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This page provides an occasional series of illustrated location reports from  guest contributors

 

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006

 

  

Time for the annual summer pilgrimage. I have over the last five years become a car convert to the Earl of March’s stylish homage to fast cars, past and present. So together with thousands of male and female carheads I trekked across the car park to the entrance for the start of the three day event. By 10am on Friday 7th July  the car park was pretty full, with a mix of modern and old vehicular vintage shops, and a diverse mix of distractions and temptations away from the main event of the cars participating in the Hillclimb throughout the day.

 

The comprehensive and impressive programme set out the timed events throughout the three days.. For the purist car enthusiast the batch events of different cars at different times during the day will suffice. A roving grandstand ticket, as I had for Friday, was a most useful aid in seeing the various wonderful speedy motor machines from different vantage points along the Hillclimb route. I could have stayed ogling at this activity alone for ages. But like a kid let loose in a candy shop there was simply so much to see and sample.. The GRRC members tent was a useful coffee oasis if you arelucky enough to be a member and /or invited by one .It was a welcome pit stop to stave off the tiredness of the early start to get to Goodwood in good time for the day’s events. But there were lots of other food outlets for the non corporate attendees. The Sunday Times Driving Club Restaurant, stalls selling, for example, jacket potatoes, and beverage outlets from coffee, tea, cocktails, wine, beer and champagne were also on offer. A long meander around the paddock of Sunday Times Driving supercars was wonderful. I like many others could vicariously sample the cool of these fab cars. Up very close and very personal. Personally, I absolutely adored the sleek interior of the BMW convertible Alpina, on the road for over £80,000. The dimensions of the Maybach were awesome.

The other paddock where the sports cars were kept pre and post race was also a must- go area for the serious speed enthusiast

 

Also on show was a potted historic exhibition of the history of the car including a steam vehicle for the last century.

 

The display immediately outside Goodwood House which changes each year was also, as always, very impressive.

 

For me Goodwood would not be quite Goodwood without the music. In particular the opportunity to listen to the fantastically talented and undeservedly underexposed Tony O’ Malley. Tony has a wonderfully rich voice is a superb songwriter and keyboard player and performs superlative melodic music with a jazz infusion. Why he does not play more gigs in this country and is not promoted is a complete mystery to me. Any music agents out there fancy a challenge?  I discovered Tony at Goodwood, have bought and listened to his albums over the years and it was a big unexpected delight and treat to discover him playing again. The Earl of March and his superlative festival organisers have such taste.

 

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The set was just too short. I am such an O’Malley musical anorak I recommend that you check out www.tonyomalley.com

What was additionally so unexpected was to sit down near the cricket tent to discover that the wonderfully talented drummer and percussionist Frank Tontoh was playing with him. Frank is one of the top session and live drummers in the country. He has gigged with the greats, including Craig David, George Michael, Courtney Pine  as well as Down to the Bone, a fab British instrumental jazz funk band , and started waving at me with his drumsticks, even though I was a way away .This was as we have known each other for a few years now, though not seen each other recently. Suddenly, even though I had been soaked by a sudden downpour that meant nothing. I was so cheered up by the sight and sound of Tony and Frank with Tony’s other loyal and talented band playing. The skies instantly lightened for me

On a different note (!) the Air Dislay of the Tornado GR4 was absolutely thrilling. The twists and turns of the talented pilot were enthralling.

 

Also wandering around the stands was very interesting. I sat inside the new Audi TT and also an Alfa Romeo convertible and checked out the interiors. Mmmm. I unexpectedly pumped into another friend Jim Wisbey who was exhibiting his super invention a multi action ratchet that moves and twists form the middle as well as the conventional way. Check out his web site at www.ratchet-tool.com    for further information.

 

All too soon the day’s events drew to a close. Massive respect and admiration for the Earl of March and his team of hundreds who made this superb, unparallel event happen this year.

 

 

I look forward to another glorious Goodwood Festival of Speed experience in 2007. 

Hopefully with another chance to hear Tony O’ Malley and his fine friends.

