TheSILVER SWANNewsfromtheVintners’Company Gamay issue: Winter 2009

The wines of Beaujolais are all made with the Gamay grape and cover a bewildering range of styles: from the ‘boiled sweets and bubblegum’ of Beaujolais Nouveau to the

almost Burgundian complexities of aged Moulin-a-Vent.

The variety originated in the Cote de Beaune in the hamlet of Gamay but was banished from Burgundy by Duke Philippe Le Bon who deemed the wines unworthy of his fi efdom. The growers who had been dependent on this variety therefore upped sticks (and vine stocks) and headed south, fi nding the perfect terroir just south of Macon which was at the border of the Duke’s territories.

From easy quaffable Beaujolais – try serving it lightly chilled – to the 10 Crus wines (Fleurie, Brouilly, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent and so on) with their added depth and distinction, these are wines for alfresco eating and generally light hearted enjoyment.

The differences in the Cru wines come from the occasional outcrops of granitic soil which impart an extra complexity and give us the elegant fl oral appeal of wines such as Fleurie and can translate into the weightier and more robust wines of Morgon and Moulin-a-Vent. Keep an eye open for the 2009 vintage which will start to appear in the shops in Spring 2010 – it is generally acknowledged as being the best vintage in living memory!

Anthony Sykes

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the members of our Company a healthy, happy and successful New Year. In this, my fi rst edition of The Silver Swan, I hope you will fi nd a wealth of information about the Company’s recent or forthcoming activities. I am grateful to Swan Warden Michael Cox for his excellent stewardship as Editor and for handing me the baton, which I will do my best not to drop!

I’d also like to remind you that this is your publication and if there are items you would like to have covered in The Silver Swan, please let me know. We are also keen to hear any feedback you may have about articles in this or previous editions.

In my 11 years in the Livery I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you at the various Company events but still there will be many of you asking “Who is Anthony Sykes?”.

With the passing of the 2009 harvest in France it is a rather daunting 37 years since I picked my fi rst harvest in France. Those 37 years have been spent in various aspects of the wine trade, initially abroad in Burgundy, then the US and, since 1978, in the English wine trade.

It is unlikely that many of our non-trade members will have heard of my company, Ernst Gorge (Wine Shippers) Limited, but we have been trading for 33 years and under my direction for the last 20 years providing a UK sales offi ce for a number of small wine producers from France and Spain.

A word from the editor

EgyptSquadron2RTRreturnsfromHelmandAssistant Anthony Sykes and Liveryman Elizabeth Graham represented the Company at the parade, on 16th December, to mark the return of Egypt Squadron 2RTR from their six-month tour in Helmand Province.

Tragically, during that tour, the Squadron lost three soldiers and suffered 23 injuries, 10 of them serious. The Company has set up a fund with the RTR to provide immediate support for all those in the Regiment affected by these losses, and, through Elizabeth Graham’s initiative, every soldier in the Squadron received a parcel from a member of the Company.

Egypt have been replaced in Afghanistan by a Squadron from 1RTR.

I live in Oxfordshire with my wife Tessa and our two children. Some of you may have met Tom plying his trade as a magician at the Ball held in Vintners’ Place a few years ago and Amanda’s jewellery designs are generally to be seen adorning Tessa at functions here in the Hall. Outside my business I am a keen sportsman playing cricket, golf and tennis as well as being an enthusiastic but rather incompetent fi sherman.

I am not related, at least not closely, to any of the other Sykes in the Company and was almost certainly elected to your Court in a case of mistaken identity!

The evolution of The Silver Swan has been fascinating to witness and I hope that, with the support of the Livery and Freedom, we can continue to bring you an informative but generally light-hearted insight into the workings of the Company and the many opportunities on offer for you to get more involved.

Anthony Sykes

been trading for 33 years and under

EgyptSquadron2RTRreturnsfromHelmand

The inaugural Inter-Livery ski championships were held on 15th and 16th January in the French resort of Morzine. The event was the brainchild of Ironmonger George Bastin and his hard work and slick organisation saw teams of Freemen and Liverymen representing a broad cross section of Liveries and a number of guest racers gather to compete in Slalom and Giant Slalom.

