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PremièreTHE FIRST FOR PREMIER PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE SPRING/SUMMER 2011
All that GlittersWhy insiders love the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup
Luxury DefinedStep inside some of the hottestproperties on the market today
Luxury DefinedStep inside some of the hottestproperties on the market today
Extreme BentleyWe test drive the Bentley Continental Supersports
Extreme BentleyWe test drive the Bentley Continental Supersports
The Art of FusionWelcome to the world of Hublot
The Art of FusionWelcome to the world of Hublot
Rock Star We chat with the leading British finejewellery designer Stephen Webster
Rock Star We chat with the leading British finejewellery designer Stephen Webster
Scan barcode with your Smartphone to visit our website
All that GlittersWhy insiders love the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup
Welcome to our Spring/Summer Edition of Première.
As you peruse the selection of our finest properties,we’re hoping you find the one of your dreams...
Premier Homes of Distinction is a lifestyle choicewhen it comes to selling your property. The bespokeservice we offer is unrivalled across Berkshire,Surrey and North Hampshire, and it is thisdedication which ensures that our clients alwayscome back to us. Property should be exciting andrewarding, here at PhD we make sure it works foryou.
So should you be considering selling your property,why not find out a little more about PhD, we thinkyou’ll be impressed.
I look forward to hearing from you.
WOKINGHAM0118 979 9005
CAMBERLEY01276 686 457
MAYFAIR0207 467 5330
READING0118 955 9700
WARFIELD01344 300 700
CROWTHORNE01344 778 868
WINNERSH0118 979 6661
BRACKNELL01344 869 169
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Front cover image by kind permission of Cowdray Park Polo Club www.cowdraypolo.co.uk
Shaun StevensPhD
Welcome toPremière magazine
Contents Spring/Summer 2011
Warfield, £775,000An individual detached residence located in a desirable non-estate position backing onto paddock land.
Ascot, £3,400,000Substantial detached home located a stones throw away from the Golden Mile of Ascot racecourse.
Extreme BentleyWe test drive the Bentley Continental Supersports.
Warfield, £1,625,000Hayley Green Farm is a splendid Grade II Listed barn conversion offering the diverse combination of periodsplendour and high specification, contemporary living.
The Ridges, £2,695 pcmThatched cottage standing in a mature plot, ideal for tenants seeking a semi rural yet convenient location.
The Art of FusionWelcome to the world of Hublot.
Warfield £799,950A splendid individual detached residence nestled in a quiet cul-de sac in Old Warfield combines period charm andmodern contemporary living.
Finchampstead, Offers in the region of £2,750,000Longmoor Lodge was constructed in 2004 & has been architecturally designed to encompass energy efficiency &state of the art audio & visual technology.
Camberley, £750,000A brand new five bedroom detached property situated in one of Camberley's most popular residential locations.
Rock Star We chat with the leading British fine jewellery designer Stephen Webster.
Camberley £995,000Set on an exclusive gated drive of 4 properties is this executive detached residence with gardens backing on to the13th fairway of Camberley Heath Golf Course.
Sunningdale, Price Guide £1,650,000A stunning penthouse apartment occupying the top floor of a modern building in the desirable village ofSunningdale with accommodation in excess of 3,000 square feet.
Three Mile Cross, £625,000This splendid Grade II Listed cottage boasts a wealth of character features that are believed to date back to the17th century.
Finchampstead, £1,250,000Charming detached residence located in the desirable area of Fleet Hill. The original cottage is Grade II Listed andboasts a wealth of character and retains many original features.
All that GlittersWhy insiders love the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup.
Camberley £850,000Double fronted detached residence offering extensive accommodation in excess of 3,000 square feet.
Reading, £760,000Individual detached family residence backing onto Calcot Golf Course.
Finchampstead, Guide Price £1,250,000Substantial detached residence offering deceptively spacious accommodation.
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Warfield £775,000An individual detached residence located in a desirable non-estateposition backing onto paddock land. e property is being offered withno onward chain and boasts accommodation approaching 2,400 squarefeet that includes five bedrooms, three reception rooms, two bathroomsand a spacious kitchen/breakfast room. ere is a double garage to theside of the property whilst there is a generous frontage providing off roadparking. e property is located a short distance from local amenitieswhilst Ascot and Windsor are within easy reach.
Première
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Nestled towards the top of one of Ascot's premier roads is this substantialdetached home located a stones throw away from the Golden Mileof Ascot racecourse. e property enjoys a secluded, mature plot toenhance the substantial accommodation that extends to nearly 5,500sq . ere is a fantastic indoor swimming pool complex ideal forthe fitness enthusiast and an 8 seat cinema for budding film buffs.Further accommodation includes five bedrooms, five bathrooms and fiveflexible reception areas offering a high degree of elegance and grandeur.
Ascot £3,400,000
Extreme BentleyCreating the most powerful Bentley road car ever meant
pushing the boundaries of 21st century technology, Steven Hall takes a drive...
