Tag Archives: events

Snow Time

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Saturday 22nd October, Earl’s Court, 11:15am: I had just arrived at Metrosnow, billed as ‘the greatest wintersports show in the world’.  It still being relatively early on a Saturday morning, there weren’t many punters hanging around, and the poor people manning some inflatable promotional activity outside Earl’s Court looked bored and cold.  Once inside the venue, I was confronted with what can only be described as a wall of enthusiasm.  My friends were running late, and so I plunged into the maze of stalls alone.  Wrong decision.  Single drifters are easy prey for those trying to sell something, and before long I was weighed down with more than enough goodie bags containing, among other things, cereal, toothpaste, an energy drink, magazines and a DVD.  It was the kind of situation where you end up pretending to talk to someone on the phone in order to avoid catching and would-be pushy salesperson’s eye.

While the front section of Earl’s Court was given over to travel companies, resorts, and national tourism boards, the back section was completely dedicated to retail.  There was everything a wintersports enthusiast could wish for, minus the snow.  The main reason for my going to the event was to stock up on ski gear, and I was on the lookout for some exclusive deals.  I was successful in some areas, but none of the bigger brands such as Dakine, Salomon and Atomic were cheaper than normal.

 One of the more interesting aspects of Metrosnow was that it was one of the few occasions that all types of snow-lovers congregated under one roof.  From fur-wearing chalet bunnies to ‘steazy’ snowboard types with hoodies down to their knees and multiple piercings and everyone in between, it’s safe to say that it was a mixed crowd.  Throw in a few convention-obligatory characters (sexy ski girls, someone dressed up as a mountain goat, and some unfortunate individuals in onesies) and it makes for very entertaining people-watching.

A main attraction was the London Ride competition, which consisted of guys and one girl with little notion of self-preservation hurtling down an artificial slope, flying off a hip kicker and performing some jaw-dropping stunts in the air.  I couldn’t figure out what was more impressive: the speed and height at which these nutters were turning and flipping, or the fact that most of them were teenagers.  It made me feel rather self-conscious about my comparative lack of skill with a pair of skis…

Overall, I felt that Metrosnow was a successful event that had something for everyone.  Children were kept entertained with ice skating, curling, and a huge inflatable slide.  Die-hard skiers and boarders were in seventh heaven with the mind-boggling array of hardware on offer.  And for everyone else there was plenty to look at, buy, eat and drink.  The only thing I would say it was lacking was any kind of atmosphere.  Granted, Earl’s Court is a fairly dead space to work with, but I think the event organisers could have tried a little harder with what people were greeted with, and also with the music sporadically played over the tannoy system.  The retail aspect was great: where else would you get everything under one roof?  But having now kitted myself out with enough ski gear to last several years, my reasons for going to an event of this kind would not balance out the £16-£18 ticket price.  It was a good day out and a very successful shopping trip, but not one I see myself repeating next year.

Images courtesy of Charlotte Rottenburg

Wimbledon – History and a Bluffers Guide

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City Connect loves attending Wimbledon but for those of you whom have yet to attend the best bluffers guide to behind the scenes at Wimbledon is found on its very own webpage.

THE HISTORY OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wimbledon 2012 will be the 126th time that The All England Lawn Tennis Club will have hosted The Championships since the first tournament in 1877.

Famed for its green grass, white clothing and the Club colours of purple and green, Wimbledon is proud of its traditions. Its sporting heritage combines the best of the old with innovative solutions designed to meet the demands of the modern game.

Wimbledon’s rich history is recorded on paper, captured in photos and on film, and presented through objects, memorabilia and interactive displays in the Museum.

The Beginning

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which is responsible for staging the world’s leading tennis tournament, is a private Club founded in 1868, originally as ‘The All England Croquet Club’. Its first ground was situated off Worple Road, Wimbledon.

In 1875 lawn tennis, a game introduced by major Walter Clopton Wingfield a year or so earlier and originally called Sphairistike, was added to the activities of the Club. In the spring of 1877 the Club was re-titled ‘The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club’ and signalled its change of name by instituting the first Lawn Tennis Championship. A new code of laws, hitherto administered by the Marylebone Cricket Club, was drawn up for the meeting. These have stood the test of time and today’s rules are similar except for details such as the height of the net and posts and the distance of the service line from the net.

