Dear friends of The SaVVy Cub®,

We have moved to our new home at http://www.savvyclub.co.uk/blog/

Please adjust your bookmarks and come and visit us!  We look forward to your company.

Once there be sure to sign up to receive our newsletter and be amongst the first to hear about our events!

Kind regards,

Kim Rix

The SaVVy Cub®- an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

London – it has everything. It is modern and vibrant yet steeped in history. It is a leader of fashion with some of the best shopping in the world. Its inhabitants are friendly and welcoming and its restaurants offer some of the finest dining of any European city. And of course, it is home to our Royal family.

Is it any wonder London attracts millions of overseas visitors each year.

But because there is so much to see and do, when you come to London how on earth do you start to plan your trip? How can you find the best of the best?

Well, you have two options: either spend hours and hours on the internet browsing one of the 300 street markets, 300 museums and galleries, 6000 restaurants and cafes, 5000 pubs and bars and that is even before you get to theatres!

Overwhelmed? Don’t worry I did say there were two options. The alternative is to find someone to do all the hard work for you.

No matter what your budget, a bespoke vacation in this vibrant city and surrounding area can be yours.

You could take in:

• A London dinner cruise on the Thames
• A tour of Shakespeare’s Stratford and Warwick Castle
• London city tour by bus
• London Eye flight

Or for the more extravagant of you:

• Afternoon cream tea at the Wolseley or The Ritz
• A private helicopter tour over London
• A shopping trip to Harrods, Selfridges or Harvey Nichols
• Lunch or dinner at Claridge’s, The Ivy, Bentley’s, The Fat Duck, Le Quat’ Saison

All you have to do is provide your travel dates, budget and details of what interests you. It is as simple as that.

So next time you come over to London, take the easy option and experience the true vibrancy of this exciting city.

Kim Rix

CEO

The SaVVy Club – Leave the crowds behind with your own exclusive tailormade itinerary and tour of London.

None of us recognised ‘Wellard’ with his clothes on.

This hardened biker, renowned for riding in the coldest of weathers in just T-shirt and ‘colours’, was on this occasion dressed to the chin in wet weather gear. I looked around: of eleven Harley-Davidson riders I was the only one not in head-to-toe waterproofs. It was then that I knew I was in trouble. I had clearly missed the forecast…..

The eleven of us, all members of Surrey Chapter UK (a Harley-Davidson chapter), were lining up to do an ‘Iron Butt’ ride to raise money for the St Luke’s Cancer Hospital in Guildford. An ‘Iron Butt’ ride is pretty much what it says on the tin – you need an Iron Butt to complete it: 1,000 miles on a Harley-Davidson in less than 24 hours. The whole thing is independently scrutinised and verified. And totally, totally ludicrous.

As the name suggests, it is a US invention. In the US they can avoid single-track roads, traffic lights, tunnels, bridges, roundabouts and M25 tailbacks ……..

Nor do they have to face English weather: torrential rain and gale-force winds, both of which tore through gloves, boots and – yes – even Wellard’s wet weather gear, with a wind-chill that froze to the marrow.

Boy, did it rain. It rained from the moment we left Guildford, to the time we got to Bristol, via Birmingham, Newcastle, Perth, Glasgow, Lancaster, Manchester and Birmingham (again). At one refuelling stop our road captain announced that he was putting his gloves back on inside out – as they were drier on the outside than the inside. In desperation, several of us bought those bright red rubber gardening gloves – the best (and, at £1.99, by far the cheapest) Harley accessory I have ever bought. Style be hanged. It was comfort that counted now!

Normally riding a Harley can be described in one word: ‘fun’. On this occasion that word is: ‘uncomfortable’. At times such as these one is concentrating solely on the damp, the cold, the discomfort, the wind (especially dangerous across the Forth Bridge) – and the knowledge that there are 23 hours more of this ahead. It is testament to the power (or dysfunction) of group dynamics: each of us knew in our hearts we should stop, yet none of us was prepared to be the first to do so – not Andy, the 72-year old who lost his essential paperwork at the first stop (an unfortunate zip malfunction) and his vision (and his balance) at the fourth. Not John, who was from the start shivering uncontrollably from the cold. And most of all, not Jan, the only woman in the group and who (without the protection of a screen) was visibly fighting massive fatigue.

