club news february 2015
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Phyllis Court Club
Club News February 2015
GALLERY OF
FESTIVITIES AT
THE CLUB
2015 CLUB
IMPROVEMENTS
AND PROJECTS
YEHUDI MENUHIN
SCHOOL CONCERT
& OTHER
2015 EVENTS
Page 2 Page 3
WELCOMING RECENT JOINERS
Geoffrey Brown
Julie Brown
Audrey Backer
Robin Coates
Janni Coates
William Douglas
Tristan Elby
John Gilbart
Adrian Glenn
Simon Hughes
Tim Holley
Penny Holley
David Hopkins
Carole Jackson
David Jolly
Jacqueline Jolly
Violet Lawrence
Stanley Packham
Sandra Chambers
Jean Roche
Jeremy Reeve
Sally Reeve
Elaenor Ringer
Richard Slogrove
Mark Beard
Charlotte Steventon
Beth Spelman
Brian Wadsworth
BEDROOM MAKEOVER
Over the last two years many of the
Club’s standard bedrooms have been
refurbished and bedroom bookings
have increased since. To maintain
the level of standard the oldest
bedrooms, 5, 6, 16, 17 and 18 will
have a make-over beginning on 2nd
February. Rooms 5 and 6 will be
transformed into stylish boutique
bedrooms with ‘5’ renovated from its
current colour scheme to terracotta
and ‘6’ a pale blue colour scheme.
Room 16 will follow the same
theme as the previously refurbished
bedrooms by incorporating dark
wood furnishings but will be updated
with soft furnishings in raspberry and
cream colours. Oak wood furnishings
will modernise bedrooms 17 and 18
along with a floral colour scheme
of lilac and pale greens for the soft
furnishings. All five rooms will have
new radiators, patio doors and
windows as well as improvements to
the bathrooms.
The work is due to be completed by
30th March but keep an eye on our
social media pages for updates on the
progress of the renovations.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
HAT BANDS
Changing a hat band is an easy way
to get a brand new look out of an
older hat and an ideal token gift.
They are available from Reception
for £9.75 each.
To view the full list of Club
merchandise please visit the ‘Club
Shop’ page on the website in the
‘Member Login Area.’
www.pccmembers.org
New Club GroupThe Quad Club
Page 5
ExploringInterest Groups
Page 7
Forthcoming Events
Page 10
Page 4 Page 5
CHAIRMAN’S FAREWELL
The “new look” festive events which
took place at the end of last year
proved to be very popular. The
Motown Evening, Casino Royale
New Year’s Eve Party, and New Year’s
Day Brunch were all fully booked.
Christmas Day lunch in the Pavilion
overlooking the Thames was also full
and was a very enjoyable experience!
As promised we made a “go, no go”
recommendation about the health
& fitness facility in plenty of time
before the Annual General Meeting.
The decision by Council not to
proceed with the current plan was
made known to Members last month.
Much work had gone on behind the
scenes examining every possible
alternative and I am most grateful
to my colleagues on Council and to
the members of the various working
groups for all they have done to assist
the Club with this project.
This report is my swansong since by
the time of publication my tenure
as Chairman will be coming to an
end. It has been an interesting and
personally very rewarding three
years and I hope Members will feel
that during that time the Club has
moved forward, embracing new
ideas but retaining the essence of
our traditions. I am not disappearing
since I will continue to be a member
of Council, so I look forward to
meeting up with you all regularly.
My sincere thanks for all your
support, encouragement and
constructive criticism.
With winter behind us we can now
look forward to the better weather
and enjoy the Club in all its spring
glory.
CHARITY ACTION GROUP
The Charity Action Group is
delighted to announce that £25,300
was raised for the Club’s charities in
2014.
Many thanks for the generosity of
PCC Members.
Following the AGM in January the
CAG presented cheques to the
chosen charities.
Thames Valley and Chiltern Air
Ambulance received £17,650.
Chiltern Centre supporting
Disabled Children received £7,650.
RECIPROCAL CLUBS - HOME AND AWAY
The St James’s Club
St. James’s was founded in 1825 and
is based in the heart of Manchester.