The only event held in 1877 was the Gentlemen’s Singles which was won by Spencer Gore, an old Harrovian rackets player, from a field of 22. About 200 spectators paid one shilling each to watch the final.

The lawns at the Worple Road ground were arranged in such a way that the principal court was situated in the middle with the others arranged around it; hence the title ‘Centre Court’, which was retained when the Club moved in 1922 to the present site in Church Road, although it was not a true description of its location at the time. However, in 1980 four new courts were brought into commission on the north side of the Grounds, which meant the Centre Court was once more at the centre of the tournament. The opening of the new No.1 Court in 1997 emphasised the description.

By 1882 activity at the Club was almost exclusively confined to lawn tennis and that year the word ‘croquet’ was dropped from the title. However, for sentimental reasons, it was restored in 1899 and the Club has been known as ‘The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’ ever since.

Enter the Ladies

In 1884 the Ladies’ Singles was inaugurated and, from an entry of 13 players, Maud Watson became the first champion. That same year, the Gentlemen’s Doubles was started, with the trophy donated by the Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club after the end of their doubles championship, played from 1879 to 1883.

As the popularity of Wimbledon increased, the facilities for spectators were improved with permanent stands gradually replacing temporary accommodation. By the mid-1880s crowds were flocking to see the prowess of British twins Ernest and William Renshaw who, separately and as doubles partners, won 13 titles between 1881 and 1889. The boom in popularity of the game in this period became known as the ‘Renshaw Rush’.

For a period in the nineties public affection for Wimbledon waned, but in 1897 the legendary Doherty brothers, Laurie and Reggie, began their 10-year rule of the courts and soon capacity crowds reappeared.

Overseas Champions

By the turn of the century Wimbledon had assumed an international character and in 1905 May Sutton of the United States became the first Champion from overseas when she won the Ladies’ Singles. She repeated her success in 1907, the year when Norman Brookes of Australia became the first Gentlemen’s Singles champion from overseas. Since that year, only two players from Great Britain, Arthur Gore and Fred Perry, have managed to win the Men’s Singles while there have been five British Ladies’ Champions since Wimbledon moved to Church Road — Kitty McKane Godfree, Dorothy Round, Angela Mortimer, Ann Jones and Virginia Wade.

A New Home

Prior to the First World War the facilities at Worple Road were expanded to meet the ever-growing demand of the public and a move to larger premises was planned. This was not achieved until 1922 when the present ground in Church Road was opened by King George V. The foresight of building the present stadium, designed to hold 14,000 people, did more to popularise the game worldwide than anything that has happened to date.

The new ground, which many thought would turn out to be a ‘white elephant’, was financed partly from the accumulated reserves of the Club and partly by the issue of Debentures. Misgivings about the future popularity of The Championships were dispelled when applications for tickets in the first year were such that they had to be issued by a ballot — a system that has been adopted for every Championship since.

The move to Church Road coincided with a break in tradition, whereby the Challenge Round was abolished in favour of the holder playing through each round.

Wimbledon Thrives

Each year during the twenties, France produced at least one singles champion. Towards the end of Suzanne Lenglen’s reign the famous ‘Four Musketeers’ — Jean Borota, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and Rene Lacoste — appeared on the scene and during the next ten years won six Singles titles and five Doubles titles between them. Britain’s Kitty McKane (Godfree) won the Ladies’ Singles in 1924 and 1926 and a year later Helen Wills of the United States started her conquest.

Wimbledon continued to thrive in the thirties. Bill Tilden returned at the age of 38 to gain his third crown and in 1931 Cilly Assem registered Germany’s first win in the Ladies’ Singles. The following year over 200,000 spectators were present for the first time.

The years from 1934 to 1937 were a golden era for British tennis, when a total of 11 titles were captured, including three singles in succession by Fred Perry and two by Dorothy Round. During the same period Great Britain successfully defended the Davis Cup three times in Challenge Rounds staged on the Centre Court. The years just before the Second World War belonged to the United States. Donald Budge won all three events in 1937 and 1938, Helen Wills Moody captured the Ladies’ Singles for the eight time and Alice Marble brought a new dimension to ladies’ tennis with her serve and volley game.