What kept us going? Well, mainly our allegiance and respect for ‘Trigger’, the guy who had spent the last year fighting cancer as a guest of St. Lukes, and who proudly led the ride out – and back in again. Also sheer bloody-mindedness.

But little things, too. Like the smell of pig-shit when we hit Yorkshire. So offensive and sour on the way north; so welcoming and sweet on the way south. Like the hopeful sign that said, simply, ‘To the South’ on the way back: a wonderfully reassuring counterbalance to the despairing sign that had read, hopelessly, ‘To the North’ some hours earlier.

And that little ray of sunshine at Bristol. So small, so brief but so poignant. After 900 miles of rain it was more welcoming than you can ever imagine.

Finally, exhausted and elated, and 22.5 hours after we started we were back to where we started – at Ripley, near Guildford, some 1,063 miles later. We had done it – on a binge of red bull and lucozade tablets (trust me – there is no time to stop for meals). A triumphant, self-indulgent ride back to the hospital, flanked proudly by 60 other bikes. And home.

(Well no, actually – we then had another 40 mile to a celebration party.)

By them even Wellard was tired……..

You can give to St. Lukes at www.justgiving.com/triggerspage

*for the most riders successfully to complete an Iron Butt in a group

Written by The SaVVy Club member Robin Howard.

The light at the end of the tunnel?

Guests in elegant clothing, soothing background music, indulgent food and superb drinks – these are all the things that spring to mind when you think about a cocktail party. Read on to find out how to get this essential mix of ingredients just right.

Consult your diary

Decide on the time and date of your party. Make it an evening social event as it will be the perfect way for friends to wind down after a day at the office. Cocktail parties are normally held between 6pm and 10pm but if it is in full swing there is no need to cut it off at that time.

Little Black Dress

We all love to dress up but rarely get the opportunity. A sophisticated dress code will help to create the right mood. Make sure you stipulate on your invitations what the dress code is going to be.

Food

An eight course banquet is not required – Hors d’oeurves (canapés) and small portions of food are the order of the day. To match the occasion you will have to look beyond bowls of nuts and offer small quantities of indulgent foods.

Go for caviar on toast, sushi, fresh oysters, strawberries dipped in chocolate etc. About 5 to 10 bites per person would be ideal.

Drinks

Of course the cocktails will be the main attraction. Unless you are a confident mixologist, get an expert in to do it for you. Always make sure you have plenty of ice and suitable glasses; martini in a pint glass won’t really be appropriate. Champagne is always well received either as it is or used in cocktails.

Seating

It is important to provide some seating but don’t go mad. You want people to mix and not sit down in their set social groups. Approximately 1 seat for every 2 guests will be about right.

What else? Well, don’t forget the background music and low lighting. And remember that smiles are contagious so, as the host, smile and relax. This feeling will spread throughout the party.

That’s it, in a nutshell. Go on, have some fun and throw yourself a cocktail party!

The SaVVy Club® – an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

Someone left the kitchen door open and the chefs have escaped. But all is not lost; you won’t go hungry as the critics are stepping in.

Yes, that’s right. For one night only you will be served a sumptuous banquet cooked for you by a brave band of ten food critics, including Charles Campion, Jay Rayner, Matthew Fort and Tom Parker-Bowles.
But what had happened to the chefs?

They will be sat out in the restaurant with other guests enjoying the sumptuous feast prepared by the critics. As well as the feast, entertainment is key to this whole event with the kitchen being in full sight of the diners exposing every foible of the critics.

Just to increase the pressure, the master of ceremonies BBC’s Nigel Barden, will be on hand to disrupt the cooks on duty for a chat and will invite the dining chefs to pass judgement on their cooking abilities and techniques.

This is a unique opportunity to dine with some of the world’s most eminent chefs such as Raymond Blanc, Ed Bains, Fergus Henderson and Atul Kochhar. If you are a member of The SaVVy Cub® you will be guaranteed to dine with one of the chefs, plus you will be presented with an exclusive souvenir plate signed by the chefs and critics.

The event takes place at the opulent Royal Exchange Grand Café and Bar on 19th October 2008. Your evening kicks off with a Champagne Taittinger canapés reception to get the taste buds going.

This is the perfect evening to see if the old adage ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ also applies to too many critics!

