Club News Spring 2016

1SPRING 2016 Phyllis Court

CLUB NEWS SPRING 2016

2 Phyllis Court SPRING 2016

Snippets of History

Phyllis Court Club has

a distinguished history.

Some say the old English

name for hay was flliide

and so the estate was

called after that, the local

crop. However, most

people prefer to think it

is called after the name

for a red rose, fyllis or

filletts because the red

rose was the nominal

rent paid by the owner

of the land de Molyns.

When Phyllis Court was

founded in 1906 a rose,

not hay, was incorporated

in the Club’s logo and

is still used today.

• The main staircase

erected around 1928 is

a copy of one in the Old

Arlington House, Pimlico.

• June 2nd 2006 (Centenary

year) saw the Orangery

officially opened by Sir

Hugo Brunner, Lord

Lieutenant of Oxordshire.

• The first woman of council

was Christine Poole in 1973.

• In 1967 Ladies Luncheon

Club was started by Mrs

Edwards and Mrs Warner.

John Arkle, Senior Sous Chef25 years of service

Please describe one of your most memorable moments at the club?

My first Regatta at the Club - I thought I knew what to expect but when the Wednesday came I was not in control at all and it was a shock to see how busy the Club and kitchen was. From then on, each year has become easier.

Gary Panter, Financial Controller21 years of service

What do you feel has been the biggest change at the Club?

The building of the Finlay Suite and a few years later the Bedrooms, the redevelopment of the Grandstand and finally the refurbishment of the Lounge.

Stuart Barr, Club Manager20 years of service

What continues to motivate you in your job role at Phyllis Court?

Adapting to the changing needs of our Members and to continue the excellent staff development we have at the Club.

Barry Foster, Maintenance Manager14 years of service

What do you like most about your job?

Every day brings a new challenge and the many deadlines keep me on my toes!

Michelle White, Membership Manager10 years of service What do you value most about Phyllis Court Club?

The variety of my role. In one day I can be showing new members round the Club, awarding a member who has been with us for 40 years, preparing the badges for Henley Royal Regatta, helping with the organisation of an Interest Group Event and planning a Classical Concert! Its great fun and very rewarding.

100 Years of the Club100 Years of Service


Nicky Forster, Head Housekeeper8 years of service

What’s the most interesting/fun thing that’s been left behind at the Club?

We’ve found a few digital cameras left at the Club and become detectives trying to find out who they belong to. There was even a Rolex watch left in a bedroom recently! However, we could most certainly start up an opticians with the amount of glasses left behind!

Miguel Signes Diego, Food Services 7 years of service

What’s the best thing about working at the Club?

Knowledge and education gained through working here. There is always something new to learn and being part of the Club is also a lifestyle.

Dominique Carter, Senior Events Executive 2 years of service

What is your favourite dish on the banqueting menu?

Roast Breast of Chicken served with a Red Wine Jus, Bacon Dauphinoise Potato and Braised Baby Leeks. There are quite a few options on our menu which I would choose, so I would find it hard to pick just one dish for my own event!

Ana Cunha Da Silva, Reception 6 months of service

What are you looking forward to being involved with over the next few months?

I am looking forward to the array of events coming up such as Mother’s Day Lunch and Easter Sunday Lunch. I like to see the Club busy and to engage with members. I also like the way the facilities are beautifully decorated for these events.

Joanna Wyeth, Interest Group Events Executive 2 years of service How did you first hear about Phyllis Court Club?

I heard about Phyllis Court from a friend and colleague; Emma Wilson. We used to work together at the Vineyard and she told me about the beautiful location of the Club, the opportunities it offered and how each day was very different due to it being both a Club for Members and a venue for private events. I started working on Reception and was very excited when the opportunity arose last year to follow my ambition of organising events.

Daniel Ball, Reception 6 months of service

Why did you choose to work at Phyllis Court Club?

I have always enjoyed working in a professional environment as it helps improve work efficiency, as well as helping in customer service. Phyllis Court Club provides just the right venue for me to do this. The location of the Club is also beautiful, so that was another plus point.