The Club has three function rooms
available for private hire as well as a
hot-desking suite for professionals
looking to conduct small meetings,
check email messages or finish work
in a quiet environment. St. James’s
Club offers Reciprocal Members
discounted rates on accommodation
thanks to their partnership with two
superb Manchester hotels close-by.
The Vancouver Club
Established in 1889, The Vancouver
Club is a place to dine, relax and
connect on the Canadian West
Coast. The Club is elegant, informal,
distinguished and comfortable. All
rooms are well equipped and rates
include a continental breakfast
buffet. During a stay at the Club,
guests are invited to use all facilities
available within the clubhouse which
include cardio and weight training
equipment along with a steam room.
2015 CLUB PROJECTS
The new year brings with it new
projects for the Club house
and grounds. The Phyllis Court
Foundation has sponsored a
definitive survey of the grounds and
environs of the Club and this will be
the ‘design guide’ for the evolution
of the grounds to reflect the historic
parkland setting of the manor house
in its unrivalled Thames-side setting.
The first part of a major project to
renew the jetties and moorings on the
River Front is under way in the first
quarter of the year, with the current
moorings being renewed up to the
footbridge, with wider walkways
and improved service connections.
The Pond has been given special
attention over the winter to improve
the perimeter pathway and the
quality of the water area. There will
also be continued drainage work in
and around the car parking areas.
The Finlay Drive barrier is to be
improved, with the ability to be
opened on demand by use of the
membership card in order to give
access out and through to New Street.
The exterior of the Club house
around the Finlay Suite will be re-
painted in Spring, and the planting
of new trees will be an on-going task.
Inside, five of the bedrooms will be
given an extensive make-over, as will
the Reception desk and the nearby
access points to the Dining Room
and the Gentlemen’s cloakroom.
Pond improvements began in
November 2014
The Reception area will be
refurbished in 2015
NEW CLUB GROUPThe Quad Club is in addition to
our Interest Groups and, to begin
with will be run in-house by the
Club management. Its focus is to
encourage Members within the 35
– 60 age bracket to come, socialise,
have fun and ultimately use the
Club through specific events and
initiatives hosted throughout the
year. We have lots of exciting plans
and are keen to receive any feedback
from Members within this bracket as
to further thoughts and initiatives
we could run. For more information
please contact our Membership
Manager at
From left to right: Mark McGeown and Nikki James (Air
Ambulance), Paul Barrett and Emma Lerche-Thompson (Chiltern centre), Diana Pearman (CAG Chair) and Anne Jones (PCC Council)
Page 6 Page 7
EXPLORING YOUR INTEREST GROUPS
Family History
THE FAMILY HISTORY SECTION –
WHAT’S HIDING IN YOUR FAMILY
TREE?
At one time Genealogy was simply
finding ancestors’ names. Now it
includes not only finding out who
they were but also how they lived.
We are flourishing with 125
members meeting monthly on a
Monday morning at 10am to hear
speakers on a wide variety of family
history topics. Why not look at the
programme on the Notice Board and
come along one Monday?
The Section also runs walk-in sessions
each Wednesday afternoon when
members are helped by experienced
family historians, as well as running
training workshops and visits to the
National Archives at Kew.
On Monday 11th May we are
organising an exciting new whole
day venture led by an experienced
speaker, exploring servants’ lives
in the big houses (how accurate is
Downton Abbey?). Then after lunch
we will find out what we can learn
about their lives from historical
records. Open to all Phyllis Court
Members. Please put the date in
your diary now.
Theatre Group
The Theatre Group is one of the most
successful interest groups of the
Club.
We enjoy a wide variety of very
popular West End shows, and include
trips to the Royal Opera House, the
National Theatre, the Watermill
near Newbury, Chichester Festival
Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon R.S.C.,
and other Regional theatres.
We endeavour to select as varied
a programme of shows as we can,
choosing comedies, straight and
classical plays and current musicals,
(last year we went to 7 plays, 5
musicals and 2 ballets).
This year we have already got lined up
a mixed selection of ballets, plays and
musicals. We are fortunate to engage
the services of an excellent coach
company and are driven from Phyllis
Court Club direct to the theatre, and
home again in comfort.