Sally Ormond
The SaVVy Cub®
An exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

The SaVVy Club® (www.savvyclub.co.uk) – an exclusive social event club invites you to join them at Bureau on Friday 17 October for their monthly Cocktail Party Night.

As well as providing members with a bespoke calendar of exceptional events we would now like to extend an invitation to you to join us for our new glamorous cocktail evenings at Bureau. It is the perfect place to try our own exclusively created cocktail – savvystication (complimentary first drink). This top secret recipe was created exclusively for us in 2007 by Tony Conigliaro, the UK’s no. 1 top mixologist.

Whether you want to learn more about The SaVVy Club® or catch up with old friends and members, our monthly cocktail party is the place to be. If you are not yet a member but would like to come along, apply for your Guest Pass today – don’t forget the full cost of the pass is refundable when you upgrade to full membership.

Based in London, The SaVVy Club® is an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places.

Are you interested in an evening of luxury? I thought so – this is one for all opera lovers. Leave the hustle and bustle of City life behind and indulge in a magical black tie evening at Glyndebourne. Enjoy the privilege of top seats, a world class performance and first class company.

Glyndebourne is presenting Englebert Humperdinck’s (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretel for the first time in the 2008 Festival. Described by Richard Strauss as ‘a masterpiece of the highest quality’, the opera combines romanticism, lyricism and exuberant playfulness in a vibrantly rich orchestration that is clearly influenced by the music of Brahms and Wagner.

Follow this link for a luxurious tailor-made event that will ensure you and your clients will experience the best of everything.

Read this little gem of a book before you go http://www.ovalbooks.com/bluff/Opera.html

For more tips on how to impress your clients download this document: http://www.savvyclub.co.uk/files/The%20SaVVy%20Club%20In%20Professional%20Advisor%20followup.pdf

The SaVVy Club® – an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

Has your holiday faded into the back of your memory? Funny, isn’t it how time always flies when we are enjoying ourselves and yet when you are anticipating a forthcoming holiday time almost seems to stand still?

Of course, now that the evenings are drawing in and the sunshine has got lost once more announcing the imminent arrival of winter, our minds begin to wander. Your body might be in the UK enduring the rain, cold and snow, but your mind is somewhere much warmer and exotic.

If you could go anywhere in the world on your next holiday, where would it be? Somewhere tropical, somewhere luxurious, perhaps somewhere slightly off the beaten track or somewhere unique?

The SaVVy Club® offers its members a luxury travel service but if you need a bit of inspiration why not pop along to The Luxury Travel Fair which runs from 6th – 9th November 2008 at Olympia.

The Luxury Travel Fair

The fair will comprise a showcase of exclusive resorts, first-class travel specialists, 5 star hotels and luxury tour operators. You will be able to browse beautiful, traditional, unusual and exotic destinations. It is the ideal event which will allow your imagination to run wild, providing the perfect place to research your next unforgettable travel experience.

You can book your tickets by visiting www.luxurytravelfair.com however members of The Savvy Club® are entitled to a special offer. Members can contact info@savvyclub.co.uk for more details.

The SaVVy Discovery - http://travel.savvyclub.co.uk/ – travel advice, luxury holiday suggestions and tailor-made packages to suit any individual.

There is nothing unusual in a director starting out as an actor. But Anna Mackmin, who directs the West End revival of David Eldridge’s Under the Blue Sky, took a more scenic route than most.

She trained at Central, but ‘didn’t have the self-belief or talent’ and jobs were hard to come by. But she didn’t immediately swap acting for telling actors what to do. Instead she worked with her sister who had set up a design company making women’s wear. Mackmin thrived on the adrenalin of running a business so much that she turned down such acting jobs as percolated through to her. She discovered she wasn’t an actress when she read the first play of Charlotte Jones.

‘I read it and literally sat up in bed and thought, I know how to direct it.’ Sure enough, in 1997 Mackmin directed Airswimming at the Battersea Arts Centre, then took the unusual step of commissioning Jones’s next two plays. ‘We set up a company, raised enough money to pay her for In Flame, then out of my own pocket I paid for Humble Boy.’ The first went from the Bush to the West End, the second was mounted in the Cottesloe.

