go flipping mad for our glitter flipflops. Of course we have the elegant court shoe in those must have nude shades to go with all your summer outfits, with varying heel heights depending on your preference. And, for all you sporty types, the trainer is not going away just yet. It’s girly and glam but not for running marathons!
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Spring 2016
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Anne Furbank Fashion
New for
Spring 2016 Groceries A slightly unusual name for a collection but the name was born out of the wish, in the beginning, that the collection would be successful enough for the designer to buy his groceries. Today it enables many people to buy their groceries by being a successful brand in the USA and is now shipping to the UK for the first time. Its premise is basic t-shirts but these are t-shirts with a conscience. Groceries is a truly ethical brand using only organic cottons and recycled materials, running their own factories to ensure fair trading and working conditions. We are delighted to be part of their story and be able to bring to you a t-shirt collection from California.
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Spring 2016
Mama B Keeping with a more casual look we are delighted to bring you a collection from Italy, Mama B. It doesn’t have the typical handwriting of an Italian design. It is not tailored, the styling is much softer. It is a jersey collection of tops, skirts and dresses, with an oversize and layering look to it. Perfect for British summers and holidays on the UK coast line. Amazingly practical and comfortable to wear it will definitely become a summer staple.
New for
Spring 2016
Go Silk Close your eyes and cast your mind back to an iconic image of Michael Jackson in a billowing white shirt – that is Go Silk the new brand we are bringing to you from New York. Go Silk is just that, a complete collection made from the most wonderfully soft and supple silk you will come across and – what makes it even better – the collection is all washable. Hallelujah! A fabric so silky soft against your skin and so practical as well. Blouses, tops, dresses and trousers all in silk – wrap yourself in luxury.
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Anne Furbank Fashion
New for
Spring 2016 Teresa Ripoll Teresa Ripoll is a Spanish collection, although the original designers, sisters Maria and Teresa Ripoll, trained alongside Pierre Cardin in France. They set up their own brand in 1970 but it wasn’t until 2010 that the expansion across Europe began to happen. Couture tailoring for a special occasion really sums up what the brand is all about, taking inspiration from the style icons of the 50s and 60s and creating stunning outfits for the female form. Heavy duty plain silks and ottoman fabric help create some amazing shapes with nipped in waists and peplum skirts. Even if you don’t have an occasion to go to, it is a collection to be admired.
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Spring 2016
Goat British Designers have been leading the way in the fashion world for a number of decades but it is only recently that we have seen the manufacturing side of the industry make a comeback. Burberry has committed to a factory near Leeds to produce its famous trench coat and Arcadia group have 54 factories in the UK producing product for their stores, so we are delighted to bring to you a home grown, designed and manufactured brand – Goat. Goat is understated elegance with a quiet celebrity following of Gwyneth Paltrow, Lana del Ray and the Duchess of Cambridge. It started with cashmere tops and is now a complete ready to wear collection for the discerning woman. We have concentrated on their dresses which are purely elegant and feel amazingly feminine and beautiful to wear. It is a collection that is pure class.
New for
Spring 2016 21
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Time to tie the knot Weddings take over our lives at Anne Furbank at the start of the year. Our first floor is filled Monday – Saturday with Mothers of the Bride/Groom, along with the bride to be, sister or best friend. It is a daunting time for most first time mothers – it is not every day you wear an outfit that is so special and for such a big day. We have years of experience in taking away the fear and making the whole experience of buying an occasion outfit an enjoyable one. We want you to feel wonderful in your outfit because if you do, you will wear it well and look amazing.
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Spring 2016
The choice, as always, is wide with makes like Paule Ka offering classic elegance, to the flamboyance of Ian Stuart. Hats, shoes, bags and jewellery are all on hand to make your outfit complete and take the worry out of visiting different stores to try and co-ordinate everything. 25
Anne Furbank Fashion
Our quick guide to getting it right Work with your assets Choose an outfit that will make you feel great about the bits of your body you like and hide the bits you don’t. If you like your small waist but are not too keen on your bigger hips choose an outfit that will focus on your waist. If you have good legs but are a bit lumpy and bumpy elsewhere work with pleats and ruching which hides a multitude of sins but make sure you show off your legs.
