Summer is almost here and we’re all busily putting the must-do events of the season in our diaries. One event not to be missed is the much acclaimed Masterpiece London, which takes place from 30 June – 5 July 2011, with a Preview on 29 June, on the South Grounds of the Royal Hosptial Chelsea. Guaranteed to be one of the best days out of the season, Masterpiece London showcases the best of the best in fine and decorative arts with contemporary collectors’ items. So whether it’s beautiful jewellery, classic cars, fine wines, ancient maps, exquisite paintings, modern sculptures or sporting memorabilia that get you fired up, here are ten reasons why you should firmly mark the date in your diary and purchase your ticket to Masterpiece London today:

You don’t have to have deep pockets to attend the fair

If you are someone who enjoys the finer things in life but might not have the bank balance to match, at only £20 a ticket Masterpiece London offers an unparalleled and unforgettable day out for everyone, from those who aspire to own a Masterpiece and those who want to add to their existing collection.

Once in a lifetime chance to see jewels from JAR

His shop in Paris is only ever open to the jet set and there’s no window through which to ogle his astounding creations. We’re talking about JAR – the world famous contemporary jewellery designer who’s much lusted-after creations will be at Masterpiece London for the first time along with his range of perfumes. This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience some of the best in contemporary jewels and niche fragrances and is worth the cost of the entrance ticket alone.

Touch, see, and experience everything first hand

Whilst the Masterpieces at the fair are exquisite, you are invited to touch, sit in, wear, and get up close to all the pieces on display. A one of a kind fair, Masterpiece London is about providing you with a memorable experience which you will cherish and be inspired by. So, if you have ever wanted to get within an inch of a renaissance masterpiece, try on jewellery from famous artists such as Picasso and Lam, or see an original hand-drawn Portolan Atlas from an explorer who discovered the Cape Verde Islands, then now is your chance.

Experience a world-first for classical music

Masterpiece London will host a never-before-seen musical spectacle performed by The Manning Camerata on the evening of Saturday 2 July 2011. Promising to be awe-inspiring, this will be the world’s first-ever ‘chamber soundscape’, uniting some of the world’s best musicians from Russia, Japan and the UK in the form of three string quartets and one larger string group playing globally renowned Stradivarius instruments. Each quartet will be positioned at different points around the Fair and conducted remotely via a revolutionary video link by renowned Artistic Director Peter Manning.

Your chance to sit in a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé

Now’s your chance to experience the opulent luxury of a Rolls-Royce - crafted exclusively for Masterpiece London. Highly bespoke, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé is presented in Mustique Blue (a new, bright and vibrant colour) with seashell and navy contrast interior, navy piping, navy silk rugs and a navy hood. Inside the glove compartment, Asprey’s has crafted a Rolls-Royce humidor into a cufflink and earring box. Navy luggage completes this truly modern masterpiece, a car that surely represents the ultimate in romantic getaways.

Dine at Le Caprice, Harry’s Bar or The Mount Street Deli

Masterpiece London has teamed up with Urban Caprice, the prestigious event production and catering company, to offer its visitors the very best in food and beverage whilst appreciating awe-inspiring art, antiques and contemporary collectors’ items. Serving an all-day dining menu, Le Caprice, one of the most iconic London restaurants famed for its classic British, European and American favourites, is offering the opportunity to enjoy the quality and excellence of its cuisine at the fair. In addition, the world-famous club Harry’s Bar, will be serving its trademark Bellini at its elegant central bar. You can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or a light evening meal at The Mount Street Deli, which specialises in seasonal produce sourced from Italy and the British Isles.

Expand your horizons with Masterpiece London’s lecture series

Whether you are an art aficionado or simply keen to learn more about the finer things in life, Masterpiece London has a series of lectures to meet your needs. A lunchtime lecture series will be hosted by the curators and conservators of the renowned Wallace Collection and a series of evening addresses will be given by the likes of The Savoy, Ruinart Champagne and Louis XIII cognac. So whether you are keen to learn more about the history of key masterpieces and the mastery of collecting in the 18th and 19th centuries, or want to sample Louis XIII cognac and Ruinart Champagne there’s guaranteed to be something to fascinate and inspire you.

