I was invited to attend the annual Agricultural Society President’s dinner at the Newbury Showground on Saturday 8 September. Unfortunately, Edwina Cooper was unable to attend due to family business in Cornwall that weekend.
I was met by this year’s President, the Hon Mrs Jessica White and the Chairman, Christopher D’Olley and then mingled with other guests and members of the Society. There is something very grand at a black tie event with the ladies in their evening dresses and the men in their dinner jackets. The food was delicious and the company very convivial.
The entertainment was extraordinarily vibrant and colourful. It was a small group of willowy German blonde saxophonists (and clarinets) who played a series of jazz numbers which, although modern tunes, were somewhat reminiscent of the Berlin cabarets and revues of the 1930s. (not that I was there then!). Ute Lemper is probably the best exponent of Berlin Cabaret songs which I have heard recently.
At the end of dinner came the speeches and the message was somewhat subdued by the recent cases of foot and mouth disease in Surrey which prevented the movement of livestock. This meant that the show would not have any cattle or sheep this year. Nevertheless everyone was upbeat about the attendance at the show which other equally interesting attractions.
As I departed, I wished the President and her team a successful Show and good weather!
I was met by this year’s President, the Hon Mrs Jessica White and the Chairman, Christopher D’Olley and then mingled with other guests and members of the Society. There is something very grand at a black tie event with the ladies in their evening dresses and the men in their dinner jackets. The food was delicious and the company very convivial.
The entertainment was extraordinarily vibrant and colourful. It was a small group of willowy German blonde saxophonists (and clarinets) who played a series of jazz numbers which, although modern tunes, were somewhat reminiscent of the Berlin cabarets and revues of the 1930s. (not that I was there then!). Ute Lemper is probably the best exponent of Berlin Cabaret songs which I have heard recently.
At the end of dinner came the speeches and the message was somewhat subdued by the recent cases of foot and mouth disease in Surrey which prevented the movement of livestock. This meant that the show would not have any cattle or sheep this year. Nevertheless everyone was upbeat about the attendance at the show which other equally interesting attractions.
As I departed, I wished the President and her team a successful Show and good weather!
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