I arrive at the stunning Bentley Kent
showroom in Sevenoaks, Kent, not all of
my days are like this, having been given
the keys by Brand Manager Stephen
Jackson my 'task' over the weekend is to
test drive the all new Bentley Continental
Supersports. This new edition is lighter
and much faster than other Bentleys and
it runs on bio-fuel. Think of the Bentley
Continental Supersports as a great
engineering research programme which
thankfully came to fruition. That's
because Bentley engineers spent their
spare time tinkering with various aspects
of the GT Speed to see how far they could
push the performance envelope and wow
did they push it. The result is the fastest,
most hardcore Bentley that's ever been
produced with a top speed of 204mph.
What it stands for is this. It is the fastest
road-going Bentley ever, and the fastest
Bentley full stop. This Continental
Supersports weighs less than the regular
GT Coupé or the slightly quicker Speed
version, so now it’s two and a quarter
tonnes instead of two and a half, and has
yet more power from its 6.0-litre, W12,
8
twin-turbo engine. This engine is
effectively two narrow-angle V6s next to
each other, sharing possibly the most
intricately machined crankshaft I have
seen.
Time to step inside and slip into the
firm, enveloping leather bucket seats
created by Bugatti and hand-trimmed in
the Bentley Crewe factory. The carbon
fibre trim, console and fascia are very
much a radical departure from the use of
wood and leather, giving an ‘oh so special’
look and feel. One touch of the starter
button and the beast is alive with an all
powerful thrum, the firmness of the
suspension noted as soon as I pull away.
There are four ride programmes -
comfort, normal, sport one and sport two.
I soon discover that riding in anything
softer than sport one is simply not
needed, even for commuter levels of
comfort. Body roll is never an issue,
cornering loads simply don't affect you.
The Bugatti bucket seats have that sorted
and you are nailed into the seat. One
small issue is making doubly sure that
with 621bhp at your control you don't
enter bends too quickly. However the
carbon-ceramic brakes are forgiving and
give you a sporting chance!
As I leave Kent on my way to the West
Country the power and speed is
impressive to say the least. The original
Continental GT Coupe was launched some
eight years ago. This new version however
takes things to a whole new level. The
thirteen percent power increase and drop
in weight of 110kg means the power to
weight ratio increases from 238 to 271bhp
per tonne, the 0 to 100mph now stands at
just 8.9 seconds, this really is supercar
performance. Sitting on 20 inch alloys at
40mph plus the car glides and the real
enjoyment begins.
As I make my way onto the M25 I think
the Bentley brief with the new Continental
Supersports was simply 'faster than you
would ever want to go’. Trust me,
Bentley's Chief Engineer Dr Ulrich
Eichhorn achieved his aim. Eichhom is the
force behind Bentley's well-established
policy of continuous improvement and his
passion for his cars is simply second to
none. With all this 'speed' it should not be
lost that the new Continental Supersports
is Bentley's version of an economy car. It
has been painstakingly engineered to
produce its 621bhp whether burning E85
(15 percent petrol, 85 percent ethanol) or
pure pump petrol or any combination of
the two. This makes the engine
management system versatile enough to
cope and is a more important engineering
achievement than is generally perceived.
Bentley aim to have its entire range with
this capability by 2012, which will allow
Bentley to claim that supercars can go
green without being boring, slow or small.
Slow, boring or small? None of these
would be used to describe the
Supersports, complete with an extra
expanse of meshed grille, two nonsense
extractor grills on the top surface of the
bonnet along with a complete lack of
shiny trim. Instead smoked steel
mouldings and a set of the most beautiful
gleaming black alloys are the order of the
day. Wearing these the car's huge but
light carbon-ceramic brakes and some
special lightweight suspension parts
remove some 20kg from the weight of the
standard Continental. Weight is also lost
by lighter front seats and the removal of
back seats (although a four-seater
version is now an option).
My dream has ended. After four hours
of driving the fastest and most powerful
Bentley ever built I arrive in the West
Country just in time for dinner at the
stunning new South Sands Hotel in
Salcombe. Whilst it may not be a top
priority for every owner, the clear aim was
to create a top-end performance car that
in the right hands could be a real match
and more for the Ferraris and Porsches.
By Appointment ToHer Majesty The Queen
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1514
Dating back to 1475, Hayley Green Farm is a splendid Grade II listed barnconversion offering the diverse combination of period splendour and highspecification, contemporary living. e property boasts original exposedtimbers, vaulted ceilings and a stunning Inglenook fireplace that add to thecharm of this bright, airy and spacious home. ere is a triple garage andone bed studio flat whilst the plot extends to approximately 1 acreincluding a heated swimming pool, home office and private patio garden.is fine residence is on the doorstep of equestrian facilities being locatedin the quaint village of Hayley Green, a short distance from Ascot andWindsor.
Warfield £1,625,000
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e Ridges £2,695 pcmWishing Well Cottage is an individual thatched cottage completed in2004 which was developed and completed to the current owners exactingstandards. e cottage stands in a mature plot of approximately quarterof an acre and is set within the renowned Finchampstead Ridges. Beingsituated on the Berkshire/Hampshire borders makes this the ideal settingfor tenants seeking a semi rural yet convenient location, withWokingham & Crowthorne within a short drive, both providing a choiceof shopping, schools, sporting facilities and mainline railway access.