100 Years of Service

SAVE THE DATEHenley Royal Regatta 2016

Wednesday 29th June - Sunday 3rd July


Reciprocal Clubs: Home and Away

The Country Club Johannesburg

Country Club Johannesburg

was officially formed on 17

November 1906 and is a

contemporary Club rooted in

tradition. The Country Club Johannesburg

Word from the Club Secretary

It is a privilege to be in office

in this auspicious year as

we mark the Club’s 110th

Anniversary.

A number of special events will take place over the year ranging from Tasting of Champagne to the sound of classical music in April through to the sublime King’s Singers in November, via a tea party for the Queen’s Birthday in June.

However, ahead of any of those delights, I commend to you the current activity in the Dining Room which is gaining a following – ‘At The Chef’s Table’. Each Friday and Saturday evening we present a menu of numerous stages, from canapés to petits fours, which will

delight members and their guests. The menu evolves weekly but so far Chef Tarik Ramjaun has been offering delights such as English Seafood from Shells, Honey Glazed Crisped Pork Belly and Seared Seabass with Tiger Prawns.

There is also a wider variety of high-quality wines available by carafe (50cl) or by the glass, and we recommend particular wines to try with particular courses. You are also welcome to ‘dine with your own wine’ – A modest charge of just £10 covers its service.

On another tack, may I bring to the fore a long-running service which the Club has been offering for some years? The monthly coach service to London offers a civilised mode of transport at a civilised time of day to visit the capital. I am concerned that the take-up of places has begun to weaken so I would like to get this particular part of Club life back on to everybody’s radar.

The London Coach programme for the year has been published and the ticket price of £15.50 has remained unchanged. Booking in advance via

Reception is easily done. The coach departs from the Club at 9.15am and returns from Cromwell Road SW7 (opposite the V&A) at 4.30pm, so it provides a comfortable timetable for a trip for visiting exhibitions, lunching, shopping and catching up with life at the ‘hub of the Empire’.

We will keep Members abreast of all the coming year’s events and opportunities through the twice-weekly editions of In Touch, plus further editions of Club News and also some ‘quickfire’ e-mail bulletins. Please make sure that the Membership Office has up-to-date contact details for you.

Happy Hundred and Tenth!Tarik Ramjaun, Head Chef

Canapés English Seafood Pork Belly

Graham Owen, Club Secretary


The Country Club is home to two unique venues; Auckland Park is the original home of the CCJ and this property is a registered heritage site. The Woodmead property spreads across 208 hectares, is home to two superb golf courses and has received a five star rating for its overall golfing experience.

The widespread grounds are host to other outstanding sporting facilities including a cricket pitch, swimming pools, tennis and squash courts and bowling greens. Guests are granted full access to The Club’s facilities for the duration of their stay – so a swim in the pool, a meal at one of the Club’s restaurants or a game of squash, bowls or croquet is just a short walk away.

The CCJ has eighteen elegant en-suite rooms and include flat screen television and wireless Internet connectivity. There are also over 20 different function

rooms between the two properties.

The East India Club

The East India Club, in the

heart of London, has a long

tradition as a gentlemen’s

home from home Club.

Founded in the middle of the 19th century, its original members were ‘the servants of the East India Company and Commissioned

Officers of Her Majesty’s Army and Navy’.

The Club has sixty-six bedrooms and en-suite - accommodation in the very heart of central London and as a reciprocal member you can enjoy discounted bedroom rates. Producing more than 200 meals an evening the East India Dining Room is among the top club tables in London.

East India Club

EaLunchSter

Sunday 27th Marchin the Riverside Pavilion

Join us for

Spend time with your loved ones this Easter

Enjoy a seasonal three course lunch

There will be chocolate eggs for the children

Bookings taken online or at Reception


Interest Group News

The Jazz Group had a

growing membership of

over 210 people in 2015.