Denise Lester 9.7.06

 

 

 

 

Henley Regatta 2006

 

 

A fantastic, fun Summer event  with temperatures in excess of 30C unfolded before my eyes. The men were in the main panama-hatted  and formally dressed with jackets, ties and long sleeved shirts. . The females had far more flexibility in their dress. From the formal, more Ascot inclined émigrés with hats, to the more looser summer dresses and clothes, all were enjoying themselves.

Yes the Great British summer is underway! Lots of laughter, keen watching of the races and socializing with Champagne,  strawberries and beer flowing  freely.

 

A quick recce about the Boat tent proved fascinating. From the keen competitors training intensively on their rowing machines pre race to the oars and boats being lovingly looked after.

 

Amongst the friendly crowd ( estimated to be over 25,000 for the whole event ) was

a wonderfully interesting woman, Olga Cran- Iyazova. She was a cultured Russian émigré en route from the exclusive Leander club. She found time away from her party to impart her love of things British, Russian history, the arts and travel. Our conversation was fascinating. She has now been living in Scotland for a number of years  when not travelling and has royal ancestry . She is a most intelligent, erudite, attractive woman  who proved a marvellous conversationalist

Steve White from Freeboom was located in the Regatta enclosure. He was one of the Henley boat crew who are responsible for meticulously laying the course. This took about two and a half months to complete. It was within three inches of last year’s course and has to be straight. With the help of some enthusiastically drawn informal diagrams drawn in my notebook I came to understand the painstaking process by which this was achieved

 Well done to Steve and his colleagues who also have to be on call for the whole event.

Steve introduced me to some of his friends who were great fun. Boris and Catherine

Shorter had journeyed from Didcot. They got married earlier this year and seem most happy together.. They are delightful couple. Also, Adrienne Emanuel who had had a rather shorter journey, over the bridge in Henley , living locally

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 Then it was off down the river to the start line to see the course and watch the international teams

Henley was almost but not quite a football free zone .Apart from the white truck parked in the road en route with a handwritten sign saying “ watch the match here” the preoccupation was with boats not boots..It was most surreal to be switching from supporting England to shouting for London University during the match as a result of the rowing activity going on in front of us.What a wonderful, sea-shimmering, summer event. Should I go again as indeed I hope, I will quite miss the unexpected addition of football in future years as that provided an extraordinary extra dimension to a splendid summer’s day.

 

Denise Lester

 2.7.2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royal Ascot Day 5 with celebrity legal expert Denise Lester

 

Coming over the brow of the hill in the no 7 car park I was suddenly stuck by the gigantic, gleaming, glazed eagle’s wing like structure that soared above the verdant landscape.

My first glimpse of the impressive post modernistic grandstand was like viewing a futuristic architect’s dream drawing come to life. 

Mmm…. so this was what some of the fuss of the past week had been about. The sporting and non – sporting press had certainly engaged in much banter and not such sporting fayre concerning the first major racing cum summer social event.

 

How was my experience of the last day of what had been portrayed to me as a hectic frenzied week with not so genteel social antics to be, I wondered. What would I make of the Old Ascot against the New?

 

Well, firstly I thought the signposting to the racecourse and traffic control was excellent. Well done to the Police, AA and everyone else involved in keeping the volumes of vehicles running smoothly. And tempers not fraying before the Big Day began.

 

I am not quite an Ascot veteran, having been to a couple of years before the Big Brash Rebuild. That said I glimpsed enough of past racing days to enable me to meaningfully engage in an internal and external mental comparative dialogue .Rather like the sort of intense personal process that occupies one when contemplating whether or not to undertake a potentially life changing event, this was my stream of subconscious activity throughout the day.

 

Personally, I had a terrific day meeting old and new friends with my marvellous trusted steed Raymond Thompson.

Cantering across the car park I was struck by the elaborate picnics.

To picnic before and after the races is a major event. The cut-glass and elaborate china laid out by one vehicle was immaculate. Seemed a shame to spoil the setting with some food and drink.