Wartime Wimbledon

During the Second World War the Club managed to remain open despite a severe curtailment of staff. The premises were used for a variety of civil defence and military functions such as fire and ambulance services, Home Guard and a decontamination unit. Troops stationed within the vicinity were allowed to use the main concourse for drilling. Another familiar sight around the ground was a small farmyard consisting of pigs, hens, geese, rabbits, etc. In October 1940 a ‘stick’ of five 500lb bombs struck Centre Court, resulting in the loss of 1,200 seats.

With the war in Europe over, signs of normality began to return to Wimbledon during June and July 1945, when a series of matches between Allied servicemen took place on the old No. 1 Court, which had escaped enemy action. During August the final stages of the United States European Championships were played and Charles Hare, an Englishman serving in the US Army, became champion.

Play Resumed

Early in 1946 the decision was taken to resume The Championships that summer. The monumental task of organising the meeting in so short a time was entrusted to Lt. Col. Duncan Macaulay, the newly appointed Secretary. With unlimited enthusiasm he overcame a multitude of problems created by the rationing of almost every commodity, available only by licence, permit or coupon. Much of the war damage was cleared and repairs carried out in an attempt to get the ground back to normal — a situation not achieved until 1949 when building restrictions were eased.

The Post-War Period

The American dominance of Wimbledon continued well into the fifties. Outstanding among an array of champions were Jack Kramer, Ted Schroeder, Tony Trabert, Louise Brough, Maureen Connolly and the late Althea Gibson, the first black winner.

From 1956 until the early 1970s, the Gentlemen’s Singles was virtually the property of Australia as Lew Hoad, Neale Fraser, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and John Newcombe became household names. The sequence of American wins in the Ladies’ Singles was not broken until 1959 when Maria Bueno of Brazil triumphed. In the 1960s, Margaret Smith became the first Australian to win the event, while Angela Mortimer and Ann Jones revived the British interest.

Open Tennis

The expansion of air travel in the 1950s meant more and more overseas players were competing at Wimbledon and other tournaments throughout the world, but with this new era came an epidemic of what had become known as ‘shamateurism — the receiving of financial assistance in excess of amounts permitted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the authority in charge of the rules of lawn tennis and the governing body of the game worldwide.

The need for reform was evident. The initiative for reform came from the then Chairman Herman David who in late 1959 put forward a proposal to the Lawn Tennis Association that The Championships be made open to all players. The following July the ITF rejected this move and several years followed in which argument persisted at all levels of the game. In 1964 the Club tried to persuade the LTA unilaterally to declare The Championships ‘open’ but support was not forthcoming.

In August 1967 an invitation tournament (sponsored by the BBC to mark the introduction of colour television) was held on the Centre Court with eight players taking part — all professionals. Most of these players had won honours at Wimbledon in their amateur days but had forfeited the right to play there on turning professional. The segregation of the two categories was soon to come to an end.

In December that year the Annual Meeting of the LTA voted overwhelmingly to admit players of all categories to Wimbledon and other tournaments in Britain. Faced with a fait accompli the ITF yielded and allowed each nation to determine its own legislation regarding amateur and professional players. In 1968, Rod Laver and Billie Jean King became the first Wimbledon Open Champions. The total prize money that year was £26,150.

The Boycott

1973 was a sad year for Wimbledon as 81 members of the Association of Tennis Professionals boycotted the meeting following the suspension earlier in the year of Nikki Pilic by the Yugoslavian Lawn Tennis Association. Despite the absence of so many players, attendance reached over 300,000. Jan Kodes of Czechoslovakia and Billie Jean King won the singles titles.

Records Broken

In recent years long-standing records have been broken. In 1980 Bjorn Borg of Sweden became the first player to win the Gentlemen’s Singles five times in the post-challenge round era; a feat replicated by Roger Federer between 2003 and 2007. In 1985 Boris Becker, aged 17, became the youngest player, the first unseeded player and the first German to win the Gentlemen’s Singles. In 1987 Martina Navratilova of the United States became the first player to win the Ladies’ Singles six times in succession and in 1990 she attained the all-time record of nine victories in the event. Pete Sampras of the United States registered his seventh win in 2000 and in 2001, Goran Ivanisevic became the first wildcard to win the Gentlemen’s Singles. In 2009, Roger Federer surpassed Sampras’s record of 15 Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon, defeating Andy Roddick to win his sixth Wimbledon title, and 16th Grand Slam singles title. In 2010, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut contested the longest tennis match in history, eventually ending 70-68 in the fifth set after 138 games, and 11 hours and five minutes over three days.