New members are always welcome.
Tennis
The best way to keep fit in 2015, and
have fun doing it, is to join the Tennis
Section! We have an active and social
group of all ages and tennis abilities.
We play all year round and have the
only tennis courts in Henley with
lights for evening play.
On Tuesday and Sunday afternoons
we have Social Tennis with an
organiser on hand to make sure all
attending have a good hit. You do
not need to sign up in advance, just
arrive a few minutes before the start.
Always an enjoyable afternoon and
great way to meet people.
If you feel that you may need a few
lessons, we have a highly experienced
coach, Richard Knight, who can work
with you individually or as part of a
group. You can contact Richard on
07803 607896 or
For players with a competitive
spirit we have club “round-robin”
tournaments held throughout the
year, which combine good sport and
great company. We have organised
barbeques and lunches after many of
the tournaments.
Contact Membership Secretary Suzi
Taylor for information:
For more information on all the
Club’s Interest Groups please
visit www.pccmembers.org/
membership_interest_groups or
visit the ‘Member Login Area.’
MEMBER PROFILE: LINDA KEY
Tell us about yourself
Linda Key was born in Exeter but
moved to the London area in 1982.
Linda has lived in Henley on Thames
with her partner Simon since 2012.
What made you decide to become a
Member of Phyllis Court Club?
Having attended the Royal Regatta in
2012 in the Stewards enclosure, we
could see the amazing venue ’Phyllis
Court’ and decided to investigate.
What do you do for a living and what
does it entail?
Having worked in the Beauty industry
all of my career, firstly for Estee
Lauder and then at Procter & Gamble
I moved to become Sales Director for
Coty Prestige, working with amazing
brands such as Marc Jacobs and
Calvin Klein. Four years ago I decided
to set up my own business, ‘Linda Key
Connections’ which had always been a
dream of mine. My company’s biggest
client is The Fragrance Foundation
UK – a non-profit making educational
trust.
As a foundation it also raises money
for charity, raising £21,000 for
our industry charity Look Good…
Feel Better at our last event. This
September we supported the Phyllis
Court Mother & Daughter dinner
held in the Riverside Pavilion which
was a great Club event.
What do you enjoy in your spare time?
My spare time is really precious to me
and most important is spending time
with Simon and our two cats Dolly &
Daisy. We have made many friends
in the town and have wonderful
neighbours so we socialise and dine
out a lot!
What Interest Groups are you a Member of at the Club and what do
you get out of them?
Simon and I joined the Wine Circle
and spent a lovely weekend on a trip
to the Hotel Terravina in the New
Forest and enjoyed a wine tasting with
Master Sommelier Gerard Basset
OBE. More recently we have joined
The Quad Club which is being run
by the Club’s Membership Manager
to provide more events aimed at the
35yr – 60yr group.
What do you enjoy doing whilst at
the Club?
I would like to encourage Members to
meet more regularly perhaps evening
drinks once a month and hope this
will perhaps be something The Quad
Club is able to do with the Pop Up Bar
initiative.
Have you visited any of our Reciprocal Clubs and if so which
ones?
As I am in London 2 – 3 days a week I
have had meetings at the Lansdowne
Club, which is very nice, welcoming
and well located.
What has been your favourite Club
event to date and why?
It has to be the Regatta, I love that
Phyllis Court applies the Regatta
Dress Code to keep it really special.
Next year I would like to invite some
friends to join me as guests, and
hopefully encourage them to become
members.
What event are you looking forward
to the most in the next few months?
We are very excited as our really
good friends are getting married in
the Riverside Pavilion, the setting is
gorgeous!
Favourite part of the Club?
The grounds and the terrace are
stunning. I would like to see the
upper deck of the Riverside Pavilion
perhaps used as a destination point
for that 6pm cocktail, I think a lot of
current members would use this and
it would also draw in new members to
the Club.
3 reasons for a Prospective Member
to join the Club?
1. The experience at the Regatta.
2. 6pm Cocktails in the Riverside
Pavilion.
3. For the younger prospective
member I think the new Finlay and
Quad Club’s will add much more
value, which is great.