See one of the world’s finest feats in watch making up close

Luxury watch maker Vacheron Constantin will be bringing its world famous Chagall watch to Masterpiece London. This amazing tribute to artist Marc Chagall features as an exact replica of the monumental mural he painted on the ceiling of the Opera Garnier’s (Paris’s opera house) ceiling. Having launched the watch in Paris in November 2010, this will be the first time ever the watch has been seen in the UK.

See photographs by acclaimed Annie Leibovitz

There are more photography dealers at this year’s Masterpiece London showing a vast array of photographs from different eras. One highlight includes an image of HRH Queen Elizabeth II by renowned American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz. This spectacular image is for sale through Hamiltons Gallery.

Meet world class experts in their fields

From British portraiture expert Philip Mould OBE and Tim Jefferies to Geoffrey Munn (the maker of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding ring) and David Linley, Masterpiece London will be home for one week only to some of the world’s most brilliant minds in art, antiques, classic cars, wine, ceramics, and jewellery, to name but a few. This is your chance to meet and learn from experts in their field first-hand.

All in all it is one event this summer not to be missed, so to purchase London’s hottest ticket this summer visit the official website www.masterpiecefair.com, today.

For the latest news and developments go to www.masterpiecefair.com , join our Facebook group Masterpiece London or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MasterpieceUK

Masterpiece London showcases the very best in fine and decorative arts with contemporary collectors’ items such as classic cars, fine wines and contemporary design and will take place on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3.

2011 Opening Times:

PREVIEW: Wednesday 29 June, 11.00-22.00
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Thursday 30 June, 11.00-18.00 followed by the Midsummer Party in support of CLIC Sargent at 19.00 and Friday 1 July – Tuesday 5 July, 11.00-21.00

2011 Ticket Prices:

Preview Ticket: £100 per person – limited availability
Public Ticket: £20 per person
Charity Party Ticket: £150 per person

2011 Box Office Details:

Tickets can be purchased online at www.masterpiecefair.com or by telephone on +44 (0)20 7499 7470
Tickets to the Midsummer Party can be purchased by calling 020 8752 2883 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MASS SING-A-LONG AT WESTFIELD LONDON, AS BBC PROMS OUT & ABOUT RETURNS -Tuesday 21 June, 6.30pm-8pm, Westfield London
The BBC Symphony Orchestra present a full-blown classical music concert at Westfield London on 21 June 2011, as the BBC Proms – the world’s largest music festival – goes Out & About. The Orchestra will be joined by star soloists and local school children to present an hour-and-a-half of free world-class music as a pre-season treat for Londoners.

Out & About is a BBC Prom with a difference and provides a family-friendly preview of some of the music to come in the festival, which runs from 15 July to 10 September at the Royal Albert Hall. The free live event features show-stopping performances of choral music to reflect the choral theme at this year’s Proms. Secondary school choirs take to the stage with members of the BBC Singers to perform a funky version of Handel’s famous Hallelujah Chorus, and audiences can join in a mass sing-a-long to ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in preparation for the Last Night of the Proms. Ahead of Out & About, there’s a chance for everyone to take part in free Come & Sing workshops at Westfield London. The workshops welcome singers of all ages and abilities and take place on Sunday 19 June at 12.30-c.2pm and 3-c.4.30pm. For more information, please visit bbc.co.uk/proms.

Out & About also offers a taste of world music as children from local primary schools perform in a newly formed samba band. Other highlights include performances from violinist Chloë Hanslip, soprano Susanna Hurrell and tenor Tyler Clarke, and film and TV music including the Star Wars and Dambusters theme tunes.

