Winter Issue

WINTER ISSUE | £3.50

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL THE REVIEW

STYLE

THE ASTON MARTIN V12 VANQUISH

How To Wear Black Tie

BOND’S LONDON 007’S SECRET HAUNTS

YACHTS

The Top 5 Caribbean Super Yachts

SHOOTING SPECIAL

The Best Guns | Best Kit | Best Shoots |

PROPERTY BERNIE ECCLESTONE A Shrewd Formula

WHY THE SMART MONEY IS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND

THE INTERVIEW

BEN ELLIOT | THE VOICE OF LUXURY

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

CONTENTS p7 Editors Letter p8 Contributors p9 Editorial p10 Bernie Ecclestone

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p17 Style p20 Grooming p22 Evening Wear p30 Watches p34 We Like

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p36 Bond’s London

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p40 The Battle of Mayfair p42 Restaurant

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p44 Lifestyle & Culture p46 Art p49 Tech p50 Gentleman’s Etiquette p51 Drink

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p54 Food p58 Cars p62 The Interview

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p65 Travel p70 Yachts

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p73 Private Jets p76 Interiors p78 What To Buy Him p80 What To Buy Her p82 Women We Like p88 Sport p92 Training A Racehorse p97 Shooting Special p105 Property

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p114 The Diary

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Editor’s Letter THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

W

elcome to the first issue of The Gentleman’s Journal and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed making it.

When conceiving the idea behind The Gentleman’s Journal we knew we had to be different, and not just another luxury magazine that has more advertising than content, nor a magazine where half of it is properties for sale, and the other half is meaningless editorial with five restaurant reviews, six shop reviews and an interview with someone who is famous for reasons unknown to us.

The Gentleman’s Journal is a content based magazine that has a little bit of everything for the man about town. We have investigated and researched and by doing so brought you the information from the people in the know. We wanted to go back in time a bit to the day when men’s magazines were about quality and were written by people with pure passion for what they did. Our contributers and writers are experts in their fields first, and writers second. We wanted to bring this old nostalgia up to date with the latest available technologies. The magazine is available to download for free straight on to your iPad and gives the consumer a completely different experience. In fact, we recommend you download it before you carry on reading the print version and enjoy everything it has to offer, such as videos from the brands, car reviews where you can listen to the sound of the engine and watch how it corners, video interviews with high profile businessmen and how-to films on the sport pages. You can even buy a featured product directly from the magazine, making that Christmas shopping a lot less stressful and much more enjoyable. The iPad allows for a completely interactive experience. Our website, www.thegentlemansjournal.com offers you daily updated articles, you can even subscribe to the weekly newsletter which gives you a complete breakdown of all the articles that week.

In this premier issue we look into the life of Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and how he came to be in control of one of the worlds most lucrative sports. We take a look at the early days and try find out what created the personality behind the shrewd dealmaker. Design legend Jasper Conran picks a few of his favourite things that will add some design chic to any bachelor pad. Tamasin Day-Lewis wets our appetites with

some of her renowned wholesome cooking that will no doubt get you tempted into the kitchen this December. Fresh from publishing her first book, luxury travel guru Tanya Rose offers two locations for this winter, both of which will appeal and are the perfect way to start the New Year. The luxury travel doesn’t stop there, as we look into the impressive world of Superyachting and show you three charter yachts in the Caribbean this season.

With this issue being a winter one, we have done a six page spread on the most gentlemanly sports of them all........shooting. Whether a beginner or expert, there are tips and interesting articles for everyone. On the style pages we show you how to master black tie with elegance and finesse, as well as do a break down of this winter’s key looks and must own items. We review the brand new Aston Martin Vanquish and talking of this, we investigate James Bond’s London, where he ate, what he drank, his tailor and more. The quarterly gentleman’s etiquette page gives you some advice on the hazardous business lunch, helping increase your chances of success.

We have done some fantastic interviews with individuals at the top of their game, in this issue we spoke with Ben Elliot, the co-founder of luxury concierge Quintessentially, on extravagant requests, the economy and starting a business.

Towards the back of the magazine you will find the diary, with a selection of the top parties that have taken place in the capital in the past few months. Before this you will find the property section, with a selection of bachelor pads and weekend cottages, plus a great piece on the Goodwood estate and why faming is once again a good investment. All of which are definitely worth taking a look.

The Gentleman’s Journal is the newest and fastest growing men’s luxury lifestyle magazine in the UK and one that we feel is informative, fun and a joy to read. Please let us know your thoughts by following us on Twitter (@thegentsjournal) and find us on Facebook. Until next time, enjoy it, indulge in it and live it.

Harry Jarman Editor

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CONTRIBUTORS Jasper Conran

Interiors

Like his father, Jasper has become a design legend in his own right. As well as being a fashion designer, he is an author among his many other talents. He has now taken over from is father as chairman of The Conran Shop, as well as being chief executive of his own company. He has a strong passion for the perfor ming arts and has designed costumes for over fourteen ballet, opera and theatre productions. When not working he enjoys nothing better than relaxing at his home in the countryside.

Tanya Rose Luxury Travel

ury Travel” and is founder of the Tanya is known as “The Voice of Lux Rose. Along with partner Sarah Mason successful travel PR Company Mason t ry travel concierge service. With a vas they run Mason Rose Private the luxu a plethora of the best travel tips, network of connections and armed with ies of high profile individuals and celebrit Tanya is the trusted travel confidante rets” which she co-authored with around the world. The book “Travel Sec s and these luxury travel gur us share Martin Turner has been a huge succes issue. their secrets and expertise with us in this

Tamasin Day-Lewis Food & Drink

Tamasin has made a name for herself with her unique style of cooking and is a well respected food writer. She is the daughter of Cecil Day-Lewis and sister of the actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Tamasin’s style of cooking is one that is rural and comforting. Needless to say she is fanatic about organic produce.

She creates dishes for people who love food, but also for people with a range of skills. Her recipe in this issue can be attempted by individuals with basic cooking skills and when done well, they certainly will not disappoint.

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EDITORIAL

Harry Jarman Editor

Matthew Young Creative Director

Finn Bruce Photographic Editor

James Hartford Advertising Director

Mr Merret Drinks Editor

Alexander Nall-Cain Cars Editor

Tatiana Hambro Features Editor

Janie Elliot Food

Hemmo Bloemers Luxury Yachts

Emma Corbett Features

Eliza Minto Women’s Editor

Robert Jarman Shooting & Property

For editorial enquires please e-mail: editorial@thegentlemansjournal.co.uk For advertising enquires please e-mail: advertising@thegentlemansjournal.co.uk Subscriptions are available by simply e-mailing: subscriptions@thegentlemansjournal.co.uk

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL LIMITED 194 EVERSLEIGH ROAD BATTERSEA LONDON SW11 5XT Tel: 020 7924 3488

The Gentleman's Journal limited cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and The Gentleman's Journal Limited take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - @thegentsjournal FIND US ON FACEBOOK - The Gentleman's Journal -

Cover & On Page Photograph- Copyright Terry O'Neill

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

BERNIE ECCLESTONE A Shrewd Formula How One Man Came To Own A Sport

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL In a recent interview with Tatler magazine, Formula One legend Eddie Jorden said affectionately “anyone who has had a business, sold it four times, has never brought it back, has never lost its control, and still owns it is pretty special. And do you know the most important thing? He never f**king owned it in the first place”. He was speaking of course about Bernie Ecclestone, and in only a few sentences he managed to sum up why this man is so special. What makes this feat even more special is where the man actually came from.

Bernard Ecclestone was born on the 28th October 1930 to parents Sidney and Bertha Ecclestone. His father was a fisherman and his mother, like so many back then, was a wife confined to the home. Wealth was not something that Ecclestone was born into.

However, what is clear from reading about his early life, was that his parents were extremely careful with money, his mother demanded that Sidney hand over his wages on pay day and no unnecessary spending ever took place. It was this up bringing that quickly rubbed off on Ecclestone in the school yard, he earned a reputation for trading and even bargained with GI’s through the camp fences to deliver messages to their local girlfriends in return for chewing gum. It was here that Ecclestone first learnt the negotiating skills that would become so formidable in the future.

Whilst at school Ecclestone never missed the opportunity to make money and during the school holidays he would take jobs doing the newspaper round or picking vegetables on nearby farms. At age fifteen Ecclestone took

his matriculation exams and ironically failed in all subjects except maths. This was in 1946 when he was reluctantly sent to Woolwich Polytechnic to study physics and chemistry.

This did not interest him in the slightest, but it was here that he was introduced to motorbike racing at Brands Hatch.

Competitive and with a love of engines, this was the beginning of Ecclestone’s motoring career.

was around this time when he approached Les Crocker, the owner of Harcourt Motor Cycles in a shopping centre in Bexleyheath for a job. Soon Ecclestone gained a reputation locally as a shrewd business man and always had the most immaculate showroom in the area.

From here Ecclestone’s ambition grew at a fast rate. First he moved across the road to Compton & Fuller where he was at Age sixteen and passed the legal leaving age, first declined a partnership, however in his Ecclestone left school and reluctantly got a persuasive manner he made Fred Compton job at the local gas board under his father’s an offer he couldn’t refuse, he agreed to instruction. Most of his time though was rent the forecourt and give him a percentage spent scrolling through the classifieds, looking of the profits. It was only a matter of time for motorbikes and parts that he could sell at before Ecclestone’s bike sales began to out a profit. Soon this side business began to earn do Compton’s car business. After a while the him more than his wage at the gas board. It business became very one-sided, however this did not bother Ecclestone as he managed to persuade Derek Fuller, Compton’s partner, to sell his share of the business to him. It was then Ecclestone persuaded Compton to get involved in racing. It was 1950 and motor enthusiasts had converted an old RAF base into a racetrack that would become Silverstone as we know it today. Ecclestone wanted involvement in the sport, not because of his love of racing, but he said it would be good for business and he was right, Compton & Ecclestone became known everywhere in the South of England.

Ecclestone himself gained racing experience in the 500cc Formula Three Series, acquiring a Cooper Mk V in 1951. However he only drove a limited number of times, mainly at Brands Hatch. His confidence took a knock when he collided with Bill Whitehouse and landed in the car pack outside of the track.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL After his accident Ecclestone temporarily left racing to pursue a number of lucrative investments in real estate whilst still keeping up with the lucrative car business. His Bexleyheath car business grew inexorably and Ecclestone was buying up neighbouring dealerships and refurbishing them with the smartest show rooms around. It was at this time when Ecclestone began to start earning serious money and he also began to start enjoying it too. He changed his tailor to the fashionable Edward Saxton on Savile Row and most Saturdays he took his wife at the time to the Park Lane Hotel for supper and then he headed to Crockfords to play Chemmy. At Crockfords he found himself gambling against the likes of Lord Beaverbrook and other famous personalities of the day. He soon became famous at the club for his fearless gambling. The second hand car salesman started to become part of the establishment, and a respected part at that. Before long he was not only dining with some of the most famous people of the day but also selling cars to them too.

Ecclestone returned to racing in 1957 as manager of the driver Stuart LewisEvans and purchased two chassis from the disbanded Connaught F1 team. He continued to manage Lewis when he moved to the Vanwall team, this was until the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix when Lewis’s engine exploded, causing him serious burns and six days later he succumbed to his injuries. Later he became manager to Jochen Rindt and a partial owner of Rindt’s 1970 Lotus Formula 2 team. On his way to the 1970 World Championship Rindt died after a crash at the Monza circuit, though Rindt was awarded the championship posthumously.

powerful but heavy flat-12 engine from the 1976 season. This move was financially beneficial, however it resulted in Brabham falling to the back of the field in the 1976 and 1977 seasons. In 1978 Ecclestone signed the Austrian world champion Niki Lauda, who was intrigued by Murray’s radical BT46 design. Towards the end of the season in 1978 Ecclestone signed the up and coming Nelson Piquet and formed a close tie with the driver. They continued successfully together until 1985, when Piquet was unhappy with the money Ecclestone offered him and he left to go to Williams. The following year Murray who had designed cars for Brabham since 1972 and scored 22 GP wins left also to join McLaren. It was the end of an era but for Ecclestone it was just the beginning. Having brought the team for $120,000 he eventually sold it for $5 million to a Swiss businessman.

From here Bernie became increasingly involved in the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) and began to see the potential of the all important television rights that would cement his place in Formula One for good.

It was in 1972 when Ecclestone really made his mark with the purchase of Brabham from Ron Taurance for £100,000 and began decades of long advocacy for team control of F1. This lead him to form the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) with Frank Williams, Colin Chapman, Teddy Mayer, Ken In 1978 Ecclestone became chief executive Tyrrell and Max Mosley. of FOCA with Max Mosley as his legal adviser. Together they were an unbeatable The Brabham team achieved little in the 1972 force and negotiated a series of issues with season, but Eccleston was looking to the the FIA, as well as the television rights for long term and in 1973 promoted Gordon the races. FOCA was originally formed to Murray to chief designer. The young Murray represent the British teams, as only when produced the triangular cross-section BT42, together they could compete with the the first of a series of Ford powered cars, bargaining power of the likes of Ferrari. with which Brabham would take several victories in 1974-1975. Despite the success The President of the FIA was a man named of Murray’s Ford powered car, Ecclestone Jean-Marie Balestre and was Ecclestone’s signed a deal with Alfa Romeo to use their number one enemy. Max and Bernie together

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had a dislike of Balestre’s lifestyle, he was accustomed to the utmost luxury and on FIA expenses too. He would travel in Rolls Royce’s, stay in presidential suites in the best hotels and hand out unlimited hospitality tickets to his friends. This infuriated Ecclestone and on top of this Balestre gave advantages to the European teams by banning such things as skirting on the British cars.

This began what would later be known as the FISA - FOCA war, and someone had to win.

This war involved both Balestre and Ecclestone trying to out wit each other. It was like the most exciting game of cards ever and really showed everyone what Ecclestone was made of. He put his own money at risk a number of times and had to continually convince the British teams to support him.

He threatened to boycott races and even got armed guards to hold Balestre at gun point in Spain. Balestre on the other hand banned British teams and issued fines, amongst many other tactics.

What Balestre didn’t have was Ecclestone’s ability to show no weaknesses and the skill of massaging others ego’s, Balestre simply had to much pride to tell others they were great and Ecclestone was able to manipulate Balestre by using his weakness, pride being one of them.

Balestre was a vain man who loved attention and Ecclestone knew this. Ecclestone would threaten to boycott races in France, which he knew would cause Balestre discomfort as he would feel embarrassment in front of his home country, therefore resulting in him meeting Ecclestone’s demands, even if it was only for one race.

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

With President Vladimir Putin Brabham engineer Gordon Murray

Talking with Nelson Piquet during the Brabham days

Talking with Flavio Briatore

Lotus owner Colin Chapman

Laughing with Michael Schumacer

With Jean-Marie Balestre

With The Prince & Princess of Monaco In discussion with McLaren’s Ron Dennis

With Eddie Jordan

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Enzo |13 Ferrari Winter 2012

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL When Balestre would try and negotiate with the other British team owners, Ecclestone would quickly ring them up after and in a short time have them siding with him again.

Once Mosley and Ecclestone, at a crucial point in the war, checked into the same hotel and tracked Balestre’s conversations, finding out that he was negotiating with Lotus boss Colin Chapman. Knowing that Chapnam would convince the other British owners to side with Balestre, Ecclestone quickly called Chapman and convinced him to stay on his side, playing to his vanity by praising his designing genius, needless to say it worked.

used his own tyres from his warehouse as sponsor Goodyear refused to provide tyres due to the illegitimacy of the race. It proved to be a close call for Ecclestone and he later admitted that he could not afford another pirate race like that. But it didn’t matter as he had succeeded in his aim, so much so that Enzo Ferrari was also now sure of Ecclestone’s determination to win.

In the end Ecclestone won, although Balestre would call it compromise. This was formed in the shape of the Concord Agreement, whereby essentially the FIA agreed to more equally distributed funds These dirty tricks were normal on both sides, and technical regulation changes. The teams agreed to appear in every race in Ecclestone had a mantra that was ‘act now, the world championship and the FOCA threaten later’, which is most probably why Balestre called him a mad man on a number teams also agreed to share travel expenses equally amongst all teams who score world of occasions. What this resulted in though was everyone taking Ecclestone seriously. He championship points. was and still is a man you don’t want to mess The real outcome of the Concord Agreement with. lead to the inclusion of Ecclestone and Mosley on the FIA committee, which allowed Another string to his bow was his personal for the commercial aspects of Formula One relationships with the tracks and the to grow significantly over the late 1980’s. governments of a number of the host The FIA still harnessed the power of the countries, most notably King Juan Carlos, who granted him permission to take control rules and regulations, whilst Ecclestone took charge of most if not all commercial aspects of the circuit from Balestre in the 1980 of Formula One. This resulted in Bernie Jarama grand prix, in Spain. Ecclestone himself profiting massively. However, what was able to threaten that the race would be boycotted due to these personal relationships is also worth noting is Ecclestone made alot and everyone believed him. There were times of other team bosses massively wealthy at when Ecclestone would bluff with immense the same time. Ecclestone had rooted his skill, such as the South Africa Grand Prix in ownership of Formula One, but as we know and love, the controversies didn’t end there Kyalami. Balestre had declared that the race would not count towards the championship, and each season there are politics galore, and who is the man they all turn to for answers? but Ecclestone urged the teams to take part saying that he would cover the costs, he even Bernie Ecclestone. Ecclestone thrives off this

and says that politics are good for the sport as they create press and larger viewerships, which of course leads to more income.

Formula One still remains very secretive and is run by the select few, described as a cake that gets shared between the teams. For those involved, they are very protective over their slices getting smaller. This is where Ecclestone comes into his element, whilst he still makes a huge amount of money out of the sport, the sport needs him more than he needs it. He protects the teams investments, resolves disputes and manages negations.

Others have claimed that the sport would be more profitable without him and that Ecclestone is out of touch, however the majority are unsure.

Ecclestone is one of the shrewdest businessmen alive and by looking back over his early life you can see what made this man who he is today. When his closest contemporaries and friends are asked how he did it, even they don’t know. This mystery Ecclestone has created for himself is arguably his greatest tool, as the less people know about him the easier his battles and negotiations are.

Bernie Ecclestone has become a billionaire, not by inventing something or creating something. He took a sport that already existed and saw its potential before anyone else even gave it a thought. Over the years he has taken the product that is Formula One and developed it into the worlds second most successful sport. Ecclestone has gone from relative poverty to crossing the globe in his private jet and mixing with celebrities and statesmen alike. His success is not judged by his fortune, however large, but by his success in turning a sport into a multibillion pound global business and by fighting off takeover bid after takeover from those who want to seize control from him.