Accessorize If you are investing in a great wedding outfit don’t forget to finish it off with accessories. If you are used to accessorising your clothes this will be easy, if not, keep it simple but make sure you complete your outfit – accessories really do add that final touch.
Personality over age Am I too old for this? What you wear is really more about your personality than your age. If you are a quirky dresser then don’t change just because it is a wedding outfit. If you have a more classic styling then don’t try and be something you are not – you will feel wrong and will therefore look wrong. Remember we are here to listen and help. We want you to look as amazing as you want you to look. 26
Don’t look stunning and walk like a duck There is nothing worse than looking amazing but walking like duck because your feet hurt. You can get heels that are comfortable. If they hurt when you try them on, they are going to kill you after 10 hours of wear. If you are not used to heels a bit of practise won’t go amiss.
for your diary Anne Furbank Fashion Week Monday 7th – Saturday 12th March Fashion show each day at 11am, Book your seats becky@annefurbank.com 01480 811333 Special Occasion Friday 25th March Join us on Good Friday for our special occasion event and pop up Souster and Hicks shop. Gerry Weber Show Saturday 9th April, 11am Fashion show for a great brand, Book your seats becky@annefurbank.com 01480 811333 Repeat Fashion Show Saturday 16th April, 11am
All the tops you ever need and wanted, Book your seats becky@annefurbank.com 01480 811333 Stylishly Quirky Fashion Show Saturday 23rd April, 11am
Looking for something alternative, inspiration from collections such as OSKA, Crea, Go Silk and Lauren Vidal, Book your seats becky@annefurbank.com 01480 811333 Holiday Fashion Show Saturday 21st May, 11am
Pack your bags and get ready for your holidays, Book your seats becky@annefurbank.com 01480 811333
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Staff wedding It was a question of love at first sight when one of our team, Julie Chelsom-Pil, found out she was going to be Mother of the Bride. She had fallen in love with an Olvi lace dress when it came into the shop and, with the announcement of her daughter Kate and partner Dan getting married, she had the perfect excuse to wear it. Julie came to London with Becky to look at the full collection but her love for the style we had in the shop didn’t waver. All Olvi dresses are made to order so Julie ordered one in her size with a tweak to make it more demure. I think you will agree she looked amazing but not quite as stunning as her daughter Kate who, quite rightly, stole the show.
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Becky Furbank proďŹ le Happy 20 years to me! Yes unbelievably it is 20 years since I started working with Annie. My background was PR, journalism and marketing, along with all the usual part-time and holiday jobs I enjoyed as a student including retail and hotel work. Annie had been running the shop for 15 years before I joined. It had become a lot to manage and was at the point of completely taking over her life. I was on maternity leave with George and so it was perfect timing for a career change. It was a small but dedicated team at the time and the shop had just two rooms, with an extension underway to create what is now the long Marc Cain room. There was no office, no stockroom to speak of and no staff room. Certainly no computerisation, all the receipts were hand written at the front desk. You learn quickly in a small business, you have to become a jack of all trades but it is a great way to really understand a business when you are part of all of it. After just a year I became pregnant with my second child, Alex, and was lucky enough to enjoy a hassle free pregnancy which was just as well as I was still working on my due date! I had a few months off and then came back to work, gradually increasing my hours as I became more adept at juggling my home and work life. 30
Product training for the team.
Spring 2016 From then on the business saw a rapid change, the size of the property expanded, the team grew, we went computerised and I became fully involved with the buying alongside Annie – a part of my job that I still absolutely love. One of the best highlights has to be winning Independent Womenswear of the Year at the Drapers Awards. It was at the Natural History Museum and Graham Norton handed out the prizes, it was a truly fabulous evening.
At my desk
ky on a nd Bec Annie a ip to Canada tr recent
Having fu n Vikki from buying hats with Darcie M ae
under paper
work!