It runs seven well attended concerts

a year in the Ballroom on a Sunday

evening starting promptly at 7.00pm

and finishing at 9.30pm – not too

late. During the year we bring the

best of British Jazz, with a sprinkling

of the best internationally, and a

range of jazz styles from Traditional

to Modern to Swing, from Piano

quartet to Big Band. Additionally

we have an annual dinner and

a recent innovation is a Jazz

Lunch in the Riverside Pavilion.

The 2016 programme is all booked.

In January we had the return of the

wonderful Elaine Delmar, and in

February a Big Band with 18 of the

best UK jazz musicians. To further

whet your appetite, later in the year

we have two excellent Traditional

Jazz Bands plus concerts by Darius

Brubeck (yes, the son of…) and Alex

Dankworth (yes, the son of…). Some

concerts have a theme providing a

real flavour of an era or composer.

Another year of ”Great Jazz at

Phyllis Court”. Come and enjoy!

The Ladies Luncheon

Club (LLC) is one of the

longest running Interest

Groups at Phyllis Court.

It was started on a semi-formal basis by Mrs Edwards and Mrs Warner back in 1967 (some 48 years ago!), and was formed to give lady members, many of whom are on their own, the opportunity to meet others in a friendly environment. Today the Ladies Luncheon Club offers its members and their guests a vibrant and friendly atmosphere in which to meet.

Ladies of all ages gather for lunch on the second Wednesday of every month and this is usually followed by a presentation, talk or musical entertainment. Our programme is shown in the calendar on the Club’s website and LLC webpage. The programme and details of the next event and the planned menu also appear on the Interest Groups’ noticeboard. Highlights of 2015 included Jessica Fellowes (Downton Abbey), Yasmina Siadatan, (winner of The Apprentice (2009)), Jaeger (A Fashion Experience).

In 2016 we are eagerly anticipating Concert performed by Digby

Fairweather and his half-dozen

Current chairman, Gloria, modelling vintage clothes for “Tea

at the Ritz”

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday 2nd June 110th Club

Anniversary Dinner

Celebrating 110 years as a

Private Members Club, a

perfect opportunity for all Club

Members to dine at the Club

with fellow Members to mark

this very special occasion.

n Saturday 11th June

English Producers

Wine Fair

Come along to the Club to

meet local wine producers

and taste excellent wines. This

unique occasion is supported

by the wine circle and is open

to Members and their guests.

nSunday 12th June

The Queen’s 90th

Birthday Afternoon Tea

Celebration

Join us in celebrating the

Queen’s 90th Birthday.

We will be holding a Royal

Afternoon Tea Event with

all of our English favourites,

including entertainment by

the Phyllis Court Singers.

n


Charity Action Group

The Charity Action Group

is immensely grateful

for Members’ support

at their events in 2015.

In 2015 they raised a total of

£28,000, donating £20,000

to Helen and Douglas House

Hospices and £8,000 to South and

Vale Carers.

Following the AGM in January

the CAG presented cheques to

the chosen charities.

the Gerry Webber Fashion Show and Linda Collins, an art historian who will be talking to us about The Queen’s Paintings.

Try the LLC for yourself. Book at the Reception desk and come to the next lunch or contact our Membership Secretary, Louise Walton ([email protected]).

The Canoe & Kayak Club was

launched in February 2014 and

to date we have attracted over

40 Members offering a variety

of recreational paddling as

well as social activities.

Paddling is probably the UK’s fastest growing sporting and recreational activity which can offer you health benefits in keeping you fit and active with like minded Members.

Our latest Calendar of Events reflects our main objective which is to have fun by enjoying the beautiful Thames and its backwaters by encouraging novices and qualified Members to actively participate in our extensive programme. The majority of our events are on a Sunday but we do offer regular Wednesday paddling outings

throughout the year as long as the weather and river conditions are safe and risk assessed. To re-inforce our responsibility for your safety all of our Members are required to complete Swim and Capsize coaching. Then ideally followed by attending a British Canoe Union 1* BCU coaching course locally in your first year, which is a 1 day paddling and safety course and which many of our Members have already thoroughly enjoyed.