Now in its ninth year, Out & About strives to bring the essence of the BBC Proms directly to people who might not otherwise experience it, while providing opportunities for families to get involved. Seats for all Proms concerts across the season are half-price to under-16s.
www.bbc.co.uk/proms and http://uk.westfield.com/london

Motcomb Street set for a jubilant July as it unveils plans for its annual street party
On Wednesday 6 July 2011, the beautiful cobbled Motcomb Street, part of Grosvenor’s Belgravia estate, will once again be transformed for the annual street party.

This yearly Belgravia affair has become a landmark event in the London summer diary, with last year’s party raising a staggering £44,000 as some 4,000 revellers joined comedian Harry Hill, over 50 members of the Household Cavalry and an army of horses to raise funds for two very worthy charitable causes. This year’s party is shaping up to be better than ever, and will be raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fund.

Kicking off the evening’s festivities, a mounted Household Cavalry procession along the street will no doubt draw crowds and set the scene for an evening of fun and frivolity. Later in the evening a number of fantastic tribute acts will take to the open-air stage including George Michael, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart & The Faces whilst street entertainers will be showcasing everything from magic and sorcery to amusing showbiz impersonations.

Nestled in the heart of Belgravia, Motcomb Street is widely renowned for its fashion, art, beauty, luxurious interiors, gourmet restaurants and specialist food shops – many of which will be opening their doors late into the evening especially for the occasion. Meanwhile, party-goers can indulge in a delicious array of food and drink from one of the many stalls lining the street, including those from The Halkin, The Pantechnicon, the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel and holders of a Royal Warrant, Waitrose.

The eagerly-anticipated ‘Tree of Life’ (bedecked with mystery envelopes ranging in value from £5 to £800) and auction will include prizes from some of the most illustrious brands on the street. One of the stellar lots is a day of Motcomb Street pampering for two including breakfast at Patisserie Valerie, an indulgent morning of hair and beauty treatments at Daniel Galvin Jnr and Glow Urban Spa, a Pierre Herme chocolate and macaroon tasting, lunch at The Pantechnicon and a Motcombs bottle of champagne to take home. Alongside this, eager bidders are also in with a chance to win a day’s golf for four at the RAC Golf and Country Club, a shooting lesson and lunch with professional gunsmith Ray Ward, a day of hair and beauty at Gianni & Claudie, an exclusive dinner for eight at Motcombs Private Townhouse, a weekend stay at the Hyatt (including dinner for two at Mosimann’s Private Dining Room) and a fabulous trip for two to Dubai.

With a celebrity opening soon to be announced, why not join the residents and retailers of Belgravia to celebrate the glorious British summertime in the heart of this beautiful neighbourhood.

Phillip Lawless, Chairman of the Street Party Committee comments: “Following the success of last year we are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to the street once again for a fantastic evening’s celebrations which is a great fundraiser for two very worthwhile charitable causes.”

John Clark, Director North Belgravia adds: “Grosvenor is thrilled to be supporting this year’s Motcomb Street Party and all the outstanding retailers that line the street. Motcomb Street is a charming street with a real community atmosphere - this year’s party is set to be a real celebration.”

The Motcomb Street Party will take place from 5:30pm onwards on Wednesday 6 July 2011. On entering the event, visitors will be asked to make a small donation to support the charities involved.

Further information can be found at www.motcombstreetparty.co.uk.

FREE FAMILY FUN ALL SUMMER LONG

Summer is when families want to get outdoors in the sunshine and enjoy the best free entertainment on offer. The New Forest is the perfect place to download a podcast for a do-it-yourself guided walk, find the ideal picnic spot, discover a whole new world on a bug hunt, go crabbing on the coast or simply to have a great day out at one of the country’s best National Parks. It’s all fun and it’s free.

Enjoy the freedom of the forest
Escape to the New Forest and enjoy shady walks under the forest canopy, where children can enjoy the freedom of 200 square miles of beautiful National Park.

