MARY ‘QUEEN OF SHOPS’ PORTAS DRAWS CROWDS AT LAUNCH CALLING FOR EVERY ONE TO BECOME CHARITY SHOP VOLUNTEERS

Mary Portas is launching 'V Day' alongside the volunteer stars of the BBC2 series Mary Queen of Charity Shops.

As part of her ‘V Day’ campaign (launching Friday 9 October 2009) Mary and volunteers from several charity shops donned their glad rags yesterday and posed as mannequins in the House of Fraser windows, then hit Oxford Street looking for new volunteers. The atmosphere was electric as crowds of onlookers gathered.

V Day is about volunteering in a completely new way; on your own terms. No more long term commitments. Drop in for a half day, a few days, a week.

“I see volunteering as being a bit like a relationship. You wouldn’t expect long-term commitment on the first date. V Day is a flirtation with volunteering, before deciding if you want to come back for more” said Mary.

V Day is being filmed as part of a Mary Queen of Charity Shops Revisit programme for BBC2. In the last series, Mary (BBC2, June ’09) successfully overhauled the look and feel of charity stores around the country. Now Mary’s turning her attention to the remaining challenge – getting more people, of all ages and backgrounds, to volunteer. “Working with charity shops is the best thing I’ve ever done. It really does make a difference to people’s lives” said Mary.

The first V Day will be held on Friday 9th October 2009 in 20 charity shops around London. It is jointly coordinated by Mary Portas, Save The Children, Help The Aged, Age Concern, Mind, North London Hospice, Sue Ryder Care and The National Association of Charity Shops. To volunteer go to http://www.charityshopvday.org/.

WAGAMAMA SEEKS YOUNG DESIGN TALENT TO CREATE A NEW LOOK FOR ITS STAFF UNIFORM

wagamama, the pan-asian inspired restaurant chain, is on the hunt for hot, young creative talent to create a fresh, new look for its staff uniform, by launching a nationwide t-shirt design competition, with a £1,000 prize and a work placement for the overall winner

budding designers can enter their t-shirt creations via www.wagamama.com/positivedesign from 1 october until 12 november 2009. finalists will be shortlisted and the winning design for the wagamama staff uniform will be revealed in 2010!

the winning t-shirt design will appear on the staff uniform in wagamama branches across the UK and along with the £1,000 design fee, the winner will be offered work experience with renowned art and design collective ContainerPLUS, plus a wagamama party for their family and friends

wagamama ceo steve hill, commented: “wagamama’s positive design competition aims to provide a platform for the next generation of creative talent. we’re looking for exceptional designs that go beyond a trend and are timeless – our staff might be wearing this for years to come!”


A WORLD OF CHOCOLATE AWAITS AT FORTNUM & MASON
EXCLUSIVE NEW PRODUCTS THIS CHOCOLATE WEEK AT 181 PICCADILLY

William Curley bespoke Fortnum & Mason chocolates- £9.50 for 100g
Marc Demarquette bespoke Fortnum & Mason chocolates – £9.50 for 100g
Modern English Fortnum & Mason chocolates by Elinor Gorvett– £6.50 for 100g
Exclusive Amano Chocolate Bars – from £10
Fortnum & Mason Single Estate Chocolate Discs – from £12.50 for 120g
Fortnum & Mason English Peppermint chocolates- from £15.00 for 240g

A world of chocolate awaits at 181 Piccadilly as the finest chocolatiers reveal the mouth-watering secrets behind their newest and most exquisite creations at Fortnum & Mason.

Be the first to sample the exclusive new chocolates launching 12th-18th October from leading chocolatiers William Curley, Elinor Gorvet, Marc Demarquette, Art Pollard and Matt Tarra, sure to pleasure the palate for Chocolate Week and beyond.

The Academy of Chocolate’s Best British Chocolatier for 2007, 2008 and 2009, William Curley, introduces a new range for Fortnum & Mason, available on the fresh chocolate counter. Four of his gold award winning chocolates and four exclusive chocolates will include flavours of Thyme & Scottish Heather Honey, Raspberry & Toscano and Piedmont Hazelnut.

Winner of a Great Taste Award in 2008, Elinor Gorvett adds to the decadence with quirky range of chocolate triumphs based on traditional British desserts. The mouth-watering flavours are available exclusively at the Fortnum’s chocolate counter and include Eton Mess, Gooseberry Fool and Treacle Tart.

Marc Demarquette demonstrates his exceptional craftsmanship in yet another unrivalled range of bespoke chocolates for Fortnum & Mason. Taking his creativity to new heights, changes to the range continue to focus on using Fortnum & Mason’s finest products and ingredients. Exquisite Black Velvet Jelly, made using Fortnum’s champagne and Guinness and Galangal Spice from the grocery department, more commonly used in Thai cuisine, are just a few of the ingredients that testify to the incomparable quality of the chocolate range available at the chocolate counter.