Also, if you are new to paddling we have negotiated for all our Members to purchase craft and equipment from local suppliers at considerable discounts. We also offer racking for your craft in the Paddock, availability is currently limited.

We would be pleased to send you further information, if you would like to consider joining us and the opportunity for all Phyllis Court Members to ‘test the waters’ by arrangement (without obligation)contact Jeff Leeks by email: [email protected] or please telephone 01494 563188. For more information contact Phil Booth, Membership Secretary by emailing [email protected] or telephone 07795 422284.

John Tabor (South and Vale Carers Centre), Trisha Christmas (Phyllis Court Club Chairman), Clare Periton (Helen & Douglas

House) and Diana Pearman (CAG Chairman)

Charity Action Group 2016 In 2016 the Charity Action Group are supporting Sue Ryder, Nomad

Project and First Responders. Also this year one-off payments will

be made to Regatta for the Disabled (£500), Child Bereavement UK

(£1000) and Charlie Waller Foundation (£1000) who raise awareness

fighting depression. Please see page 15 for the 2016 events.

8

Beauty and the Beast PantomimeSaturday 19th December

An entertaining and interactive afternoon was enjoyed by audience of 124 ranging from six week old babies to the

young at heart! Everyone got involved with the songs and classic panto lines and the afternoon was made even

more magical by the arrival of Father Christmas. Each excited child received a personally picked gift which was

eagerly opened on the day; Children were seen playing with footballs, board games and magic sets whilst enjoying

their snack box filled with tasty treats.

Rat Pack and Swing Night with Swing StarsSaturday 19th December 2015

Fully booked within two weeks of opening, 186 Members and their guests enjoyed the talented and stylish

group Swing Stars. During the evening an array of delicious courses including Aranchini Balls, Wild Boar

Tortellini Ravioli, Calamari and Grilled Pesto Marinated Halloumi were shared around the table. Members

enjoyed the good times with Swing and Jazz music taking them through the ages by filling the dance floor.

Christmas Eve Carols with The Singers

Thursday 24th December

Our annual Christmas Eve carols performed by the Phyllis Court Singers were enjoyed by 100 Members

and their guests. The audience of all ages sang along to the well known Christmas Carols including ‘Oh

Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Once in Royal David’s City.’ £614 was collected by the singers and went to two

charities which help young people; Henley Sea Scouts and The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. Family and

friends who stayed on after the concert enjoyed a festive supper, the perfect way to start the celebrations.

New Year’s Eve Mad Hatters PartyThursday 31st December 2015

Members enjoyed an undeniably delectable night at the Mad Hatters New Year’s Eve Party. 180 Members

and their guests were welcomed with a ‘Drink Me Gin’ cocktail before entering the Ballroom which was

transformed into Alice’s Wonderland. Many dressed with flamboyance, wearing hats, glittery heart necklaces

and fancy costumes. Zodiac entertained with floor filling songs and Arc Magic performed amazing tricks.

“The lounge and the Ballroom were beautifully decorated with many eye catching props, the dinner tables were especially well done. The meal was excellent both in look and tastes and the service by our friendly and helpful staff could not be faulted. All in all a great PCC evening and again our sincere thanks to all involved.”H042


Chairman’s Report

Writing this article just after

Christmas I would like to

reflect on some of the recent

successes that we have

achieved in the Club and

share some our plans for 2016.

Many exciting events took place in the last few months of 2015. The Club was continually busy - themed dinners in the Orangery, events arranged by the Charity Action Group, supper followed by trips to Kenton Theatre, Christmas Carols, Children’s pantomime and numerous Interest Groups enjoying Christmas lunches and dinners, culminating in a fully-booked Christmas Swing Dance Party, Christmas Day Lunch and there was even a waiting list for the New Year’s Day Brunch!