Things that would enhance your membership and enjoyment of the
Club?
1. I really would like to see the Club
expand the program in the long term
so that it is also tailored for a younger
member, this is so important for the
future of Phyllis Court.
2. Dancing classes to include Salsa,
and American smooth. Our very own
‘Phyllis Court does Strictly!’
Red Riding Hood Children’s Pantomime
Saturday 20th December 2014
A very fun and noisy affair with a
very familiar special guest as Father
Christmas handing out a lot of presents
to a lot of very excited children. A swift
exit to feed the reindeer made way
for the ever energetic performers to
leap into action on stage and capture
everyone’s imagination with a fun twist
on Red Riding Hood!
A wonderful family event
yet again with the Phyllis
Court Club Singers leading
guests in real festive cheer
on Christmas Eve. Mince
pies and mulled wine added
to the occasion with a lovely
dinner for those that stayed
afterwards.
OJ’s Soul Band Motown Tribute Dinner and Dance
Saturday 20th December 2014
With an American Buffet on offer guests
had the choice of Steak Tenderloin in
Brioche Buns, Southern Fried Style
Chicken Drumsticks, Mac & Cheese with
of course some Mississippi Mud Pie for
good measure. OJ’s Soul Band known as
the UK’s leading Motown Band, played
some great tunes from various artists
and got lots of guests up and dancing
into the night.
s sOur very own Oddjob
greeted guests as they
stepped into the Club on
New Year’s Eve. With Q
and his gadgetry scattered
around reception and
a very glamorous Miss
Moneypenny at the desk, it
was almost like being in the
film itself. The lounge was
transformed with classic
Bond posters, playing cards
and plenty of diamonds.
Guests enjoyed Martinis
served by Daniel Craig
himself (several of him in
fact) before making their
way into the Ballroom. A
fun menu featuring dishes
such as From Russia with
Love Salmon, and Die
another Day Chocolate
Torte ensured guests were
well fuelled for the Cabaret
dancing, casino cards tables
and most importantly the
stroke of midnight!
Casino Royale New Year’s Eve Party
Wednesday 31st December 2014
Christmas Eve Carols and Supper
Wednesday 24th December 2014
Page 10 Page 11
LIGHT FRUIT CAKERecipe from Tarik Ramjaun,
Phyllis Court Club Head Chef
Mothering Sunday is all about
enjoying comfort foods and
indulging quite unashamedly in a
little nostalgia. So, with that in mind,
here is a delicious and lighter version
of a Fruit Cake. I used to make it for
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea whilst
working at one of the large hotels in
London. I’m sure it will not only be
mothers that enjoy this favourite!
The cake can be topped with royal
icing, after it has soaked up a tipple
or two of sherry, for the truly classic
look.
Ingredients:
450g Mixed Sultanas, Raisins or
Currants
100g Glacé Cherries (halved)
75g Mixed Peel
125ml Sherry plus 75ml for soaking
into cake once cooked
Soak above ingredients in 125ml of
sherry overnight or until absorbed
175g Butter
175 Soft Brown Sugar
4 Eggs
100g Self Raising Flour
100g Plain Flour
25g Ground Almonds
Half Teaspoon Mixed Spice
Pinch Salt
400g Royal Icing
Method:
Cream together the butter and sugar
until pale, beat in the eggs.
Fold through the sifted flours,
ground almonds, mixed spice and
pinch of salt.
Pour into a medium sized lined cake
tin or loaf tin and bake in the centre
of a pre-heated oven for around 30
minutes at 160c until cooked (knife
inserted into the centre of the cake
should come out clean).
Rest for a few minutes before
turning out onto a baking rack.
Prick the top and evenly pour over
the rest of the sherry or similar
alcohol. Cool completely and cover
with rolled royal icing if desired.
Chef’s Tasting Notes:
Best enjoyed with another
glass of sherry!!
FORTHCOMING EVENTS - SAVE THE DATEAnnual General Meeting
AGM at 5.30pm
Followed by Supper in the Ballroom
The Finlay Club Midsummers Dinner
All Junior Members are welcome to join this dinner in the Riverside Pavilion and bring guests
along, a great way to celebrate Midsummer!