The Company’s generous decision to pay the team’s race fees helped bring a formidable team of nine skiers and two guests together under the captaincy of Freeman George Stoy.

On the evening of the 14th the advance guard found an excellent restaurant for a little team bonding and Vintner Mimi Avery picked out a couple of gems from the wine list.

The following day the sun was out and the conditions perfect. After an excellent lunch and afternoon ski, the legs were getting warmed up in time for the racers to convene at the Stade de Slalom in Morzine for a night race.

Technical issues delayed the start; eventually, with the last section of the course still unlit, the first Vintner down was David Mabey, holding the fastest time until George Stoy stepped up with a run of 36.93 seconds, 4.44 seconds ahead.

Going all

out in the second run, Lucy Morgan Edwards became the fastest lady of the evening. A solid run from the Master and Mimi Avery ensured a team victory in the slalom and a show of strength in the first event of the championships with both guests Alastair Mabey and Lorna Dow also putting in impressive times.

The competitors then enjoyed a drinks reception, also welcoming the arrival of Oliver Sykes to the fold in time for the following morning’s race.

A relatively flat Giant Slalom course greeted the competitors on the next morning. Reducing drag was of the essence so jackets and fleeces were duly shed. The leader board at the end of the first run showed few surprises. Alastair Mabey proved his cat suit’s worth with a superb fastest time of 47.94 seconds, a nose ahead of George Stoy (48.52).

Although the course was showing wear and tear on the second leg, David Mabey put in a flyer. An unfortunate fall by Alastair Mabey prevented him from registering a second leg time. Of the eligible racers, George Stoy again finished first, closely followed by the senior Mabey, and the Hodgson brothers, Ben and Roger, took third and fourth in the final classification to

give Vintners the four top spots.

In the ladies Giant Slalom division, Mimi Avery was the fastest Vintner, but was just beaten to top spot by Vicky Broakes of the Goldsmiths. The Master’s wife Lorna skied consistently well and, if she had been eligible for the main competition, would have picked up third place in the ladies’ Slalom on the 15th and second place in the Giant Slalom on the 16th.

While the Vintners team filled the top spots, it was the event itself that must be hailed as the true triumph.

Our thanks to the Company and our Master for his support, Ed Bowen for a bottle of ‘48 Graham’s to celebrate with, but most importantly to George Bastin of the Ironmongers and his wife, hosting the first of what we hope will be a long tradition of Inter-Livery ski championships. Well skied everyone!

Ben Hodgson & George Stoy

2 TheSilverSwan

The Vintners’ Company team and its Livery rivals get ready for battle

Take a Swan Voyage for the VCCFFor the last two years, the Company has arranged a second Swan Voyage to raise funds for the VCCF.

The boat takes 60 passengers at about £200 per head (including VCCF donation) and, providing there is sufficient support to fill all the places, the fabulous day will be

repeated on Thursday 22nd July.If you are interested in taking

the whole boat, or a number of places, or would like to know more, please contact Steve Marcham (thegeneralmanager@vintnershall.co.uk) or Glenn Roberts (glenn@vintnershall.co.uk).

DinnerfortheJuniorLivery25th February

LentenDinner15th March

CompanyLunch29th March

Freemen’sDinner6th May

CommonHall11th May

Diarynotes

SlalomresultsTeamChampions Vintners’ CompanyTeamRunners-upGoldsmiths’ CompanyYoungChampion George Stoy (Vintners’ Company)MidChampion David Mabey (Vintners’ Company)LadiesChampion Lucy Morgan Edwards (Vintners’ Company)VeteranChampion Richard Hunting (Ironmongers’ Company)

GiantSlalomresultsTeamChampions Vintners’ CompanyTeamRunners-up Shipwrights’ CompanyYoungChampion George Stoy (Vintners’ Company)MidChampion David Mabey (Vintners’ Company)LadiesChampion Vicky Broackes (Goldsmiths’ Company)VeteranChampion Archie Smith (Shipwrights’ Company) SnowboardChampion Roger Hodgson (Vintners’ Company)

Eventresults

Vintners rule the piste in Morzine

Left: The Master, Sam Dow, picks up one of the prizes with his wife Lorna

TheSilverSwan 3

As a newcomer to the Vintners’ Company, I am still learning, so you will all have to forgive me if what follows is something that everyone else knows already.