In our view there are very few people on this planet who could do what Ecclestone has done and what he continues to do. The question we ask is in a sport where financial greed is rife, who will takeover Bernie’s position when he retires, that is to say if he retires. Who can control all the personalities that make the sport such a spectacle, the negotiations for each circuit and how all the money is allocated? The answer to this question is one that no one knows. For the time being Formula One will continue to evolve and the man behind it, shall remain shrouded in mystery, just the way he likes it.

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Style Journal

No Brown In Town?

The nature of fashion is such that often we see trends come and go, many making repeat appearances every decade.

Historically there have been some firm fashion rules not to be broken – those that have been in place since the dawn of stylist times. No brown in town has been a long standing fashion faux pas. However like many rules, aren’t they are there to be broken?! Never more so than in fashion.

This vintage gentlemen’s saying originated in the days when the man about town was truly suited and booted, and only the countryman would sport a brown shoe. Autumn/Winter 12 trends are all about combining country textures with city cuts. The tweed 3-piece is back in fashion with a vengeance, perfectly finished with a clean brown brogue.

While it may now be acceptable to wear tweed with a brown shoe in the city, it must be done so with caution. Many brands are producing tweed weaves that are almost as visually offensive as a bold pin stripe. Try sticking to subtle autumnal tweeds and match them with crimson hued and navy patterned shirts. When it come to ties, paisley prints help break the block pattern of the tweed. Avoid over accessorising, we recommend a statement umbrella and perhaps a matching pocket tissue. As for shoes, look for a strong, classic design that has stood the test of time, much like the brown brogue.

Hackett Prince of Wales Country Check Suit. £850. hackett.com. Church’s English Shoes. £370. churchs-footware.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL STYLE

Autumn/Winter 12 - The Key Trends This Autumn/Winter season sees the return of some past classics, it also sees many fashion rules being broken. Tweed continues its revival as we see iconic items come back into fashion in a big way. There is definitely an essence of the Great Gatsby style coming through, which will know doubt continue through to 2013.

Bright Trousers

Prince of Wales Check Three Piece

Who said bright and colourful trousers were just for summer. Now you can brighten up the winter weather with a pair. Go for darker more vivid colours and avoid the pastel shades. Match with natural basic tones, such as a black or beige trench coat. Keep them also slim fitting for a modern look, like this pair from Harford at £120. mrporter.com

The Prince of Wales Check remains the suit to be seen in, and this season make sure it’s a three piece. With the release of the Great Gatsby due in early 2013, there is a strong sense that the more traditional the better.

There is no better suit to invest in than a Richard James one, they give this iconic check a modern and refined cut. mrporter.com

Waxed Jackets Yes waxed jackets are back, and this time they are not just confined to the sporting countryside; they make for a classic dandy urban look too. Stick to the more traditional colours of black, navy, brown and olive green, and choose the brands with heritage to ensure you get an investment piece that will last. Our recommendations would be Private White VC, Belstaff and of course Barbour. mrporter.com

Knitted Ties This versatile design can be worn as easily in the boardroom as it can on a night out. This navy one seen here is from the well renowned Mayfair brand, Drake’s, and would be perfect with a white shirt and a Prince of Wales Check suit. mrporter.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL STYLE

Slippers

Yes you heard right, they are no longer confined to the house. They are now the shoe to be seen in around town. Brands such as Stubbs & Wooton are rewriting the rules with funky camouflage designs. Our favourite is this tapestry design, which would look great with a pair of dark blue jeans. mrporter.com The Midnight Blue Dinner Jacket Midnight blue is the new black, this dark blue looks black in the nights light but is much softer and pleasing on the eye. Past fans have in included the likes of Frank Sinatra. Look out for ones with black lapels, as the contrasting colours work well. mrporter.com

Statement Umbrellas The Tweed Jacket

The British should definitely know one or two things about the umbrella, however it’s amazing how many of us don’t carry one. This Winter is the time to invest in a quality umbrella that any gentleman would be proud of. Archer Adams and Burberry are leading the way by producing beautiful umbrellas with decorative handles. mrporter.com

If you have to pick one staple this Autumn/Winter, make it the Tweed Jacket, yes this iconic piece has returned. They look great with smart suede loafers and chino’s, or even go into texture overload and pair with cords. We love this 70’s inspired tweed from Ami. mrporter.com

Cords

The Velvet Jacket

Texture is playing a big part this season and with the return of the cold weather it is time to invest in some corduroys. Matched with a tweed jacket, it makes the quintessential British look. We say go for a versatile plum colour with a slim cut like this pair from Aubin & Wills. mrporter.com

No longer is the velvet jacket limited to the evenings. It’s as much a replacement to the dinner jacket as it is to the everyday blazer. A velvet jacket gives off a casual sophistication when paired with jeans and a shirt, and when worn as a black tie it creates the perfect balance between texture and style. mrporter.com

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Bang by Marc Jacobs £36, 50ml, marcjacobs. com The One by Dolce & Gabbana, £43.50, 50ml dolcegabbana.com Polo Black by Ralph Lauren, £41, 75ml, ralphlauren.co.uk Blenheim by Penhaligons, £80, 100ml, penhaligons.com Woody Oriental by Diptyque, £50, 50ml, diptyque.com Aqua Di Parma, £81, 30ml, aquadiparma.us Danger

by Roja £195, 100ml, rojaparfums.com

GROOMING >WINTER SCENTS

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The Perfect Shave

There is plenty contradiction out there on the art of shaving. Whether you should or shouldn’t go against the grain, whether foam out of the can is better to use than a badger brush and soap.

The list goes on. The Journal is here to put an end to this once and for all, giving you the top tips for the perfect shave and recommending the right tools for the job.

The Top Tips to Shaving Heaven 1. It has been proven that facial hair is stronger than copper wire; this is the reason why preparation is so important. Use a gentle facial cleanser in the shower, bath or just after (not before) to soften the hairs. This makes them easier to cut causing less irritation. We would recommend using a facial scrub twice a week. Not only does this get rid of the dead skin cells, but it also results in a much closer shave that feels great. We recommend only twice a week, as over scrubbing could lead to drying of the skin.

2. The majority of men use foam or gel out of a can and rub it on their face. Whilst this may be fine, our forbearers came up with a much better way; the badger brush and shaving soap. By using a brush you are essentially waking up the hairs and making them stand to attention, giving you a closer shave than you would get by just putting foam on your face. The other benefit is that shaving soap lasts forever, making it more cost effective and better for the environment. That’s a win, win …….. win!

3. We all live in a rush, however, shaving is something that no man should rush. Rushing is not worth it when you end up with a cut or a whole day of stubble irritation. It is important to take big long strokes where possible rather than short strokes. This is because you are essentially taking off layers of skin, and therefore lots of short strokes can lead to unecessary irritation.

4. Against the grain or with the grain? As a rule of thumb, always with the grain, this causes less irritation and less grazing. If you feel this is not getting you a close enough shave, then re-lather, making sure the hairs are soft and the razor can slide easily (AGAIN MAKE SURE YOU RE-LATHER). Every man’s hair grows in different directions (even in circles) so you have to find out what works best for you.

5. Last but by no means least, the after-shave care. Shaving can cause a loss of moisture, which is why it is important to re-moisturize afterwards. It is important to let the pores close before hand, as moisturizing with them open can lead to blackheads and blemishes. The last thing is to make sure your shirt collar is not too tight as this will cause rubbing and irritation.

The Tools

LAB SERIES - Unique Multi-Action Foaming Cream, £18, labseries.com

GEO F TRUMPER - Eucris Shaving Soap, £19, trumpers.com

DR HARRIS - 3 piece shaving set, £165, drharris.co.uk

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KIEHL’S - Facial Fuel, £33, kiehls.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

MENS SHOOT

Party Time!

THE JOURNAL SHOWS YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EVENING WEAR THIS SEASON, FROM TEXTURED VELVET, MIDNIGHT BLUE AND STATEMENT BOW TIES, + 5 KEY LOOKS TO ENSURE YOU GET IT RIGHT.

PHOTOGRAPHY - FINN BRUCE STYLING - EMMA PASCOE HAIR AND MAKE UP - CLAIRE PORTER MODEL - EDDIE WREY PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT - SEB HESELTINE

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

MENS SHOOT

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Look 1 - Jacket, £1,250. By Valentino.

Trousers, £380. By Dolce & Gabbana.

Bow Tie, £75. By Lanvin.

Pocket Square, £90. By Gucci.

All available at mrporter.com Shirt, £89. By Thomas Pink. thomaspink.com.

Shoes, £125. By Herring Shoes.

Winter 2012 herringshoes.co.uk

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

MENS SHOOT

Look 2 - Jacket, £920. Shirt, £285. Trousers, £380. All by Dolce & Gabbana. Shoes, £450. By Gucci. Pocket Square, £45.

Bow Tie, £75. Both by Lanvin. All available at mrporter.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

Look 3 - Suit, £795. By Gieves & Hawkes. gievesandhawkes.com. Shirt, £99. Bow Tie, £30. Both by Thomas Pink. thomaspink.com. Shoes, £195. By Russell and Bromley. russellandbromley.co.uk. Pocket Square, £90. By Gucci. mrporter.com

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Look 4 - Jacket, £450. Waistcoat, £200. Shirt, £90. Trousers, £160. All by Hackett. hackett.com. Shoes, £195. By Herring Shoes. herringshoes.co.uk. Bow Tie, £30. By Thomas Pink. thomaspink.com. Pocket Square, £45. By Lanvin. mrporter.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

Look 5 - Suit, £895. Shirt, £139. Bow Tie, £59. All by Mr Start. start-london.com. Shoe's, £230. By Crockett & Jones.

At Mr Start. start-london.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

BLACK TIE ESSENTIALS It is often said that it’s the small details that make the difference, and this is no more apparent than when talking about evening wear.

With the party season upon us it’s time to start thinking about what to wear, and no, it’s not as simple as just wearing a dinner jacket. There are some serious sartorial pitfalls when it comes to black tie, most notably an ill fitting suit. Whats important is that your accessories do the talking, they can finish off the look sublimely, equally they can make you look like a nineties banker if you’re not careful. We have picked a few of our favourite accessories, which providing they are matched with a well cut suit, should keep you out of the murky waters this party season.

BAUME & MERCIER CLASSIMA £4,990 baume-et-mercier.com

LANVIN – CRYSTAL CUFFLINKS £125 mrporter. com

LANVIN – LARGE VELVET BOW TIE £75 mrporter.com

FALKE – WOOL-BLEND SOCKS £12 mrporter.com

GUCCI – PATENT – LEATHER HORSEBIT SLIPPERS £450 mrporter.com

PINK – MARCELLA SLIM FIT EVENING SHIRT £99 thomaspink.com

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ADVERT

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

WATCHES A MASTERCLASS IN UNDERSTATED DESIGN

AUDEMARS

PIGUEUT

THE ROYAL OAK WATCH

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL WATCHES

A

udemars Piguet is not just another watch company. Founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, they joined forces with the aim of creating beautiful watches with complex but precise mechanisms. Today Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watch-making manufacture never to have left the hands of its founding families. This alone puts them in their own league and allows them to follow their own vision.

The watch to the right is from the Royal Oak collection, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and brings together the best of both worlds, with it’s beautiful vintage 1972 styling and precise modern mechanisms.

True to the original, it still retains it’s 39mm diameter steel case, with its octagonal bezel, shaped after King Charles II’s Royal Oak battle ship. Other features include glareproof scratch resistant sapphire crystal, a blue Petite Tapisserie patterned face, a white gold dial with a luminescent coating, a ultra thin movement (just 3.05mm), a selfwinding calibre 2121 movement and a 40 hour power reserve made up of 247 parts and 36 jewels.

This watch is real craftsmanship, with each piece being painstakingly put together and applied. £16,000 audmarspiguet.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL WATCHES

Patek

Philippe Rose

Calatrava

The Rolex

Submariner The Rolex Submariner is one of the most iconic watches of all time and has been worn by the great and the good, including Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Sir Rodger More and the modern day ‘King of Cool’ Johnny Depp.

The Rolex Submariner is the leader in understated style, it’s by no means the most expensive watch out there, however if you had to compare it to a human being it would be an extremely successful man, who does not speak of his success, people

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just know. It has a discreet style, but one that is instantly recognisable from the other side of the room.

This year at Baselworld, Rolex release the 2012 Oyster Perpetual Submariner. Sporting a new look, but one that complements its iconic image. However with many new Rolex innovations the Submariner is better than ever before.

Available at Rolex One Hyde Park.

Tel: 020 7292 0345 rolex.com

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What makes Patek Philippe special is it’s one of the last remaining independent, family owned watch manufactures. It has more than 80 patents to its name and crafts all of its movements to the strict specifications of the Geneva Seal.

They also have their own seal, the Patek Philippe seal that encompasses all their values and traditions as well as standing for outstanding quality, it also ensures you received an exceptional after sale service.

We recommend the Rose Gold Calatrava 5296R-010 with its elegant and timeless design, it will continue to stand out through time. This type of timepiece is also an investment that will last generations. £POA patek.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL The latest in Fashion > Lifestyle > News > Events > Competitions

J Crew Sweater

This cashmere cable knit sweater in Royal Blue, is an all year round staple. Made from the finest Italian cashmere, this is the sort of jumper that will last a life time, it’s a good thing then the design is timeless too. £247.63. jcrew. com

Classic Leather Holdall

The Dunhill Chassis leather collection goes back to its motoring heritage with a carbon fibre print being applied to black leather, rendering each extremely durable with a high degree of scratch and water resistance. The spacious holdall makes the perfect overnight bag for the modern gentleman. Available both online and in their Jermyn Street store, priced at £795. dunhill.com

The Burberry Trench

In 1914 the war office commissioned Burberry to adapt its officer’s coat for the conditions of contemporary warfare, the result was the trench coat as we know it today. This amazingly versatile coat looks as good when worn with a suit, as it does with a white t-shirt and jeans. With its effortlessly fitted and sharp cut, the Burberry trench can be spotted from across the room and still remains one of the best investment pieces out there. burberry.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL THE DIRECTORY

Herring Shoes

This classic “Oxford” style shoe is from the Northamptonshire based brand, Herring. It’s the perfect all year round shoe.

Herring is an online website who offer some of the finest English made shoes from brands such as Barker and Church’s.

They also have a fantastic range of own brands shoes that are made up to the highest possible standard in UK factories. £175. herringshoes.co.uk

Suit Supply

We love Suit Supply. If you haven’t heard of them, they are the dutch based tailoring brand that have essentially created Savile Row service at a tenth of the price. They realised that customers wanted a service that makes them feel special, they wanted optional tailoring and adjustments on site, in some cases while you wait. It is this service that has built them a loyal customer base. Suits start from £259. suitsupply.com

Sipsmith Damson Vodka

This limited edition damson infused vodka from London distillers, Sipsmith, is the only product of its kind on the market. They have created a well balanced and delicious flavoured vodka, which is as good on its own as it is when mixed in winter cocktails. £28. harveynichols.com

The Globe-Trotter Suitcase

Globe-Trotter suitcases are loved all over the world and have become iconic, it is fair to say that they are the ultimate travel accessory. Each GlobeTrotter case is made in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, where they are crafted using traditional methods and go through an unbelievable amount of production processes, resulting in an end product that is not only timeless in looks, but will no doubt last longer than you. £590. conranshop.com

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Winter 2012 |35

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

James Bond’s London 007’s London Haunts Dukes Bar, St James, SW1A The Dukes bar is renowned for their Martinis and often frequented

by Fleming himself, the bar is said to be the inspiration for the classic line, “shaken, not stirred”.

This year they have created the Fleming 89 martini, in partnership with London perfumery Floris, whose “89” Eau de Cologne was famously worn by Bond in the books. dukeshotel.com

Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1 Bond’s breakfast is no secret and it has become famous around the world. It consisted of black coffee, a single brown egg from a French Marans hen, two pieces of wholewheat toast, with “three squat glass jars containing Tiptree Little Scarlet Strawberry jam, Cooper’s Vintage Oxford marmalade, and heather honey”. In From Russia With Love we are told that Bond’s breakfast was “always the same”. Needless to say there is only one place you will have a chance of finding all these ingredients. fortnumandmason.com

Bonds London Boodles, 28 St James’s Street, SW1 In the books there was reference to a club called Blades, and it being the most exclusive club in London, one which you couldn’t join unless you had a worth of at least £100,000.

In the books members included Sir Hugo Drax, Auric Goldfinger and M. It has often been said that Blades was based on the exclusive gentleman’s club, Boodles, on St James’s Street. The biggest give away was that Fleming himself was a member. boodles.org

Crockford’s 30 Curzon Street, W1 Established in 1823 by William Crockford, this club has been host to the aristocratic elite and diplomats alike for decades. According to Moonraker, Bond spent his evenings “playing cards in the company of a few close friends, or at Crockford’s, or making love”. crockfords.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL Morland & Co, Cigarettes, 83 Grosvenor Street In the books James Bond was a smoker, and was also in the films until the era of Pierce Brosnan.

Like everything else, Bond was specific on his choice of smoke and he went for the now defunct Morland & Co Balkan cigarette. They were made by hand and were said to be the perfect blend of tobacco.

Floris, 89 Jermyn Street This London base perfumery was a favourite of Flemings and Floris lime bath essence is mentioned in the book Dr. No. It is reported that Bond used the fragrance 89, the name coming from the brands shop number on Jermyn Street. florislondon.com

Anthony Sinclair, Sackville Street, W1 Although no tailor names were ever mentioned in the books, Bond’s style in many ways was based on Fleming’s, who preferred off-Savile Row prices, such as those of Anthony Sinclair.

Sinclair was also responsible for creating the Conduit Cut that Sean Connery wore so well.

You may remember that classic picture of Mr Connery leaning up against his Aston Martin DB5, wearing a grey suit with the mountains in the background. anthonysinclair.com

The Ritz, 150 Piccadilly, W1 The Ritz has hardly been featured in the films, however in the book it was metioned regularly. Colonel Boris suggested Bond stay there in The Man With The Golden Gun, and Jewel smuggler, Tiffany Case, in Diamonds Are Forever, told him to “book yourself in at the Ritz”. Bond was also particular in his room choice, making sure it was always looking over Green Park. theritzlondon.com

Scott’s 20 Mount Street, W1 Since Bond went for lunch with chief of staff Bill Tanner, in Diamonds Are Forever. Scott’s has moved from its original location in Coventry Street to Mount Street. Here his poison was black velvet, a combination of Champagne and Guinness, why not. scotts-restaurant.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

T he Ba ttle o f

Mayfair IN 2010 A FIERCE ROW BROKE OUT BETWEEN TWO OF LONDON'S BIGGEST PERSONALITIES, RICHARD CARING, THE RAG TRADER MILLIONAIRE, AND ROBIN BIRLEY, THE SON OF THE LEGENDARY MARK BIRLEY. NOW WITH ROBIN BIRLEY'S 5 HERTFORD STREET OPEN WE LOOK AT WHO IS WINNING THE MAYFAIR TURF WAR.