Ramble with a ‘ranger’
Take your own ‘forest ranger’ out by downloading one of a choice of podcasts for your MP3 player. Learn about the Knightwood Oak – the largest (7.4m girth), most famous, and oldest oak tree in the New Forest or follow the trail of Bolderwood deer by simply putting on your headphones and listening to a Forestry Commission ranger.

Enjoy the view
From Lepe Country Park there are stunning views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and from Hurst Castle to Portsmouth’s Spinnaker tower. With over a mile of beach, pine fringed cliffs, historic D-Day remains and wild flower meadows, Lepe is a great day out. It is popular for walking, swimming, fishing, windsurfing and bird or boat watching, with a children’s play area and places to picnic and bbq – all for free if you get a ticket for the car park.

Pick the perfect picnic spot
Choose from our top tips list:
• Rhinefield Ornamental Drive at Brockenhurst –the best picnic spots can be found all along Ornamental Drive. Park the car, follow the many trails and pitch up at one of the many glorious picnic spots.
• Lepe Country Park where the New Forest meets the Solent. There's always something to catch your eye – watch the ships sailing to Southampton.
• Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary has a purpose-built viewing platform where a herd of fallow deer can often be spotted.

Set a wildlife record
Join an exciting 24-hour dash to record as many kinds of wildlife in the New Forest as possible. The National Park Bioblitz, on June 17 and 18, gives families the chance to meet the experts who helped record 558 species last year and beat 2010’s total of 350 people taking part. The marathon starts with a beach safari at 4pm on June 17 at Lepe Country Park, followed by a bat and moth night-time wander at 9pm the same night from Matley Wood Car Park and early morning birdsong walk at 6.30am on June 18 from Bolderwood Car Park. For updated information on events see http://bioblitzthepark.blogspot.com.

A dog walk on the beach
There is nothing better than striding out along the wide open spaces of golden, sandy beaches with the sun on your back – and the New Forest has 43 miles of coastline to explore. Dogs are allowed on the following beaches:
Barton-on-Sea
Calshot
Hordle Cliff
Keyhaven
Lepe (part of)
Milford on Sea

Crabbing on the coast
Head for Lymington and the family will love the superb crabbing, so don’t forget your bacon bits and nets. If you walk along the river you will find an open-air swimming pool, children’s sandpit and Setley boating pool.

Bug hunt
If you’re with the children, why not try a do-it-yourself bug hunt? The forest was made for it! Simply lift sticks and logs on the forest floor to discover a whole bug world you never knew existed – the children will be fascinated.

Take to two wheels
On your bike gets you closer to nature. You can see so much you normally miss in the car. You may even be lucky enough to spot some of the New Forest’s wild grazing deer on 150 miles of car-free cycle tracks.

Four-wheel ‘drive’
It’s great to find an interesting walk you can actually take the pushchair on. Come rain or shine, New Forest National Park rangers will lead these one-hour walks with fun activities for tots and grown-ups to enjoy the fresh air and learn a few forest facts. Meet at East Boldre Village Hall on June 14 or Lepe (map ref SZ 455 986) on July 9. All walks start at 10.30am.

For more information log on to www.thenewforest.co.uk

The New Forest is only 90 minutes from London Waterloo. Visitors can use the New Forest Museum and Visitor Centre at Lyndhurst as a starting point for details of a wealth of attractions and facilities in the area.

DAD’S THE WORD AT THE LOWRY OUTLET MALL!

For a Father’s Day gift that will really make his day, without breaking the bank, head to the Lowry Outlet Mall for inspiring gift ideas. Whether he’s into sports, fashion, gadgets or fancies himself as a DIY dynamo – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

@Home Electricals has got grooming covered with a huge selection of clippers and shavers, including hair clippers from Remington Groom starting at just £11.99.