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tel: 020 8977 9772 • email: [email protected]
THE ART OF FUSIONWelcome to the world of Hublot
Stockist, Marcus, 170 New Bond Street, London W1,Tel, 0207 290 6500 www.marcuswatches.co.uk
Right:Hublot One Million $ BlackCaviar Bang is cased in 18kWhite Gold, set with 322 Diamond Baguette (24.65carats) on a rubber strap and 179 baguette diamonds on the dial.
Left:Hublot Big Bang F1 King Power in satin finished zirconium with black rubber strap.Middle:The "Big Bang Out of Africa" is a feminine and graceful model, 38 mm in diameter, with an AllBlack case adorned with red highlights from the rubber strap to the side inserts, and the bezel set with baguette-cut spinels. Right:Hublot Big Bang Black Tutti Fruitti Lemon Bang with a White Gold bezel PVDset with 48 yellow sapphire baguette and a yellow rubber alligator strap.
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Warfield £799,950is splendid individual detached residence nestled in a quiet cul-de sacin Old Warfield combines period charm and modern contemporaryliving. e property boasts four bedrooms, three bathrooms, fourreception rooms and a bespoke fitted kitchen/breakfast room. echaracter features include original fireplaces and doors whilst excellentadditions such as a delightful roof terrace and two staircases increase theappeal of this fine home. ere is a detached home office, ideal forrunning a business and a double detached garage to the front and privategarden to the rear.
telephone 0800 043 6916 www.aji.co.uk
Private Client Interior Design & Furnishings
Showhouse Interior Design & Furnishings
Full Flooring Service
Architectural Specification
Visit our showrooms and design studios at:
Liston Court, High Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1ER
55 High Street, Wargrave, Berkshire, RG10 8BU
2322
Finchampstead Offers in the region of £2,750,000Longmoor Lodge was constructed in 2004 & has been architecturallydesigned to encompass energy efficiency & state of the art audio & visualtechnology. e property occupies grounds of approximately 11 acreswith the area boasting a wealth of history dating back to the 1800's whenthe original lodge was owned by the Walter family, founders of eTimes newspaper. e accommodation spans four floors to offer over10,000 square feet of living space including six bedrooms, five bathrooms& five reception rooms. ere is further scope with the extensive lospace offering excellent conversion potential and the area above the triplegarage lending itself to staff quarters or further living accommodation.
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Camberley £750,000A brand new five bedroom detached property situated in one ofCamberley's most popular residential locations. e property comprises five bedrooms with en-suite to master and a further familybathroom, 22 kitchen/breakfast/family room with granite worktops,five ring gas hob and integrated appliances, separate utility room, 17 living room, dining room, study and downstairs cloakroom. Externallythere is a detached double garage, parking for several vehicles and anenclosed rear garden. e property has an elevated position with viewsover countryside.
Rock STAR
STEPHEN WEBSTER IS ONEOF THE LEADING BRITISHfigures in the fine jewellery andsilver design industries.Webster's keen eye for detail,
expert craftsmanship and glam-rockattitude has given way to dramaticcreations with an eternally chic aesthetic.The unmistakable amalgamation ofprecious and semi-precious gemstones setin specially treated metals has led StephenWebster to a five-time win of the BritishLuxury Jeweller of the Year award andwinner of UK Jewellery Brand of the year in2008. Originating from a modest spotlight,Stephen Webster has evolved into apowerful global luxury jewellery brand withover 120 points of sale worldwide in theUnited States, United Kingdom, Russia,Dubai, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kongand over 20 Stephen Webster boutiquesinternationally. Webster also continues tobuild his high-profile celebrity followingculminating in an alliance with musicalartist Christina Aguilera who appears inthe brand's new advertising campaign forStephen Webster Silver.
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The Stephen Webster brand offers theconsumer a true lifestyle experience –one which has been credited withunprecedented demand. “Stephen and Ihave been friends for many years andworking together on a second campaignhas been an amazing experience,” saidAguilera. “I’ve truly enjoyed bringing hisnew vision to life and couldn’t be morepleased to be a part of his continuedsuccess.”
From a modest upbringing nearLondon, Stephen has attracted some of
the entertainment world’s most alluringand glamorous clients and hasestablished a loyal and evolving, globalcustomer base. Stephen’s enthusiasm,commitment and creativity have helpedhim to achieve numerous accolades.
While the jewels in Stephen Webster’sexquisite pieces may be multifaceted, hisvision has always been singularlyfocused. Webster’s love for things thatsparkle found him attending a Jewelleryand Silversmith course at MedwayCollege of Design at the young age of
16. During the first term Stephenbecame consumed by a passion forjewellery design andcraftsmanship. After completing histraining under Tony Sheperd, a formerPrime Warden of the WorshipfulCompany of Goldsmiths, Stephenworked as a craftsman for severalestablished London design houses.Among many highly regardedcommissions was the honour, on twooccasions, of setting the De BeersDiamond Stakes Trophy.