In the early summer of 2010 a very public fight broke out over the Birley name. Robin had announced plans that he was going to open an almighty members club in London Shepard's Market. A club that was going to compete with the ones his father previously established, now owned by Richard Caring.

Robin was planning on calling it Birley's, however when he tried to register the name on the July 4th, he found that Caring had already registered it just the day before, he had even registered 'Robin Birley' too. Saying that when he brought the clubs off Robin's father Mark, he also brought the rights to the Birley name. The scene was set and it seemed both were determined to win.

Things heated up further when Caring commented in an interview, saying "Robin Birley is a twit" and "what do we know about him? He put his head in a tiger's mouth". This blunt remark was in reference to an instant when Robin was just a boy and was mauled by a Tiger at family friend, John Aspinal's Private zoo.

Things had now got very personal and first to get involved was Birley's half sister Jemima Khan, who set up a Facebook group in protest to Caring's stealing of Robin's name. Robin's Mother, Lady Annabel Goldsmith remarked in regards to Caring's comments "How could Richard Caring trivialise what happened? What kind of man is he?". Lady Annabel reportedly wrote a letter to Caring stating her shock over his comments. Caring sent a swift e-mail back being very apologetic, explaining that his comments were not intended to be hurtful. However what Caring surely didn't expect was the impact his comments would have in high society London. Although Caring was legally the winner. Birley gained maximum publicity for his new venture and seemed to win the moral ground.

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Birley and Caring finally came to a agreement later over the famed negotiating table of Wilton's restaurant. He decided that he would call it Rupert's after his brother, who tragically disappeared whilst swimming off a beach in Togo, West Africa.

Now open and under the name 5 Hertford Street from where it resides, the real war has began, and there is yet to be a victor.

However the early signs are that Robin has seemed to have inherited his father’s flair and attention to detail.

Robin's father, Mark Birley was the founder of Annabel's, which is undoubtedly the greatest and most glamorous night club London has seen. Located in Berkeley Square under the Claremont Club. It soon became world renowned for its beauty, sophistication and exclusivity. The club itself resembled that of a comfortable Edwardian house and was named after his wife at the time, Lady Annabel Goldsmith. When Annabel's became a success he wasted no time and founded a string of other clubs, most notably Mark's and Harry's Bar, all of which he sold to Caring in 2007 for £90 million after a fall out with his son Robin.

Before Caring's acquisition, little was known about him apart from that he was a rag trader who supplied a large amount of the high streets brands and had the nick name 'coat hanger king'. But in 2008 his long term friend Sir Philip Green made a bid to privatise Marks & Spencer and he wanted Caring to head up the supply chain.

Caring then handed over the running of his Far East factories to local managers in preparation for his new role. There was a hitch though, Sir Stuart Rose beat off Green's bid and Caring found himself technically unemployed. This is when he purchased Mark Birley's empire and went from coat hanger king to night club king.

Both Robin and Richard are well educated, Robin at Eton and Richard at Midfield, this is where the similarities end. Caring is known to live a very luxurious lifestyle and owns a private jet, a Superyacht and a house in Hampstead that is known as the Versailles of London. Robin on the other hand is a bit more reserved, very much part of the old establishment and has a slight aristocratic way about him. Robin ran Annabel's under his father’s ownership until a family bust up. This was after Mark found out Robin had spent thousands of pounds hiring

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL investigators on his sisters then boyfriend, after he had received some false information Robin Birley about him.

Still to this day the name ‘Mark Birley’ has an aura surrounding it. He was the man with the golden touch that appreciated all the finest things that life had to offer.

When decorating his clubs no expense was spared and he chose the best of everything.

He valued his staff hugely and was said to be extremely generous, so much so that apparently the doorman at Annabel's put his son through Harrow and Cambrige. His genius was his selection of his members, he possessed the skills to combine new and old money flawlessley, an this was one of the reasons his establishments became so well renowned. It is these sorts of touches that Robin will need to make 5 Hertford Street a success, as will Richard Caring in keeping the Annabel's reputation alive.

Richard Caring

5 Hertford Street 5 Hertford Street

Whether you like or not, it has turned into a sort of class war. Robin representing the establishment and Caring representing the new order. However with 5 Hertford Street already a favourite with the royals and having been host to some of London’s most glamorous parties since it opened, the membership queue will no doubt already be large. Birley has reportedly returned a cheque for the £25,000 founding member's fee, because he didn't consider them right for the club.

However, Caring is not the type to give up and with the launch of his new venture, Little House on Mayfair's Curzon Street, he will now be more determined than ever to hold on to his crown. Only time will tell.

Robin Birley

Richard Caring 5 Hertford Street

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Annabel’s

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

RESTAURANT

Eighty-Six jumps aboard London’s Lobster train as it introduces ‘Lobster Tuesdays’.

Tatiana Hambro goes along for the ride

86 EIGHTY-SIX

“has somehow managed to convince the whole of London that what we want is lobster”

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

I

tend to judge a place by the quality of its Bloody Mary. When I ordered mine at Eighty-Six yesterday evening the waitress came back carrying a smile and two on a tray. Was it an attempted schmooze?

“No, it’s two for one cocktails tonight” she told me, still with a smile. Apparently, this happens every Tuesday at Eighty-Six. As she squeezed both drinks onto the square table an antique voice from late childhood emerged inside my head; the accent was distinctly Geordie and unquestionably belonged to my prep school English teacher. Full of simple clichés and the occasional sharply worded take-down, Miss Tildesley liked things, like all Northerners, free of bull shit. This was especially true when it came to writing essays.

“Now remember girls, it’s the quality, not the quantity that matters” she would say, eyeing up the over-zealous child who always used to write five pages of guff when only one was necessary.

Still haunted by that phrase my first sip was eager but sceptical. Not bad: a robust flavour - full of potential. Two-for-one seemed to be the apparent theme of the evening as it was served with a double portion of ice, but that’s easily fixed. The French man who accompanied me rather predictably ordered a Côte du Rhone. Unpredictably however, he drained his glass of 2009 Château de l’Estagnol quicker than usual and promptly ordered a second. A good sign but not a surprise - good claret practically runs through the veins of General Manager Charlie Kearns, his family having run some of the UK’s finest wine merchants for many years. The list is impressive and varied without being flash, artfully held together by a solid backbone of knowledge and education.

It didn’t take long to mull over the menu there are only six things on it. This includes one starter and two puddings. No matter, I spent the fifteen minutes I normally take deciding what to order on admiring the actual menu itself: the thick card was pleasingly matt and its dainty A5 size means you don’t really notice how little you have to choose from. But that’s just the point of ‘Lobster Tuesdays’. The huge success of Burger & Lobster has somehow managed to convince the whole of London that what we want is lobster (rather than burger). Lobster is everywhere. Turn over the menu and the charming British-Museum-Guide pencil drawing of a lobster’s cross-section cements the point. Plus, now you know that the green stuff isn’t the stomach but is, in fact, the pancreas and liver. You might even call it the tomalley by now.

With only one starter, we had to have it.

I knew before I even saw the charcuterie platter that it sounded better than it would taste. If you’re only going to do one thing, you have the make sure that whatever that thing is, is bloody brilliant. Bloody being precisely what was lacking in the watery pâté that came alongside the bresaola, salami and prosciutto. The meat was otherwise average but overpriced.

As we waited for our main course (me a lobster, my guest a steak, the third choice is a surf ‘n’ turf), I eyed the room. Eighty-Six has a warm, sensual ambiance. Logic is cleverly inverted as framed mirrors line the ceiling and oversized, exposed light-bulbs border the walls. Humming, electric chatter from the ground floor bar pleasantly wafted its way up to where we were seated in the first

floor gallery but it was still quiet enough for me to overhear the busty, thirty-something blondes structure their conversation around the word “Maaate” on the next door table.

Just as they probably did when they used to come to the same spot ten years ago, when the place was Cactus Blue - the bar famed for serving Sloaney, under-age kids so long as they had European driving licences. That being said, this group were the only remnants of previous cliental: there were tables of families (nuclear), tables of grey-haired men with puffy faces and tables of plucky, game yuppies. As the night got older the crowd got younger and several couples began to shoot starry-eyed glances across the room.

Our main course was served with simplicity and style. Sauces (mayonnaise and garlic butter for the lobster, béarnaise for the steak) come in dainty pots, encouraging you to taste the meat before you decide to drown it in fat.

My lobster was an impressive size if, dare I say it, a trifle undercooked. Fries arrived in miniature copper pans and tasted fantastic.

It’s always a good sign when a restaurant accepts a request for ketchup with good grace; pots of the red stuff arrived quickly and without attitude. The Frenchman, at first dissatisfied with the rib-eye cut (you don’t get the choice) of his steak - “What can I say, it’s not the finest” - ended up eating his words along with the entire thing. It was well cooked, well tasty and medium rare. For pudding, I ordered frozen berries with hot white chocolate sauce, mainly for the sport of it. Seduced by the sumptuous opulence of the dish, I once made the somewhat ambitious decision to serve this pudding to a considerable number of guests at my super-sweet-twenty-first birthday bash.

Everybody ended up with a bad case of brain-freeze. This time, I managed to come away unscathed.

A wise man once told me that great food with bad wine is always a disaster whereas average food with great wine is always a success.

Eighty-Six belongs to the latter category. I’ll certainly return to see what the menu has to offer on the other five days its open during the week. I might even go back on a Tuesday a little further down the line to see how ‘Lobster Tuesdays’ has come on. Turns out I had it right from the start, just like its Bloody Mary, Eighty-Six is not bad, easily fixed and full of potential.

Eight Six, Fulham Road, Chelsea, SW3 6HR Tel: 020 7052 9620 86restaurant.co.uk

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

TERRY O’NIELL - ALL ABOUT BOND NO ANGEL - BERNIE ECCLESTONE RESTAURANT - THE SHED CINEMA - tHE MASTER

the crowd of revelling seamen, Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) emerges as an impulsedriven lost soul with a taste for (and talent for mixing) home-made alcohol concoctions.

Newly demobilised, Quell has difficulties in adjusting to civilian life and life in general.

Son of a psychotic mother and alcoholic father, he is the stereotypical traumatised veteran.

“Henceforth be masterless.”

T

he Master provoked buzz before its North American release, as it was assumed it was a film about the Church of Scientology. Dodd (Hoffman) is a charismatic writer who advances a quasireligious philosophy known as "The Cause" that finds psychic trauma in prenatal experience or past lives, framing individual existences as part of a "battle that's a trillion years in the making".

The Master opens on the eve of V Day in the summer of 1945, with victorious American sailors on a Pacific island beach goofing around and acting horny. Alone in

Quell sneaks aboard a yacht after supplying a bad batch of his booze to some fellow migrant workers. Dodd however, is currently using it as a training centre for The Cause.

They soon confront each other and after a while Dodd tells him that he'll be his protégé and guinea pig. In addition to serving as Dodd's subject and surrogate son, Quell eventually will also be Dodd's sometime enforcer and personal 'bar-tender'. The writer develops a taste for Quell's paint-thinner, squeezed lemon and crushed-pill moonshine.

One might assume this is because it's a potion not unlike his own spiritual 'home-brew'.

The Master is predominantly the story of a showman and as a movie it's based on two sensational performances. It's an acting battle to be sure, albeit one that pits the spell of Dodd's fraudulent culture against the immediacy of Quell's authentic nature.

T

om Bower has a nickname in the literary world; the “undertaker”.

He has made a career from delving into the lives of the rich and famous and finding out all their secrets they would rather we didn’t know. Past victims have included Sir Richard Branson, Robert Maxwell and Mohammed al Fayed. Therefore it shouldn’t come as any surprise that one of his more recent targets is none other than Bernie Ecclestone.

Bower tells the story of how a second hand car salesman came to be in control of one of the most profitable sports in the world.

Bower has left no stone unturned and Mr Ecclestone himself gave him access to family, friends and private documents. However

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Mumbling from the side of his mouth, pushing himself forward even while flinching away from anyone he addresses, Phoenix's hunched, simian lurch is as strange as his provocative, swallowed up line-readings. (It's as though Andersen created him as a foil for the film's master.) Dodd more than once calls Quell an "animal", which in some ways he is – a barely articulate brute with a capacity for sudden violence.

Anderson splits the screen to emphasise their relationship – most powerfully during the scene when craze possessed Quell and hypercontrolled Dodd are locked in adjacent jail cells. As Quell trashes his, Dodd calmly tells him: "Nobody likes you but me, Freddie."

The Master is essentially a fable and while Anderson's film would seem to raise the question of whether Freddie Quell can live his American Dream as a masterless slave, it does ultimately suggest that Quell has internalised Dodd's teachings and even put them to use. Seemingly, the lesson to be learnt all along, although powerful, was simple, and this becomes apparent in The Master's final scene when Lawrence's formula is reversed. For once in Anderson's world, the son has triumphed over the father.

Henceforth be mastered. warning him by saying “I’m no angle”, hence the title.

This is a typical rag’s to riches tale and along the way Bower uncovers how the 5ft 3in impresario saw what Formula could become long before anyone else, how he out smarted and out negotiated every opponent who crossed him. It also delves deep into his personal life uncovering his volatile relationship with his former wife, the 6ft 2in Croatian model Slavica Malic.

Whether you are a keen Formula one fan or not, this book is a must read for everyone and once you read the first paragraph you will find it hard to put down again. £8.99 faber.co.uk

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

ALL ABOUT BOND

F

or more than 50 years James Bond has enthralled, amused, excited and entertained like no other screen “superhero”. All About Bond brings together a unique collection of largely never-seen-before photographs by the legendary Terry O’Neill who has been capturing our on-screen hero, both on and off camera since the early 60’s.

Accompanying the iconic and candid photographs are rare insights into all that is Bond – author and journalist Godfrey Smith recalls the real Bond – his friend and colleague Ian Fleming; GQ editor Dylan Jones defines Bond style and Bond girls from Honour Blackman to Britt Ekland recall their adventures and exploits on Bond sets.

In a collectible bound edition that will delight Bond fans, All About Bond takes us behind the scenes of the characters, the movies, the sets and the lens.

As we are enveloped in Bond season at the moment, there has never been a better excuse to indulge in the ever brooding character. The Gentleman’s Journal gives it its blessing, and as far as ideas for what to give a gentleman for Christmas, we cannot think of a better gift this season.

THE SHED, 122 Palace Gardens Terrace, London W8 4RT

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he Shed is one of the newest food sensations to hit the capital and is the brain child of the Gladwin brothers.

The Shed is all about locally sourced produce, from the field to the plate. The three brothers have created something that is totally unique, even in trendy Notting Hill.

Coordinating the Gladwin trio is restaurateur Richard Gladwin, who has already made his mark on the London hospitality scene with the opening of such restaurants as the acclaimed Brawn in Shoreditch and Bunga Bunga in Battersea. Next comes Gregory Gladwin the farmer, who supplies the restaurant with his own hand-reared livestock from the family farm at Nutbourne in West Sussex. He is also in charge of sourcing premium produce from other local suppliers, with a natural emphasis on the seasonal and the foraged. Finally comes the chef Oliver Gladwin, who transforms the ingredients in to the delicious whilst adding entertainment at the same time. Previously Oliver has worked at the Oxo Tower, Launceston Place and most recently at River Cottage HQ. There is no doubting that these three brothers are a pretty powerful force.

Mersea Rock Oysters, to sharing plates of home-cured Nutbourne Fennel Seed Salami; from slow cooked dishes of Rabbit Ravioli to Cured Hotsmoked Pheasant Breast, from fast cooked Sussex Rump Beef Steak with Mustard to Crispy Pollock, Lemon Potato Vinaigrette with Foraged Chickweed. The wine is sourced from independent suppliers, including the Gladwins’ own award-winning Nutbourne Vineyard.

The Interior of the shed won't fail impress either. Think reclaimed furniture, exposed

brickwork, wood, candles, mixed level seating and the odd piece of farm equipment are all bought together under an eight foot tractor bonnet hanging from the ceiling. The interior is a clear reminder that the Shed is a place to enjoy yourself.

In summary The Shed offers a warm and welcoming setting to celebrate delicious British food with twists you most likely won’t have seen before, fun and the Gladwin brothers energy, hospitality and of course strong country values.

The menu is made up of small plates of British Food, that changes daily depending on the availability of the produce. Oliver is imaginative in his creations. You can expect unusual, but delicious mouthfuls from West

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

CONTEMPORARY ART

ART OR A COMMODITY?

Damien Hirst

Tracey Emin

The secretive world of contemporary art is one of the only markets that continues to grow in tough times. Will it ever stop and who are the people behind the market? The Journal investigates.

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veryone knows that the prices for contemporary art over the last 10 years have rocketed. To be precise the contemporary art sold at Sotherby’s between 2003 and 2007 had a 600% increase from £218 million worth sold in 2003 to £1.3 billion sold in 2007. ‘Art Price database’ put the average rise in contemporary art between 2003-2008 at 800%. Is this due to contemporary art being more widely available? Well as a matter of fact, no. Hiscox put the increase in value between 2006-2007 at 55% for contemporary art and only 7.6% for old masters. Logic dictates that when there is less of something the price increases. It is clear that the demand for contemporary art far outweighs the demand for the old masters. Just who and what are the reasons for this?

Looking at art today, it seems the general population have become more interested in art and it is said in Britain today that more people go to art galleries than football matches.

It appears the secretive world of contemporary art is dictated by a select group of individuals who control the market; these include collectors, dealers and gallery owners.

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The collectors come from various industries, such as hedge fund millionaires, investment bankers, oligarchs, media moguls, dot com billionaires and so on. They include individuals like Jose Magrabi and his son Alberto, who are said to own over 800 Andy Warhol’s (9% of all Warhol’s in the world) and then you have Alberto Magrabi’s business partner, Aby Rosen who owns a further 1% of the worlds Warhol’s. In the commodities markets there are laws that stop individuals owning too much of one thing.

For example in the 1990’s a Japenese Trader who worked for the Sumitomo Corporation was prosecuted for owning about 5% of the worlds copper supply. However, in the Art market it’s acceptable to own 10% of one artist’s oeuvre.

These collectors have not only been accused of price setting (where they up the price at auction and pay way over the guide price), they have also been accused of protecting prices. What’s more, many of them openly admit it! They support their actions on the grounds that they are promoting an Artist, and in many ways they are. However, you have to wonder how much would the Artists paintings be worth without them and if this isn’t controlling the market, then what is?