2015 ended with the fabulous Mad

Hatters Ball, with 180 members and guests getting into the spirit of the evening. It was magical with many Alice in Wonderland characters. Although the Cheshire Cat wasn’t spotted, there were broad grins on everyone’s faces.

On behalf of all the members I want to say “Many thanks” to all the staff teams that made these events such a success.

Back in September 2015, the planning for 2016 started in earnest, ensuring a seamless transition to 2016 as we have numerous events to celebrate our 110th Anniversary (1906 – 2016). There is a full programme of events planned throughout the year: a celebratory dinner in the Riverside Pavilion in June, and Interest Groups providing monthly events as well.

Our current strategies that have been developed in 2015 will inform the Club’s five year strategic plan (2016 – 2020) which will be published in early 2016.

Turning to the Marketing Strategy, it has been a busy six months rolling out the integrated plan to enhance the image of the Club to current members, to encourage your greater participation in Club events and dining while promoting the Club to all in

the environs of Henley. We have updated the Club Logo, provided support to the Interest Groups with revised logos and materials for their use. We have improved our relationships with the local press, and have found ways to work closely with them, using many of our activities to stimulate positive reports in both the Henley Herald and Henley Standard. I believe this is enhancing the image of the Club. We have been widely reported, including events arranged by the Book Group, Rowing Club and the Classic Motoring Club. In 2016 we will continue driving publicity as

Welcome New MembersJessica Belcher

Alexander Bridgeman

Diane Burley

Charlotte Bushnell

Phillip Collis

Richard Craft

David Evans

Mary Hartin

Terry Hartin

Eirlys Hughes

Justina Jang

Moira Jenkin

Trevor Jenkin

Dawn Key

Michael Key

Melina Lloyd

Nicholas Lloyd

Clare Lynas

Dominic Markham

Angus McKibbin

Deardre McKibbin

Peter Morris

Jim Norman

Brian Oldland

Aimee Rawlings

Juliet Rawlings

Lance Rawlings

Sheila Rigby

Stephanie Rogers

Thomas Rosser OBE DFC

David Saunders

Tracy Scott

David Simmonds

Joan Simmonds

Dorothy Simmons

Alison Smith

Katja Sturm

Richard Taylor

Neil Wastell

Wendy Wastell

Maria Watsham

Heather Williams


its key to informing our members who live in the community but also attracting new members and corporate/business users that we need to bring in the all-important income.

In 2016 Phyllis Court will have a presence at various Festivals being arranged around Henley, in March we will be at the House and Garden Festival, The Henley Food and Drink Festival in June and Henley Festival in July. All of these will stimulate both publicity and interest in Phyllis Court, changing how local residents perceive our Club and stimulate interest in joining.

Looking inwards, we have planned for the Riverside Pavilion to be available for members to dine

most Thursday evenings from April to September. The Dining Room will host the new concept of eating ‘At the Chef’s Table’ and themed dinners in the Orangery will continue as they have been most successful.

You will recall the Design Guide for the grounds was approved in mid 2015. An implementation and coordination group has been formed that reports

monthly to the House Committee. Achievements so far include installation of the Finlay Drive security gates, decluttering the lawns in front of the Clubhouse, and our next major project relates to supporting the Rowing and Canoe & Kayak Clubs, relocating their craft to the far side of the Paddock and making easier access to the River, and opening up the view.

The House Committee has also formed a sub group to develop a Design Guide for the Interior of the Club House. This is an important project as we know how important it is to have a smart and stylish reception that members feel represents the tradition and quality

of the Club. Initial plans include refurbishment of the Canopy, entrance lobby and reception Notice Boards.

The ongoing work of the Sports and Fitness Pavilion Working Group will be delivering details of the development, at open forum meetings. The plans have been scrutinised by our auditors and an independent advisory group set up specifically

to test the business plan. We are working to a deadline for a meeting in Spring when we want every member to vote based on the details that they will have read, heard and seen during the first quarter of 2016.