With six Academy of Chocolate Awards to his credit in 2009 alone, the reputation Art Pollard has built for his Amano range of chocolate bars precedes him. Exclusive to Fortnum & Mason in the UK, Amano offers a wonderfully unique and flavoursome chocolate range from some of the world’s rarest cocoa beans, each sourced by Art personally. The finest flavours from across the globe are developed with the most stringent attention to detail, producing the most stunning chocolate bar range.

Fortnum & Mason is delighted to launch the ultimate chocolate nibble with Single Estate Chocolate Discs that use the very best quality cocoa from the most exotic plantations in the world. The selection come conveniently packaged in lots of 20 disks, including cocoa beans from plantations including Madirofolo in Madagascar, Alto el Sol in Peru and Finmac in Costa Rica.

And finally, Fortnum & Mason is delighted to announce the launch of our English Mitcham Peppermint chocolates, which offer a unique take on a refreshing favourite. Developed by young Chocolatier, Matt Tarran, the exclusive range uses the precious Mitcham mint that almost died out in the 1940s, only adding to their exceptional quality.

For more information please visit www.fortnumandmason.com

MALBEC + CHOCOLATE = HEAVEN - GAUCHO OFFER MALBEC AND CHOCOLATE MATCHING MASTERCLASSES

In celebration of the largest collection of Argentine Malbec wines in the UK and with the approach of National Chocolate Week (12th – 18th October), Gaucho Restaurants are offering their guests monthly Malbec and Chocolate matching masterclasses.

The artisan chocolates have been chosen from the range created by chocolatier Kirsty Joly, of Perfectly Tempered who has also designed a number of bespoke Argentine-centric chocolates especially for Gaucho. These chocolates will form a final blind taste challenge for guests.

The combinations included:

Michel Torino 'Don David' Malbec 2007/8 with Jasmine Tea & Blueberry truffle

Terruño Malbec 2008/9 with Masala Chai & Dark Chocolate truffle

Casa Marguery Malbec 2006/7 with Lemon and Mint & Passion fruit

Schroeder Malbec 2006/7 with Strawberry and Balsamic & Orange and Cardamom

Gaucho’s Swallow Street restaurant, off Regents Street will be offering chocolate and Malbec pairing Masterclasses to their guests for special events. These early evening sessions will be hosted by Kirsty Joly and Jessica Closs, Gaucho’s Head Sommelier. Guests will be encouraged to taste and challenge all the pairings to find their favourite combinations.

Jessica Closs, Gaucho Group Sommelier, comments;
“Red wine and chocolate has long been a favourite combination in top restaurants in France and the UK, but it is not easy to find the right chocolate with the right red wine. After onerous research, we discovered that the most complementary grape variety with chocolate was Malbec, due to the grape’s rich fruit characteristics and velvety texture. Gaucho Restaurants stock 63 Malbec wines. Malbec was a major grape from Bordeaux but it’s now Argentina’s signature red varietal.”

The cost of the Malbec and Chocolate matching Masterclass is £37.50, bookable through Matt Ford at Gaucho Swallow Street: 0207 734 4040

http://www.gauchorestaurants.com

http://www.perfectlytempered.com

THORNTONS CONTINENTAL DOES CITY CHIC WITH NEW PARIS AND MILAN COLLECTIONS

Experience a taste of contemporary Europe this autumn without having to leave the country, with the launch of Thorntons new Continental City Boxes. In store from 5th October, you can enjoy the elegant flavours of two of Europe’s most fashionable cities with the new Paris Collection and Milan Collection City Boxes - the latest addition to the UK’s best-selling boxed chocolate - Continental.

The beautifully designed Continental Paris Collection features a mouth-watering collection of elegant milk chocolates, from the heart shaped Amour Grand Marnier Truffle to the luxurious Pain D’Epices, made with chocolate and caramalised hazelnuts with a hint of gingerbread. And for dark chocolate lovers, the Milan City Box is perfect. It reflects the vibrant and sophisticated flavours of the city, from Espresso infused mousses to Crunchy Nougat Pralines.

Each Continental City Box features five new chocolates alongside existing favourites from the Continental range. The flavours are inspired by those traditionally found in Paris and Milan, and the contemporary box design reflects the elegance and style of the cities.

Keith Hurdman, Thorntons Master Chocolatier, says: “This is an exciting addition to the incredibly successful Continental range, and is sure to surprise and delight both our existing Continental lovers and those who have not tried it before. Our chocolatiers have travelled Europe to bring back the best flavours that it has to offer, and we’ve used them as the inspiration behind these new chocolates to give our customers that little taste of European luxury.”