Anniversary Celebrations

In 1977, The Championships celebrated their centenary. On the opening day 41 of 52 surviving singles champions paraded on the Centre Court and each received a silver commemorative medal from HRH The Duke of Kent, the President of the Club, to mark the occasion. On the second Friday, The Championships were honoured by the presence of HM The Queen, who presented the Ladies’ Singles trophy to Virginia Wade on Centre Court, together with a special trophy to mark Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee. As part of the celebrations the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and the Kenneth Ritchie Library were opened.

The centenary of the Ladies’ Singles Championship was celebrated in 1984. The highlight of The Championships was the parade on the Centre Court of 17 of 20 surviving champions, who each received a unique piece of Waterford Crystal from HRH The Duke of Kent.

The 100th Championships in 1986 were celebrated in a variety of ways, including a special dinner party for those who had made significant contributions over the years, and the formation of the Last 8 Club. 1993 marked the 100th Ladies’ Championships and the occasion was suitably commemorated.

The occasion of the Millennium was celebrated on the first Saturday when 64 Singles Champions, Doubles Champions four or more times, and Singles Finalists at least twice, paraded on Centre Court.

2011 sees the celebration of the 125th Championships.

The Ever Changing Scene

Over the years the Club has constantly been aware of the need to provide facilities and ground improvements compatible with the pace and demand of modern day sport. Seldom has a year gone by without alteration to the Grounds or some organisational change taking place. In recent years the momentum has increased and major works programmes have provided improved facilities for the players, spectators, officials and media.

In 1979 the roof of the Centre Court was raised one metre to provide room for another 1,088 seats. The same year a new Debenture Holders’ Lounge was constructed on the north side of the Centre Court. In 1980 the Members’ Enclosure was made into a permanent building. The following year the old No.1 Court complex was rebuilt and enlargements to the North and South Stands increased the capacity of the court by 1,250.

Aoragni (Cloud in the sky) Park was brought into the perimeter of the Club’s grounds in 1982 to give more room during The Championships.

The East Side Building of the Centre Court was opened in 1985. This vast operation provided over 800 extra seats and additional media commentary boxes, new accommodation for the administration staff, a redesigned Museum and an improved Tea Lawn. In 1986 a new two-storey pavilion in Aorangi was constructed.

In 1991 the Centre Court North Building was extended northwards to provide greater accommodation for the Debenture Holders’ Lounge, Museum offices, stores and Library and Club facilities.

A mammoth operation in 1992 replaced the Centre Court roof by a new structure, supported by four pillars, instead of 26 giving 3,601 seats a perfect view, instead of a restricted one.

Wimbledon in the 21st Century

Wimbledon is acknowledged to be the premier tennis tournament in the world and the priority of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which hosts The Championships, is to maintain its leadership into the twenty-first century. To that end a Long Term Plan was unveiled in 1993, which will improve the quality of the event for spectators, players, officials and neighbours.

Stage one of the Plan was completed for the 1997 Championships and involved building in Aorangi Park the new No. 1 Court, a Broadcast Centre, two extra grass courts and a tunnel under the hill linking Church Road and Somerset Road.

Stage two involved the removal of the old No.1 Court complex to make way for the new Millennium Building, providing extensive facilities for the players, press, officials and Members, and the extension of the West Stand of the Centre Court with 728 extra seats.

Stage three concludes this year. The construction of a new Championships entrance building, housing Club staff, museum, bank and ticket office at Gate 3 left the Centre Court east side empty and allowed development to provide better facitilies for the public. The seating capacity was increased from 13,800 to 15,000 and a ground-breaking retractable roof was erected over Centre Court. Court 2 was opened in 2009, and 2011 sees the completion of Court 3 and Court 4.

Festival of Ideas

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The Festival of Ideas, the UK’s only arts, humanities and social sciences festival, occurs throughout Cambridge during 19-30th October. There are more than 160 free events for all ages, which last year attracted over 9,000 visitors.