After receiving the acclaimed De Beershonor in 1982, which marked anemergence for Stephen into the finejewellery market, he relocated to Canadato design and produce for an independentjeweller. Following a brief return to theUK in 1984, Stephen identifiedopportunities for his jewellery inCalifornia. His bold style and use of exoticand unusual gems attracted the fashion-savvy and uninhibited audience out West.After much success and expansion,Stephen returned to London in 1998 toestablish the company that is knowntoday as Stephen Webster Ltd.
With one of the largest jewellerymanufacturing and design studios inLondon’s West End, Stephen Webster iswidely considered to be one of theinternational scene’s most accomplishedand exciting designers. 2009 saw thelaunch of a global flagship store in theheart of London’s Mayfair, located on thefashionable Mount Street amongst fellowluxury retailers Marc Jacobs, ChristianLouboutin, Balenciaga, Lanvin and JennyPackham.
The newly designed 1,100 square footstore reflects Webster’s signature style:glamour with a rock and roll edge.Designed in collaboration with famedinterior designer Kelly Hoppen, the spaceechoes Webster’s passion for décor withrich tones, decadent fabrics and tattoo-inspired installations offset with a sleek,modern elegance. Stephen blends his lovefor traditional craftsmanship with hispassion for contemporary music, fashionand art to produce a modern,unconventional atmosphere to showcasehis exquisite creations some 30 years inthe making. “This is one of the mostsignificant mile stones in our growth.
Even though we have over 20 boutiquesaround the world we have always feltunder represented in our home town. Forthat reason we have gone all out toexpress the creativity of our brand. Inkeeping with our product; everything fromthe window, the showcases, and thevarious objects have all been created inour own studio. Making a visit to our storewill be an exiting process of discovery”comments Stephen Webster.
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Meanwhile, Stephen’s stellar celebrityclient list continues to grow. Over thepast few years he has designed one-of-a-kind pieces for the likes ofMadonna, Sharon Stone, Kate Moss,Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Pink andChristina Aguilera. He has alsocreated jewellery for Elton John, JayZ, Ozzy Osborne, Johnny Depp, NicholasCage and Michael Stipe.
www.stephenwebster.com
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Camberley £995,000Set on an exclusive gated drive of 4 properties is this executive detachedresidence with gardens backing on to the 13th fairway of CamberleyHeath Golf Course. e extensive accommodation is over 3000 squarefeet and includes five bedrooms, four bath/shower rooms, threereception rooms and a fitted kitchen/breakfast room. ere is a doublegarage to the side of the property whilst the attractive gardens offer ahigh degree of privacy and there is a gate giving access to the golfcourse. e property is in excellent school catchment with Tomlinscoteand Ravenscote Schools being in close proximity. BLENHEIM PALACE
WOODSTOCK, OXFORDSHIRE
FRIDAY 22 - SUNDAY 24 JULY 2011
The CLA Game Fair in association with
The National Countryside Event
EXHIBITION AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR COUNTRY SPORT ANDCOUNTRYSIDE ENTHUSIASTS, THEIR FAMILY & FRIENDS
The world’s greatest Game Fair&
www.gamefair.co.uk
COUNTRYSIDE ENTHUSIASTS, THEIR FAMILY & FRIENDS
FRIDAY 22 - SUNDAY 24 JULY 2011
BLENHEIM PALACE
3332
Sunningdale Price Guide £1,650,000A stunning penthouse apartment occupying the top floor of a modernbuilding in the desirable village of Sunningdale with accommodation inexcess of 3000 square feet. e property is a short distance fromSunningdale and Wentworth golf courses whilst the mainline stationwith access to London is 0.3 miles. e low maintenance lifestyle is inabundance with underground parking, personal li access and highquality fittings including a Mark Wilkinson kitchen. ere are 3bedrooms with en-suite facilities, a splendid 30 drawing room with roofterrace and 2 further balconies to offer alfresco dining areas that enhancethis sought aer residence.
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ree Mile Cross £625,000is splendid Grade II listed cottage boasts a wealth of character featuresthat are believed to date back to the 17th century. e accommodationincludes three bedrooms and three reception rooms that offer flexibilityand a great sense of history. e property sits in a delightful plotapproaching 3/4 of an acre with the majority of the formal gardens beinglaid to lawn. e gardens are skirted by fields to the sides and rear withmany fine walks and equestrian facilities being a short distance away. ereis a detached double garage and useful store as well as driveway parking.
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Finchampstead £1,250,000Nestled on a tree lined plot in excess of 3.3 acres is this charmingdetached residence located in the desirable area of Fleet Hill. e originalcottage is Grade II listed and boasts a wealth of character and retainsmany original features. e property has been extended to offer flexibleaccommodation that is currently laid out as six bedrooms, fourbath/shower rooms, two reception rooms and a conservatory. issplendid home enjoys formal lawned gardens and further paddock landthat directly adjoins the property.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVENEVER SEEN THE SPORT OFpolo, the Veuve Clicquot GoldCup for The British OpenChampionship carries the
cachet of golf’s British Open, orWimbledon’s tennis fortnight in both itssignificance, and for the way it is reveredwithin polo circles.