The Thorntons Continental City Box range is available to buy in stores nationwide from 5th October, and also online at www.thorntons.co.uk

INNOVATIVE SKINCARE IN THE UK AND IRELAND

10 Reasons to use Crème de la Mer………

1. Legendary, iconic and trusted

2. Renewing energies

3. Transformative results

4. Renowned anti-ageing and anti-oxidant properties

5. Instant and, with faithful use, long term benefits

6. Advanced skincare technologies

7. Exceptional craftsmanship

8. Simplest of beauty rituals

9. Unparalleled expertise and service at our counters

10. Dedication to protecting our oceans

THE ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION: AVAILABLE ON SELECTED CRÈME DE LA MER COUNTERS NATIONWIDE

Featuring Crème de la Mer’s skincare essentials, The Anniversary Collection includes Crème de la Mer, The Eye Concentrate, The Hydrating Infusion and The Lifting Face Serum housed in a limited edition box. Experience Crème de la Mer for the first time with a selection of introductory sized skincare essentials. It’s also the perfect travel – sized must haves. Maureen Case, President, Crème de la Mer shares her enthusiasm for this anniversary, “Ten years of La Mer and there is still nothing like it.”

Crème de la Mer (30ml) Used daily, in a short time, skin looks softer, firmer, and virtually creaseless. Ageing lines and pores look less visible. Even the driest of complexions feel restored with nurturing moisture. Sensitivities appear soothed.

The Eye Concentrate (7 ml) Crème de la Mer’s exclusive Radiant Ferments deliver a powerful wave of activity to improve the look of clarity and reduce the appearance of discoloration. Skin that has lost its elasticity and suppleness looks gently smoothed and toned, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Skin regains a healthy-looking radiance and brightness as it is brought back to its most luminous center.

The Hydrating Infusion (15 ml) With nourishing vitamins and essential minerals, this high-potency treatment pre-wets the skin to receive and maximize the transformational benefits of Crème de la Mer. Activated by the skin’s pH and temperature, this smart gel responds by giving the skin the hydration and nutrients that it needs.

The Lifting Face Serum (9 ml) A network of proteins within the Blue Algae Lift Ferment greatly enhances skin’s own natural ability to renew its appearance, helps skin maintain its strength and vitality while protecting its integrity. A youthful looking smoothness and elasticity appear restored.
The Anniversary Collection RRP £185.00 (€230)
Available at selected stores nationwide.
Please call stockists for queries
Stockist No. 0870 034 2566

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

http://www.cremedelamer.co.uk

JEFF KOONS’ GIANT RABBIT BALLOON ARRIVES IN COVENT GARDEN FOR POP LIFE: ART IN A MATERIAL WORLD AT TATE MODERN

To celebrate the opening of Tate Modern’s major autumn exhibition Pop Life: Art in a Material World, a giant 53 foot (16 metre) helium balloon by Jeff Koons will go on display at Covent Garden, London, from 8 – 11 October.

It will be the very first time that Koons’ balloon Rabbit replica will have appeared in the UK and its residency in the Market Building marks a new relationship between Covent Garden and Tate Modern.

Modelled on Jeff Koons’ iconic metre-high stainless steel sculpture Rabbit 1986, Koons created the large-scale silver balloon for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2007 in New York. The silver rabbit was floated down the streets of Broadway through the crowds to celebrate the occasion. Both the original sculpture and a film of the balloon in Macy’s Day Parade will be included in Pop Life: Art in a Material World.

Jeff Koons started creating sculptures casting inflatable toys in the 1970s. Taking an inflatable rabbit, Koons rendered the object in stainless steel, playing on the tensions of the two materials weight and texture, merging high and low culture. Koons’ work draws on a variety of sources often taken from consumer culture.

Bev Churchill, Brand Director of Covent Garden commented:,” We are big fans of Jeff Koons’ work, so we are delighted to be hosting one of his most recognisable pieces on its inaugural visit to the UK. The Market Building is the perfect home for its short stay in London and the scale of the balloon fits perfectly.’

Rabbit will be shown in the South Hall, Market Building, Covent Garden, London. Pop Life: Art in a Material World will be on display at Tate Modern from 1 October – 17 January 2010.

For further information, visit http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com or call 020 3047 2555

2 NIGHTS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 THIS AUTUMN AT TURNBERRY, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT, SCOTLAND
Enjoy a host of local events on a longer stay at the newly renovated resort . Guests at Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland, can enjoy a special 2 for 1 offer this autumn, allowing more time to enjoy the newly renovated resort and a host of autumn events in the local area.

The resort, in scenic Ayrshire, reopened to the public in July following its renovation and role as host to The Open Championship 2009, and is now part of Starwood’s acclaimed Luxury Collection portfolio.

Guests can make the most of their extra night in the resort’s new restaurants, bars, and lounges, the perfect refuge from any autumn chill. Turnberry’s new signature restaurant 1906, which takes its name from the year the hotel opened, offers classic fine dining, using the best seasonal produce, with a modern and playful twist.

The Ailsa Bar & Lounge is a stunning new venue for unique Scottish themed food flights or just a pre or post dinner aperitif overlooking the Irish Sea, Ailsa Craig and Isle of Arran. There is also the Grand Tea Lounge, which revives the atmosphere of the original tea lounge that was at the heart of the hotel when it opened in 1906. Here, guests can enjoy indulgent afternoon teas and the services of the hotel’s own tea sommelier.