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The art market seems immune from the rest of the world. During the financial meltdown, an auction for Gerhard Richter and Joan Mitchell broke the artists records and beat the pre sale estimates by $45.5 million dollars.

That same morning Standard & Poors 500 index dropped 3.7 percent. It is this exact reason why so many successful businessmen are diversifying their portfolios in to contemporary art.

It’s all too easy to blame the individuals with money, the truth is though there are others involved. The gallery owners, curators, agents, business managers, auction houses and dealers all take a large amount of responsibility in the rise of an artist. There are prominent people who nearly come under all of the above, such people like Larry Gagosian, Jay Jopling and Steve Lazarides.

Larry Gagosian is known for being one of the biggest and most successful dealers in the world. Over the last 30 years he has built up a network of 11 galleries worldwide from New York to Moscow, and is said to have had sales of $1 billion Dollars annually. He has cultivated top-notch clients like Charles Saatchi (Saatchi & Saatchi) Si Newhouse (Conde Nast) and David Geffen (media mogul who owned two of the world’s top

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

Larry Gagosian ten most expensive paintings). He brokered the deal between Geffen and Steven Cohen, the founder and manager of SCA Capital Partners, for the sale of Geffen’s de Kooning painting ‘women III’ for $137.5 million. You can’t find Gagosian on the Forbes list as it is hard to estimate his wealth, but don’t let that fool you. One thing is for sure he lives a lifestyle on par with his billionaire clients. He has a fondness for Armani suits, keeps fit by swimming in his Manhattan townhouse pool, has homes in the Hamptons, Los Angeles and St Barts, which he flies to and from in a $40 million dollar Bombardier private jet. Oh I almost forgot, he travels with his personal chef.

Another Brit, similar to Jopling in many ways, is Steve Lazarides. Lazarides has taken over The Old Vic Tunnels for two consecutive years. In one of his latest exhibitions ‘Minotaur’, he incorporated a deeply disconcerting maze featuring a sonic installation by Thom Yorke. Yorke’s mesmerizing installation appeared as a largescale abstract film, reflected in a pool of water. Then there were two sculptures made from what appeared to be dead rats. Lastly there was graphic footage of bullfighting shown on loop in a cinema. On top of all that, for food, there was a lavish secret ‘popup’ restaurant by German restaurateurs Pret A Dinner.

Just an Art dealer? Think again.

What these dealers, gallery owners, curators,

agents, business managers, call them what you will, all have in common, is they are responsible for creating the stories behind the artists and their works. They give the collector something to buy into. They sell art not just according to the collector’s desires, but also as an investment. Unquestionably, these artists have talent, but one has to question if their sculptures and paintings are really worth the price that is paid.

There is no doubting that art is a big business, but what has been created over the last decade by a select group of individuals, is known as the ‘Great Contemporary Art Bubble’. The question is, will or can this bubble burst, and if so, when?

Then we move to the UK, where the sociable Old Etonian, Jay Jopling, has helped establish London as the international centre for contemporary art. In 1984 Jopling moved to London and started working with the young artists of his generation, most notably Damien Hirst. In May 1993, he opened the white cube gallery in the most traditional artdealing street in London, Duke Street. A bold move which went against the grain, as the street was known for its traditional art dealing of the old masters.

Jopling’s appeal isn’t just that he represents some of the most prominent artists. More that that, he symbolizes style. Highly sociable, he has been photographed at all the top events, firstly with his former wife Sam Taylor-Wood and more recently with none other than Lily Allen. His presence alone is enough to validate the ‘now-ness’ of any event. This quality is something that collectors buy in to.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

TECHNOLOGY REVIEW The Modern Gentleman

4G AND WHAT IT MEANS With all the hype recently about the power of 4G, it’s hard to see how it couldn’t be enormously successful and sought after. However, it seems as if the facts and the stats of 4G are based on potential. Does it do what it says or is it all too good to be true?

On average, we currently get speeds of between 18Mbit/s and 22Mbit/s. Upload speeds have been wavering between 6Mbit/s and 13Mbit/s.

These speeds are extremely impressive, especially when compared to the 8Mbit/s and 0.7Mbit/s download and upload speeds we got on our 3G iPhone 5 handset.

So, how does that translate to the real world? We accessed The Gentleman’s Journal website on the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE’s stock Android web browser, and it loaded almost instantly, putting our non-4G iphone to shame. We also downloaded the BBC iplayer application, which was fully downloaded and installed on our handset in approximately two seconds. Streaming TV shows on the app was just as good too, and we experienced no buffering or lag whatsoever.

This might all sound pretty positive, but we can’t help but worry. Our main concern is that as more and more people join EE’s network (the new 4G network) these speeds will slowly start to drop. When we tested out EE’s 4G connectivity at the network’s launch event a few weeks ago, we reported speeds of around 38Mbit/s, almost double the speeds we’re receiving now. Sure, this might be based on our location, but it has got us worried nonetheless.

But, as you’re probably more than aware, it’s not. EE is asking £56 a month for 8GB of monthly data for the iPhone 5 (and £46 monthly for other android phones), equating to around £1,344 over the course of a two-year contract.

Those after the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE can opt for a cheaper £41 contract with 1GB of data per month, but given the speeds that we’ve been getting, that won’t get you far on the web. Below are the 4 phones we feel offer the best price of handset along with best price of the package. Although still pricey, they are the best prices you’ll see for the time being.

Still, if you’ve got deep pockets and you’re after a speedy mobile web browsing experience, EE’s 4G LTE network isn’t going to disappoint. Not for a few months yet, at least.

EE are overcharging for 4G and abusing their dominant position!

It’s also not as good a business plan as they think, If they had released these tariffs with 8x the data (or a lower price) on each plan then they could have taken pretty much every subscriber who wanted 4G before the others even started, instead most people will wait until the others catch up and prices fall.

EE’s pricing is another issue. If the pricing was reasonable, we’d be more than happy to cough up for 22Mbit/s speeds.

APPLE I PHONE £56 a month £ 19.99 device cost

HTC ONE XL £46.00 A MONTH £29.99 device cost

SAMSUNG GALAXY S III LTE NOKIA LUMIA 920 £46.00 A MONTH £46.00 A MONTH £19.99 device cost £29.99 device cost

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GENTLEMAN’S THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

ETIQUETTE

THE BUSINESS LUNCH

So, having researched your guest and chosen the right restaurant, think about what to wear in order to make them feel at ease and let them know if there are any dress codes to be observed.

It also helps enormously if you are wellknown in the restaurant of your choice, so that the owner/Manager greets you like a long-lost friend and leads you to your regular table, making a huge fuss of your guest. The Italians are very good at this.

Once at your table always observe the niceties and remain standing until your guest is seated, pull out the chair for them if the staff forget to do so!

Once seated, consult your guest about any preferences they may have about the items on the Menu or what wines they enjoy.

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t’s always a nerve-wracking experience meeting a new business contact for the first time, but by taking a few simple precautions you can greatly enhance your chances of success.

Firstly, carefully research your lunch guest.

Find out their education, career to date and interests; the latter being the perfect way to initiate a revealing conversation and find mutual contacts or interests in common. If you are unable to find information on your guest, then revert to their company website and see where they appear in the Company hierarchy, here you will find out their areas of expertise.

Having researched your lunch guest, then decide what sort of place they would like to eat in. If they are the more mature, traditional type, then they might enjoy lunching at a Club, but you should remember that all Clubs have dress codes, some of them quite strict, so remind your guest of this well in advance.

If your guest is not the Club type, then

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find a restaurant where they can relax and feel comfortable, this is a question of ‘horses for courses’. For instance, media types like to stay around the west end and eat in places frequented by their peers. People who are impressed by celebrities like to eat in places where the celebs hang out, such as the Ivy or the Caprice (or virtually any restaurant or club owned by Richard Caring!)

Ethnic groups like to frequent the same places, for example, the Russians in London currently use Novikov in Berkeley Street, where they have a choice of a cuttingedge Asian restaurant or a modern Italian, alternatively they can just hang out in the bar with their fellow non-dom billionaires!

The city slickers used to stay in the City to eat, but now the Hedge Funds have moved to the West End and joined the Art Dealers in Mayfair, and St James’s. They use the same restaurants like Scott’s, Wiltons, Harry’s Bar and Greens, not to mention Sotheby’s in house restaurant, although the serious clients eat in one of the many private Dining rooms upstairs.

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In fact, the ‘golden rule’ is treat them as the star of the show, always bringing the conversation back to them, asking about their homes, where they live, their wives and children, so that you really learn about them.

Be sure to make notes immediately after the meal, so you remember all these important details.

Of course you must not lose sight of your main objective in inviting them to lunch in the first place. Have a summary of your proposals which you can hand them at the end of the meal, just in case you have missed anything during the meal, also because they can then read this at their leisure.

Towards the end of the lunch ask how they are getting back to their offices or to their next appointment, and offer to arrange a Taxi for them, which the restaurant staff will do; this always makes a good impression and shows you care about their welfare.

Finally, be sure to write, or email them, preferably immediately after the meal and thank them for being your guest and say how much you enjoyed meeting them.

DRINKS THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

CLASSIC BORDEAUX’S & CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS

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Winter 2012 |51

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

Classic Bordeaux’s There is nothing better than a good Bordeaux and despite the increase of new world wines, Bordeaux is still one of the most highly respected wine regions in the world. The Journal picks its top three, all under £30.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL Christmas Cocktails The Chase

2 shots Chase vodka 1 spoon honey 1/4 shot apple juice (freshly pressed) 1/4 shot scotch whiskey 1/2 fresh egg white (farm fresh) Glass: Martini Garnish: dust with flamed cinnamon Method: SHAKE all ingredients with ice and finely strain into a chilled glass.

Chez Goose

45ml Grey Goose L’orange 15ml Baron Ortard OX Cognac 60ml organic, freshly pressed red grape juice 15ml Puree de Madarine Method: Build in a highball glass filled with crushed ice and swizzle. Garnish with red grape and orange peel.

The Damson Royale

A glass of sparkling wine or champagne with a half measure of Sipsmith damson Vodka.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

Food

How To Cook The Perfect Steak & Chips And Tamasin Day-Lewis’s Pot roast pheasant

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If there is one dish that has remained on our menus decade after decade, it’s the simple but oh-so-pleasurable steak and chips. Many have tried to reinvent it; however there are only a few things you need to remember when getting a steak right. Listen now, because there is nothing worse then letting an expensive bit of meat over cook, some people, myself included would call this sacrilege.

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”

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL A steak and chips is a simple meal on paper, the problem is we’ve all had the most amazing juicy and tender steaks, and then we’ve had some that frankly weren’t worth the time, let alone the cost.

The thing is if you know what you’re doing then Steak and Chips is the easiest and most rewarding meal out there. The key is like everything; source the best ingredients to do the job.

The Meat

Nowadays, supermarkets are doing what seems to be amazing deals, like 3 steaks for a tenner. So you walk off home feeling very satisfied with your purchase, that is until you taste it. It pays to invest in quality, and a few extra quid can be the difference between steak heaven and steak hell. Personally, I always like to get hanger steak or skirt when I can and if not then a well-marbled fillet is always a good substituent. It’s also worth remembering that different cuts cook differently due to the fact that each cut varies in density. For example hanger or skirt has long fibers that become chewy if cooked for longer than medium rare, whereas a cut like rib eye has lubricating fat running through it, so it needs more time to soften and melt, so medium is considered better than rare for this cut.

The Potato

In our view there is only one choice for the chips, the Maris Piper variety. This is due to its pleasant floury texture, which makes it an ideal choice for crispy and light chips.

The Salad

Personally there are two things to look out for when selecting a salad leaf that perfectly complements steak and chips, these are crunch and strength. For these reasons we recommend the Little Gem lettuce, with plenty of crunch and being strong enough not to wilt from the heat of the steak and chips, this is the best choice.

The Ingredients

Steak (preferably hanger or skirt), Maris Piper Potatoes (one and a half larger potatoes per person), Little Gem Lettuce (one per person), Garlic Butter Salt & Pepper Sunflower Oil/Vegtable Oil

Salad Dressing

Dijon Mustard, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Wine Vinegar, 1 Lemon

The Steps To Garlicy Garlic Butter

Step 1: leave butter to soften, once soft mash with crushed garlic (1 good size clove per steak approx) on a plate using a fork.

Step 2: shape into flat circle and put in fridge to harden before serving.

The Steps To Perfect Chips

Step 1: Peel the Potatoes, trim sides and ends, so to make as rectangular as possible. Chop in 1cm squared size chips.

Step 2: Put the chips in a colander and run under a cold tap for minute or two, however you don’t want to soak them. The aim is to rinse of some of the starch away.

Step 3: Put the chip in a saucepan full of

water and bring to the boil, simmer for 5 minutes and drain in a colander, then leave until dry (this is important otherwise the chips will become soggy.

Step 4: Heat the deep-fat fryer to 130C

or if you don’t have one pour 4 cm of sunflower/vegetable oil into a large saucepan; put onto the hob and heat to the same temperature (remember don’t leave the chip pan/fryer unattended).

Step 5: cook the chips in batches until they are soft, 7-8 minutes approx. When each batch is done, tip onto a plate lined with kitchen towel and leave to cool.

Step 6: Once cooled cook the chips again for 2 minutes, drain the oil off on the kitchen towel. Toss with salt and keep warm in a roasting tin lined with foil (100C)

The Steps To A Crisp Salad Step 1: For the dressing add a tablespoon

of Dijon mustard, two tablespoons of vinegar, squeeze of lemon (quarter of a lemon approx) and salt and pepper. Mix and then add the olive oil bit by bit to 2 parts olive oil and one part everything else.

Step 2: Chop the bottoms off the lettuces and place whole leaved into a bowl.

Step 3: When ready to serve pour the dessing over and toss.

The Steps To A Juicy Steak

How your steak is cooked is up to you, however we believe you are wasting your time and money if you cook anything over medium rare.

Step 1: Place steaks on a chopping board, splash a dash of olive oil onto both, sprinkle with salt and pepper and rub into the steak.

Step 2: Heat grill pan to the highest heat,

place steaks in the pan, season side down and leave for 1-3 minutes (depending on the thickness of the meat), all you are wanting to do is surface sear and brown the meat. Then sprinkle the other side with salt, pepper, a little oil and flip over to the other side for the same time again.

Tip: To see how well done your steak is,

the touch test is best. With your hand held loosely open, form a circle with your thumb and index finger and press the fleshy mound at the base of your thumb with your other index finger. That is what a steak feels like when it’s rare. Medium rare is when you form a circle with your thumb and middle finger and lastly your thumb and ring finger is medium well.

Step 3: When the steaks are surface sealed

and brown, transfer them onto a plate and place them into the warm oven with the chips. Add the garlic butter and leave to rest for 5 minutes. Serve with the green salad, chips and a large glass of red wine and enjoy.

That’s a steak, just how it should be.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL FOOD

Pot Roast Pheasant Tamasin Day-Lewis is the kind of cook who appears to effortlessly conjure up the feeling of Autumn in a single pot.

Tamasin’s mantra is ingredients-over-all, the minimum done to them for the maximum intensity of flavour, colour and texture.

This recipe for Pot-Roast Pheasant would work equally well with guinea fowl if you are not out shooting in the autumn air or near a good butcher.

It is a dish that is technically simple to accomplish but fit for a good, hearty lunch or dinner.

Brace yourself and enjoy it.

Cooking time 40 minutes Preparation time 50 minutes Serves 6 For the pheasant

Brace pheasants 6 rashers smoked lardons 1 tbsp butter 12 juniper berries small bunch of thyme 2 onions roughly diced 1 bay leaf 200 ml chicken stock 500 ml cider 225 g barley 2 cloves garlic, peeled

For the buttered apples 6 Cox's apples juice of half a lemon 50 g butter 1 tbsp molasses sugar 2 tbsp cider brandy 1 tbsp crème fraîche

oven - 180C/gas 4.

Pour in the stock and cider.

Bring to the boil.

steps

Lightly cook the lardons in a large casserole dish, without adding any extra fat.

Cover the dish with greaseproof paper and put the lid on.

Push the lardons to one side.

Transfer to the oven and cook for 20 minutes.

Season the pheasant’s skin with plenty of fresh pepper

While the pheasant is in the oven, peel, core and quarter the apples and squeeze over lemon juice.

Melt the butter and add the pheasants to the dish, breast sides up.

Cook for 5-6 minutes, until the skin is golden.

Bruise the juniper berries using a pestle and mortar - add them to the dish

Heat the butter in a frying pan and add the apples. Scatter over the sugar cook for 3-4 minutes, until the apples are soft and have started to caramelise.

Add the brandy and flame.

Turn the pheasants and spoon the juices over the meat.

Add the thyme, onions, bay leaf, barley and garlic cloves.

Season generously with black pepper and stir in the creme fraiche.

Carve the pheasant and enjoy!

Tamasin’s new book Smart Tart can be bought through www.Unbound/books, a new concept in publishing where you, the reader, pledge to Tamasin and the publisher.

You will get a hardback copy with your name as a subscriber in the back of the book, or can pledge a little more for a signed copy. If you REALLY want to give a fabulous present to yourself or a friend, there are two higher pledging levels, one which will buy you a tart masterclass with Tamasin, the other for which you can have a tart named after you or anybody you choose. Check out the Unbound site and Tamasin Day-Lewis’s Smart Tart. unbound.co.uk

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

THE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH

“EVERYTHING WE KNOW, EXPRESSED IN ONE EXCEPTIONAL CAR”

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL THE ASTON MARTIN V12 VANQUISH

When Aston unveiled the Vanquish they said it was “everything we know, expressed in one exceptional car”, so you would be right in saying that they set the standard pretty high.

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imely launched to coincide with the latest Bond film, however oddly not the car of choice for Daniel Craig.

Instead and most probably to the applaud of the nation, they opted for the classic DB5, the Bond car of all Bond cars. The question is, does the new Vanquish share any of its predecessors pedigree?

its rivals, with repect to their ambience and atmosphere. Inside, the centre console is touch sensitive, giving you an almost electric feel and a buzz that is unexpected. The fit and finish is simply beautiful, although the inherited square steering wheel from the One-77 is not a welcome feature, however this is one of the many extras.

DB5 for Skyfall, was it simply because the new Vanquish wasn’t ready? Although we don’t know their reasonings, we believe it was because the DB5 seems to have more personality then the new Vanquish, this is not just because it’s old, as the DBS in Casino Royal did too. They were both cars that needed taming and oozed masculinity.