It remains the pinnacle of the Englishhigh-goal polo season for players,patrons and spectators alike.
Indeed, since its inception over half acentury ago, in 1956, it has become themost important pro-am polo tournamentplayed outside Argentina, and the mostcoveted trophy in the sport.
Its home is Cowdray Park Polo Club,where annually over 40 matches areplayed over a three-week period. Set inan 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'within Viscount Cowdray’s 16,500 acreestate in Midhurst, West Sussex, many of
the matches take place against thebackdrop of the South Downs, in front ofthe world famous Cowdray ruins.
For many, it has become a permanentfixture in the summer social and sportingdiary as part of the old-fashioned“season”, along with Henley Regatta,Cowes week, Wimbledon and the Testmatch at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
It has an ambience where Pimms, picnicsand Princes blend seamlessly in the throng.Not to forget, of course, the ubiquitouspopping of corks from title sponsorsChampagne House Veuve Clicquot, who havesupported the championship for the pastdecade and a half.
Cowdray Park is recognised worldwideas the home of British polo and, indeed,Cowdray Park Polo Club celebrated itsCentenary year in 2010 and is lookingforward to a very bright future with agrowing youth membership.
The first competitive tournaments
were recorded on the House grounds in1910, and continued to develop and gainpopularity until the advent of the SecondWorld War, which saw the sport all butdie out, due to the disbanding of theCavalry regiments, with mechanisationsuperceding the role of the Cavalry in theBritish Army.
Indeed, Cowdray Park’s role in the re-establishment of polo in Englandfollowing the war can never beunderestimated. The sport’s revival waslargely due to a legend within polo: JohnChurchill Pearson, 3rd Viscount Cowdray,who passed away in 1995, in his eighties.
Having lost an arm in Dunkirk duringWW II, the 3rd Viscount Cowdraycontinued playing the sport and evenumpired into his seventies using aprosthetic arm designed and fashionedby his gunmakers, Churchills, which wasfitted by medical experts at the renownedlimb hospital at Roehampton. →
Allthatglitters:
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why polo insiders love theVeuve Clicquot Gold Cup
Antje Derks, Polo Correspondent, The Times with Liz Higgins, Sponsorship/Press and PR, Cowdray Park Polo Club
All photos courtesy of Veuve Clicquot Photographer Steven Morris
The founding father turned CowdrayPark into one of the most famous poloclubs in the world. Underpinning itsdevelopment was the fact that he wantedpeople to come and play there and feelwelcome. He charged paltry entrancefees, gathered up his friends from his waryears, imported ponies from Argentinaand then lent the ponies to his friends forfree to form teams. Earl Mountbatten hada team there in the Fifties.
The warmth he generated then is stillat the very heart of the Club today, and ispalpable as you walk in through theentrance gates.
HRH The Prince of Wales, referring tothe Gold Cup for the British Open atCowdray Park in Polo at Cowdray*, said “…its final is today the highlight of the poloyear. I have been trying to win it for thepast 14 years, but despite being in the finaltwice this particular prize has eluded me!”
The love of the event has indeedpassed down from father to son. HRHHarry Wales has also played at Cowdraywithin a Gold Cup tournament.
In other words, regardless of whoyou are, it feels as if you are family atCowdray Park. There is a special
atmosphere of warmth at the club feltby both those inside the sport, andoften remarked upon by both playersand spectators.
The Gold Cup tournament is playedover a three-week period annually inJuly, culminating in the final, whichattracts hardened polo addicts and polofirst-timers alike, from all corners of theworld, to witness two teams who havebattled their way to the winners’ podiumlifting the splendid golden trophy.
While a high goal event today, itbegan with humbler origins. A littleover fifty years ago, an Argentinefarmer called Antonio Heguy came overto England on holiday with three of hisfriends. Lord Cowdray had invited themto play in his new tournament.
They arrived with a boat-load ofhome bred horses – in stark contrast totoday’s multi-million pound high-goalteam operations. Back then the Heguyteam, Los Indios, beat the home sidenine goals to four to become the firstwinners of the Gold Cup.
No one could have predicted thenjust how prestigious the Gold Cuptournament would later become.
It is an ambience wherePimm’s, picnics and Princesblend seamlessly in the throng
*Polo at Cowdray, by Derek Russell Stoneham and Roger Chatterton-Newman, 1992.
Left: Action at the Final of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup 2010 Above Right: Petanque in Veuve Clicquot’s champagne garden – Final of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup 2010Below: Rashid Albwardy is congratulated by Jo Thornton, MD Veuve CLicquot UK Ltd and Stephane Baschiera, President Veuve Clicquot
Tournament entrants are put intoleagues following an open draw from aVeuve Clicquot ice bucket, and apalpable frisson is always felt aroundthe room as teams see who they willface in the opening round. These days,mobile phone cameras record the drawimmediately and are sent to Argentina.News of the draw is instant, and in polo,makes world news.