Following the renovation, Turnberry offers deluxe ocean view rooms with large picture windows which flood the room with natural light and frame outstanding vistas over the renowned Turnberry links golf course and the Irish Sea beyond. The rooms are decorated in rich woods with fine fabrics and calming colours to evoke the resort’s coastal setting.

During their stay, guests can play a round on one of Turnberry’s Championship golf courses, brush up on their skills at the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy, relax in the spa, or try something new at Turnberry’s Outdoor Activity Centre. Ideal for families visiting over half term, the Outdoor Activity Centre offers a range of outdoor pursuits such as shooting, fishing, falconry and, for children, archery, kite flying and pony riding.

Local events include the Festival of Light in Girvan, from 31 October to 7 November, transforming the town into an arts space to celebrate the traditional Celtic fire festival. The Nearby Culzean Castle & Country Park is holding a host of seasonal events including National Apple Day celebrations on 25 October and a spooky Halloween walk on 31 October. Also, St Andrew’s Day on 30 November is the perfect excuse for indulging in a Champagne Homecoming Afternoon Tea in Turnberry’s Grand Tea Lounge.

The 2 for 1 offer is available to those booking a stay at Turnberry during October and November. To book, please telephone 01655 333 991 or visit http://www.turnberryresort.co.uk/2for1.

CALL FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS TO JOIN THE 14 ISLANDS FILM CHALLENGE

The hunt for the finest filmmaking talent is on with the launch of The 14 Islands Film Challenge, a nationwide search to find the UK’s most talented professional or aspiring filmmakers. Launched on the 1st October, the competition will give 14 lucky filmmakers a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend two weeks on an idyllic island in The Bahamas, the chance to compete for a £14,000 cash prize and use the challenge as a launch pad for their careers.

Fronting the campaign to support the home-grown talent of Britain’s film industry is leading British film director Bharat Nalluri, whose rise to fame has included directing BBC-smash hits such as Spooks, Hustle and Life on Mars. Nalluri will Chair the panel of esteemed judges who will select the final 14 lucky filmmakers. The remaining three judges are Finola Dwyer, Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, Nik Powell, Director of NFTS and Tommy Thompson, Director General of Bahamas Tourist Office.

To enter the competition, aspiring filmmakers are required to submit a 500 word treatment on an inspirational person from their local community, as well as their reasons as to why they should be chosen to be one of the 14 filmmakers, in no more than 100 words. All entries will be available to view on the challenge website. These entries will be then whittled down by the panel of judges and around 40 hopefuls will be invited to turn their treatments into a short film and compete for one of the 14 places on The Islands of the Bahamas.

Once selected, the 14 finalists will be given the opportunity of drawing on scenery which has been the backdrop of many iconic films including; Pirates of the Caribbean, Casino Royale and The Silence of the Lambs. The shortlisted filmmakers will take inspiration from the uninhabited cays, clear tropical waters and the individuality and warmth of the Bahamian people to tell inspiring and dramatic stories through their films. The filmmakers will be encouraged to show the islands in their own way and demonstrate their creativity and individuality through their final cut.

Each filmmaker will be based on one of the 14 main islands of The Bahamas and assigned a local team, dedicated to helping them experience and capture true Bahamian life. Each local island team, selected from thousands of entrants in The Bahamas, will also assist each filmmaker with shooting their film.

In addition:
Each filmmaker will have use of state-of-the-art camera equipment to create their short film
An experienced producer will be on hand to guide the contestant during the making of the films out in The Bahamas and also through the editing process in the UK Filmmakers will be able to edit their films at the National Film and Television School’s editing suites in Beaconsfield

All 14 films will be aired at a prestigious red carpet event at BAFTA in March 2010 when the winners of the challenge will be revealed. The overall winner takes home £14,000, with other prizes to the second and third placed finalists to further develop their filmmaking talent including state-of- the-art camera equipment.

Bharat Nalluri, whose directing credits include blockbuster films such as Resident Evil and Alien V Predator, talks about how important it is to give new filmmakers a chance to prove their talent: “The chance to travel to beautiful locations, make personal films, mix with industry experts, have the best camera equipment to hand and showcase your finished work around the world - The 14 Islands Film Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for any aspiring filmmaker. I wish it was around when I first started in the industry.”

Tommy Thompson, Deputy Director General, Bahamas Tourist Office, comments: “The British Film industry has a wealth of raw talent, so by throwing the challenge out to all those upcoming directors waiting for their break, the 14 Islands of The Bahamas provide the perfect canvas for Britain’s next filmmaking star to show their ability by capturing Bahamian life, community and the beautiful surroundings.”