All events can be booked 6 weeks in advance at Reception:
Tel 01491 570500 Email: [email protected]
The Quad Club Pop Up Bar
Short for ‘quadragenarian’ this new Club creates the chance for
Members between 35 – 60 years to come and enjoy drinks and
tapas together in a fun, relaxed and informal setting.
Classical Concert with the
Yehudi Menuhin School
Once again the Club are proud to present the
fantastic Yehudi Menuhin School Concert showing
the very best of young British classical talent.
Mothering Sunday Lunch
A very popular Club event and a wonderful way to celebrate Mothering Sunday with your family.
All Members are welcome to attend and can book via the Club Reception for the lunch.
30 Year and Over Membership Lunch
A dinner to thank long-standing Members for their continued support of the Club. Members will
be sent invitations to attend and must confirm their booking via the Club Reception.
Easter Sunday Lunch
A great way to spend Easter weekend relaxing with family and
friends over a lovely lunch and a fun Easter Egg Hunt for the
children!
10 – 19 Year Membership Dinner
A wonderful dinner especially for Members who have been at the Club for 10 – 19 years
continuously.
St George’s Afternoon Tea
The annual celebration for St George’s Day is an opportunity to
enjoy a wonderfully patriotic Club Afternoon Tea.
with the PCC Singers!
STAFF FUNDThe response from Members
to the Fund for 2014 has been
wonderfully generous with over
£70,000.00 raised. 72 staff each
received an equal share of the fund.
The Fund is an independent entity
recognised by HMRC and is entirely
separate from the Club business.
As such, no National Insurance
deductions are made on the pay-
outs, only income tax, so the net
result is much improved for all.
The Fund receives payments
from Members, Interest Groups
and external users at any time
of the year and pays out to Staff
at various stages of the year.
The Club Staff are most grateful
for the largesse from Members
and they look forward to being of
continued service in the year ahead.
Page 12
STAFF INSIDE VIEW
KATRINA SANTOS
EVENTS EXECUTIVE
You’ll find me….
in the sales office.
I can help you with...
booking a conference, special event or Wedding.
My favourite Club cocktail is…
cocktails wouldn’t be my first choice
at the bar. I always choose either
a glass of Prosecco or the Chilean
Sauvignon Blanc.
Previously I have worked at…
Monkey Island Hotel in Bray, The Sir
Christopher Wren Hotel and Oakley
Court Hotel in Windsor.
On my days off you’ll find me…
searching for a new home or enjoying a Costa coffee – my favourite coffee is a vanilla latte.
My favourite dish at Phyllis Court Club is…
Braised Chicken served with ‘Anya’ Potatoes and Spring Onion and Chive Salsa. I have a sweet tooth so I would pick the Apple, Pear and Cinnamon Crumble for dessert.
I wanted to work at Phyllis Court Club because…
it is a unique venue in a lovely setting.
Don’t tell anyone but…
Although my name suggests I am not actually Portuguese, but my husband is from Madeira!
JAMES NELSON
NIGHT PORTER
You’ll find me….
at Reception on the night shift.
I can help you with...
almost anything from serving at the bar to helping with enquiries.
My favourite Club cocktail is...
I prefer a neat Brandy rather than a cocktail!
Previously I have worked in...
a variety of engineering jobs before joining Phyllis Court Club in 2003.
On my days off you’ll find me...
on my allotment and I am also involved with a number of ex-service organisations including Chairman of Henley Dunkirk Veterans.
My favourite dish at Phyllis Court Club..
the sandwiches are very nice but my favourite dish would have to be Roast Pork with all the trimmings.
I wanted to work at Phyllis Court Club because...
I enjoy meeting different people with diverse interests.
Don’t tell anyone but...
I love tinned rice pudding, still not as good as my Grandmother’s of course!
Phyllis Court Club
Club News is produced and
published by Phyllis Court Club,
Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire, RG9 2HT
T:01491 570500
www.phylliscourt.co.uk
Editorial Contact for Club News is
Emma Forster
Marketing Executive
T: 01491 570514