It can be argued that the old Vanquish put Aston back on the map, since its release they have sold more cars then they did in the previous nine decades put together. The previous Vanquish was not a reliable car though and even the company CEO and legend Dr Bez admitted this, saying “What no one wanted to hear at the time is that the Vanquish was crap”.

With regards to the drive, the ride is good and it sticks to the road well, which you would hope with 565 horses at your disposal. With its 5.9-litre engine and carbon fiber body, it was always going to be as fast as hell. However, this is a big car, 1.7 tons to be exact and it doesn’t move at the pace you would expect.

In summary, we are not saying the new Aston is a bad car, we just think at £189,995 (thats before options) it is lacking something on its rivals and the DBS, especially in these economic times.

So what to make of the new one? First things first, the exterior styling has been based on its big brother the £1 million One-77 supercar.

As with all Astons you can quickly tell from its sleek and stretched profile that it’s an Aston. Each aspect of the car seems to flow beautifully together, whether it’s the rear arches to the roof or the LED rear lamps to the integrated spoiler, which by the way we are not so keen on. It is in the interior where this car really begins to shine, and an area where Aston has always had the edge over

After driving it we couldn’t help thinking what is this car? This is a question we seem to ask ourselves every time Aston release a new car.

This is not their fault, but the problem is they have created a near perfect formula with the DBS and to improve on it is a tough call.

The new Vanquish is also up against some pretty tough competition with the likes of the far more muscular AMG SLS, the Ferraris 458 Italia and F12 and the Bentley Continental GT Speed, all of which are great cars.

We wondered why the producers picked the

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THE FACTS Aston Martin Vanquish

Tested: 5,935cc, V12 petrol with six-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive Price/on sale: £189,995/now Power/torque: 565bhp @ 6,750rpm/457lb ft @ 5,500rpm Top speed: 183mph Acceleration: 0-62mph in 4.1sec Fuel economy: 13.2mpg/19.6mpg (EU Urban/Combined) VED band: M (£1,030 first year, £475 thereafter)

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RIVALS McLaren MP4-12C From £176,000 The V8 mid-engined coupé does efficiency to the max, with a fine ride quality and supersharp handling. Quite a looker, but not as dramatic as its mid-engined rivals.

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta From £239,736 Hairy-chested big V12 GT that uses screaming revs to get its performance edge over the Vanquish. Haute couture styling.

Steering is too sharp, but one of the great GTs.

Mercedes-Benz SLS From £176,895 AMG’s amazing 6.2-litre V8 and looks that emulate the SL gullwing. Tyres smoke like a medieval encampment, but overall styling lacks a little something.

“It is in the interior where this car really begins to shine, and an area where Aston has always had the edge over its rivals”

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BEN ELLIOT THE INTERVIEW

Ben Elliot is a co-founder of Quintessentially Lifestyle, the world’s leading private members’ club offering global concierge from over 60 offices around the world, 24hours a day, 365 days a year. Quintessentially Lifestyle has expert, on the ground, insider knowledge of every market they operate in and have developed over 32 sister businesses to meet the every need of its members. The Quintessentially ‘Elite Membership’ is a bespoke global service that offers the member their own personal concierge who proactively builds a profile for the member and seeks out activities, events and business networking opportunities to suit wherever they are travelling in the world. Ben Elliot is 37 years old, married with one son and lives in London.

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hat was life like growing up, did you always want to do something like this or was there another ambition?

We probably all have an experience from our childhood, which set you in good stead for the future. One of mine was editing the school magazine and managing to get an interview with Margaret Thatcher - one of the first after she left government – I then made every attempt to sell each and every copy of the magazine. I also as a child had pretensions to be a magician; my name was Merlin the Marvel.

How was Quintessentially conceived, and does the business today differ from the original idea?

It was conceived as a luxury concierge service for friends based either in / around London or for those who frequented London and didn’t have a PA or friend to gain them access to the capital’s sought after venues. Business, nevertheless, has boomed, and twelve years later, Quintessentially Lifestyle is a global lifestyle concierge with over 2,000 employees in over 38 countries, dedicated to the proposition that nothing is impossible. A few years ago when we wanted to expand to become a luxury lifestyle group, we decided we would not outsource any services and would take direct control in order to ensure the best standards. We focused on finding the leading authorities in every luxury field. So far we have over 32 sister businesses covering everything to do with luxury including travel, wine, art, personal shopping, private aviation

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the time, there were no concierge businesses so we saw a gap in the market when our various friends from London and abroad started asking about how to get into sold out shows, secure restaurant reservations, gain access to VIP events. Between the three of us we had a strong number of connections so decided to delve into the world of start ups. The name, Quintessentially, I think says it all - we just felt it encapsulated what we were trying to do, which is the very essence of what we do.

and public relations. Last year we launched a recruitment section, Quintessentially People, to find the right individuals to meet some clients’ challenging staffing needs, from PAs and personal chefs to accountants.

How did it begin, how did you get those first few members, what was the first year like?

I was 24 when we started Quintessentially.

Like most people who set up a business, I didn’t imagine it would grow so big. At

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What advice would you give to any young person starting a business today?

I was always told to hold my own which is why I am probably so vocal in expressing my opinions because not only does it develop you as a person in terms of confidence but I like to think that it will encourage my colleagues and family to do the same. I was very lucky in that when I was growing up I was surrounded by people with strong personalities – I remember we’d sit round the table for Sunday lunch, all the family would try and attend, and not one person could get away with sitting in silence. My parents were not judgmental.

Has the economic climate affected Quintessentially in any way, have you seen any changes in spending habits?

No, we’ve seen quite the opposite. Last month we added a dedicated Russian team to our London offices due to the influx in Russian speaking clients coming into London so we’re still doing very well within the

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL Russian market. While the United States and Europe continue to grapple with recession, Brazil’s economy gallops forward and we’ve seen this in the increase in requests for Elite Membership (top tier). They do not spend freely unless they feel at home, so our services have proved successful for this reason, as we’re receiving more membership enquiries than ever before.

We arranged this with one day’s notice.

Our Hong Kong office arranged for the chef and crew of The Fat Duck to fly to Hong Kong to cater for a charity dinner last month while our London office just arranged for an elephant to be provided last minute for an Indian couple getting married in London, their original elephant had become lame on the morning of the wedding.

Quintessentially has grown into a large business. How involved are you still with your members, do you still pick up the phone in the middle of the night?

As much as I ever was. I love it. However, not compared with the actual launch, when my partners and I slept with our phones next to our ears in order to be on hand 24/7 to cater to every member’s needs. I’m in our London office every day because I want employees and members to feel that they can approach me and tap into our experiences as it’s important to support those around you. I still meet with members / prospective members on a regular basis and often dine with them either at our offices at 29 Portland Place or at one of our partner restaurants. A lot of my work is about developing relationships with corporate partners such as Jaguar and Diageo and helping to create special experiences and opportunities for our members.

What has been the hardest request to full fill?

We helped our members during the Tsunami & Volcanic Ash disruption, which was extremely trying as on both occasions we had to race against time and manage a lot of expectations. Many of our members were involved in travel disruption during the Volcanic Ash episode and it was our job to get them from ‘A’ to ‘B’ as quickly as possible – I won’t go into some of the more complicated itineraries! Then there was getting Lionel Messi to sign a football for a children’s birthday party at a days’ notice the other week. That took some time but we got there in the end.

Last year you got married and you have recently had your first child (congratulations). Concierge is a 24/7 business, I would imagine you have had to alter your lifestyle, how have you found this?

My working life hasn’t changed too much – I don’t travel as much as I used to but that’s to be expected when you’ve been running a business for over 12 years. I still attend lots of meetings, various award ceremonies, dinners and launch events but I think it’s important to give my colleagues a chance to grow so I often extend my invitations to them so that they can develop as I did.

What has been the most extravagant request?

Most of the time, meeting unusual requests is less about throwing money at the problem and more about using our global database – knowing the right people to contact, for the right favour. A few years back we were asked by a member to arrange a private climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge so he could go up the bridge alone with his girlfriend to propose.

Do you ever properly switch off from Quintessentially and if so how?

That’s what weekends are for. I find my best weekends are spent in the country with my family and Clive, our dog. I love cycling and playing cricket in the summers too.

What are the three key elements that you think make a business successful?

A great service. A great staff who are committed and passionate. A great opportunity.

Our expertise is in organizing bespoke travel, finding tickets, getting our members into the world’s best restaurants and private clubs and looking after them as the 24/7 best Personal Assistant in the world would - with an impressive international little black book.

Our client base has grown with our company - from being largely London and New York centered to being truly global. As mentioned, we have more Brazilians signing up with us and though the Chinese are spending less, they find our services really useful as we save time and money.

You also have a philanthropic arm of the company, can you tell us more about this, why was it started and what do you hope to achieve?

Despite the economic crisis, Quintessentially is still expanding, but I’m well aware this is not the case for all businesses and that there are countless people at the sharp end of the recession. This is what inspired me to set up the Quintessentially Foundation in 2009, our philanthropic arm, which has raised £1.5 million so far for good causes. Most recently, the Foundation hosted its annual Bike Ride from London to St David’s Head, raising over £350,000 for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.

The Foundation has partnered with the Place 2 Be, SOS Children and Room to Read over the last 3 years and through their partnership has facilitated projects including a new Library in Kapungwe in Zambia for Room to Read and a new children’s village in Chipata for SOS Children.

The Foundation has high hopes for its forthcoming 2012 events; The Quintessentially Foundation Poker Night on 30th October in aid of The Prince’s Trust and the star studded Christmas Concert - The Fayre of St James on 29th November in aid of War Child.

What do you look for in people when starting a business with them, would you say you are quite good at reading people? What are the plans for the future, what’s Hope so! I should be good by now. next for you and Quintessentially?

We will continue to host some of the capital’s most exciting events but they will be You must receive a few business plans, bigger and better than ever before. We are what do you look for when investing in looking to open more international offices new businesses? and as for me, I’m looking forward to the Great people and a great idea.

Quintessentially Foundation annual Bike Ride – it could be going abroad for the first time so I’m already starting to round up support How has the Quintessentially client base from fellow cyclists! changed over the years, are there certain To find out more about quintessentially nationalities that are growing at a fast please visit quintessentially.co.uk or call rate, have you seen a shift in the type of needs of your members? +44 (0)845 269 8585

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TRAVEL THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

SUN OR SNOW THE CHOICE IS YOURS TWO TOP DESTINATIONS TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR

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TRAVEL

TRAVEL

St Barts - Tanya Rose and Martin Turner share their inside knowledge of this Caribbean paradise.

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f you’ve got your chalets and pals organised for Verbs and Gstaad this winter season, full marks to you! But if you want to seriously impress the girls, and sport a full body tan and not just a raccoon face, you’ll need to think Caribbean and pronto.

Now if Verbier and St Tropez are just your style, then you’ll be pleased to know someone has moved the South of France to the Caribbean in the form of St Barts. If you like a bit of adventure you’ll be off to a flying start with the most hair raising landing strip imaginable, don’t tell the girlfriend before you go! But a few moments of gripping hands is worth the entrée to an island that is dripping with cool chic and serious style.

The perfect mix of glamour and charm are fused into ultimate street cred at the Hotel St Barth Isle de France. Placed right on one of the most gorgeous beaches on the island, the Baie des Flamands, you’ll be mesmerised by the pure white sand and the pale turquoise sea that shimmers before you. After the long flight you might want to iron out the creases with a jet lag massage in the spa before languishing under a palm tree and letting the warm sun sink into those chilled winter bones.

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The people you saw in St Tropez this summer are likely to be at the next table in St Barts.

Hello Beyonce, g’day Hugh Jackman, is that Alessandra from Victoria’s Secret? It is indeed. If you can drag yourself away from your Citrone Pressé and floating in the sea, there is world of clubs, bars, cafes, restaurants and stylish boutiques awaiting you.

The Calypso boutique is a treasure trove of Marika Charles, Wren, I Love My Tee, Tes Rossi and the best sunglasses to frame your dial. Bring the beach home with you, and I don’t mean sand in your suitcase. Boys will love Comptoir where they can not only get the best Cuban cigars, but also invest in a super stylish Panama hat to complete the look. Resort chic is the fashion uniform on an island where effortless elegance is the dress code du jour and you’ll be one step ahead of next summer’s fashion trajectory.

Before dinner you might like to drop into Baz Bar on the harbour for live jazz and blues that sets the vibe for the sexy crowd. Dinner reservations before you even board the plane for the Caribbean are essential to ensure you are front and centre at the best tables on the lower level at Eden Rock for Mahi Mahi and fabulous views of the Bay of St Jean. French

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Creole Chef Maya Beuzelin-Gurley packs them in at La Table where movie stars email their bookings months in advance.

As the day draws to a close, flopped on a cushy lounger you can gaze at the kaleidoscope of pinks, purples, oranges and yellows against a pale blue sky as the sun sinks slowly into the sea. Take a long bath and a disco nap before heading out into the night in the direction of Casa Nikki.

This place is too cool for school and it’s de rigueur for girls to display tanned limbs from beneath skirts the size of a handkerchief atop vertiginous heels. Boys can also show a bit of cleavage, but it’s all done in the best possible taste and washed down with magnums of champagne. Go and be seen!

Caribbean chic is never this good, and is totally unspoiled by gawkers and day trippers on ghastly Caribbean cruises. Book now!

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Mason Rose Private has one goal; we deliver a private and discreet service that ensures your holiday experience is truly exceptional. Our wide network of personal relationships with hotels, resorts and general managers, allows us to go one step further. We can secure the right room, the spectacular view, the best restaurants and VIP services.

Holidays are precious. We all need reliable expertise to ensure that the time and money we invest in travel is well spent. When you book through Mason Rose Private, you have access to a dedicated account manager 24 hours a day. Whether you are planning a family holiday, honeymoon or city break, our travel experts are here to help you choose and tailor-make the best experience. Planning a holiday can be time consuming and stressful. We take the hassle out of planning and give you carte blanche access to our knowledge, so you can visit the places of your dreams. From uncomplicated bookings to phenomenal adventures, we can arrange scheduled flights, hotels, yachts, private jet charters, private villas, ski chalets, adventure holidays and luxury cruises around the world.

Contact your personal consultant at Mason Rose Private T +44 (0)20 7201 8071

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SNOWFALL...

LICENSED TO THRILL

SWITZERLAND

GSTAAD

LIKE SWISS CLOCKWORK IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN TO THINK ABOUT THIS SEASON’S SKIING HOLIDAY. GSTAAD IS DEFINITELY THE LAST WORD WHEN IT COMES TO ALPINE ELEGANCE, APRES SKI CHIC, AND GOURMET GLAMOUR. CHALET SKI THE BLACK RUN DARLING? Gstaad has mountains of glamour and twinkles with a stellar reputation for the galaxy of stars that descend discreetly upon this village every winter. Its pedigree is firmly entrenched in old Hollywood with residents like Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Andrews and Roger Moore who added early lustre to a village that meets all the clichés of a Heidi meets chocolate box Swiss alpine fantasy.

Regulars are ensconced in either luxury chalets or experiencing the royal treatment at the Palace Hotel which has been cossetting legends of high society since 1913. Its stunning interior designed rooms and suites along with the hotel’s undeniable service DNA means that 100 years on it is still a fairy tale magnet that draws rock stars and celebrities from around the world. Whether travelling under a real fur throw on a horse drawn sleigh, or alighting from an S Class Mercedes, everyone could be someone in Gstaad, it’s all part of the special magic of this winter wonderland.

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The skiing is marvellous on the three mountains which include Eggli, Wassergrat and Wispile, not to mention glacier and heli-skiing. So really there are slopes and runs for every one of all abilities along with a swathe of amazing mountain top restaurants to replenish and experience the spectacular views and star spotting. Do nab an invite to the Eagle Club which is littered with old money warming themselves with gourmet pasta and schnitzel washed down with magnums of Cristal. Business and social gossip is discussed over jacket potatoes slathered with sour cream and caviar before skis are clacked into place for several post lunch runs. Private Ski instructors and guides are de rigueur and often come in the form of former Swiss National Ski champions.

As the skiers and the late afternoon descend, it is time to hit the promenade in town for a walk through retail heaven. If you didn’t stop it would be ten minutes end to end, but the windows and effortless style will lure you in

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to give the plastic a good workout. Drop into Lorenz Bach’s for the latest in mountain chic, and then warm yourself with delectable hot chocolate at Charly’s. Everyone is ambling along clad in Loro Piana, Gucci and Prada, perfect smiles beaming from tanned faces peaking over Hermes scarves.

Head to the spa back at the Palace and have your ski legs massaged into shape for tomorrow and de-frost in the Hamman.

With circulation back in place you can cut some excellent shapes on the dance floor at Greengo tonight alongside Elle and Naomi and where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton liked to dance between arguments and jewellery shopping. A disco nap is essential before you either stay in for dinner at one of the Palace’s 5 restaurants or head out into the star filled alpine night.

Built in 1726 Huttli restaurant is housed in the most adorable old wooden cottage you can imagine and just by the Chalet Horndorf

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL Hotel, its fondue fabulous. There is something glowing and warm as a winter fire about the casual chic of seeing people clad in cashmere and family diamonds tucking into delicious raclette and twirling fondue forks. For a bit of dress up romance the restaurant at The Olden Hotel is a bit like the alpine version of the The Ivy. Regulars swoop in clad in fur and Armani down jackets which are peeled off to reveal their expert après ski fashion skills. The Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan built the Hostellerie Chesery from a cheese dairy in 1962 and La Chesery has been delighting diners ever since with its ambience and incredible cuisine….not to mention the gooey magnificence of their cheese. The mountains are all about hearty warming food, but the Swiss also know how to whip up a crunchy salad. Gildo’s at the Palace serves a marvellous veal Milanese and tender slow cooked lamb shoulder, both simply heavenly.

So now it’s probably time to head for Greengo and hit the dance floor which is suspended above the pool. There is something vaguely Bond villain about it as if there should be sharks swimming beneath you and a man sitting at the bar stroking a white Persian cat. But it’s great fun, and everyone goes, so you must too. The real magic of Gstaad at night is captured beautifully if you take over the Eggli ski lift, and dine fireside at the top of the mountain in a wooden chalet.

From the deck the view stretched out below you is multiple inverted V’s of light which are the lights strung along the roofs of the chalets twinkling the under night sky. Toboggan back down to the village and warm yourself by the fire with schnapps before heading upstairs to sink into giant pillows under the cloud of a down duvee and drift off to sleep while the snow falls softly outside.

The beautiful Palace as the sun sets.

A room with a view, one of the bathrooms at the Gstaad Palace

Luxury is the word. The spa and one of the Palaces suits.