Nik Powell, Director of the National Film and Television School and also on the panel of judges, comments: “We are delighted to support The 14 Islands Film Challenge and look forward to seeing how upcoming filmmakers will respond to what could be the platform to launch their career in the future.”

Finola Dwyer, Producer and Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity for emerging, talented filmmakers to demonstrate their story-telling abilities in one of the most breathtaking locations in the world – The Bahamas.”

The 14 Islands Film Challenge is supported by the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and The Bahamas Tourist Office.

All entries must be received by 31st October. More information on the entry criteria and registration can be found at:http://www.14islandsfilmchallenge.co.uk> .

MASTERCARD LAUNCHES PRICELESS TRAVEL WEBSITE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LONELY PLANET

New site to include major travel discounts and Facebook Connect user generated content

MasterCard recently launched a new website in partnership with Lonely Planet: Priceless Travel (www.mastercard.co.uk/travel). The new website will offer MasterCard’s cardholders access to bespoke Lonely Planet travel content as well as unique deals with leading travel companies including Virgin Atlantic and Novotel.

The Priceless Travel website provides insight and offers to the 10 most popular destinations for MasterCard’s target market – including New York, South Africa and Dubai. The locations were selected using MasterCard spending data that tracks the destinations its cardholders visit most regularly alongside internet search metrics that identify which locations people are searching for online.

Incorporating user-generated content through Facebook Connect, visitors to Priceless Travel will be able to add comments about their trip alongside Lonely Planet travel information and then share this with their own Facebook network. This will be tracked through postings on the reviewer’s Facebook feeds and will encourage cardholder friends to visit and interact with the website.

MasterCard’s customer banks will also benefit from content and offers available at Priceless Travel as they will be able to link to their own branded area on the site.

Ben Rhodes, Vice President, Marketing, UK & Ireland, MasterCard Europe, said:

“In these challenging times we understand that the summer holiday is a must have, and that a real challenge for consumers is finding credible travel information and money saving offers in one place. This new site is part of our wider strategy to deliver priceless content to cardholders and provide them with a much needed resource.”

Lonely Planet Client Solutions’ Senior Product Manager, Matt Gibbs, said:

“We’re thrilled to be working with MasterCard again and to be able to offer its customers Lonely Planet content which is unique and tailored to their favourite destinations, which they can add to and share with their friends.”

The strategy underpinning Priceless Travel was developed by MasterCard in collaboration with Universal McCann and Big Group, who built the website.

60 YEARS YOUNG! DRAYTON MANOR PARK CELEBRATES WITH FIREWORK SPECTACULAR

The award winning attraction Drayton Manor Park will be starting its 60th Anniversary celebrations with a spectacular firework and laser display.

The theme park will be lit up with a jaw-dropping array of colours as thrill seekers ride into the night on many of the roller coasters and attractions at Drayton Manor Theme Park.

A monumental scale audio visual feast will take visitors on an exhilarating journey though the history of Drayton Manor Park and its main attractions. The lake will play host to fan-shaped water fountains acting as projection screens and the skies will provide a unique canvas for fireworks, aerial writing lasers, flame and fire effects and search lights revealing the park’s biggest, most exciting and successful rides. Many of these rides will also be the launch platforms for much of the displays whilst fireworks also float across the lake.

The 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee display promises to be the biggest and most spectacular ever held at the theme park. The display will be held on 31st October and 1st November starting at 7.00pm, last admission to the park is 6.00pm with selected rides open until 9.00pm.

Historical Drayton and the Bryan Family Legacy

Today, more than one million visitors pass through the gates of Drayton Manor Park, whether it’s for the thrill of the white-knuckle rides, the family experience of Europe’s first Thomas Land or to see all the many animal species in the park’s impressive zoo. However, 60 years ago, Drayton Manor Park looked very different – there was no Shockwave, G-Force or Pandemonium, to tackle the site which was the then derelict Peel Estate, once belonging to Sir Robert Peel, the founder of the Metropolitan Police Force.

George Bryan, now an OBE, and his wife Vera, with help from their parents, purchased the 80 acre site with the ambition of turning it into a pleasure park akin to California-in-England, Berkshire which Vera’s father owned. With them they brought, their 15 month old son, Colin, who is now the Managing Director of the theme park.

When the park was purchased on October 16, 1949 and subsequently opened on 1st April 1950 the facilities for the public to enjoy consisted of a makeshift small restaurant, a party tea room for around 150 people, three hand operated rides, half a dozen row boats and a number of pedal cars a far cry from the multi-million pound roller-coasters and entertainment found there today.

Drayton Manor offered an escape for the legions of working men from surrounding collieries in Tamworth and Staffordshire and the factories in north Birmingham and of course, their families at weekends. It wasn’t long before the park became a hugely popular destination in the area and even made a profit in its first year.

Animal Antics

In 1957 George and Vera added a zoo farm which housed a leopard, bears, llamas, exotic birds, monkeys and a small reptile house. The zoo now hosts over 100 species including tigers, penguins, meerkats and the largest collection of reptiles and owls in the Midlands and continues to provide educational services to the many school groups and even more families that descend upon Drayton Manor each year.