World-class speakers, celebrity writers and leading academics will be on hand to engage, explain and examine today’s burning issues – and looking at what lessons we can learn from the past.

As the population imminently approaches the seven billion mark, we ask leading academics to debate whether the Earth can sustain this many people.

Meanwhile, whistleblowers, computer security researchers and policymakers will discuss whether the Internet should be censored in light of the Wikileaks revelations;  and experts will debate the consequences of the uprisings, protests and civil wars in the Arab world.

Organiser Sophie Smith said: “The purpose of the festival is to examine the biggest questions facing us today and not shy away from contentious issues. That is why we’re holding debates on everything from the right to have reproductive freedom in light of an ever-increasing world population, to Mau Mau torture claims, to the Arab Spring.”

The main day of the festival, on Saturday, October 22, is bursting with free events for the whole family to enjoy. There will be talks by world-famous children’s authors Marcus Sedgwick and zombie-loving Charlie Higson; debates by pioneering academics and dozens of hands-on activities for adults as well as children.

Popcorn comedy for kids sees Holly Walsh and CBBC’s Ed Petrie present some of the funniest videos online mixed with stand-up comedy for all the family.

Also on October 22, Dr Michael Scott will explore Delphi and Olympia; and the fate of the English language will be questioned by Dr Andrew Dalby and Dr Stephen Pax. Leonard, just returned from a year spent recording the language of the Inughuit people of north-west Greenland, the northernmost settled population in the world.

Further details for all of the events can be found on the Cambridge Festival of Ideas website (www.cam.ac.uk/festivalofideas). You can also find us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/cambridgefestivalofideas) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/camideasfest).

30th September – Firefly Bar – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: Firefly Bar City Drinks & Dancing

Date: Friday 30th September

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

Firefly bar opposite the Old Bailey is set over 3 floors and has a relaxed atmosphere, a retro cocktail bar and an area in the basement known as The Vault open Thursdays and Fridays. It is the party room and the place to have a blast. With 2-4-1 Happy Hour Cocktails 5-7pm. An area has been booked in the host’s name (Joy) – just ask at the door

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24th September – Pub Mini Mingle – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: Pub Mini Mingle

Date: Saturday 24th September

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

The third bi-monthly “PUB MINI MINGLES” (last Saturday of the month, every 2 months) – a more intimate, laid-back version of our “Mass Mingles” but still our own private event and venue.

We’re back taking over our own lovely, central London pub. Book on as places are limited and it’s guest list only on the night.

Our Mingles give you the chance to meet lots of likeminded London girls and guys for a night of drinks, chatting and making new connections.

CitySocialising is taking over a central London traditional British pub this Saturday, not far from Chancery Lane & Russell Square.

This Mingle’s for everyone that always chooses a pub over a club for their Saturday night. No gimmicks, no dancing just a few drinks and chatting all evening long! There’s a great choice of beers & a vast wine list

We’ll see you there!

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20th September – New Members Night – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: New Members Drinks & Soialising

Date: Tuesday 20th September

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

It’s all about taking the plunge this week at our New Members Social. You’ve got to start somewhere on CitySocialising, and the best place is right here!

And this week our New Member’s night is at Pause on Leadenhall Street. Just across the road from the iconic Lloyd’s building and perfectly located for some CitySocialising whether you’re looking for good wine, classic cocktails or simply good quality draft beer.

Two of our CitySocialising Hosts will be on hand during the evening to welcome you when you arrive, settle you in to the night and answer any questions you might have about the site and service but really it’s just a great opportunity to go for it and start getting social with us.

The evening will most certainly help to assure you that the people we attract are as laid-back, chatty, friendly and sociable as we say they are.

The perfect opportunity to kick-start your social life and meet a whole new social circle, we look forward to seeing you there.

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Charity Evening with Dame Evelyn Glennie

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Hosted jointly by The Business Club Cambridge and The Inspired Group, on September 29th world-renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie will give an inspirational talk on Entrepreneurial Spirit in aid of East Anglia Childrens Hospice, Scotsdales Charitable Trust and Able Child Africa.

Renowned as one of the most innovative and eclectic musicians in the international arena, Dame Evelyn is also much in demand as a motivational speaker. In this presentation, Dame Evelyn, who lost her hearing when she was 12 years old, will be using music as a way of demonstrating the importance of listening.  