Over Christmas, a charming member of the public – not a member of the Company – telephoned for details of the Feast of the Five Kings in 1363 when the Master, Henry Picard, is said to have entertained the Kings of England, Scotland, France, Denmark and Cyprus at Vintners’ Hall. My enquirer knew of the Feast from his time in the Army in Cyprus, when he and his colleagues were particularly partial to the local Five Kings Brandy, produced by KEO (Kupriake Etairia Oinon, or Cyprus Wine Company) of Limassol.

I was able to give him various information about the Feast of the Five Kings (a tale which seems to involve more than the usual percentage of myth, and of improvement in the telling!) This was taken from Anne Crawford’s 1977 History of the Vintners’ Company, pages 263-7, plus a quick look at the inscription in the

Livery Hall. I had to admit that I had never tried Five Kings Brandy.

I was therefore delighted a few days later to receive a complimentary bottle of Five Kings, via a distributor in North London,

with a kind message of appreciation. It does indeed tell on the packaging the story of the

Feast of the Five Kings, and adds the following

details which I am not absolutely convinced are to be found in the

medieval sources:“Pickard (sic) selected

for the grand toast an outstanding and noble

wine from the Troodos mountains of Cyprus.

Observers suggested that it brought an unusually warm

accord to the conclusion of their gastronomic excesses. Today,

brandy from those same vines can be savoured in less exalted surroundings. KEO Five Kings Brandy retains the same mellow smoothness, soft flavour and rich aroma.”

I look forward to savouring it in the less exalted surroundings of Epsom, Surrey.Stephen Freeth, Company Archivist

AlexHingston married Helen Goodfellow on Saturday 26th September 2009, in All Saints’ Church, Thurlestone, Devon.

AnnieHingston recently became engaged to Alex Hollingdale and will marry in September 2010.

Oswin Samuel Head was born on 15th August 2009 to FreemanGeorgiaHead and husband Jeremy.

HatchesandMatches

We organised this event in 2006 and it was a huge success. This time around we are aiming for 100 walkers.

We are walking to raise money for the VCCF in conjunction with our chosen charity, which is Veterans Aid. This is a charity that seeks to give immediate support to homeless service veterans of all ages and backgrounds, who need immediate support and rehabilitation. In particular it helps those who suffer the effects of substance abuse – alcohol and drug addiction cases.

The money we raise for Veterans Aid will be used to help finance a new National Centre for Homeless Veterans in London near Victoria Station, which will deliver immediate aid/treatment.

Pit stops and hospitality are included in the package. Minimum sponsorship per head is £500.The schedule is:• Depart for Reims, Friday 11th June, 2010. • Champagne walk (20km) in Epernay region, Saturday 12th June. • Return to UK for recuperation, Sunday 13th June.

For more information, contact the Company office at info@vintnershall.co.uk.

Richard Wilson

Anyone for another Champagne Walk?

Drinking to the Five Kings

Kilimanjaro for our HeroesLiveryman Graham Mitchell, who runs The Wine Explorer Limited, has recently taken part in a Mount Kilimanjaro Climb to raise money for Help for Heroes.

The Help for Heroes charity was launched in 2007 to do something practical for the men and women of our Armed Forces who have been wounded while serving in current conflicts.

Graham undertook the climb on 17th January in order to make a small contribution to help improve the lives of our brave service men and women who have been injured in the line of duty. As well as 108 deaths in Afghanistan in 2009, more than 1,300 of our troops returned to the UK injured, some having lost limbs, others their sight, many radically changed. These are our living heroes.

It is still possible and easy to donate online with a credit or debit card – just go to Graham’s JustGiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Mitchell

JustGiving sends your donation straight to Help for Heroes and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you’re a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more. Graham hopes you’ll join him in supporting Help for Heroes.