Then came the hotel – a purchase based on the desire to smarten up the High Street and offer somewhere lovely for the shop customers to go for lunch! It was a big project – a complete refurbishment over a period of 9 months and a whole new team to be responsible for. All this growth on a physical level, meant a lot of change on a personal level. From being on the shop floor with customers every day, more and more of my time is taken over by paperwork and legislation. The buying is on a much bigger scale, so requires more than just gut feeling to get it right, although each season, rules do get broken as there is always one collection that is irresistibly delicious! I do still try and get onto the shop floor and you will, more often than not, see me hosting the in-store fashion shows. I love being at the front end of the business and not losing site of that, although I have to confess I am not a regular behind the bar in the hotel! My marketing and publication background still gets used on things like this newsletter, which I hope you all enjoy reading. And after 20 years I am still on speaking terms with my mother-in-law and she is still on speaking terms with her daughter-in-law. We bring different strengths to the business, I often say she is like a bull in a china shop and I am the one holding the reins and saying ‘hang on a minute let’s just think this through a little more’!
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Be social with us Do you love reading this newsletter and want to see more? Looking at social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, is a great way of keeping up to date with the latest Anne Furbank news no matter where you are. We like to think of social media as an online version of this newsletter. A way of keeping you posted with the latest news, sales, events, collections and more. The great thing about social media is that we are able to give you information as and when it happens, and it also gives us a chance to listen to you, and talk to you. Below is an insight into how you can interact with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Some of you might already use social media and simply may not be aware that we do too. But for those of you that don’t yet, we hope this will begin to open up a new and exciting world! You don’t have to sign up with each social media platform to see what we post. For example, try typing ‘Anne Furbank Facebook’ into Google to take a look at our Facebook page. You can try this for Instagram and Twitter too. To comment and engage on any of them though, and to really get the most out of them you will need to get an account by clicking ‘Sign Up’.
THE GEORGE You can also follow The George Hotel and Brasserie on Social Media: Facebook – www.facebook.com/ TheGeorgeHotelBrasserie Twitter – @GeorgeBuckden 32
Like us on
A lot of people use Facebook as a way of keeping in contact with friends, brands and places that they particularly like. It is a mixture of text and pictures. We post all sorts of news about ourselves and our clothing brands on here, as well as photographs of our staff training with Annie when we get a new clothing collection in.
Photos We regularly upload photos of our latest collections at staff training as well as other things that we think you might like to see.
Spring 2016
Like Click the ‘Like’ button to see our posts and updates in your own ‘Newsfeed’. It means you will see when there is something new.
Share Click the share button to suggest our Page to one of your friends.
Comment You can click these buttons to say you like our post, comment on it, or share it with one of your friends. We love to hear from you. Join the conversation!
Posts Your posts to us show here. You can also add photographs. For example, we would love to see photos of you in your AF outfits.
Newsfeed Our news, comments and pictures are shown here on our ‘Newsfeed’.
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Search Use the search area to find us or someone else.
Tweet us on
New tweet Compose a new tweet
Follow
A snappy (each tweet can be no more than 140 characters), mostly text-based way of keeping abreast of the latest news. We post information on here that you might like (funny pictures of when we all turn up in the same outfit), or that might affect you (local road problems, early closing times, and so on).
To follow other users simply click the follow button.
Tweet You can read your post here.
NotiďŹ cations
My ProďŹ le
Any personal messages will be shown here
To get back to your own twitter profile
Some Common twitter terms explained Tweet
A post on Twitter of up to 140 characters.
Follow
Press the follow button on our Twitter page to keep updated
Mention
@
Want to share something we have tweeted with your followers? Press the retweet button.
Retweet
Hashtag
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By putting @annefurbank in of your own tweets we can see that you have mentioned us.
#
Using the # symbol in front of any word or phrase will group a tweet with others using that same term. Try typing in the search bar #myannefurbank and see what comes up!
Moments
Messages
Discover the biggest things happening on Twitter
Talk privately with anyone who follows you.
Spring 2016
Follow us on
Instagram is mainly about photographs. We share any photographs that we think you might enjoy looking at – of clothes, of us, from our suppliers, of life!