I can’t thank everyone enough, because of the great efforts from the membership team and you, our members, who recruited a flurry of new members by the end of the year, and we achieved membership of 2,980. The challenge continues to maintain and grow our Club membership, concerted efforts to recruit new members will continue throughout 2016.

May I take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of Council and all our wonderful staff for the contributions you made to the Staff Fund. We achieved the grand total of £66, 883.

There is so much happening, please continue to read In Touch, think about what you would like to do, and book early for all the special events planned for this year.

I hope to see much and many more of you this year. A happy, healthy and enjoyable 2016.


Saturday 19th March

Interest Group Open DayA chance for all Members to come along and find out what

the 30 interest groups can offer you. Did you know that you

can learn to row, canoe, play tennis, bridge and Scrabble

at the Club? Discover your family history, enjoy jazz and

classical music, enjoy painting, drawing, talks on aviation

and even enjoy wine tasting evenings with food to match.

Come along and discover what you can get involved in at the

Club and talk to members who run these Interest Groups.

Friday 1st April

Champagne and Music The aim of the evening is simple - to understand better

how music influences our perception of Champagne!

We will taste five different Champagnes and one of the

top English sparkling wines. With each we will listen

to different pieces of music, both classical and popular.

The musical side of the evening will be presented by

Professor Barry Smith, Professor of Philosophy and

Director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses. The

wines will be presented by Richard Bampfield, Master

of Wine and an honorary member of Phyllis Court.

This will be a highly original evening that will have

plenty to stimulate both music and wine lovers.

Sunday 27th March

Easter Sunday LunchWe all want to spend more time with family and friends

yet demands on our time mean this is sometimes

difficult. Why not pledge to make this Easter an

exception? Get all the family together and enjoy a

seasonal three course lunch, including coffee and petits

fours. There will be chocolate eggs for the children!

- The Ideal Match?

Other Forthcoming 110 Year Events

Thursday 2nd June - 110th Anniversary Dinner

nSunday 12th June - Queen’s 90th Birthday Afternoon Tea

nMonday 21st November - The Kings Singers

FORTHCOMING EVENTS10am - 1pm

7pm start

12.30pm until 2pm

Happy Easte

r


Freddy Kempf was born in Croydon in 1977 to a famous German father (Wilhelm

Kempf) and a Japanese mother and he currently lives in London. His first public

appearance was at the age of four in a church in Folkestone. He first caught the

attention of British concertgoers four years later when he played Mozart’s Piano

Concerto No. 12, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall and

shortly afterwards was invited to Germany to repeat his performance. In 1987, he won

the first National Mozart Competition in England. He came to national prominence in

1992 when, aged fifteen, he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition

following a memorable performance of Rachmaninov’s Paganini Variations. In 1996

he won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions which led to his New York

City recital debut at Carnegie Hall.

Since then his reputation has soared until he is now among the foremost and most sought after virtuosos on the

concert circuit. His performance will consist of three major works by Beethoven, Chopin and Tchaikovsky and

promises to be an evening to remember.

Friday 15th April Classical Concert & Dinner with Freddy Kempf

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Event bookings taken online or at Reception

(01491 570500) 6 weeks prior to

event date

Saturday 23rd April

Phyllis Court Singers St. George’s Day

Concert & Afternoon Tea

The Phyllis Court Singers will perform

traditional and well known songs to

mark this special occasion. Afternoon

Tea will be served in the interval

and the second part will be a chance

for members to sing along too.

7pm for 7.30pm

12.30pm until 2pm

Impeccable and discreet service in a private room where you

can enjoy exquisite cuisine from our Chefs.

Your preferences and requirements are important to us so a

dedicated Events Coordinator will help organise and tailor make

your booking to ensure it is a private dining experience for you

and your guests to remember.

CELEBRATE AT YOUR CLUBSPECIAL MOMENTS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO REMEMBER

Celebration Packages start from £43.95 per person for our

Members and include free room hire.

Please call our event co-ordinators

on 01491 570513/509 to find out more.

FREE ROOM HIRE

Documents

Club News Spring 2016