If your dad enjoys a quality cup of coffee to kick start the day, Russell Hobbs Grind & Brew Coffee Maker will do the job nicely, priced at £42.99 also from @Home Electricals (RRP £79.99).

For dads who love DIY, Black & Decker’s own brand SDS Pneumatic Hammer Drill which features a 700 watt motor, variable speed, chisel bit and accessories, will keep him busy for weeks! Priced at £50 (RRP £80).

For fashionable dads (or those who could do with a nudge in the right direction!), the Mall plays host to hundreds of top brands and labels, including K-Swiss trainers from Soled Out (£27.99 for their classic navy and white design).

Or head to Tessuti for Boss Basic t-shirts, from £19.95 or new season French Connection starting at just £14.95.

For fussy dads, Gap Outlet’s premium straight fit jeans will appeal to all tastes (from £16.99).

Finally, for dads with a sweet tooth, Cadbury’s Outlet has a vast selection of chocolate cakes, biscuits, chocolate bars and gift boxes. And you never know, he might even share!

For more information visit www.lowryoutletmall.com

MONTHLY WINE AND CHEESE TASTINGS AT QUAGLINO’S LAUNCH ON TUESDAY 14TH JUNE

As part of the D&D London LOVE WINE campaign which aims to encourage diners to be more experimental with their choice in wine when dining out, Quaglino’s will host a series of wine and cheese pairing events in partnership with artisan cheesemonger and fellow local business Paxton & Whitfield.

The inaugural tasting will take place at Quaglino’s on Tuesday 14th June at 6.30pm. Hosted by Quaglino’s Head Sommelier, Alexis Meszoly and a cheese expert from Paxton & Whitfield, Quaglino’s official cheesemonger, the event is priced at £25.00 per person. Participants can then take advantage of a 10% off their restaurant bill offer if they choose to dine on site that evening. Each event will follow a theme; on 14th June the focus will be on British cheeses to mark the unveiling of the newly revamped Quaglino’s cheese board that has a strong emphasis on artisan cheeses from Britain, whilst July’s event will be centred around French cheeses to mark Bastille Day which is celebrated on 14th July.

July’s tasting will then be followed by monthly wine and cheese events throughout the year; full dates are to be confirmed but please see www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk for future details.

As two of London’s most widely recognized names and with their close proximity in Mayfair, Quaglino’s and Paxton & Whitfield are natural partners. Through the monthly tastings, both businesses hope to educate locals as well as the wider London community on the broad scope for matching a longstanding staple such as cheese with wines from all over the world.

FRAE pops up in Topshop

FRAE is excited to announce that it will be working in collaboration with Topshop this summer!

The trendy London frozen yogurt company, with stores in Notting Hill and Islington, will help the high street fashion retailer promote its ‘Wish You Were At Topshop’ summer campaign by installing FRAE “pop-up” stores and giving out free frozen yogurt as a gift with purchase.

FRAE “pop-up” kiosks will appear in:

· Topshop Oxford Circus on Wednesday 1st - Saturday 4th June; and

· Topshop Manchester Arndale on Wednesday 8th - Saturday 11th June.

FRAE will also be available in Topshop Liverpool and Dublin (St Stephen’s Green) from Wednesday 1st - Saturday 4th June.

For more information visit Topshop.com

Come join us – we can’t wait to see you all!

ABOUT FRAE

We are obsessive when it comes to frozen yogurt. Fresh, fat free and full of probiotics, FRAE is your perfect healthy treat.

Since opening its first store on Camden Passage, Islington in 2009 this small, independent company has built a somewhat cult following. A second store soon followed in Notting Hill in summer 2010 and FRAE has since established itself as the leader of the pack when it comes to quality of product, customer service and in-store experience.

FRAE sells organic, fat free frozen yogurt in four flavours: natural, strawberry, mango and lime. The product is swirled into a cup and served with a choice of fresh fruit (including strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) and other fun toppings.