Follow Follow us to see our latest photo uploads
Comment Your posts to us show here. You can also add photographs. For example, we would love to see photos of you in your AF outfits.
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Talk at PURE By the time you read this Annie and Becky’s double act in front of a large audience at London Olympia will be over. The pair were asked by PURE London organisers to be key note speakers for the A/W 2016 show that took place in February. They were among a list of people from the Fashion Industry to impart their wisdom and knowledge in order to help other fashion businesses. ‘PURE London is the biggest fashion exhibition in the UK attracting exhibitors and buyers from around the world,’ said Rebecca. ‘We visit it each season to buy from our existing suppliers and to be inspired by new collections. We watch the catwalk shows and have listened to some leading professionals in the industry speak there, so to be asked to be one of those speakers was pretty amazing.’
‘After saying yes there were moments of panic at the thought of capturing the attention of an audience in the middle of London Olympia,’ said Anne. ‘But then I thought about when I started my business and how much I would have loved to be able to receive some words of wisdom from someone who had been in the industry for 35 years.’
‘It was also a great way to look back over the years and reflect on the growth and changes of the shop and also look at how and why the partnership between Becky and I works so well.’ PURE London attracts over 12,000 UK and International buyers to view 1,000 brands.
Ribkoff winner You have to be in it to win it as lucky customer Liz Bishop found out. Her name was pulled out of the hat in our Joseph Ribkoff prize draw. Liz won two pieces of Joseph Ribkoff of her choice. She was thrilled with her new tops. Look out in store or on our social media pages for competitions and prize draws. Somebody has to win and it could be you!
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Annie’s diverse talks
Spring 2016
After dinner speaking wasn’t ever on the career horizon for Anne but more recently she has been in demand. Her years in the fashion industry as well as the phenomenal challenges she has put herself through to raise money for charity certainly gives her something to talk about. ‘I am not a natural speaker so although I’ve done quite a few talks now I still get incredibly nervous,’ said Anne. ‘I am much more comfortable on a one to one basis. Speaking in front of an audience certainly gets the butterflies flying.’ Annie has been asked by Women’s Groups, Golf Clubs, Rotary and Round Table to tell her story. Speaking to a Rotary Group at an evening dinner in Queens College in Cambridge had to be a highlight last year. ‘The place was stunning,’ said Annie. ‘I was incredibly nervous but it went well and I had a great evening meeting some wonderful people.’
From left: Guy Turvill, Annie, Mike francis
Annie’s talks are all for charity either supporting the fund raising event itself or by accepting a donation to one of the charities Annie supports.
India buying Bringing a younger eye to the buying is India Furbank who joined Annie and Becky on a buying trip to London. Despite only being 8 she was soon choosing styles, scanning items and placing orders! India pictured with Becky and Claudia from Gerry Weber. 37
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Thoughts from a something… I’ve got there! I'm at the age when today's Fashion Looks I’ve done before! Okay I was only 14 at the time but I remember them all too well and now have to make the decision as to whether I can do it all over again! One of my favourite outfits was a turquoise jumpsuit, I lived in it and although looking back it was more like a belted painters overall I loved it. One of my recent purchases a jumpsuit! Okay it is black and from MaxMara Studio so the fabric and design a little more classy but at the end of the day it is a jumpsuit. My second favourite item of clothing was a beautiful pair of cream culottes, big, floppy and oh so comfortable. They were kept for best but crept into being worn a lot of the time simply because I loved them. What’s in this season culottes and white ones at that! Can I do it again, oh why not?! I’m not going to look like a teenager but it will remind me of my youth – I will just be a whole lot more grown up about it. Anneka Rice was my idol
Calendar Girl In true Hollywood style our very own Helen posed for the camera in a photoshoot as a Calendar Girl to raise money for Woodlands Breast Cancer Support Group which has been so supportive during her treatment for cancer. Helen is May girl and is seen looking very Audrey Hepburn. You will also be pleased to hear that Helen is back with us each Saturday so do come in and say hello.