There will be lots of opportunity to network during the evening and a delicious Italian supper will be provided by BigDay Catering. There will also be a raffle. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to EACH, Scotsdales Charitable Foundation and Able Child Africa.

This event is likely to sell out very quickly so please book now to avoid disappointment.

Tickets: £25 regular and £20 for Business Club Cambridge and Inspired Group members.

Venue: David Rayner Building, Scotsdales Garden Centre, Great Shelford, CB22 5JT

Time: 6-9pm

Book your place at here.

16th September – Islington Friday Jazz – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: Islington Friday Jazz

Date: Friday 16th September

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

Join us on the night in Angel’s no frills Blues and Jazz venue.

We’ll be meeting for some drinks in the bar which is easy to find from Angel station. Inside it’s all teeny tea lit tables, black and white photos of famous jazz and blues artists & red walls.

The bar’s focus is the music and tonight it COULD be The Red 8, a newly formed Blues outfit consisting of several of of the bar’s favorite performers. Taking inspiration from the great Blues and Gospel records of the 1930′s and 1950′s and putting their own “state of the retro” twist on it, at the same time remaining absolutely true to the original spirit of the recordings.

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26th August – Bank Holiday 80s Party – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: Bank Holiday 80s Party

Date: Friday 26 August

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

Following the recent 80s Easter parties at this venue with our highest ever CitySocialising attendance, come and celebrate all things 80s, as we step back in time with some great music from the era. The 80s parties are now a regular fixture on CS throughout the year, and it all began on the Easter weekend last year at this fantastic party venue in Central London – near Piccadilly Circus tube. It’s going to be another great party night, and we look forward to sharing it with you.

We’ll have an area reserved for us downstairs in the Lounge, where your host will be waiting to welcome you when you arrive and settle you in to the Social. Keep your eyes peeled for a CitySocialising logo on the table or ask the venue staff for the table reserved under the name CitySocialising.

If you want a fabulous evening of drinks, socialising and getting to know some new London people, join us as we head to this fantastic bar near Piccadilly Circus!

HAPPY HOUR DRINKS 5-8PM AT HALF PRICE!
BAR & DISCO TILL 3AM!

The last 80s party nights received some of the best feedback EVER so don’t miss out on a chance to do it all again. Join a friendly CS group and the DJ will spin the very best of the decade until late. Dance the night away to classic 80s tunes including Blondie, Wham, Duran Duran, Human League, Adam and The Ants, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Pointer Sisters, Cyndi Lauper, Depeche Mode, and lots more…

So, why not pop back to the 80s and enjoy the Bank Holiday meeting a new crowd?

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30th August – New Members Night – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: New Members Night

Date: Tuesday 30th August

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

This night is exclusively for our newest members who have just started Socialising with us. We’ve reserved our own room in a Covent Garden Bar. It’s all about taking the plunge this week at our New Members Social. You’ve got to start somewhere on CitySocialising, and the best place is right here!

And this week our New Member’s night is a fabulous bar located within the heart of the West End, a short walk from Covent Garden or Leicester Square tube stations. This bar is a great location for meeting some new London CitySocialisers this evening. Two of our CitySocialising Hosts will be on hand during the evening to welcome you when you arrive, settle you in to the night and answer any questions you might have about the site and service but really it’s just a great opportunity to go for it and start getting social with us.

The evening will most certainly help to assure you that the people we attract are as laid-back, chatty, friendly and sociable as we say they are.

The perfect opportunity to kick-start your social life and meet a whole new social circle, we look forward to seeing you there.

If you like this CitySocialising event as promoted by City Connect Events, you are only a few clicks away from being able to attend the event and meet new people. Please click the image below.

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Free to sign up & try the service. Attend your first social, join groups, search for people, send and receive some messages and more.

Find friends with shared interests

Use the site to find people who live or work near you or who share the same interests, send messages and create a friends list.

Attend socials and have fun

Meet people offline too at fun socials organised by others and organise your own!

Image reproduced from City Socialising
Press release: LC

Corpus Christi College Supper in aid of NSPCC

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Ticket sales have opened for a prestigious autumn fund-raising dinner in the magnificent Corpus Christi College dining hall in Cambridge to mark the 25th anniversary of ChildLine.