The top eight teams progress throughto the quarter finals, and the semi-finals ofthe Gold Cup are played on the Thursdaybefore the Sunday final. Aficionadosbelieve – without question – that this is thebest day’s polo in Europe, attracting alarge crowd. It is not a day of pomp andceremony. It is laidback and relaxed off thefield, often with nail-biting tension on it.
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The Gold CupFirst played in 1956 for the British OpenChampionships at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
1956 LOS INDIOS beat Cowdray Park
1957 WINDSOR PARK beat Casarejo
1958 COWDRAY PARK beat Woolmers Park
1959 CASAREJO beat Cowdray Park
1960 CASAREJO beat Centaurs
1961 COWDRAY PARK beat Laversine
1962 COWDRAY PARK beat Sao Silvestre
1963 LA VULCI beat Cowdray Park
1964 JERSEY LILIES beat Centaurs
1965 JERSEY LILIES beat Cowdray Park
1966 WINDSOR PARK beat Cowdray Park
1967 WOOLMERS PARK beat Chequers Manor
1968 PIMMS beat Chequers Manor
1969 WINDSOR PARK beat Pimms
1970 BOCA RATON beat Windsor Park
1971 PIMMS beat Columbia
1972 PIMMS beat Stowell Park
1973 STOWELL PARK beat Cowdray Park
1974 STOWELL PARK beat Cowdray Park
1975 GREENHILL FARM beat Jersey Lilies
1976 STOWELL PARK beat Cowdray Park
1977 FOXCOTE beat Cowdray Park
1978 STOWELL PARK beat Cowdray Park
1979 SONGHAI beat Les Diables Bleus
1980 STOWELL PARK beat Cowdray Park
1981 FALCONS beat Ipanema
1982 SOUTHFIELDS beat Les Diables Bleus
1983 FALCONS beat Centaurs
1984 SOUTHFIELDS beat Black Bears
1985 MAPLE LEAFS beat Les Diables Bleus
1986 TRAMONTANA beat Cowdray Park
1987 TRAMONTANA beat Windsor Park
1988 TRAMONTANA beat Hildon House
1989 TRAMONTANA beat Cowdray Park
1990 HILDON beat Cowdray Park
1991 TRAMONTANA beat Ellerston White
1992 BLACK BEARS beat Santa Fe
1993 ALCATEL beat Ellerston Black
1994 ELLERSTON BLACK beat Pegasus
1995 ELLERSTON WHITE beat Black Bears
1996 C S BROOKS beat Ellerston White
1997 LABEGORCE beat Isla Carroll
1998 ELLERSTON beat CS Brooks
1999 POMMERY beat Ellerston
2000 GEEBUNG beat Black Bears
2001 DUBAI beat Los Tamaraos
2002 BLACK BEARS beat Emerging
2003 HILDON SPORT beat Labegorce
2004 AZZURRA beat Dubai
2005 DUBAI beat Black Bears
2006 BLACK BEARS
2007 LECHUZA CARACAS beat Loro Piana
2008 LORO PIANA beat Ellerston
2009 LA BAMBA DE ARECO beat Dubai
2010 DUBAI beat Lechuza Caracas
most important tournament in theworld.”
Indeed, visitor numbers have risen inthe last ten or so years from around fivethousand to in excess of fifteenthousand. It is a scene that is typicallyEnglish but international at the sametime.
A hint of wellies and waxed jackets, in case of rain, mixed with designerelegance and high heels gives the GoldCup an indefinable chic that could meanyou were in Palermo, Deauville or evenPalm Beach. Yet the cricket square andcastle ruins next to the polo groundsmark it out as quintessentially English.
The Gold Cup is as much about the
Below: Highest goal scorer of the Gold Cup tournament,Adolfo Cambiaso, accepts a bespoke leather saddle from ElsaCorbineau, Brand Manager Veuve Clicquot Right: Crowdsenjoying the match.
The list of competitors who have takenpart in it reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ fromthe worlds of business and aristocracy...
beautiful tented shopping village, withits ninety boutiques selling high-endclothes, jewellery and even up-marketadventure holidays, as it is about thepolo match.
Since 1995, leading Champagne“maison” Veuve Clicquot has been thetitle sponsor of this prestigious poloevent. The colours of the Cowdray Estateand of the champagne branding havecreated a synergy that has ensuredinstant brand recognition.
Put the 2011 Veuve Clicquot Gold Cupfinal – perhaps even the semi-finals – inyour diary and head to Midhurst for whatpromises to be a special season ofbubble, sparkle and pulsating polo.
Packer, and subsequently his son JamiePacker, did much to raise the stakeswith their Ellerston Team, setting thebenchmark for professionalism withinthe sport, and the breeding of ponies.
England internationals Mark andLuke Tomlinson have played for theApes Hill Club Barbados in the GoldCup in recent seasons, and won it in2003 with Nina Vestey.