Mackmin directed Orlando Bloom in a revival of David Storey’s In Celebration in the West End. ‘He came to me and said, ‘I’m 30 this year, I’ve spent the last decade being an elf and a pirate and I need to grow into myself as an actor and the only way to do that is to feel the fear.’ That’s an extraordinary starting place for somebody who has absolutely no need to put himself though the strain of working onstage for the first time. His profile allowed me to choose a play that I’ve always loved.’

Mackmin returns to the West End with Under the Blue Sky, another favourite play first seen at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 2000 which gets its chance in the limelight thanks to a cast led by Catherine Tate and Francesca Annis.

‘I love the play,’ says Tate. ‘I have been a fan of David’s for a long time and was also very keen to work with Anna, so when the opportunity arose to work with them both I was delighted.’

The play’s structure calls for tight directorial control, as there are three scenes, each featuring a pair of characters – all of them teachers – whose stories of failed love are intriguingly interwoven.

Guest Blogger: Barry Grant, Ambassador Theatre Group

The SaVVy Club® An exclusive social events club - Theatre Evenings are a great way to relax, unwind and enjoy the spectacular talents of London’s West End shows.

You may not want to think about it just yet. You are probably in denial that it is only three months away. But one thing is certain – Christmas is lurking just around the corner.

The festive season brings with it a myriad of parties which is great when a pile of invitations appear on your doorstep, but a nightmare when you are the one that has to organise them. Therefore, in association with Penniblack catering, we have come up with 12 top tips to help take the stress out of organising your Christmas party.

1. Start to plan your event in September or October to avoid disappointment. Book your chosen caterer and venue in advance as Christmas is a very busy time for everyone and before you know it your event is right round the corner.

2. If you are making a lovely winter hot pot for your party, ensure to cook it the previous day, as that way all the flavours marinate together, the meat tenderises, and the overall taste is much more powerful.

3. Think about the Christmas colour scheme – reds, greens, golds, silvers, oranges. Complimentary flowers like holly, sprayed ivy, berries. Book your flowers well in advance as the florists often run out of stock on the day. If you are making the food yourself, get some extra sprigs of holly, and Christmassy flowers to garnish your canapé platters.

4. Lighting is very important. I like to use little tea lights around the tables, complimented with red, orange and yellow rose petals. You could also use Church candles of different heights, tied together with Christmassy ribbon and sprigs of holly, as a very effective centre piece or even on a mantle piece. Scented candles are wonderful for achieving a warm welcoming feeling on arrival.

5. For a seated dinner, again it looks lovely if you tie red and green ribbon, along with a sprig of holly, around your napkins.

6. It is nice to offer a welcome drink for your event. A winter punch on arrival is very popular. I suggest Pimms, with warm apple juice, cinnamon and cloves, or alternatively a cool fresh Kir Royale. I like to garnish my virgin cocktails with brightly coloured edible flowers.

7. Always get your alcohol on a sale or return basis, that way you can over order, and be confident you won’t run out of anything. Remember you cannot return open or damaged bottles.

8. Allow for around 3 – 4 glasses per head, when planning your glass hire. Your guests will undoubtedly put their glasses down, forget about them, then grab another full drink

9. If you want to offer your guests a substantial meal but don’t have the capacity to seat them all, or it isn’t in the budget with all the necessary equipment hire costs, then bowl food is a very popular choice. Small rice bowls filled with mini meals, like ‘roast turkey, tiny roast potatoes, sage and onion dumplings and Madeira jus, or little brie cakes with salad and cranberry sauce to name a few. Allow 3 per head, and accompany with 5-6 canapés for the best effect. If you feel the dessert bowls are too filling you could opt for some sweet Christmas canapés like Hot Christmas pudding, with brandy sauce, served on a spoon, or shot glasses filled with hot chocolate fondant and Chantilly cream.

10. I love to wow my guests with a finishing touch of a sprinkle of edible gold on top of my dessert canapés.

11. My perfect venue for Christmas would be an old listed building with open fireplaces, situated somewhere very central to all my guests.

12. Trying to come up with a unique Christmas present for a loved one? A selection of 100 canapés delivered to your home?

Guest blogger: Charlotte Pennicard www.penniblack.co.uk

No matter how unusual or special your reason for a party or event, The SaVVy Club® offer a bespoke service that caters to your every need. We can arrange flowers, transport, catering, stationery and music. Simply get in touch to discuss your important occasion and we’ll get to work designing your bespoke event right down to the last detail.