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Spring 2016
New
Marc Cain Models Each season Marc Cain run Coaching Days for retailers in the UK. It is a chance for retail staff to have a preview of the new season collection before it comes into the shop. We send a team of girls to London to see a catwalk show and presentation about the fashion trends and the inspiration behind the collection. As with most German companies there is an efficiency around how they do things. So when their models’ flights were delayed they were left in a bit of a pickle. To the rescue, Debbie Daniels and Carolyn Hodgson, who thought they were going to be in the audience were suddenly whisked back stage and became the stars of the show. ‘They were in a predicament and we were only too delighted to help out,’ said Debbie. ‘The stylist dressed us in a whole array of outfits, we didn’t really have any time to think before we were thrust on the catwalk.’ Debbie and Carolyn modelled along with one of the Marc Cain models, who looked stunning but the audience definitely loved seeing the clothes on real women, who also looked gorgeous. Thomas Herter, Head of Distribution at Marc Cain, was so grateful to Debbie and Carolyn sending them a wonderful Marc Cain gift to say thank you.
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Something to celebrate We’ve had some great events at The George over the years, we’ve helped celebrate weddings, 18ths 21sts, 40ths, 50ths, golden wedding anniversaries and, of course, the odd Christmas Party. Some people have taken over the whole hotel while others have made it a more intimate affair and had their own party in either the Reading Room or Orangerie. ‘There is something wonderful about putting together a package to help someone celebrate a milestone event,’ said Richard O’Leary, General Manager. ‘Everyone has their own idea of what they might want to do and we can accommodate that whether it is a bespoke afternoon tea or a themed banquet.
‘Last year we were thrilled to host the wedding of Paul and Amanda from Day’s the Butchers who we have worked closely with over the last few years.’ You would think that working at the hotel, and indeed in the shop next door, that the teams might want to venture further afield for their Christmas Parties but The George is the first choice for everyone. In fact Operations Manager, Amanda’s daughter celebrated her birthday at the hotel with an Afternoon Tea, Margaret at Reception had her son’s wedding at the George, Debbie Daniels daughter celebrated her 18th and Ann Storey is going to celebrate her 70th at the George. If you have something to celebrate then come and talk to us. We would love to look after you and create something special for you.
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Spring 2016
Drinks trends for 2016 Want to tantilise your taste buds and try something new then rid yourself of the connotations that Pale Ale is just for Hilda Ogden ladies sat in the corner of the pub with their rollers and hairnet in. Agreed it has a less hoppy palate but that just makes it a more appealing all-rounder. Adnams Ghost Ship is a Pale Ale worth trying with its assertive pithy bitterness and malty backbone. Adnams knows a thing or two about producing beer having been brewing in Southwold since 1872 so you can have confidence it will be good. In fact their reputation and long and rich heritage made them the perfect Official Beer Partner of the BNY Mellon Boat Race. The race (including the women’s boat race) will be held on Sunday 27th March, so you can raise your Ghost Ship and cheer on either Oxford or Cambridge.
Verdicchio Amphora Classico Monte Schiavo 2014 Country: Italy Region: Marche Grape variety: 100% Verdicchio Monte Schiavo is a modern and dynamic company with 115 hectares in the Marche region of Italy – the heart of Verdicchio country. It's their signature Verdicchio’s for which they are best known.
It offers fantastic concentration and value for a wine with such classic flavours. Fresh, zesty, citrus aromas with herbal and nutty hints lead through to citrus and white stone fruit flavours tied together by a rounded nutty finish. Food match: Perfect with shellfish and fish dishes but also good with chicken and creamy sauces.
To book call 01480 812300 or visit www.thegeorgebuckden.com
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Anne Furbank Fashion
Malbec Seleccion Sottano 2013 Country: Argentina Region: Mendoza Grape variety: 100% Malbec Bodega Sottano is a family estate in the famed Mendoza region, owned and run by the Sottano brothers Diego, Pablo and Mauricio. A great expression of this popular grape variety! The very best grapes are selected for the Seleccion wines and the wine is aged in a mix of French and American oak for 12 months before bottling. A mix of red and black fruits, spices, clove and white pepper on the nose leading to good structure on the palate with ripe tannins perfectly combined with the oak. Long and persistent. Food match: A juicy steak or rack of ribs will lap this wine up beautifully!