Graham Mitchell is going to tackle Kilimanjaro in aid of Help for Heroes

4 TheSilverSwan

The holding of the Company’s first Common Hall in 12 years in 2009 was a landmark for the Vintners.

This year’s Common Hall will take place on 11th May and following the success of last year’s event, it is hoped for an even greater turn out from both the Freedom and the Livery. This is your chance to gain an insight into the workings of the Company and also a chance to meet in a less formal setting other members of the Company and the Court. It is also an opportunity for you to put questions to the Master and his Wardens. You are reminded that these should be submitted in advance.

The new-found openness established by the introduction of Common Hall is for the benefit of the Company but also for the Freedom and the Livery. So please put the date in your diary now and we look forward to seeing you on 11th May.

CommonHall2p or not to…How often have you, towards the end of a dinner at the Hall, sat with legs crossed, in the agony of indecision on whether to endure the pain, or to brave the bladder withering glare of the Clerk as you try to sneak “invisibly” out to the loo? What exactly is the etiquette of leaving the table during dinner?

Well the answer is that, officially, it is hoped that unless there is a medical condition which prevents you from remaining at the table, it is generally anticipated that you will. Certainly it lowers the tone of an official

banquet if many of the guests wander off to the loo whenever they feel like it. However, there are obviously times when nature calls with a very loud voice, and it would be unfortunate if the enjoyment of the evening was spoilt through discomfort and embarrassment. Departures,

therefore, while not a hanging offence, should be the exception rather than the rule.

For those who know their limitations, seating arrangements can be made to allow discrete exits, but for the majority, the advice is, if there is a possibility of a problem, then reduced consumption and a pre-dinner loo-stop should do the trick.

With its first Charter in 1394 (Vintners’ 1363!), the Mercers are certainly not the oldest Livery Company in the City, but, when the order of precedence was set in 1516, they were the richest and therefore the most influential, and probably continue to be so today.

They are undoubtedly still one of the wealthiest Companies owning – amongst other significant properties such as the Royal Exchange – a sizeable piece of Covent Garden.

Mercer comes from the trade of “mercery” (general wares and merchandise), but in London, this

referred to luxury fabrics – silk, ribbons and lace and so on, which undoubtedly contributed to their wealth. Dick Whittington was

a Mercer.In addition to being a

substantial contributor to charity, the Mercers are closely associated with

15 schools and colleges, including both St Paul’s schools, and recently, they

have co-funded a number of Academies.

Mercers’ Hall, off Cheapside is their third Hall on the same

site since the 14th Century.The current Hall, built in 1958 is

unique in that it contains a private chapel.

The12GreatCompaniesNumber1–TheMercers’Company(www.mercers.co.uk)

The RTR are, once again, generously inviting members of the Company to “Meet the Regiment” on Salisbury Plain on Thursday 13th May 2010. The day will be similarly structured to the last successful visit and will include tanks, weapons and the delights of army rations! Numbers will be limited, so please book a place with glenn@vintnershall.co.uk, as soon as possible. Priority will be given to those who did not attend last time.

VisittheRoyalTankRegiment

After a two-year hiatus, the Informal Freemens’ Social Committee sprung to life last November to host a rather impromptu, but well attended, Informal Freemens’ Drinks.

Organised by Court Assistant Rupert Cleveley, the event at The Clarence, Whitehall saw guests treated to canapés (think mini cheeseburgers!) and refreshments provided by the Company.

The turnout was encouraging and there were a surprising number of Freemen there who had previously not met. Not that that stopped anyone from having fun, with a

group of 15 joyfully ignoring the fact that it was a Wednesday and heading off to Raffles to continue the merriment; rumour has it that the last Freemen left well into the wee hours of the following morning!

The gathering was the first in a series of events that the Informal Freemens’ Social Committee is organising to give the Freemen an opportunity to socialise with each other outside of the annual dinner.

This get together is a really positive initiative and, in opening the next event to the Livery as well as the Freedom, it is hoped that we can engender a greater sense of

involvement in our Company.Look out for news on the next

event pencilled in for the summer.Alex Hingston & Chris Hodgson

Freemen’s drinks are back with a bang

Young Freemen get to know each other at The Clarence before moving onto Raffles