Drayton Manor Zoo is now striving to conserve rare and endangered species from all over the world , whilst providing a living classroom for conservation, recreation, research and education.

A baby boom at Drayton Manor Zoo means there are even more animals for families to see. Among the new arrivals to the zoo are baby rhesus monkeys, marmosets, tamarins, Cameroon lambs, ring tailed lemurs and red squirrels. Animal lovers can watch as the babies explore and play in their new surroundings under the watchful eye of their mothers.

More than just tea & cakes…
In the 1960s Drayton Manor Park ventured into new territory with the opening of the Tower Ballroom providing the facilities for thousands to enjoy dinner dances to a soundtrack provided by some of the most popular big band names of the day including leading stars of their era, Victor Sylvester, Edmundo Ross and later on Acker Bilk, Joe Loss and many more big bands of the time.

Today Drayton Manor has three function suites and an army of catering and events staff who provide services for private functions, anniversaries, birthday parties, wedding receptions, corporate dinners, conferences, exhibitions and product launches. Such events have experienced rapid growth in recent years to the extent that non-leisure park activities count for a significant percentage of the park’s turn-over. For more details, contact - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Future
Drayton Manor is developing a 150-bedroom hotel on the site, offering even more to its visitors.
The hotel will be located in the surrounding parkland and has been designed to blend in with the woodland setting. Once built, it will provide overnight family and business accommodation for visitors to the theme park, including Thomas The Tank Engine themed family rooms to compliment the hugely popular Thomas Land™.

Other facilities will include two restaurants, a coffee shop and a Thomas Land Playroom!

Up to 30 full-time and 30 part-time job opportunities will be created when the hotel opens with conferencing and banqueting facilities complementing those already at the theme park and will see the hotel in use all year round, generating new business for local suppliers and other attractions in the area.

Still to this day, Drayton Manor Park is owned and run by the Bryan family with Colin at the helm with his sons William and George, nephew Edward Pawley and niece Helen Pawley-Tuft, which makes for an impressive story of a successful independent British business in an age of chain attractions.

Here’s to the next 60 years!

For more information on the 60th Anniversary celebrations, go to www.draytonmanor.co.uk.

WORLD CHEESE AWARDS 2009 CANADIAN GOAT’S MILK CHEESE IS CROWNED WORLD CHAMPION IN LAS PALMAS

A Canadian goat’s milk cheese, Le Cendrillon, saw off nearly 2,500 other competitors to take the title of World Champion Cheese 2009 yesterday – the second year in a row that a goats’ milk cheese has taken the top spot.

The annual competition, run by the UK’s Guild of Fine Food, was staged this year in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. It was only the second time the awards have been held outside Britain in their 21-year history.

Over 150 judges from 24 countries, including Mexico, South Africa and Australia, sampled 2,440 entries in a marathon tasting session before choosing the winner
Around 140 cheeses from around the world were also given gold awards.
Guild of Fine Food national director Bob Farrand said: “This was the most international team of judges ever assembled, with representatives from four continents involved in choosing the World Champion. It’s the largest and most cosmopolitan cheese awards scheme on the planet.”
Le Cendrillon is made by La Maison Alexis de Portneuf in Québec, Canada and was entered by Saputo. The ash-covered cheese has a marble-textured rind, a smooth, ivory-coloured body and a fairly strong, acidic taste that is said to become more pronounced as the cheese matures.

Winner of the Felix Garcia Trophy for Best Canary Islands Cheese was Finca de Uga, whose Bodega Oveja hard cheese is produced on a farm on the volcanic island of Lanzarote. Last year’s World Champion Cheese was from a Canary Island co-operative.

This year’s awards formed part of a wider global event organised by the Guild of Fine Food, including an international cheese conference and the World Cheese Festival, an exhibition of cheese and other speciality foods for trade and consumers. Per capita cheese consumption in the Canaries is among the highest in Europe and upwards of 10,000 visitors are expected to attend.

The Guild of Fine Food
The Guild of Fine Food promotes excellence in speciality food and drink through its magazines, training programmes, awards, exhibitions and other food events.

The Guild of Fine Food is the trade organisation of the UK speciality food & drink sector, with a membership of around 1,300 fine food retailers, producers and distributors. As well as running the World Cheese Awards, it organises the Great Taste Awards, which attract around 5,000 product entries annually.
http://www.finefoodworld.co.uk/

MAKING BRITISH STREET FOOD GREAT AGAIN:
THE BRITISH STREET FOOD AWARDS OPEN FOR ENTRIES TODAY

The British Street Food Awards, brainchild of food journalist and broadcaster Richard Johnson, has just opened for public nomination at the project’s website, http://www.britishstreetfood.co.uk/. Britain has an estimated 10,000 mobile vendors working our streets and markets, and all are invited to enter the Awards, which will be judged at a final “cook-off” at next year’s Ludlow Food Festival. The already impressive panel includes chefs Marco Pierre White, Mark Hix, Thomasina Miers and Antony Worrall Thompson, and the categories include Best Pie, Best Dessert, Best Cold Drink, Best Hot Drink, Best Main Dish, Best Sandwich and Best Looking Mobiler. There will also be a People’s Choice award - and an overall winner.