Sottano family 42
Spring 2016
Chardonnay Hawksdrift 2013 Country: New Zealand Region: Marlborough Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay Hawksdrift is a family owned vineyard, located in the Dillons Point region of Marlborough. Owners Murray and Robyn Butt were among the first to pioneer growing grapes in this area – their experience shines through in this delicious Chardonnay which is a stunning rival to white Burgundy from France. Fresh white stone fruit, butterscotch and lemon curd aromas pull you into the glass. Medium bodied with light citrus fruit flavours and fresh lively acidity. Although crisp, it is balanced with a creamy texture and a long finish. Food match: Enjoy with roasted white meats.
Tasting Days Whisky tasting, Gin tasting and sparkling wines from around the world will be days to put in your diary. When you get the chance to taste different brews of the same drink it really does open your mind to how one drink can taste so different – depending on the methodology of its creation. It is all about personal taste and being able to compare the same drink in different guises really will find you your perfect partner. These evenings are also jolly good fun. Ask to go on our mailing list to keep up to date with all our events or keep in touch via our facebook and twitter pages.
To book call 01480 812300 or visit www.thegeorgebuckden.com
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Champagne Double April is our birthday and we like to celebrate it with you for a whole month! Actually it gives us all an excuse to drink even more champagne. We have 10 different champagnes on our wine list all year round from Champagne houses including Taittinger, Veuve Cliquot, Bollinger and Dom Perignon, but as it is our birthday we have a special birthday treat for all of us. Ayala – a champagne house which was one of the founding members of the Grande Marque champagnes and has been around since 1750 has had a resurgence, most probably due to the Bollinger takeover in 2005. Its popularity has not gone unnoticed with Gordon Ramsey now serving Ayala in his restaurants. We are delighted to have this champagne as our birthday month champagne and even more delighted that as a 12th birthday treat it will be just £6/glass for the whole month of April.
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Running bug It appears that the running bug is spreading with Assistant Manager, Lorela, running her first marathon in April. Rather than pounding the streets of London, Lorela has chosen the more scenic route of Lake Annecy in France. ‘I was inspired by Annie’s six marathons in six days so I decided to put my love of running to good use,’ said Lorela. Lorela will be raising money for Medical Detection Dogs. Please, if you can, donate via Lorela’s just giving page www.justgiving.com/LorelaMovileanuMarathon or by donating in the collecting box at the hotel.
Oscar night It was a night to remember in the cold dark month of December. In between all the Christmas parties all the staff managed to have a party of their own. It was Oscar night at The George. The stage was set complete with red carpet and fairy lights and of course prestigious trophies to be won. As the stars of the show arrived (all the staff) in their finery the champagne started to flow and the music came to life. Best Scrubber, Best First Responder and Best Entertainer were just some of the awards up for grabs. The Captain of the Ship Award (complete with captain’s hat) obviously went to General Manager, Richard O’Leary who steers his team and keeps them on an even keel!
Meet the Butchers Since Paul and Jason took over the butchers in Buckden in September 2010 they have transformed a little village shop into a buzzing meat empire. If you had seen the queues down the High Street the few days before Christmas you would understand just how far their reputation has spread. It has to be one of the most convenient of the hotel suppliers. Situated just across the road it allows Head Chef, Akil to pop over and pick just what he wants. ‘It is great to have such a quality product right on my doorstep,’ said Akil.
‘I know I can be assured of consistency which is what I need. I can talk to them about my menus to ensure I am getting the best meat for them.’ Paul and Jason have spent most of their lives in the butchering trade. Paul finished his apprenticeship in 1981 and Jason’s first butchering job was in 1998. ‘We were both working for the same person but in different butchers’ shops when the opportunity to take over the Buckden premise arose,’ said Paul. ‘We worked solidly for two years with no break to build up the business and concentrate on looking after our customers.’