Retail heaven. The high street glowing in the evening.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL YACHTS

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hartering a Superyacht is like staying in the most luxurious hotel in the world, however having the option of waking up with a different view every morning. The service on a Superyacht is second to none, with literally every need being catered for. You can sit back and relax on a sun lounger around the onboard pool whilst the stewardess mixes your favourite cocktail. If this all seems too boring then fear not, these yachts have enough toys to keep you busy, from jet skiis, sailing dinghys, speed boats, jet powered sea bobs and even submarines.

where and when to look. While Christmas and New Year are a great time to have a family charter, the negotiating cards will firmly be in the owners hands. Outside the peak times of the holidays, owners are lucky to get any charters at all, and whats more, since 2008 owners have been keeping a far keener eye on the accounts too (yes thats right, they are affected also). A yacht crossing the atlantic to the Caribbean will have more costs to cover and therefore will be grateful for any business.

As with all these matters, it pays to invest in quality and a good quality With the Caribbean season underway, chartering a Superyacht offers charter broker is paramount. the client all the benefits of owning a Superyacht without having to worry about the running costs. Unlike the Mediterranean season the What we are saying is although the Superyacht holiday is still more Caribbean offers some fantastic deals, however it’s all about knowing expensive than the average holiday, if this is something you have wanted to do, then maybe you should enquire on what deals are out there. You never know, you might be pleasantly surprised.

M/Y Harle

Recently seen in London for the 2012 Olympics, Harle is one of the top yachts to charter this winter. She has been innovatively designed with an efficient use of space that makes this yacht feel much larger than 45 metres. All the staterooms are on the main deck and up on the bridge deck you have the lounge, with its large panoramic windows that slide open to create a convertible alfresco area. There is a massive swim platform, which serves as an extra water level deck. All lounges and staterooms have state-of-the-art communications.

BUILD: Feadship | YEAR: 2007 | L.O.A: 45m / 146’ | ACCOMM: 12 guests |CREW: 9 | WEEKLY RATE: $240,000 | LOCATION: Caribbean

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL YACHTS Red Dragon Red Dragon is a 52m Alloy Yacht constructed in New Zealand. The design from Dubois Naval Architects was for a high performance aluminium sloop, with the ability to stay operational for long periods at sea, without shore-based support. She is fitted with a 62.5m (205ft) carbon fibre mast, with a fully battened in-boom furling mainsail. Sails are handled by 11 captive and six vertical winches. Red Dragon is very striking with topsides finished in anthracite grey and a white superstructure. Her excellent sailing performance and clean decks will turn heads wherever she goes. She has a charming crew of 10, who will make sure you have the most unforgettable winter holiday.

BUILD: Alloy Yachts | YEAR: 2008| | L.O.A: 52m / 170’ | ACCOMM: 8 guests | CREW: 10 | WEEKLY RATE: €200,000 | LOCATION: Caribbean

M/Y Talitha G

The legendary classic 80m motor yacht Talitha G epitomises sheer elegance and style. Launched in 1929, she was completely rebuilt in 1993 at Devonport under the design of Jon Bannenberg, she also underwent a complete refit in 2000. The yacht’s interior has the look and feel of a relaxed and slightly bohemian stately home, impeccable to the finest detail. All the original features such as open fireplaces and inlaid marquetry have been retained, while at the same time every contemporary luxury has been thought of, including a Jacuzzi on the top deck and an up to the minute entertainment system.

BUILD: Devonport | YEAR: 1929 | L.O.A: 80m / 262’ | ACCOMM: 12 guests | CREW: 18 | WEEKLY RATE: €315,000 | LOCATION: Caribbean

If you would like to enquire on any on the yachts seen here or find out more about yacht chartering, then don’t hesitate to contact Masters.

They are a bespoke charter brokerage with many years of experience, who pride themselves of their personal service and are able to cater to every detail.

Contact | Charter Broker – Hemmo Bloemers. hemmo@yachtmasters.com. +44 207 099 0941. www.yachtmasters.com

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Private Jets More affordable than you think?

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MORE AFFORDABLE THAN YOU MIGHT THINK

When you think of private jets, you think of the super rich, music stars, film stars and Simon Cowell. They are the ultimate status symbol that says you have arrived. Since the sixties, private air travel has grown and grown and in 2007 private jet travel was even getting priority over military aircrafts at RAF Northolt, and during this summer there were almost 30 private jet landings a day in Ibiza. The Journal investigates........

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nless you are one of the mega rich you most probably will never ever own a private jet. By mega rich, we are talking about the likes of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone who owns a Falcon Jet, one of the fastest in the world, or Jay Z who was given his ££25 million Bombardier Challenger 850 as a father’s day present from his oh so generous wife Beyonce. Oh and I almost forgot, who did she have advising her? None other than private jet veteran John Travolta.

Alan Sugar is part of this clan too and seems to use his Embraer Legacy 650 as a taxi for his bicycles.

For Richard Branson, the pride of Virgin fleet is his Falcon 900EX, suitably named “Galactic Girl”. Other members of the club include Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who along with Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg all own Bombardier Global Express’s.

These types of planes are nothing to be sniffed at.

However they get bigger, much bigger. Russian Oligarchs and Sultans are just not contempt with such aircrafts anymore.

Take Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich, who flies around in a Boeing 767 with rumours of a bigger one on the way. Businessman Donald Trump owns a Boeing 727-23 with 24 caret gold taps as standard, what else?

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The Sultan of Brunei reportedly has several aircraft with a Boeing 747-430 being the biggest, which he reportedly bought for $100 million USD, and spent a further $120 million refurbishing the interior.

There is no doubt that this type of air travel is only available to the select few and even some of the mega wealthy refuse to buy jets due to their depreciation and running costs. There is even a slightly vulgar saying that relates to this, which is no doubt passed around in the beach bars of St Tropez “if it flies, floats or f**ks, rent it”. For the money savvy elite, buying is just not an option and renting is the smart way forward.

Over the last few years the industry has rapidly changed at a substantial rate. Today, companies such as NetJets and VistaJets offer a pay-as-you-go service. This pay-as-you-go service can be anything from £ £ 3,000 to £ £38,000 per hour. This might be a lot to the average person, however to the regular rich, these types of prices, dare I say it, are affordable.

Private jet charter is a growing business. For example the European business is up 9 percent on the year, also one of NetJet’s investors is the nearly always right investor Warren Buffet! Enough said.

The average private jet flight from London normally takes off from RAF Northolt or Biggin Hill, Luton and

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TOP

Cranfield. The most popular destinations are the likes of Sardinia, Ibiza and St Tropez.

Passengers can arrive ten minutes before take off, pass through the relaxed and polite passport control and take as much liquids and sharp knifes as they desire. This is the real speedy boarding.

The other advantage to private jet travel is speed, and in a world where time is money this is an important factor.

It is possible to leave the office and end up in your villa or tax exile in under three hours.

Social networking is playing its part too, with Twitter concierge services like @PrivateJetLady, who say they can have you in the air within hours.

One thing is for clear, private air travel has never been this accessible or cheap and it looks like this trend is not going to stop anytime soon.

So when you are booking your next summer holiday, have a little think, for sometimes as little as ££500 extra per person, you too can join the private jet brigade.

TO BEING INVITED BACK 1/ When boarding the jet let the host sit

down first, they are paying so they get first dibs on seat choice.

2/ Don’t get scared, small planes are no

more dangerous than big planes and your host will certainly not enjoy the fact you are panicking.

3/ PRIVATE jets… keep whatever happens

in the air private, whether it is cocaine with a super DJ or if you join the private mile high club.

4/ Don’t panic when the pilot gets up to

serve you champagne, this is normal private jet practice.

5/ Don’t pretend to your host you fly private

all the time, remember he/she does, and they won’t be impressed.

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JASPER A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS CONRAN

DESIGNER, AUTHOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CONRAN SHOP

Customised with the finest parts by Detroit Bicycle Company founder, Steven Block, The Madison Street has beautiful copper plating and could almost be displayed as a work of art it’s so beautiful. Priced at £5,500.

Designed by Damian Williamson in 2010 for Zanotta, this edition of the William Sofa in leather is quite possibly, the ultimate sofa, priced at £11,265.

Berlingot Murano glassware in a range of jewel colours - from £55.00.

Investing in the finest bed linen is an affordable luxury that can transform your day-to-day life and ensure you get the very best night’s sleep. Made from the highest thread count cotton, The Conran Shop Riviera Lino bed linen £250.

Designed in 1957 by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, the striking Paulistano chair was part of the living rooms of the athletic club of Sao Paulo and was introduced into the MoMA collection in 2007 - lightweight, durable with an easy elegance. £1395.

The Wardour range made by Benchmark for The Conran Shop will grow old with grace and retain its natural beauty for a lifetime. This glorious four-poster bed (£8,495) forms part of a collection that includes a side table, chest of drawers, dressing table and two spectacular dining tables as well as the Gentleman’s press.

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THE GENTLEMAN CHRISTMAS 2012

Richard James Savile Row Merino wool blend socks. £17. richardjames.co.uk Tom Cecil Hip Flask. conranshop.com Debretts Guide For The Modern Gentleman. £15. debretts.com Hamilton and Hare Boris Blue Tailored Boxer. £42. hamiltonandhare.com Penhaligon’s Gladstone Bag in Black. £37.50. penhaligons.com Aspinal of London Triple Decanter Flask £175. aspinaloflondon.com Dualit The Coffee System. £179.50. dualit.com

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Pickett Flap Folio with Brass Lock. £335. pickett.co.uk Harry Elliot Hampton’s Blue Swim Shorts. £59. harryelliot.co.uk River Island Blue Ho Ho Ho Christmas Jumper. £38. riverisland.com Ecru Christmas Skier Pattern Jumper. £38. riverisland.com Dents Deerskin, Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves. £94. dents.co.uk Alexander McQueen Leather iPhone 4 case. £155. alexandermcqueen.com Logo Plaque iPad Case. £275. alexandermcqueen.com Glenfiddich 15 year Single Malt Whisky. £31.95. glenfiddich.com

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THE LADY CHRISTMAS 2012

Anya Hindmarch Valorie Clutch. £350. anyahindmarch.com. Kooples Low Cut Boots With Buckles. £212. thekooples.co.uk Chanel - Regard Signé De Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow Harmonie Du Soir. £43. chanel.com Theo Fennell White Gold and Diamond Reveal Earrings. £1,715. theofennell.com Smythson Make It Happen notebook. £45. smythson.com Jo Malone white jasmine and mint candle. £38. jomalone.co.uk Hobbs Olivia Coat. £349. hobbs.co.uk

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Boodles Yellow Gold Love Letter Pendant. £500. boodles.com Laduree Box of Prestige macarons. £43.20. laduree.fr Jimmy Choo Trent elaphe iPhone sleeve. £150. net-a-porter.com Tods Christmas Edition Geminis. £860. tods.com Cambridge Satchel. £94. cambridgesatchel.co.uk Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser. £36. lizearle.com The White Company Noir Hand Care Set. £35. thewhitecompany.com

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The Myla Campaign

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SARAH STEPHENS

Autumn / Winter

2012

Bailey82| Set - £150.00

Winter 2012

M

yla lingerie’s latest campaign is proof that brunettes are in this winter.

In the past, models such as Kate Moss and Sienna Miller have all been the faces of the well renowned lingerie brand. This year it is the turn of already successful Australian model, Sarah Stephens. She was shot by none other than Alex Franco, who worked alongside legend Mario Testino as his first assistant for 6 years.

Myla’s Autumn/Winter collection includes themes of Ice Queen, Warrior Princess and Tudor Encounters. One of their hottest collections to date. Plus with the brand having just won top prize of ‘Best Lingerie Company of the Year’ at the Annual Lingerie Awards, you cannot do better than Myla for the lady in your life. myla.com

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Rita

Set - £237.00

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Elvie

Set - £330

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Velvet

Set - £245.00

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3 THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL

SPORT

Steps to the

Perfect

Swing Golf

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Step 1: Backswing The key to a good backswing is it should be equally focused on the body rotation as well as the club and arm extension. A good backswing is a fluid and one-piece motion with a straight front elbow, although this can be hard to do in the beginning. The back elbow should be bent at around 90 degrees if possible. If you do all these things then your backswing will be smooth and consistent.

Step 2: Downswing A lot of golfers make the mistake of thinking the downswing begins with the arms. It should actually start with your legs. You should move your knees, thighs and hips forward to transfer your weight from the back to the front. By doing this you will increase the distance you hit the ball. Remember this movement is supposed to be smooth and fast.

Step 3: Impact and follow-through Now this is the action part, which is the impact with the ball. Your club shaft has to form a straight line with the forward arm. Your weight needs to be on your forward heel and your hands and wrist should turn so that the grip of the club points at the target where you want to hit the ball.

Then the wrists should rotate over and your elbows should bend, with the head of the club behind you. This will give you the distance and give you the control you desire in your golf swing.

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SPORT

Step 1: Weight Distribution When travelling at speed, and performing quick precise turns, your weight distribution is fundemental to maintaining control. Have most of your weight on the tail of your right/ left ski - correlating to your turn direction. Then project your body mass forward, this starts to get some pressure on the shovel of the outside ski.

Step 3: The Turn

Lean into the mountain with the inside edge of your skis shifting your weight forwards. Your upper body should remain square (facing down the mountain) while your lower body absorbs the turn. This enables you to keep your body mass central which maintains much more control when coming out of a turn and initiating the next one.

Step 2: The Pole Plant Step 4: The Tuck Plant your pole relative to the direction you are traveling, right for right, left for left - however a racer should try to bring forward the other arm, as well. Moving both arms forward helps to avoid an upper body rotation and puts you in the most efficient position for entering into a new turn. A pole plant executed too far to the side or too close to your feet is ineffective and can be detrimental as it can produce an unwanted rotational effect too far to either side.

When racing on a slalom/grand slalom course, you must travel as quickly as possible. One technique is to reduce drag. To do this you have to reduce your surface area and make yourself very streamline. Tucking/ crouching down in a deep squating position and keeping your poles pointing backwards enables you to pierce the wind/air better and you travel quicker down the mountain.

You want to really try and maximise this affect inbetween gates and on long steep sections of the mountain, as it might be hard to maintain this position through fast extreme turns.

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Steps to

Perfect Slalom Skiing Winter 2012 |89

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SKIING>WHAT TO WEAR THE ESSENTIAL KIT FROM THE TOP BRANDS Arc’teryx Men’s Beta FL Jacket £350 snowandrock.com Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater £180 patagonia.com

Zaini Comrie £20.99 zaini.com

Patagonia Mid Weight Merino Bottoms £70 patagonia.com

Arc’teryx Men’s Beta AR Pant, £270 snowandrock.com

Dakine Men’s Titan Gore-Tex Glove £74.99 snowandrock.com Persol Polarised Foldable Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses £285 mrporter.com

JP Auclair Signature Series Polarized Crowbar Snow £170 oakley.com

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL Subscribe to the quarterly magazine filled with Interviews and profiles with some of the most successful and interesting British businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Also packed full with reviews, top tips and write up’s on all the best products, restaurants, brands, styles and much more.

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Training A Racehorse Matt Cumani - Interview & Portrait

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL LIFESTYLE & CULTURE | STYLE & GROOMING

H

a bit of time in each department, most fascinating of which was the factory Horse Racing Questions: floor. My personal best was 1,200 toe What made you decide you wanted caps in one day (well below the PB to be a trainer? And When? Had of the pros)! I then worked in finance for the ill fated Lehman Brothers. It you always been interested in was hard work but I loved it and in horses? my university holidays I worked for Bear Stearns, also ill-fated. After uni I I’ve always loved horses and the racing industry but pony club, jodpurs got caught up in politics and worked for Michael Howard and his election and platting tails, which seemed the team in the run up to the 2005 general only options as a kid, did a good job Matt’s father, Luca Cumani is one of British racing’s leading trainers, having of making me look elsewhere when it election. Please ignore the pattern of failures that is emerging. I’d like to came to career days at school. There enjoyed top-class success all over is (was) a lot more money to be made think I had a positive contribution in the world. Cumani has successfully each case! My various jobs pre-racing in the City and the idea of a highoverseen the careers of many great have certainly had a huge influence racehorses, achieving multiple classic powered job in finance, sharp suits and pent-house apartments appealed on me and I learned skills that I can triumphs at home and abroad. apply every day working in the racing to me. In my gap year I worked in Industry (Doc Martens) where I spent industry.

Born and raised in Italy, he was drawn to England in the mid-1970’s obtaining the position of assistant trainer to Henry Cecil. orse racing is one of many gentlemen’s favourite hobbies and with Ascot and Glorious Goodwood now concluded for this year; we interview none other than Matt Cumani, assistant trainer for Cumani Racing on his personal style and the ins and outs of training a race horse.

“

The photos accompanying this interview are taken at the home of ‘Cumani Racing’ and document the training of their horses at their Newmarket stables.

Newmarket is home to about 3,000 horses and and over 70 miles of top-quality grass gallops

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“

Here Luca began a tie with Newmarket that exists to this day. He acquired the historic Bedford House Stables in 1976 in his own name and since then a ceaseless supply of winners has been the result.

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With the glamour of London life well out of my system I realised life as a trainer was much more appealing – it’s a passion and a very versatile way of life that involves every skill from horsemanship to business management.

are fed a morning feed and then trained between 6:45 and 12:00. A big breakfast (often with owners) at 8:00. Declarations (48hrs before a race) close at 10:00 and entries close at 12:00 (for races in 6 days time) The vet comes at midday to check up on any problems then office work How does it feel to be assisting for an hour or so before lunch. The Luca, one of the top trainers? afternoon is either at the races or He is my father but at work we have in the yard from 3:45 to 6:30 when a very professional relationship. It’s we check every horse and plan the great to be in an important stable with following day. This happens six days great owners and top class horses. I a week. Sunday’s an easy day. We start work with some great people and of at 7:30 and only a handful of horses course I never stop learning from the go out to exercise but every horse is guvna’. checked and fed as normal.

How many horses do you have and What draws trainers to train at your stables?

Newmarket, and why is it the Around 100. home of horse racing?

Racing in Newmarket dates back to Which race track is your favourite the eleven hundreds; King James I and to attend?

York is great fun but you cant beat going to Royal Ascot where you get the very best racing in the world and a huge crowd.

King Charles I brought it to life in the seventeenth century and King Charles II ensured that racing flourished.

Today it is considered the Racing HQ in Europe. The Jockey Club Estates manage 2,500 acres of training grounds which include 14 miles of artificial tracks and over 70 miles of top-quality grass gallops and canters.

There are over 70 licensed trainers and a similar number of stud farms in the surrounding area. It is home to about 3,000 horses and two cuttingedge veterinary practices. There’s no doubt about it – if you own a horse, have it in Newmarket.