Johnson, who has presented everything from Full On Food to Taste The Nation and Kill It, Cook It, Eat It, is on a one-man mission to change the perception of British Street Food. He comments: “The new generation of mobilers have none of the grit, or the grease, which used to authenticate the whole British street food experience. It's not just about sausages from a tin any more – and there are some real street food heroes out there. We have revolutionised top end gastronomy in the UK, so now let’s look at the rest - the sort of food that we can all afford.”

Johnson echoes a sentiment very much in tune with the current climate now the search, and the heat, is on!

SILVIA NAYLA CELEBRATES THE BEST OF BRAZILIAN DESIGN AND SUPPORTS BRAZIL’S MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
Brazil is well known for its music, its beaches and its rich and vibrant culture, but when it comes to contemporary Brazilian design, it has remained surprisingly little known, especially in the UK. It’s a situation that Silvia Nayla and her business partner Daniela Martins are on a mission to change. In 2007, the enterprising duo opened a combined shop and interior design service on Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove, showcasing the work of Brazil’s most iconic designers, including Hugo Franca and Sergio Rodrigues alongside designs from Brazil’s most vulnerable communities.
This month, in a continuation of its support of poverty stricken communities, Silvia Nayla will co-host an event with Ephemeral Brazil (a charity that works with the Children at Risk Foundation and with ACER Brazil) to help promote education and enterprise in the favelas of Brazil. “Fashion and Design: Riches from Rags” will see a number of Brazilian artists come to London, including Hugo Franca, one of the country’s most renowned designers, who will give a brief talk on his process of creating art work from salvaged pequi wood and present his new collection, on display at Silvia Nayla until 20th October 09.

Hugo Franca
The principal motivation behind Hugo França’s work is to give a noble and discarded material a second chance. The production of his pieces does not correspond to a straight line with a final objective. His concept is cyclical because he believes in the creative transformation of the object’s usefulness. This is, after all, how nature functions.The pieces created by the designer are a consequence of his preoccupation with the possibilities offered by the raw material: old growth trees cut down by the irresponsible acts of human beings.
It all starts and ends with the tree. It is his initial inspiration along with its forms, holes, cracks, burn marks and the action of time that is incorporated into the final solution. His intention is not to produce functional objects, but to return the tree back into man’s universe in a harmonic way.

Hugo França’s work aligns itself with environmental concerns and artistic sensibilities. Nature presents its forms and he interprets them. This creative dialogue leads to an artisanal and sensitive intervention that gives birth to one-of-a-kind pieces.
www.hugofranca.com.br

Supporting the environment through design
“Because we are representing Brazil, the first word is eco. We have to show the rest of the world that we are playing our part to stop destruction.” Silvia Nayla. Whether it is in the work of community artisans, re-using rubbish to create fashion, art and design, or in sustainable pieces created by world class artists such as Hugo Franca, design at Silvia Nayla has one common theme: its dedication to the environment. Naturally, this is not a uniquely Brazilian concern, but with deforestation a continuing threat to Brazil’s tropical rainforest, it is something which many of its designers feel the urge to engage with directly, and with remarkable results. As Silvia says, “I think that, often, when people think of Brazil, they think ‘oh, they are destroying everything’, but in fact, it’s the opposite. Brazilian designers are so sensitive to nature and all their art is created with this unique sensibility.” Unusually for a high end interiors shop, Silvia Nayla makes all items available for immediate delivery via its warehouse, which clients can visit via a complimentary VIP shuttle service to view the extended collection. Silvia Nayla also runs an interior design service for clients who wish to further integrate the spirit of Brazilian design into their own homes. The Exhibition runs from 8th to 20th October 2009 at Silvia Nayla’s showroom. Silvia Nayla opens from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm, and Sundays 12noon to 5pm.
109 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4UW Tel +44 (0)20 7229 2262

www.silvianayla.com

SHOP AND SHOW YOU CARE AT QVC
Fashion with a Heart

Show you are aware whilst looking pretty in pink with this beautiful Eternal Love Necklace. Designed exclusively for Breast Cancer Care and QVC, this necklace encompasses the current trend for multi-stranded pearls and sterling silver, making it the perfect way to show your support for Breast Cancer Care this October.
Item number 695760
QVC Price £32.75 - all proceeds go to BCC

Cultivating Support

Do your bit for charity and brighten up your home with the Be Aware Show You Care Lily Collection from QVC. With all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Care you can be sure that you are truly helping a worthy cause. Sold as a collection you will receive bulbs of the Red Velvet, Cesar, Pink Attraction and Ambon Lily variety
Item number 561888
QVC Price £19.95 - all proceeds go to BCC