Top
of the region January – and the inspector calls. Luckily for us they were from the AA and the outcome was fantastic. We are now officially the highest ranked 3 star hotel in the area with 87% rating in the 3 star category and 2 rosettes for our food.
The George is lucky enough to be one of the few places they supply. ‘We know the George wants a quality product and that is what we can offer,’ said Jason. ‘We source our meat from people we know and trust and don’t want to compromise on that quality.’ A lot of the meat is from Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as more locally in Cambridgeshire. Paul and Jason obviously love what they do. ‘Service is so important, we have a good laugh and enjoy looking after our customers,’ said Paul. ‘We have a really good relationship with Akil. It is great to be able to work with another business in the village.’
‘It is a wonderful accolade for all the team that work so hard,’ said Rebecca Furbank. ‘We aim to keep the standards high and offer great, friendly service with some fabulous food. We want everyone who visits us to go away happy whether they are meeting friends for coffee, enjoying an evening meal or getting married.’ The inspector looked at all aspects of the hotel from
the afternoon tea, dinner, overnight stay and breakfast. They make themselves known in the morning and give their critique. In all aspects they were extremely pleased.
“I‘ am thrilled for the team that make it all happen” said Rebecca
To book call 01480 812300 or visit www.thegeorgebuckden.com
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Dinner party sorted Struggling with simple but effective and delicious ideas for a dinner party? Our team of chefs have come up with the answer.
Pan fried scallops, pu mpkin puree, pancetta and Barolo reduction (pe r portion)
3 medium hand-dived scallop s 30g butter 2 tbsp olive oil 100g pumpkin cubes 75ml chicken stock 10g pancetta slice Cinnamon stick 100ml Barolo wine Few drops of Vanilla aroma To make the pumpkin puree : add butter to a saucepan with the pumpkin , half the chicken stock, vanilla aroma, salt and pepp er. Simmer until ver y soft then blitz smooth. Bake the pancetta for 8 mi n @ 185’c
To make the Barolo reduct ion: in a pan add the wine, the remainder of the chicken sto ck, brown sugar, a cinnamon stick and cook until reduce d. Sear the scallops for ½ minu te on each side until golden. Serve immediately with the pumpkin puree, pancetta and Barolo reduction.
4) Classic Boeuf Bourguignon (ser ves
500g of cubed beef blade 200g smoked bacon lardons 110g small whole chestnut mushrooms 2 cloves of garlic 4 small baby onions 6 sprigs of thyme 2 bay leaves 1 tbsp plain flour 425ml red wine season Put all the first 7 ingredients in a casserole, tossing the our, fl the with salt and pepper and fry. Add in the wine ingredients until ever ything is coated. Pour and stir well. Simmer for 3 hours.
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Autumn 2014
Pear tarte tartin with crème fraiche and salted caramel and peanut brittle (serves 4) 100g caster sugar 30g unsalted butter 1 sheet of puff pastry 4 whole pears 100g whipped cream
50g crème fraiche 1 tsp vanilla extract 100g peanuts 100g caster sugar
Preheat the oven to 190’c. Peel the pears, cut in half and remove the core. Heat frying pan, add the sugar and melt without stirring. Add the butter, a pinch of salt and the pears. Caramalise over a medium heat. Remove and set aside. Cut the puff pastry into discs slightly larger than your tart moulds. Place a layer of pears in the base of each mould. Add a generous spoonful of caramel then cover with a pastry round. Gently press pastry down at the edges. Prick with a fork, cook in the oven for approx. 15 mins. For the cream: whisk together the double cream, crème fraiche and vanilla until thick. For the peanut brittle: place the sugar in a saucepan an melt to form a caramel. Add the peanuts to the pan and then pour onto a silicone baking sheet and leave to cool. Once set break into pieces.
Theme nights Two courses and a glass of wine for £19, yes our theme nights continue for 2016. A different cuisine each month so your taste buds can travel around the world from the comfort of The George Hotel and Brasserie. Remember to book early as these evenings are very popular.
March – Turkish April – Peruvian May – American June – Morrocan July – Thai August – Australian Don’t forget to look on our website or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for all our special offers and events.