“To take part in that means you aretaking part in something big, increasingyour determination to win,” said Mark.“Playing at the British Open is alwaysspecial, it’s the most importanttournament in the UK. In fact, besidesthe Argentine Open it’s probably the
Semi-finals day attracts like-mindedpolo addicts. It is regarded as theafternoon on which most polo insidersgather to discuss the issues of theEnglish high-goal season.
The list of competitors who have takenpart in the Gold Cup reads like a ‘Who’sWho’ from the worlds of business andaristocracy, as well as attracting some ofthe greatest polo playing dynasties fromSouth America.
The Heguy family continues to be aformidable force on the polo field, alongwith the Novillo Astradas, the Pieres andthe MacDonagh families.
The current world number one,Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso, with hisswarthy looks, brooding demeanour, andbrilliance on the pitch, first entered theGold Cup scene in 1990, as a 16-year-old,7-goal player, playing alongside thelegendary Carlos Gracida, ten times on aGold Cup winning team, and one of themost elegant players ever to grace thegame. Gracida was in the Tramontanateam, who still hold the record forwinning the Gold Cup four times in theEighties.
English competitors have includedthe Vestey family, with most recentlyNina (now Clarkin) the first and onlyfemale to win the Gold Cup, with Hildonin 2003; Lord Waterford’s family,including Lord Charles and Lord Patrick
Beresford, and of course Prince Philipand HRH, The Prince of Wales, who wereregular Gold Cup competitors.
Continuing to carry the flag for theCowdray family, has been JohnCowdray’s daughter in law Lila Pearson,who reached the semi-finals with herteam several years ago, and, in 2009,brought Cowdray Vikings to the event.
The business magnate, the late Kerry
So what was it about property that you took to? I always dreamt about owning my first property and soon after leaving school it became a goal of mine to be the first in my school year to own a home! Fortunately at eighteen I joined Prospect and started learning about the property market, in what was then a pretty difficult time economically. Prices had and continued to fall dramatically, with interest rates peaking at 15%. I waited, saved an initial 5% deposit and at nineteen bought my first house. I remember it being quite difficult, as I wanted my first property in the town in which I lived and worked, so you can imagine the other estate agents weren’t very forthcoming with properties! I found a repossession in a pretty poor state of repair, through the Halifax. It was a two bedroom freehold house, with driveway on a modern private development and ideal for renting out and I knew we had a large number of tenants looking to rent this type of property. An ideal first time investment with excellent capital growth potential.
It’s a simple method but it needs to be explained within context and looking at the bigger picture for you as an Investor.
So what happened to the property?As it needed so much work, my Dad was great and he took two weeks holiday from work to help me refurbish. He would work all day and I’d come straight from work in the evenings and weekends. He was fantastic, in fact both my parents were and my Mum even did the garden for me! We placed the house onto the market with Prospect and within days we’d let it at full asking price, with an 8% yield!
How much was the house?Wow, it was back in 1992, I think it was around £52,000, with a 5% deposit. By 1997 it was worth £80,000 and by 2007, worth over £200,000.
So the recession didn’t stop you?No, why would it? It was simply a case of leveraging my money and repeating the process. I knew that as long as the numbers worked and the property was at the right price, in the right location and I could let it all day long, it didn’t matter.
So that was nearly 20 years ago, since then your property portfolio has grown beyond belief – so what’s still the hardest part of Property Investment?Sourcing the right property. That’s why a few years ago I founded a sourcing company to help with the search – it makes a big difference. Plus looking at other agents
property listings and networking too. Of course with the internet it’s also easier – we didn’t have the internet when I started.
It’s interesting that you don’t mention the economy. Right now we are all really focused on that, why is that not a factor for you? The climate isn’t what matters, it’s the deal. You need to spot, analyse and risk assess the property and use a simple but effective formula in order to guarantee making a profit.
What’s the formula?Come to a workshop and find out.
Cagey?!Not really. It’s a simple method but it needs to be explained within context and looking at the bigger picture for you as an Investor. Our workshops are free, come along…
Ok, so back to the Prospect Investors Club – with a full time Directorship at Prospect Estate Agency, how do you manage your portfolio of properties?Prospect Property Management deal with the day-to-day running. Plus I have the perfect power team around me and most of the information I require is all automated and comes directly into my mailbox. People don’t realise how easy it can be. It is definitely a hobby. Instead of getting home and watching TV, go online and analyse the market. But you need to know where you are buying, why you are buying it and be specific, so don’t start looking UK wide. Choose an area that’s got good economics, low unemployment, good transport links with high demand for rentals.
So is Prospect Investors Club different to any other Property Investment company?100%. I don’t know of any Investment Club that is owned and run by an estate agency with over twenty one years of trading history. We know the market in our area better than anyone else. We have the best power team to support investors, we’re a high street name so you know we’re not just going to close the doors. More importantly we have access to assist our Prospect Investors with Property Management, Legal Advice, arrange finance – basically everything that you need to get started. It’s set up like that because its our passion too!
Any advice?Yes, come and speak to me! No, firstly every investor needs to understand what they want from property investment. What income they want to receive, what strategy suits them, their budget, their timescales and their exit strategy. When I see clients, my initial meetings are to understand all those things and much, much
more before we move on to actually buying. Working with a mentor is also another recommendation.