The Thursday 22 September event, providing a rare chance to dine in the historic vaulted, wood-panelled room, is part of a drive by the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children to ensure the future of ChildLine – 0800 1111 – the free service for children and young people.

Co-sponsored by The Cambridge College Supper Club, the deluxe 3-course dinner with matching wines includes a musical interlude, luxury hamper draw and a choral musical interlude by ‘Full Score’ for the 140 guests who will dine on long candle-lit tables under the stained glass windows and portraits of former college masters.

Any member of the public may attend and guests have the option of taking a 90-minute walking tour of Cambridge before the dinner by certified student guide from 5.30pm starting at Corpus Christi Clock (on the corner of Bene’t St & Kings Parade).

An NSPCC speaker at the event will describe how ChildLine has counselled more than a million children since its launch in October 1986, brought abusers to justice and provided safe places for children in danger on the streets.

Tickets can be purchased for £59.50 online from www.cambridgecollegesupperclub.com, which is part of the ‘lively guide to everything local’ website localsecrets.com or via 01223 421103 in office hours. The evening starts at 7pm with an arrival glass of
Prosecco, followed by dinner at 7.30pm with each course accompanied by a glass of college wine. The event concludes after tea or coffee at 10pm. Dress is ‘smart’ for this event. Dining is at long feast tables in the Hall with seating grouped by ticket buyer. Click here for further information about college dining.

Here are details of the menu but please bear in mind that this may be subject to change without notice or substitution of items on the day as may be necessary.

Supper Club Menu For Corpus Christi College – September 2011

Starter

Leek Veloute With Poached Prawns, Coral Powder And Shellfish Glace

Or

Leek Veloute With French Onion And Gruyere Soufflé And Onion Caramel

Main Course

Poached Ballontine Of Chicken With Spiced Chickpea Stuffing, Aubergine, Tomato And Potato Croquette, And A Sweet Onion, Coriander And Spinach Salad

Or

Steamed Vine Leaf With Spiced Chickpea Stuffing, Aubergine, Tomato And Potato Croquette And A Sweet Onion, Coriander And Spinach Salad

Dessert

Baked Filo With Roasted Apple And Pear Stuffing, Apple And Cider Caramel And Vanilla Ice Cream

The NSPCC was founded in 1884 and our vision is still to end cruelty to children in the UK. Today, the organisation protects children across the UK, running a wide range of services for both children and adults, including national helplines and local projects. It runs ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline to ensure assistance is at hand for all children. ChildLine celebrates 25 years in 2011.

Click here to find out more about the NSPCC.

12th August – Marble Arch Margaritas – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: Marble Arch Margaritas

Date: Friday 12th August

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

Join us in stylish bar near Marble Arch for a night of sipping cocktails and socialising in true CitySocialising fashion. Look forward to industrial bar chic, fabulous cocktails, music, dancing and a Happy Hour until 9pm with 50% off drinks!

We’ll have an area reserved for us where a host will be waiting to welcome you when you arrive and settle you in to the Social. Keep your eyes peeled for a CitySocialising logo on the table or ask the venue staff for the table reserved under the name CitySocialising.

Non-attendees will be available to view the guest list 48 hours before it takes place.

If you like this CitySocialising event as promoted by City Connect Events, you are only a few clicks away from being able to attend the event and meet new people. Please click the image below.

Create an acccount

Free to sign up & try the service. Attend your first social, join groups, search for people, send and receive some messages and more.

Find friends with shared interests

Use the site to find people who live or work near you or who share the same interests, send messages and create a friends list.

Attend socials and have fun

Meet people offline too at fun socials organised by others and organise your own!

Image reproduced from City Socialising
Press release: LC

10th August – New Members Night – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: New Members Night

Date: Wednesday 10th August

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

This night is exclusively for our newest members who have just started Socialising with us. We’ve reserved our own room in a Covent Garden Bar. It’s all about taking the plunge this week at our New Members Social. You’ve got to start somewhere on CitySocialising, and the best place is right here!

And this week our New Member’s night is a fabulous bar located within the heart of the West End, a short walk from Covent Garden or Leicester Square tube stations. This bar is a great location for meeting some new London CitySocialisers this evening. Two of our CitySocialising Hosts will be on hand during the evening to welcome you when you arrive, settle you in to the night and answer any questions you might have about the site and service but really it’s just a great opportunity to go for it and start getting social with us.