Sixty Seconds with Head Chef Cooked breakfast or Continental? Definitely cooked breakfast with fried eggs, toast, fresh fruit and a latte. City or Country? I love a country life because it is much healthier, a clean air environment and everyone know everyone. Tea or Wine? A glass of nice red wine with dinner. It helps you live longer. Hot or cold climate? I am a cold weather man and I love the snow. Shorts or suit? A casual shirt with no tie. Favourite food? I love all types of food but especially Mediterranean What do you like most about your job? I love creating great dishes and interacting with people.
To book call 01480 812300 or visit www.thegeorgebuckden.com
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The Collections The clothing Aideen Bodkin
Gerry Weber
Just White
Olvi The Lace Collection
Armani Jeans
Go Silk
Lauren Vidal
Oska
Basler
Goat
Lewis Henry
Oui
Betty Barclay
Groceries
Luis Civit
Paule Ka
Bombshell
Ian Stuart
Mama B
Repeat
Condici
Ilse Jacobsen
Marc Aurel
Rosso 35
Crea
James Lakeland
Marc Cain
Sand
D’Exterior
John Charles
Michele
Teresa Ripoll
Eugen Klein
Joseph Ribkoff
Monari
The accessories Abro Alison Vander Land Armani Jeans Bulaggi Darcie Mae Echo Gaby Icon watches Ilse Jacobsen K&S La Ross Majique Nicola Sexton Nour Peter Kaiser 48
Sense
Spring 2016
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Anne Furbank Fashion
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Meet the staff Shop
Hotel
Emma Ankers
Sonia Beal
Julie Bevan
Richard O’Leary
Nino Advincula
Akil Benaissa
Alex Donald
Alterationist/Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
General Manager
Chef de Partie
Head Chef
Front of House
Julie Chelsom-Pil
Helen Galer
Gill Hepworth
Wendy Donald
Jan Farr
Angelika Gianoulaki Andy Gray
Accessory buyer/Sales Consultant
Saturday Assistant
Sales Consultant
Front of House Assistant
Housekeeping
Breakfast Chef
Night Porter
Carolyn Hodgson
Karen Hutchcraft
Clare Jewers
Margaret Hillson
Charlotte Huggins
Ashley Humphrey
Thomas Kewley
Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
Receptionist
Front of House Assistant
Front of House Assistant
Junior Chef de Partie
Sue Lindsey
Jacky Maskell
Jacqui Moore
Lorela Movileanu
Amina Rafi
Alexandra Movileanu Jordan Picking
Sales Consultant
Assistant Manager
Sales Consultant
Front of House Manager
Pastry Chef
Front of House Assistant
Front of House Assistant
Ann Storey
Beth Thomas
Debbie Tomlin
Felipe Teodoslo
Glen White
Ben Wilson
Ryan Seaman
Sales Consultant
Trainee sales/social media
Sales Consultant
Front of House Assistant
Maintenance
Junior Sous Chef
Assistant Manager
Amanda Wright
Stelios Zachanoglou Nagy Anita Zsofia
Operations Manager
Kitchen Assistant
The Group Team
Julia Fysh Norma Leckie
Melissa Ramply
Bernadette Skerritt
Purchase Ledger Clerk
Online Manager
Accountant
Admin Assistant
Front of House
How to ďŹ nd us Anne Furbank 41 High Street, Buckden, St Neots, Cambs PE19 5WZ Telephone: Shop 01480 811333 Office: 01480 811321 www.annefurbank.co.uk The George Hotel and Brasserie High Street, Buckden, St Neots, Cambs PE19 5XA Telephone: 01480 812300 www.thegeorgebuckden.com
A141
A10
A142
A1(M)
A141
A14
A14 A10
Huntingdon A1 Godmanchester A142
Buckden
A14
A1198
George Lane
St Neots
A14
Churc Bar Hill h St
Newmarket A14
A428
CAMBRIDGE
A428 A1
A11
BUCKDEN
High
A1198
Sandy
M11
Sree t
A1
May
field
Sawston A10
Duxford Biggleswade
A11
A1198 A505
A1
A505
A142
Royston M11