 

It was off to the prestigious no 1 car park to meet my very dear friend Elaine Mitchell with her party. Elaine is a wonderful combination of blonde beauty and brains She is a not only a competent solicitor and most caring individual she is most fantastic fun. I am told that there is even an Elaine Mitchell Appreciation Society at her son’s school. Not many, if any, glamorous yummy – mummies can boast that!   She is also marvellously hospitable and responsible for my old Ascot education.

 Then I met the most charming, debonair, George Baker of The Sportsman. Warming to my theme of the Old Ascot against the New he gave me a valuable insight (though no racing tips) into how he had observed the week. He’d definitely enjoyed it and indicated that he most definitely was not suffering from Ascot fatigue. It was a real pleasure to chat with him and I hope that we will meet again. 

 

 

Then off for a jaunt round No 1 car park with Elaine and Ray to meet the equally charming, witty and most hospitable Nigel Dean of Hurlingham Travel Services. He was the host of a warm, friendly party. We compared travel tales over at least one glass of bubbly and canapés served from his stylish Rolls Royce. Nigel was a terrific host to us and I hope our social dialogue will continue. I understand that he is equally attentive to his clients for whom he arranges stylish trips. I can see how he has that wonderful reputation.

 

It was then off to the racecourse and the Royal enclosure for the parade and the last day’s racing.

 

My initial impression was how much more organised everything was.

Many more drink and food outlets and the whole area had grown substantially.

The antiquated, intimate former feel of Ascot had gone and I felt a pang of nostalgia.

Then we entered the glazed curved grandstand. There were escalators galore. I felt like I was in a gigantic shopping mall but with no clothes shops

The view from level 4 was breathtaking. A human crowded coloured kaleidoscope. The panorama of the racecourse, lawn and vista was magnificent. The high level seats were comfortable enough and indeed the racing was riveting. My meagre winnings of a fiver on the Enforcer were excitedly collected amongst those other winners large and small.

 The ladies’ fashions did not disappoint. They were colourful, varied and the ladies had obviously enjoyed dressing up. There was a real sense of occasion. Even those who had found out that they were wearing similar dresses when they unexpectedly found themselves near each other handled the situation with grace.

There were some wonderful hats. Also the three exotic fillies behind me for part of the day were having a fabulous girlie day, as only women can. They were absolutely fine about me taking a photo of them and their sense of fun and friendly spirit encompassed what Ascot should and is really about.

 

 

The new Royal Ascot seems to me to exemplify what 21st century summer season socialising is now all about.

Yet despite the tension at times between the old and new breed of Ascot attendee they shared a common determination to enjoy their big day out. Do not underestimate that big cohesive human bonding factor.

 

It has evolved with the times and will continue to do so. I wish it every future success and look forward to future Ascot days out .

 

 

Denise Lester

 25.6.2006

 

 The  2006 Royal Windsor Horseshow ( & thanks to Candy Burnyeat & her team at momentum marketing for facilitating another cracking southside report ) with celebrity legal expert Denise Lester

 

 

 

Anyone walking in central Windsor on Saturday 13th May 2006 would have been forgiven for thinking that they had stumbled onto an enlarged sprawling wedding party. For against the impressive, imposing backdrop of the regal castle was a football free zone full of smartly dressed people frankly in festive attire. There was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. People smiling and cheerful and determined to enjoy their “big day out “.

 

This was not another Royal wedding though, or even that of a celebrity commoner. But rather the annual Royal Windsor Horseshow held in the Private Grounds of Windsor Castle. What a thrill for those like myself who had never been there before!

After passing through the very pleasant stewards and the security point we were taken by buggy through the lush green grounds and the carriage driving to the  beginning of the show area. The area before me looked pristine. This included the Castle Arena in front of the members’ enclosure and Royal Box with a seated grandstand area around the arena with good seating near the show There were also another two show areas, the Frogmore and Copper Horse Rings further away with less formal surround seating and with separate simultaneous programmes throughout the day.