Who is your idol in the horse racing world?

Federico Tesio (1869-1954). The book Tesio: In His Own Words is a must read for anyone interested in the Thoroughbred. With only a small

Which race is your favourite to enter horses into?

The Derby and the Ebor.

Can you give us a horse to follow into the season next year?

Ill give you two. Emirates Queen and Validus.

Luca Cumani acquired the historic Bedford House Stables in 1976

What is the daily routine for a trainer?

The day starts for me at 5. The horses

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL number of mares at his Dormello stud in Northern Italy he bred, owned and trained some of the best racehorses of the 20th century, the most famous of which was Nearco the grand-sire of Northern Dancer and the patriarch of the most dominant sire line in thoroughbred history . Tesio once said “A horse runs with his lungs, perseveres with his heart and wins with his character”.

In your mind who is the best jockey?

I’m a big fan of Frankie Dettori – everyone knows him for his larger than life character but in the saddle he is beautiful to watch and in my view still the best jockey in the world.

He’s a brilliant judge of pace and is tactically very versatile. If you watch him closely he hovers above the horse absorbing every movement with none of the bouncing about on the saddle you see with other jockeys. For the horse it must feel like there’s no-one on his back.

In all of horse racing history, which horse would you most have liked to have trained and been a part of its success?

There are many horses throughout history Secretariat, Sea Bird, Ribot,

Nijinsky to name a few but I’d have to go with the current champion Frankel... He’s the best horse I’ve ever watched race and stood feet away from. He is unbeaten and so far, 8 of his 12 wins have been Group One races – he could well be the best racehorse of all time. He won at York over 1mile and 2furlongs (racing for the first time) in the Juddmonte International at the end of this season. I hope you watched it, or better still, been there watching!

like traditional British tailoring and I think he’ll be the right man for the job. AD56 (Stefano and Gianni Asnaghi) on Via Fatenbenefratelli in Milan make great tailored shirts and plain silk knitted ties; they’re not too expensive either.

Style Questions: As a well dressed man yourself, where do you like to shop?

I like the Italian brands like Ermenegildo Zenga and Salvatore Ferragamo but I’m tall and it’s difficult to find the right fit - nothing beats tailored suits and shirts and they often represent far better value.

Working in racing you have to wear suits as often as jeans and a T-shirt, so I put a little aside each month for the tailor. However, you can’t beat TK Maxx and Gap for the day to day stuff!

Photos and Interview by: Photographic Editor Finn Bruce

Do you have a style secret?

I like my boxer-shorts ironed.

Do you have a style icon?

Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Franki Dettori

Do you have a favourite tailor?

Not yet... I am having a suit made by David Goddard of George Goddard Ltd. (Est. 1895) in King’s Lynn – I

Luca and Franchesca Cumani

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Field Sport

SHOOTING| The Gentleman’s Guide

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SHOOTING AND THE ETIQUETTE| The Etiquette of Shooting has been the cause of many a misunderstanding, and some of those who are new to the art of shooting do not fully understand or appreciate that it’s as much for safety’s sake, as for creating ‘heffalump’ traps for the socially unaware.

The shooting code is based on common sense, in as much as it is decidedly dangerous, as well as impolite, to ‘steal’ your neighbour’s birds, just as all the rules passed down from one generation to the next are designed to prevent the extinction of the species, as much as for the social niceties.

Many of the golden rules of shooting are included in this poem which i had to lean by heart before I was allowed to hold a shotgun, and they encapsulate the ethos of always thinking about others first, and the safety of those around you, above your own enjoyment.

A FATHERS ADVICE If a sportsman true you’d be Listen carefully to me. . .

Never, never let your gun Pointed be at anyone.

That it may unloaded be Matters not the least to me.

When a hedge or fence you cross Though of time it cause a loss From your gun the cartridge take For the greater safety’s sake.

If twixt you and neighbouring gun Bird shall fly or beast may run Let this maxim ere be thine “Follow not across the line.”

Stops and beaters oft unseen Lurk behind some leafy screen.

Calm and steady always be “Never shoot where you can’t see.”

You may kill or you may miss But at all times think this: “All the pheasants ever bred Won’t repay for one man dead.”

Keep your place and silent be; Game can hear, and game can see; Don’t be greedy, better spared Is a pheasant, than one shared.

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But of course there are always those who think the rules should not apply to them and turn up at a shoot with all the latest ‘gear’ but not a clue how to behave, they become ‘vexations to the spirit’ and should be avoided at all costs.

The other warning sign that you are in the presence of someone new to shooting is their enthusiasm for their new ‘over and under’ gun, with its interchangeable chokes and ballistic qualities; really nerdy conversation.

They also tend to brag about their achievements, which you will never find a serious shooting man doing, because he is there for the sport and the craic, not to count his personal tally after each drive. Whereas the newcomer will come out with comments like ‘I must have shot a dozen birds on the last drive and with only 15 shots!’

Other warning signs are his propensity to shoot low birds and ‘swing through the line’, which frequently results in the rest of the guns in the line hitting the deck in quick succession rather than be peppered with shot! However, all such misdemeanours are forgiven in a trice as soon as the assembled guns hear that their new gun is thinking a buying a grouse moor!

There is nothing more unbecoming that a gun ‘blowing his own trumpet’ and it is far more satisfying for your neighbour to come up and say; ‘you shot very well on that last drive’ without referring to numbers

The other clues to the social status of shoots, is that only the landed gentry have the time to shoot from Monday to Friday, whilst the professional classes shoot when they can at weekends.

I have noticed over 50 years of shooting that the very best shots tend to be the quietest and most self-deprecating, with the best sense of humour.

Other social clues are that when you are shooting as guest on a proper shoot, the team of guns tend to all know each other well and are likely to have a formal lunch in the dining room of the host’s home which will involve On one shoot, I overheard one gun saying eating the simplest food such as Shepherd’s to another about a new gun to the shoot, so Pie or Steak and Kidney Pie, drinking the and so has made a fortune in the city, and he’s finest wines and port and, if you are very a completely ‘self-made’ man, to which his lucky, being offered some serious cigars, friend replied ‘ well that must have saved God which are kept in a proper humidor and are a lot of trouble! therefore in perfect condition.

And then of course there is the familiar image of the new, inexperienced gun who arrives at his first shoot with all the latest gear, including a Japanese 4-wheel drive, over and under shotgun, a jacket which looks like he has just competed in the Olympic skeet shooting competition and a ‘trophy’ wife with a small dog of indeterminable breeding, who she assures the assembled company is ‘brilliant at putting pheasants up’ Normally, such a phrase means that the dog in question is completely out of control, has been allowed to run around without any discipline whatsoever and disturb the pheasants at every opportunity; a gamekeepers nightmare!

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If treated with respect, this fine cigar will last for the final two drives of the day, and enhance your enjoyment of the occasion.

I remember one particularly good partridge shoot at Belvoir castle, when one of my fellow guns, a larger than life South African, came up to me after the last, spectacular drive and in response to my comment about what a wonderful day it had been, replied, ’Yes, it is about as much fun as you can have with your pants (trousers) on!

However, as any serious shooting man will confirm, the real enjoyment comes from shooting with kindred spirits.

I concur!

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL How To Speak Gun ALL OUT!: what the beaters call at the end of the drive.

BANGERS: cartridges - also known as squabs.

BULLSHOT: a warming, spicy, vodka-infused soup.

BUM-BELLY-BEAK-BANG: a mantra to repeat while aiming at a bird to ensure you swing correctly.

COVER CROPS: fields of maize, mustard and kale (among others) that provide both food and cover for birds.

COVEY: a group of grouse or partridge.

FLUSH: an explosion of birds overhead.

GUN: both the weapon and the person shooting it.

OVER: quarry is coming towards you OVER-AND-UNDER: a gun with one barrel over the other, easier to use than a side-by-side, and becoming the norm.

PRICKING: shooting a bird but not killing it. Often the result of aiming for a too high bird.

PULL: the instuction allowing a clay pigeon to be released.

QUARRY: an animal being hunted.

ROUGH SHOOTING: when the shooter flushes the quarry as he walks, also known as walked-up.

SIDE-BY-SIDE: a traditional gun with both barrels next to each other. Harder to use than an over-and under.

SLOEGASM: a cocktail of champagne poured over sloe-gin.

WISH: a group of snipe.

How Not To Be Invited Back To The Country RSVP and then arrive late bearing petrol station flowers or, better, nothing.

Announce that you are a vegetarian. Time your revelation to coincide with the carving of Sunday lunch.

Complain about the cold. Country house inhabitants pride themselves on their hardiness. You, on the other hand, should moan about the lack of central heating and double-glazing.

Make loud comments about the one-toothed local in the village pub.

Then order a martini.

Refuse to walk anywhere, insist on using the car.

Criticise your host’s wine, then finish his whisky.

Talk about nothing other than yourself, preferably down your mobile phone to someone back in town.

Hit on your host’s wife or, if legal, their daughter.

Praise the hunting ban.

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL 5 Of The Best

HOLLAND & HOLLAND Holland & Holland was founded by Harris Holland in 1835, who was joined by his cousin, Henry, in1861. By 1883 Holland & Holland was winning all the categories in The Field magazine’s rifle trials, setting new standards of excellence. Their famous ‘Royal’ brand name was patented in 1885. Holland & Holland was acquired by luxury goods brand, Chanel, in1989 and today they continue to produce some of the finest guns with a strong emphasis on sporting clothing. Thier flagship store is located in London’s Mayfair on Bruton Street. hollandandholland.com

BOSS

Whilst many makers of fine English shotguns can trace their ancestry back a considerable number of years, Boss & Co can claim to be one of the longest established, dating back to 1773 when William Boss began his gun making apprenticeship in Birmingham. In the late 18th century, William Boss moved to London to work for Joseph Manton and his son Thomas Boss (1790 – 1857) followed in his father’s footsteps to serve his apprenticeship under the great master himself. Completing his apprenticeship in 1812, Thomas Boss has only produced one quality of gun, the best, and this policy has continued through to the present day with Boss & Co being the “builders of best guns only”.

WILLIAM EVANS William Evans learned his craft by working for both Holland & Holland and James Purdey and set up on his own in 1883, in 1886 he moved into a premises at 63, Pall Mall. Its principal clients were Guards Officers, Peers of the Realm, minor royalty and MP’s and they benefitted from being situated in the middle of Clubland. Today, William Evans still produces the finest London guns and Rifles and they also own the Shooting Grounds at Bisley. They are based on St James’s Street where they have one of the best ranges of shooting clothing and accessories in London. williamevans.com

PURDEYJames Purdey was established in London in 1814, the year before the battle of Waterloo, and has always been at the forefront in its technological innovations.

It was granted its first Royal Warrant in 1868 by The Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII. Typical of its foresight was the purchase of James Woodward & Sons in 1949 because they had the original Patent for the first ‘over and under’ shotguns, which Purdey developed to such good effect. Like their great rivals, Holland & Holland, Purdey are now owned by a luxury goods company, Richemont, and operates from the historic Audley house in Mayfair. purdey.com

BERETTA Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. is an Italian company renowned for the high quality of its guns. Thanks to skills of its workforce, its name has earned international praise for its consistent high quality, outstanding performance and for the Italian style that distinguishes its products. Passed down through 15 generations of the Beretta family, the company’s work has been documented since 1526, and it was transformed from the artisan business into a manufacturing concern by introducing modern production techniques. Under the guidance of Pietro’s sons Giuseppe (1906-1993) and Carlo (1908-1984), the firm became a multinational and achieved brilliant success in the military and sporting sectors. Beretta has always produced weapons, and is the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of Italian gun makers. beretta.com

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WHAT TO WEAR|

Cashmere Gill. £175. Lock & Co. lockhatters.co.uk

St James Tweed. £595. William Evans. williamevans.com

Silk Tie. £65. William & Son. williamandson.com

Burham Breeks. £315. William & Son. williamandson.com Tattersall Shirt. £69.95.

Schoffel. schoffel.co.uk Rutland Socks. £39.95.

Schoffel. schoffel.co.uk Sporting Leather Gloves. £49.95. Barbour. barbour.com

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THE TOP TWENTY

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SHOOTS IN BRITAIN|

This is, of necessity, a very subjective list and has been complied by some of the most experienced shots in the country. We have taken into account the views and opinions of some of the most prominent personalities in shooting.

Therefore the following list is a collaborative effort and please note these shoots are not listed in any particular order.

Angmering, Sussex - This 6000 acre estate marches with Arundel, and the shoot was improved and enhanced by Nigel Clutton and Colin Cowdray who both married ‘Norlfolk girls’, i.e. the sisters of the Duke, and Angmering is now bearing the fruits of their labours, and the result is one of the best shoots in the south of England. Guns meet and have tea in a beautiful period barn opposite Nigel’s house. Also, beware the twenty different types of sloe gin and vodka, which appear during the mid-morning break, and his fundraising activities for good causes during lunch and tea; make sure you have plenty of spare cash! But he is a great host.

Contact: Nigel Clutton Tel: 01903 882220

Ashcombe, Wiltshire/Dorset border - Has a glorious Georgian house, rescued from ruin

by Cecil Beaton in the 30s, and where he ‘held court’ to a diverse entourage. Beaton turned Ashcombe into a rural idyll, and through its doors flowed artists, Dukes, aesthetes, exiles, film stars, writers, and eccentrics Now owned by Guy Richie, as part of his divorce settlement from Madonna. The shoot covers 1100 acres of deep chalk valleys, which offer very challenging partridge and pheasant, and a very good lunch in the fabulous Orangery.

Shooting parties can stay at the nearby gastro pub, The Museum at Farnham www.gunsonpegs.com

Bereleigh, Hampshire - Is set in a beautiful chalk downland estate, with some huge, mature woods, and lots of more recent planting to enhance this glorious shooting estate at the top end of the Meon Valley. It is owned by Bill Tyrwhitt-Drake, and there is a lovely Georgian house where shooting parties can stay and enjoy all it has to offer, including a lovely Billiard Room for after dinner entertainment, and the birds are pretty entertaining too, especially over Mascombe Bottom. Contact: Bill Tyrwhitt-Drake Tel: 01730 823486 info@bereleigh.com

Goodwood, Sussex - The estate used to be divided into several large commercial shoots, but has now been all but taken back in hand, and offers stunning partridge and pheasant shooting in beautiful surroundings. Guns meet, and Lunch at the wonderful shooting Pavilion at Carne’s Seat, and can stay at the excellent Goodwood Hotel. This is an estate ‘on the up’, thanks mainly to Lord March’s introduction of the Festival of Speed, and the re-introduction of the Revival meeting, both of which draw 145,000 vsistors, and the Agent, Alun Rees, and Property Manager, Jaap Roell manage the shoot, with great charm and efficiency Contact Jaap Roell Tel: 01243 755000

Fonthill,Wiltshire - Fonthill is a stunning estate of over 10,000 acres, near Tisbury in Wilshire owned by the charming Alistair Morrison (Lord Margadale), where you can shoot very challenging pheasant in Capability Brown parkland, with ornamental lakes, and great Partridges on the outer edges of this great sporting estate. Lunch is taken in an old Gamekeepers Cottage in the middle of the estate, and pheasants come plucked and dressed, ready for the oven! This is one of the most civilised shoots in the south of England, and shooting parties tend to stay at the nearby Howard’s House Hotel.

Tel: 01747 820246 e-mail: mail@fonthill. co.uk

Arundel, Sussex - An ambitious and innovative wild game conservation project over six years, led and masterminded by the Duke of Norfolk to successfully re-establish substantial wild grey ‘English’ partridge populations on two Arundel Estate farms in the South Downs National Park, won the 2010 Gold Shield at the Purdey Awards for Game and Conservation. The Percy boys (Ralph and James) came down recently to join a team of Fitzallan-Howards, and the resulting bag was an astonishing 291 greys, 305 redlegs, 42 pheasant and 3 pigeon! An observer said that the Percy boys were a joy to behold, as they shot with near clinical efficiency and modesty too. Contact: Peter Encombe, Dorset - This is shooting Knight, Estate Manager Tel: 01903 883400 heaven–on-sea, and has a wonderful Georgian House right on the coast, which is being Cocking , Sussex - Is part of the huge restored and refurbished by the new owners, Cowdray estate, and is run jointly by Tim James and Arabella Gaggero; his family Hoare and Michael Pearson, and offers some trading company, the Bland Group, based in of the highest birds outside Devon, with Gibraltar sold GB airlines to Easyjet for £103 one of the signature drives being the Chalk million, a chunk of which was used to acquire Pit, a massive chalk pit dug into the downs, this 2000 acre estate on the Dorset coast, was providing spectacular sport with birds on the market for £25 million, but sold for whistling over the top providing challenging much less. shooting for the most experienced of guns. www.drivenshooting.com

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Castle Hill, Devon - Great shots who have been there say this is possibly the greatest high pheasant shoot of all. It is run by Caspar Macdonald-Hall and connoisseurs insist it is the ‘creme de la creme’ of high pheasant shoots, and the house is pretty good too, so who are we to disagree?

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Wraccleford, Dorset - Set in the unspoilt deep chalk valleys of Dorset, this estate has been a destination shoot for those seeking the thrill of high partridges and pheasant for decades. Owned by the Pope brewing dynasty for generations, and now ably run

by Oliver Pope, the shoot has developed hand in hand with conservation over the past hundred years. There is an amazing Shooting box at the apex of the Wessex downs, with panoramic views of Hardy country towards the sea at Lulworth Cove, and a waiting list as long as your arm for shooting which commands premier-cru prices. It is wellknown for its friendly atmosphere. Shooting parties can stay in the main house which is as delightful as the hosts. info@wraccleford. co.uk Chargot, Devon - In the heart of the West Country, on the edge of Exmoor, the legendary Chargot shoot is synonymous with the best pheasant and partridge shooting in Britain. Chargot is a mixed pheasant and partridge shoot which shows some incredible birds throughout the season. Its seemingly bottomless, steep sided valleys and stunning scenery provide the idyllic shooting country.

Contact: email: will@bettwshall.com Tel: 01686 650828 Molland, Devon - Molland is synonymous with high bird shooting in Devon. The estate is owned by Mrs Throckmorton and the shooting is let by Bettws Hall, who also have five shoots in Wales, including Kempton and Brigands. The estate is about 5,000 acres in all and the vast majority of it is used. There are so many valleys on the estate the number of drives seem endless. However, the estate is essentially split in half, forming two beats.

Molland and West Molland. www.bettwshall.com

Holkham, Norfolk - This magnificent Estate, covering 10,000 acres, on the north Norfolk coast, belongs to the Earl of Leicester, and is famous for its wonderful beach, its Palladian mansion, and its wild English partridge shoot, not to mention its gamekeepers who wear bowler hats. A favourite shoot of King Edward VII who knew a thing or two about great shoots.