I mentor people yes, and I love doing it, but it is the mindset I work on the most and is often the hardest to re-programme.
You can spend thousands of pounds nowadays on courses around the country, but few take the action afterwards. Learn your market place. Making money is serious business. It may not be your job, but if you do it right you can sack your boss later! Speak to local letting agents and find out what demand is like, what rental prices are doing and average terms of leases.
The most important thing is know what you want and why you want it, the how will come later. Also, lose your fear, fear is what holds most people back and is the main reason why people do not succeed financially in life. Fear of what you might lose. I mentor people yes, and I love doing it, but it is the mindset I work on the most and is often the hardest to re-programme. Rich people think and do things differently. They are fearless, but they have a clear vision of what they want, that’s why 95% of the population are not wealthy and the rich keep getting richer. Education and knowledge, along with your vision is all you need to succeed. It’s my job just to help with that!
You would think that chasing down a Director for an Estate Agency firm, was not a particularly hard task. But after three rearranged meetings and talking more with his PA than himself, I gathered that all is not what it seems. Owning Prospect Estate Agency with original founder Colin Wells is just the tip of the iceberg. Twenty years down the line and James May has not just one company but six. OK fair enough, so now I realise why he’s just a little bit hard to track down.
Its been twenty minutes and yet I feel both exhausted and rejuvenated, I want to invest and this man thinks anyone can do it…with the right team that is, and no doubt, his is.
Jane Wilkinson
Contact the Prospect Investors Club on 0118 955 9712 or visit online at www.prospectinvestorsclub.co.ukand be sure to check out the Members Area.
By Jane Wilkinson
James May
The Secret to Creating Wealth through property
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Camberley £850,000is double fronted detached residence is believed to date back to the1930's and offers extensive accommodation in excess of 3,000 square feet.e property is tucked way off of a private driveway and boasts fivebedrooms, three bathrooms, four reception rooms and a fittedkitchen/breakfast room. is splendid home sits in the middle of agenerous plot with front and rear gardens whilst the property is accessedvia electric gates that lead onto the shingle driveway and double garage.Local schools include Ravenscote and Tomlinscote whilst it is withineasy reach of the M3.
For all enquiries regarding design, construction or maintenance please contact us at:
bartholomewlandscaping59 Warwick WayLondonSW1V 1QR
T 020 7931 8685E [email protected] www.bartholomewlandscaping.com
bartholomewlandscaping nature perfected
46
Reading £760,000Backing onto Calcot Golf Course, this individual detached familyresidence is accessed via electric gates and offers deceptive accommodationincluding five bedrooms, three reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast roomand utility room. e master suite boasts a luxury en-suite bathroom andthere is a separate one bedroom annexe with a four-piece bathroom. eheated outdoor swimming pool rests to the rear of the lawned formalgardens that offer access directly onto the Golf Course. e property issituated approximately 1½ miles from Reading Town Centre and isconveniently positioned for access to the M4.
4948
Positioned on one of Finchampstead's premier, tree lined roads is thissubstantial detached residence offering deceptively spaciousaccommodation. e property boasts five bedrooms, five bath/showerrooms, five reception rooms and this splendid home occupies a plotapproaching 1/2 an acre. e exceptional rear gardens are an undoubtedfeature and offer a high degree of privacy and seclusion and the propertyis a short walk from Simons Wood, e Ridges and Heath Lake.
Finchampstead Guide Price £1,250,000
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Racing towards abrighter horizon in thelargest constructionindustry yachtingregatta in the world!
8-11 September 2011Cowes, Isle of WightEntry brochure availableMay 2011
A chance to meet or sail with clients andfriends as well as raising money for worthycauses.
Sponsorship opportunities available.
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Head Office24 King Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 2HE
t: 0118 955 9725 e: [email protected] www.prospectwealthmanagement.co.uk
InvestmentsTo significantly increase your wealth through investments, you need to choose the right strategy to invest in the right way.
With Prospect Wealth Management, you will benefit from our exclusive and distinguished ‘Approach to Investment Management’ as well as receiving recommendations on where to put your money to receive maximum returns.
Past performance is no guide to future returns. The value of your investment can fall as well as rise.
Retirement PlanningIt is never too soon to receive professional advice on your pension requirements. Prospect Wealth Management can help you to make the most of the retirement opportunities available, whether you are an individual or a business.
Protecting You & Your EstateWhen looking to protect our family and homes, we need to consider the various options to protect us for the long term - Inheritance and Capital Gains Tax, illness and loss of income to name but a few.
We are able to supply you with the most suitable protection which lies at the heart of what we do at Prospect Wealth Management.
Prospect Wealth Management the trading name of Prospect Estate Agency Ltd is an appointed representative of IN Partnership the trading name of The On-Line Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Bearwood Lakes Golf Club Plc., Bearwood Road, Sindlesham, Berkshire RG41 4SJ0118 979 7900 www.bearwoodlakes.co.uk [email protected]
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