 

My next self imposed task was to star spot in the member’s enclosure. Would I see any recent celebrities to interview? Or just gaze at their garb. Like most women I have a keen appreciation of the human form in the gossip columns. I was somewhat disappointed there. I did spot a lot of journos. Also one famous newsreader in the royal box. But the biggest thrill of all did come later on in the day when I was within inches of Her Majesty the Queen. She is an uber star. More about that later

 

 

For folk who are unaquainted with this Royal equestrian event its worth noting the following. The days programmes in the two show rings and main arena consist of various classes of equestrian shows and also other demonstrations such as  the JCB dancing diggers. These machines with their drivers  simultaneously danced around the castle arena like synchronised swimmers! Most unusual and fascinating to watch.

 

There was also Shetland Pony Grand National event. This is the first event of the summer season which culminates in Olympia in December. It consists of a mini grand national. The human entrants are very young jockeys – ranging from 9 to 12 years old on their Shetlands. This is a serious showing for each of them. The plan is that these jockeys progress onto major adult competitions. This has been happening for over 20 years. The monies received during any flutters waged on the outcome of the races within this event go to good and worthy charities such as Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was sponsored by BBC Berkshire.

The jockeys came from the length and breath of Britain. From Shetland, Northern Island, Aberdeen, the south east, Essex and the west. These young jockeys have trained hard with their squires and are every bit as ambitious and determined to win as their adult counterparts.

There were races where the competitors raced and jumped with their mounts round the castle arena with enthusiastic commentary for the spectators.

 

I felt as if I was at a mini grand national. The exciting sounding names, racing commentary, pace and the thrill of the race all contributed to the tense and fast paced atmosphere. The first three of each of the three races were selected to race against each other in the finale.

First  home were Ulverscroft Select (green with red chevron) owned by the Wilson family ridden by 10 year old  Cherith Wilson  from Northern Ireland; second was HRE Alladin (light blue with a purple V )owned by the Clothie Shetland Pony Stud  ridden by Fiona shepherd an 11 year old from Aberdeen; third was Cochno Marcus ( green with orange chevrons) owned by Mrs A Wrangham  and ridden by 12 year old Diana Wrangham from Northumberland ; fourth was Knix Frederico ( red with black and white sleeves ) owned by Hicksted Horse Feed and ridden by 10 year old Lauren Duffy from North Yorks .

 

 

Watching that nail biting event proved too much for me. So it was off for a wander around the grounds.

This was not just an exclusive event confined to the privileged few. Away from the members enclosure  there were lots of families and people of all ages milling around in more casual dress, sitting on the grass on blankets enjoying the events around the other show rings or a bite to eat , chatting or just soaking up the sun. This was also a family day out.   

The seating and spectating from the non- members enclosure is accessible and easy. This was not an overcrowded event. There was a sense of almost being invited to a Royal party within the private grounds of Windsor Castle as the atmosphere was quite intimate and contained.

 

 

 For the first time  the Royal Windsor Horseshow Food and Drink Festival was staged inside a large tent. This comprised of lots of stalls of English produce and beverages. I had a tour of Britain without leaving the tent. Also lots of fun sampling the various foods on offer!

 

After being fed and watered and spotting a rather handsome, latinesque male jockey sitting on the grass with his friends it was back to the main Castle Arena to watch the Household Cavalry Best Turned out Trooper event. Magnificent steeds and their immaculately militarily- clad mounts paraded in front of us and the Queen. Our monarch was clad in a fetching yellow and white suit with matching hat. She looked most relaxed and took great pride and joy in inspecting her troops with their horses. She also took time and care to chat to those involved. After the trophy  presentation to   21 Trooper Taylor, Her Majesty  came out through the back of the royal box and got in her own motorised steed behind the driving wheel and steered her companions and herself away!

As the Queen came behind the Royal box I was only feet away from her but due deference reigned.

Nonetheless it was thrilling to be so near to our illustrious Monarch.

It was then time for a spot of tea chat and relaxation whilst the evening programme was being set up.

Regrettably the weather became inclement so I did not stay.

 

Even so I felt that I had enjoyed an entertaining, rather relaxed Royal affair.

 

 

Denise Lester

 May 2006

 

 

 

 

 

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