Tel: 01328 710227 www.hokham.co.uk Houghton Hall Norfolk - Norfolk. This 4000 acre estate and Palladian Mansion is the superb setting for Lord Cholmondley’s historic shoot in north Norfolk. The shooting includes plenty of wild grey partridges in wonderful rolling countryside, and there is a long tradition of Houghton as a shooting estate, with records and Game books going back to 1838. Lord de Grey was a shooting tenant at the turn of the century, when he entertained Edward VII. There is also a strong tradition of conservation at Houghton, which, as a result, is one of the last Norfolk shoots with a high population of Grey partridges, which allows them to shoot 8-10 grey partridge days each year.

Connoisseurs’ shooting. Contact: Robert Miller Tel: 01485 528569 r.miller@ houghtonhall.com Muggleswick, Co. Durham - This classic grouse moor was acquired by hedge fund manager Jeremy Hermann, along with East Allenheads, for circa £11 million, and he is not only an accomplished shot, by a superb fisherman, who named his company, Ferox Capital after a predatory trout! www.williampowellcountry.com

Gunnerside, North Yorkshire This is one of the great shooting estates, and belonged to the Earl Peel, who sold it to the duty-free Billioanaire, Robert Miller who has spent a great deal on the house and estate.

Gunnerside is one of the best grouse moors in England. With more than 30,000 acres, it has been described as a Highland estate in England. The shooting is exhilarating across a variety of moors and the lowland shooting is pretty impressive as well and there is a fine shooting lodge.

Linhope Located in the Cheviot Hills This shot, which is run by The Duke of Northumberland’s brother, James Percy, who, like his brother, Ralph, is one of the best shots in the country. Linhope offers some of the most difficult partridge shooting in Britain, and getting a day here is like waiting for dead men’s shoes. There is also a luxury shooting lodge where guns start and end the day. www.williampowellsporting.com Drumlanrig on the Queensberry Estate This Belongs to the Duke of Buccleuch, and offers a huge variety of shooting in magnificent scenery, with 25 drives covering 15,000 acres, including great high pheasant, and equally impressive partridges, the latter being a relatively recent addition, but now very highly rated by people who know.

Buccleuch Sporting Office Tel: 01848 600415

Matterley, Hampshire This glorious estate just to the east of Winchester was owned by the late Commander (Henry) Bruce, who was a consummate countryman, and must have planted a million trees in his lifetime, partially Alnwick, Northumberland - For the very to create a top quality shoot, which has been fortunate few, the Duke and Duchess let inherited by his son Peveril, who has further four double days each year, of between enhanced and improved the shoot, so that it 250-400 birds, and lunch is taken in the ruins now ranks amongst the best in the south of Belvoir Castle, Rutland - The family seat of of Hulne Priory, on top of a mound in the England. It is blessed with some wonderful the Duke of Rutland, the impressive Castle middle of the home park. However, the valleys, and includes the impressive stands high on a hill overlooking 2500 acres focus is on entertaining individuals who really Cheesefoot Head, with its huge Punchbowl. of woodland, and offers some of the finest appreciate excellent shooting in beautiful The Estate is also large enough to provide pheasant and partridge shooting in wonderful surroundings and making them feel like their top quality shooting throughout the season, surroundings, with lunch in the Castle. On personal guests, so they stay in the castle and with some very challenging drives. The shoot the day I was there, the ladies were offered a hopefully enjoy their hospitality. Once they is now managed with charm and panache, guided tour of the Castle, after lunch, whilst have sampled it most become regular visitors!

by Peverill’s son, Otto. Contact: philip@ we returned to our labours, and we shot 372 Contact: Alnwick Estate office Tel: 01665 braden-property.co.uk Tel: 01256 896 444 partridsge and 19 pheasants. An unforgettable 510777 experience. Contact: Megan Turner Tel: 01476 871004

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Single Estate Spirits www.thegentlemansjournal.co.uk

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PROPERTY

BRITISH FARMLAND WHERE THE SMART MONEY IS...

W

ith the continued financial turmoil in Europe and the increase in overseas buyers, British farmland looks a safe bet.

It is no gold, however British farmland has trebled over the past decade. Many in the city are now considering British farmland as a commodity and in the next five years it is expected to go up by more than a third. As well as having investment potential it is also exempt from inheritance tax providing the land is actually farmed on.

On Average British farm land is now £6,000 an acre, however it has been regularly known to reach £10,000 in competitive situations.

Whilst farmers still make up half the buyers, the leading land agents such a Knight Frank and Savills are reporting more city bankers and overseas buyers then ever before.

Savills say every time there is a wobble in Europe they see more overseas buyers, especially from Italy and Greece. However this isn't the only continent buying up in the UK, an increase in Chinese and Indian buyers is also being reported. Knight Frank say that the Chinese want the social status as well as their own little bit of England. Whilst India and China are buying for lifestyle more

and more city types are looking at land as an investment, with annual returns said to be between 2-3%. They buy the land and get local farmers to manage it for them.

Just why is UK farmland becoming so investable though?

Well, the simple fact is we can’t make anymore and the demand is far out weighing the supply. Only just 100,000 acres exchanged hands last year. On average volume is down 5% and the most significant fall recorded was in the eastern side of the country. For example volumes fell by a huge 53% in the East Midlands.

Savills have predicted that UK farm land will continue to grow 6% a year up to 2017 and said “there continues to be a real thirst for good quality blocks of arable land from a wide range of buyers, the biggest issue is the lack of supply”. For other land types, buyers are increasingly discerning and “we are often finding that separately letting the house with a few acres away from the bare land is the most successful route to maximising a sale,” said Alex Lawson director of Savills land and farms.

Interestingly the Scottish growth figures had the largest increase in the UK with 7.3% to an average of £6,450 per acre for prime arable land. This would dispute a reliantly large 36,000 acres changing hands, a 22% increase on 2011.

Some agents remain less bullish. Rural agent Carter Jonas claims that agricultural land values have topped and will decrease, however that prime farmland would hold steady.

Another key indicator of future growth comes from the corn and wheat prices and with bad harvests in not just in the UK but around the world, there have been sharp rises in the price of food commodities.

In general the outlook’s bright for land prices, the main factor is the lack of supply and less and less land is coming to the market each year. With land considered a safe investment and some predicting that it will outperform many commodity markets over the next five years and the fact that there are still serious problems in continental Europe, we can expect land price to keep rising in value.

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GOODWOOD

By Robert Jarman

THE ESTATE THAT HAS IT ALL

THERE ARE VERY FEW, IF ANY, ESTATES IN BRITAIN WHICH HAVE EVOLVED AND DEVELOPED SO MANY NEW AND PROFITABLE SOURCES OF INCOME, AS GOODWOOD HAS OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS. THE MODERNISATION OF THE ESTATE WAS INSPIRED BY THE 10TH DUKE OF RICHMOND WHO RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY HOME AFTER A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN BUSINESS.

H

e opened the House and its art collections to the public, expanded the horse racing programme and brought major international sporting events to the House and surrounding parkland.

Latterly his son the Earl of March has further developed the family home to meet the challenges of the 21st century, reviving the motor racing events first established by his grandfather, the 9th Duke, and investing in the original downland golf course, the organic farm, The Goodwood Hotel and Spa, and restoring the House itself to its former Regency glory.

Creating the Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival, he has put Goodwood firmly on the international calendar as one of the great centres of sport and entertainment in the world Racing Calendar is ‘Glorious Goodwood’ during the last week in July.

The Festival of Speed is the largest motoring garden party in the world – a unique summer But there are many other ‘strings to the weekend that brings together an impossibly Goodwood bow’, including the wonderful heady mix of cars, stars and motor sport Kennels, which were built by the 3rd Duke of ‘royalty’ to create the largest car culture event Richmond to accommodate his hounds in the in the world. Held in the immaculate grounds most comfortable kennels in the land, which of Goodwood House, this annual hill-climb they surely were! event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive.

They were built in the very latest architectural style by James Wyatt, circa 1810, and have The annual Goodwood Revival Meeting, the now been converted to use as a very civilised world's biggest historic motor racing event, Private Members Club, where one can enjoy has been successfully creating a magical step good food and good company in an inspiring back in time for over a decade, with the setting. added excitement of thrilling wheel to wheel motor racing as a unique and extraordinary Then there is the ‘state-of-the-art’ Rollsbackdrop to an utterly British experience.

Royce factory which is cleverly hidden in This year’s event took place on some of the the south west corner of the Estate, and is best days of the year, resulting in record currently being expanded to create greater attendances of 145,000 capacity to satisfy the huge international demand for their current range, and which However the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ remains last year saw record sales, with China the racecourse, which most aficionados importing more Rolls-Royce cars than The acknowledge to be the most beautiful in the United States for the first time. world, with its magnificent position on top of the Sussex downs, and the highlight of their There is also a very good shoot, which

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is the result of taking all the commercial shoots back in hand, and running them as a single entity, with an 18th century Folly at Carne’s Seat, being used to great effect as the Shooting Pavilion, which must have the best views of any shooting box or lodge in England, over Chichester Cathedral, and harbour and the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Goodwood House lies at the heart of what is now a thriving Estate with a group of dynamic businesses which include horse racing, motor racing, golf, aviation, forestry, organic farming and a privately run Hotel, and Spa, all within a mile of the House.

The current Duke of Richmond, and his son, Lord March, ensure that the Goodwood Estate is enjoyed by a wide range of visitors and maximises its fullest potential – while retaining its essentially English charm.

The net result of all these activities is an Estate with an annual turnover in excess of £50 million, with the profits ploughed back into further developing and enhancing the Estate, and some great plans for the future.

Watch this space!

THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL THE DELIGHTFULLY RELAXING INTERIOR OF THE KENNELS CLUB.

GLORIOUS GOODWOOD-THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE RACING CALENDAR.

THE EXTERIOR OF THE KENNELS BUILT BY THE THIRD DUKE TO A JAMES WYATT DESIGN.

THE MOTOR RACING CIRCUIT PLAYS HOST TO THE ‘FESTIVAL OF SPEED AND ‘THE REVIVAL MEETING.

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PROPERTY - ON THE MARKET LIFESTYLE LIVING AT ITS BEST

Top Four Bachelor Pads 51 Cathcart Road, Chelsea, London SW10

Located in popular Chelsea, in the exclusive Boltons area, this upper maisonette has all the ingredients of a bachelor pad. Spread over three floors of a period building, it has been refurbished throughout and offers spacious living with designer fittings and features. It has two good sized double bedrooms, both en suite, with the option of a third bedroom/study.

The best feature of property has to be the stunning decked roof terrace, which offers 360 degree views across the city and has plenty of room for alfresco entertaining.

Price: £2 million Agent: Savills Chelsea

7A St Georges Square, London, SW1

This 1259 sq ft spacious, bright and airy garden floor flat has been finished to an impeccable standard and boasts all the latest tech features, making it a true bachelors pad. The apartment is fitted with the latest Lutron and Control 4 intelligent environment home automation system, including multi-room audio and HD video as well as John Cullen lighting, blind and climate control, and integrated security. The Control 4 interface allows the user to control most aspects of the home via in-wall and wireless touch panels, not to mention iPad, iPhone or Android device anywhere in the world. It is located within easy reach of both Pimlico and Victoria stations, with Battersea park and Dolphin Square within easy reach.

Price: £1,260,000 Agent: Jackson Stops

Westbourne Terrace, London SW2

This recently refurbished duplex apartment really has the bachelor pad wow factor. Located in West London, it has excellent transport link, with Paddington being around the corner. It is arranged over two floors of an attractive stucco fronted building . The rooms are all bright and extremely well proportioned and what really sets this property apart is its fantastic open plan living spaces. There is a modern kitchen/ dining room and a huge top floor reception room, which makes for the perfect entertaining space. In addition there are two generous double bedrooms, one being en-suite, a guest bathroom and a private terrace.

Price: 2 million Agent: Hamptons International; 020 7717 5313

Clarendon Road, Notting Hill, London

This house is all about location, location, location. Clarendon Road runs off Holland Park Avenue in Notting Hill North and is close to the bustling Portobello Road and bohemian Westbourne Grove. It is a swanky and modern property that has been refurbished to a very high standard and consists of three/four bedrooms with the essential off street parking, and also has a private south facing patio.

Price:£1,500,000 Agent: Knight Frank

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Top Four Weekend Cottages Meldar Cottage, Taynton, Oxfordshire

Located in the village of Taynton, only one mile away from the stunning town of Burford, known as the gateway to the Cotsworlds. Medlar cottage has been recently refurbished to a high standard, whilst still maintaing its rustic charm, such as flagstone floors. There are three bedrooms, an entrance room, dinning room, drawing room, kitchen, spacious second landing and garage with a parking space. Its location also offers good transport links, both by road and rail, with Charlbury to London Paddington taking just over an hour and a quarter.

Price: £850,000 Agent: Jackson-Stops & Staff; 01993 822661

The Old Thatch, Blackmoor, Hampshire

This is the chocolate box of all chocolate box cottages, and they don't get more stunning than The Old Thatch. Grade II listed and dating from the late 16th Century/early 17th Century this updated and refurbished cottage includes 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen plus a utility room, breakfast room and just under half and acre of garden with so great views.

Further more it has a detached summer house/office, double garage and a swimming pool. Blackmoor is a small rural hamlet situated within the South Downs National Park and is in easy commuting distance of London.

Price: £895k Agent: Savills Farnham; 01252 729000

Gravel Acre, Westlands Hampshire

Gavel Acre is rural living at its best, located in Wherwell, Hampshire, this stunning cottage set over two floors has been cleverly reconfigured to offer both space and character. What really make this property is the amazing is 28ft split level sitting room/study with both a wood-burning stove and a bread oven.

This room then opens into a dining room, which makes for a fantastic entertaining space. The kitchen is very country in style and offers both bespoke units and a oil fired Aga. There are four double bedrooms, a dressing room, study, family bathroom and even a cellar.

Price: £750,000 Agent: Hamptons International; 01962 706385

Border Cottage, Axford, Wiltshire

This is a picturesque thatched cottage located in the popular village of Axford, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and has glorious views over the Kennet Valley. It has been substantially extended by the current owners, but with the utmost attention to detail in mind. The cottage has terraces both front and back and the gardens are established with mature hedges and trees. The cottage itself consists of 5 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms and 3 bathrooms. The kitchen has been recently fitted and there is a large sitting room with an open fire place. Marlborough and Hungerford are located near by and offer a range of shops and leisure facilities.

Price: £795,000 Agent: Knight Frank; 01488 682726

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL Bryan Ferry at Smythson 125 Year Party

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THE GENTLEMAN’S JOURNAL NEWS & EVENTS

Freddie Richardson, Jamie Laing and India Whalley

Elspeth Rose and Rollo Patrick

Rosie Fortescue and George Jessel Drummond MoneyCoutts and Friends

Dukebox!

Connie FoxAndrews and Friends

We visited the longly anticipated opening of Dukebox in Chelsea. Owner Howard Spooner, previously owner of Public, has created a club that has a New York loft feel combined with a fair ground. Staff are dressed in toy box military coats, there are carousel horses, a roundabout podium, caged jack-in-the-boxes, and so much more... so basically one big grown up’s play ground.

Howard Spooner and Team

CARTIER RACING AWARDS 2012 On the 14th of November Cartier hosted the Racing awards at the Dorchester Hotel. The star of the evening was Frankel, who unfortunately was unable to attend. He won Horse of the Year and the Cartier Older Horse Category. It didn’t stop there, Team Frankel also took away the Daily Telegraph Award of Merit trophy too. Guests included Lord Lloyd Webber, Lady Jane Cecil, Anthony Oppenheimer, Edwin Moses, Harry Herbert and Paul Hanagan. Guests enjoyed champagne and a banquet of risotto followed by fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef and an apple and date crumble to finish. Tally ho!

Edwin Moses, Denise Lewis and Willie Carson

Edwin Moses and Michelle Moses

Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani

Lady Lloyd Webber, Arnaud Bamberger and Lord Lloyd Webber

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Marc Glimcher, Andrea Glimcher and Molly Dent-Brocklehurst

Molly DentBrocklehurst

Kim Hersov and Heather Kerzner

Rebecca Hall

Launch Of Pace London On Wednesday the 3rd October we saw the launch of Pace London’s flagship gallery.

The great and the good of the London Art, Film and Social Scene turned up at the Private View at 6 Burlington Gardens. This was followed by a drinks reception and dinner and the every popular LouLou’s, at Robin Birley’s 5 Hertford Street. Guests included Jude Law, Heather Kerzner, Graham Norton and Alexandra Shulman.

Nicky Haslam

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Thursday 1st November 2012 On the 1st November Bridgewater House, one of London’s largest private houses, saw WheelPower’s charity party, aptly named “A Night To Remember”.

Over 600 guests attended the event and raised over £250,000 for WheelPower. The event was organised by Redburn Events, and in a beautifully decorated marquee.

Ade Adepitan MBE made an inspirational speech and HRH The Countess of Wessex spoke beautifully about the charity. Jeffrey Archer gave a colourful and entertaining performance as auctioneer for the night.

Guests were treated to cirque show with performers swinging from the roof of the marquee, and afterwards guests danced the night away to the 11 piece band. It truly was “A Night To Remember.”

Lord Jeffrey Archer

HRH The Countess of Wessex

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The Earl of Westmorland, Mrs Timothy Christie, The Countess of Westmorland, The Hon Mrs Hall, The Hon Mrs. Mark Vestey and Ade Adepitan MBE

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Georgina Cowan

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David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne

Kevin Spacy

David Furnish, Gareth Pugh and Kevin Spacey

Emeli Sande

This year at the annual Grey Goose Winter Ball the Cote d’Azur came to Battersea with 1950’s Riviera poolside glamour as the theme. The site at Battersea Power station was transformed with palm trees and pastel colours. The Ball was in aid of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and now in its sixth year, the Winter Ball has raised over £2.3m for the Foundation. The stars were out in force and included David Furnish, Jay Kay, Tamara Ecclestone, Eliza Doolittle and Graham Norton. Kevin Spacey played host for the evening and there was a spellbinding performance by Emeli Sande, who performed her hit singles ‘Heaven’ and ‘My Kind of Love’.

Labrinth duetted with Wretch 32 on ‘Pass Out’. The Connaught’s Helene Darroze created a menu of goat’s cheese mousse and red mullet. There was some fierce bidding from Jay Kay and Tamara Ecclestone. What can we say, Grey Goose know how to throw one damm good party.

Graham Norton

giles deacon

Labrinth

Jay Kay

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