Look and Feel Good

Glam up your look, whilst helping a charity you care about with this gorgeous set from bareMinerals designed exclusively for QVC and Breast Cancer Care. Made from 100% pure, crushed minerals, the trio of pink and purple eyeshadows look great on their own or layered together for a more dramatic effect and with 100% of the proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Care, it’s make-up that makes you look and feel good.
Cloud Nine: 3-Piece Eye Collection with Pink Make-Up Bag.
Item number 228230
QVC Price £18.00 - all proceeds go to BCC

Bear Others in Mind

This exclusive Charlie Bears collectable, Lizzie Bear is a brand new addition to the ‘Bears with personalities’ range at QVC and is perfect as a gift to a loved one. With all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Care, this is great way to show you care for others this October.
Item number 758021
QVC Price £24.97 – all proceeds go to BCC

These items, among others will be available from QVC, on Thursday 15th October between 7pm- 10pm, with all net proceeds being generated to Breast Cancer Care, helping raise money for the charity. Make a difference by purchasing gorgeous fashion and stunning jewellery from top brands such as Butler & Wilson and Diamonique as well as great beauty products from, Bare Escentuals, Elemis, Gatineau, Smashbox, OPI and Liz Earle to name a few.

Breast Cancer Care has been QVC’s Chosen charity for 10 years and to date QVC has raised £2.6 million for the Charity. Lend your support and tune in to QVC’s Be Aware Show You Care show on 15th October between 7pm-10pm.

QVC is available on Sky Digital channel 640, Freesat channel 800,
Freeview channel 16 and Virgin TV channel 740.
To order call QVC on 0800 50 40 30 or visit www.qvcuk.com

GLAMOUR PUDS – STARRING ERIC LANLARD
LAUNCHED ON CHANNEL 4 ON MONDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2009 AT 12.30PM

Master pâtissier and celebrity cake maker Eric Lanlard reveals his top tips for creating the lightest sponges and baking the creamiest cheesecakes in this 10-part TV series entirely devoted to decadent desserts, cakes and stunning patisserie.

Glamour Puds is a timely 10-part series served up as the nation is gripped by cup cakes fever, afternoon tea and home baking.

Episode themes include: French Classics, Chocolate, Best of British and Decadence.

Each show sees Eric take the viewer through the simple steps in making a dessert fit to grace the swankiest of dinner party tables. All of the recipes are broken down to a practical and accessible level, helping to dispel the myth that fabulous cakes and puddings are either too difficult or time consuming to make successfully.

Glamour Puds makes yummy and entertaining viewing! This 10-part series will air week-days Monday to Friday, starting on Monday, 5 October at 12.30pm.

Eric Lanlard
Eric is a master pâtissier. Since arriving in the UK 18 years ago, the 41 year-old Frenchman has changed the face of British Patisserie, earning himself a reputation for inspirational cakes and an A-list clientele.

Twice winner of Continental Pâtissier of the Year at the British Baking Awards, Eric’s unique combination of craftsmanship and unbridled creativity has made him the premier cake-maker for celebrity events, including the weddings of Madonna and Guy Ritchie, Claudia Schiffer, Elizabeth Hurley and Amanda Holden. With numerous television appearances including GMTV and BBC’s Market Kitchen, Eric is fast becoming a celebrity himself.

Career History
Eric’s illustrious career began at the respected Le Grand Patisserie, Brittany, where he was voted Best Apprentice Pâtissier and went on to study the craft of Chocolatier with Arens-Scheer in Luxembourg. When called up for national service, Eric took up position as Captain’s pastry chef aboard the French flagship Jeanne D’Arc, where he cooked for world dignitaries, including President Mitterand.

In 1989, Eric was hand-picked by Albert and Michel Roux and brought to London, where he was quickly promoted to run their entire Patisserie business. Eric stayed for six years, during which time he established his own ambitions and vision that would later revolutionise Patisserie in the UK.

Laboratoire 2000 was established as a wholesale business in 1995, bringing a fresh new style to the bakeries of London’s leading retailers, restaurants and caterers as well as supplying patisserie to Fortnum & Masons food halls and restaurants for 10 years.
“I wanted to bring together the traditional French crafts of Patisserie and Chocolatier with my own vision to radically change patisserie creations making them fun and personalised.”

Aware that there was a demand for the same inspirational cakes created on a bespoke basis, Eric launched Savoir Design in 2000, taking direct commissions for stylish celebration cakes.

In May 2007 Eric expanded his business and launched a new venture – Cake Boy – a luxury café based on the river in South West London. The space includes a ‘cake lounge’ and a high tech and beautifully designed cookery school. Glamour Cakes was published in 2008 and Eric’s follow-up book Glamour Puds will be published in September 2010.

www.cake-boy.com/

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