Time and time again customers recognise the quality of FRAE yogurt and the freshness of the fruit toppings on display. Unlike other companies that use powder-based recipes, FRAE is actually made on the farm and is delivered fresh to stores on a daily basis. This means that as well as being a tasty, refreshing snack the product is packed with live and active cultures which help to build health.

The company’s simple and naturally inspired product offering is complemented with a playful, non-assuming brand which celebrates authenticity and encourages community and social interaction between its customers.

FRAE – NEED TO KNOW

Founded: June 2009 by best friends and ex-lawyers Donald Murray and Martyn Pollock

Stores:
FRAE Islington – 27 Camden Passage, Islington N1 8EA (opened June 2009)
FRAE Notting Hill - 47 Notting Hill Gate, Notting Hill W11 3JS (opened July 2010)

Website: frae.co.uk

BURGHLEY IS THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR A WEEKEND AWAY THIS SUMMER

Burghley House is always worth a day trip, but with so much going on this summer and some fantastic accommodation on offer now, it has become the perfect weekend destination.
Only 100 miles north of London, Burghley and nearby Stamford are easily accessible from the A1 or by train via Peterborough (1.15 minutes from Kings Cross) and have lots to offer to weekend travellers. Enjoy a walk around Stamford (www.stamford.co.uk), which has retained much of its old world charm with many buildings constructed from limestone, and has been featured in several films over recent years.

Burghley House (www.burghley.co.uk) is always worth a visit – it is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age and houses a huge collection of great works of art - but don't forget to enjoy the park & gardens and come along to one of the events in the park. Our new caterers make sure that you can enjoy some fantastic food in the Orangery beforehand or purchase a selection of picnic baskets.

There will be a Bjorn Again concert on Saturday, 11th June, where you will be able to enjoy a lovely summer evening in the stunning Burghley park and join us for this year's concert in the park! Be entertained and enjoy a lovely picnic in the Capability Brown landscaped park.

On Saturday, 9th July, the Battle Proms concert will yet again take place at Burghley. They always excite with a fantastic mix of music, cannons, cavalry, fireworks and even spitfires. The Battle Proms concert remains the only concert in the world to fire over 200 cannons to music and makes it an unforgettable event. (http://www.battleproms.com)

There is also a great opportunity to admire some wonderful old cars on Sunday, 12th June - the modern MG Midget and Austin Healey Sprite MkII celebrate 50......join the celebrations with a day of fun at Burghley! (http://www.midget50.com)

You can now stay in style on the Burghley Estate. The Bull & Swan Pub has opened earlier this year with seven lovely bedrooms and the William Cecil Boutique Hotel will open in the summer with some exquisite rooms. Both are bordering on Burghley Park and are only a short walk away from Burghley House. (http://www.thebullandswan.co.uk/; http://www.thewilliamcecil.co.uk/)

The Bull & Swan offers the ultimate weekend away, including a great meal for 2, a good bottle of wine and tickets for the House & Gardens. The inclusive package for 2 adults sharing for a 2 night weekend stay start from £270.00.
For more information visit www.burghley.co.uk.

The House is open daily (excluding Fridays) from Saturday 19th March to Sunday 30th October (with the exception of the 1st -4th September during the Horse Trials) from 11am to 5pm. The last admission to the House is at 4.30pm. The House has guides throughout the State Rooms. Admission Charges: Adults £13.50, Children (aged 3-15) £6.70, Retired
Visitors/Students £12.00, Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £35.00. Adult Party rate £11.60 (including Gift Aid).

Please note that the House will be closed on Fridays. Burghley, near Stamford in Lincolnshire, has been the home of the Cecil Family for over 400 years and is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age. It houses a huge collection of great works of art, including one of the most important private collections of 17th century Italian paintings, the earliest inventoried collection of Japanese ceramics in the West, exceptional 18th century furniture and wood carvings by Grinling Gibbons and his followers.
www.burghley.co.uk / telephone 01780 752451/ email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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