The evening will most certainly help to assure you that the people we attract are as laid-back, chatty, friendly and sociable as we say they are.

The perfect opportunity to kick-start your social life and meet a whole new social circle, we look forward to seeing you there.

If you like this CitySocialising event as promoted by City Connect Events, you are only a few clicks away from being able to attend the event and meet new people. Please click the image below.

Create an acccount

Free to sign up & try the service. Attend your first social, join groups, search for people, send and receive some messages and more.

Find friends with shared interests

Use the site to find people who live or work near you or who share the same interests, send messages and create a friends list.

Attend socials and have fun

Meet people offline too at fun socials organised by others and organise your own!

Image reproduced from City Socialising
Press release: LC

7th August – Monthly Film Night – London Event

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following City Socialising London event:-

Event Name: Monthly Film Night – London

Date: Sunday 7 August 2011

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:
It’s time for our third laid-back monthly Film Club (every first Sunday of the month) in London. This month we’re choosing from films with a MUSIC theme. We’ve got the whole cinema reserved for our film mingle.  Arrive for the film for a chance to eat and chat and stick around for drinks afterwards. Non-attendees will be available to view the guestlist 48 hours before it takes place.

This is the third of our Monthly Cinema Clubs. We’ll be enjoying an evening of burgers, drinks & socialising with one of our favourite movies on in the background.

Each month we’ll ask you to pick which film we’ll be playing –  this month it’s all about MUSIC films. We’ll be asking you to choose from 3 films with a MUSIC theme… Walk The Line, This is Spinal Tap or Almost Famous. Visit CitySocialising for more details on how to vote for your preferred film.

As we’ve got the place to ourselves we’ll have plenty of room for mingling and watching the film. If you’re new to CitySocialising, don’t worry, some of our friendly hosts will be on hand to introduce you to everyone.

Doors open at 7.30pm for mingling, food & drinks. Film starts at 8pm.

This Social is FREE to Silver members, only £5 to Bronze members & £10 to Free members but everyone needs to book via the CitySocialising website as we’ll be operating a guestlist on the afternoon.

If you like this CitySocialising event as promoted by City Connect Events, you are only a few clicks away from being able to attend the event and meet new people. Please click the image below.

Create an acccount

Free to sign up & try the service. Attend your first social, join groups, search for people, send and receive some messages and more.

Find friends with shared interests

Use the site to find people who live or work near you or who share the same interests, send messages and create a friends list.

Attend socials and have fun

Meet people offline too at fun socials organised by others and organise your own!

Images reproduced from City Socialising
Press release: LC

3rd August – Comedy Night – London

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: Leicester Square Comedy Night

Date: Wednesday 3 August 2011

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:

If you fancy a top night of laughs, come and join our CitySocialising crowd as we head out for an evening of being entertained by the best in comedic talent in Leicester Square.

We’ll have some seats reserved where a host will be waiting to welcome you when you arrive and settle you in to the Social. (Make sure you check the CitySocialising website before the Social to see who is hosting). Keep your eyes peeled for a CitySocialising logo on the table or ask the venue staff for the table reserved under the name CitySocialising.

Non-attendees will be available to view the guest list 48 hours before it takes place.

Amongst the acts on stage will be Inder Manocha and Rhys Jones.

If you like this CitySocialising event as promoted by City Connect Events, you are only a few clicks away from being able to attend the event and meet new people. Please click the image below.

Create an acccount

Free to sign up & try the service. Attend your first social, join groups, search for people, send and receive some messages and more.

Find friends with shared interests

Use the site to find people who live or work near you or who share the same interests, send messages and create a friends list.

Attend socials and have fun

Meet people offline too at fun socials organised by others and organise your own!

Image reproduced from City Socialising
Press release: LC

August – Monthly Bowling Night – London Event

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City Connect supports London events from numerous organisations. We are proud to promote these London events to our City Connect readers making them accessible to all. If you are interested in this London event, either leave a comment below or go to the CitySocialising website. If you have any suggestions for other London events for us to promote, contact us directly.

City Connect highlights the following CitySocialising London event:-

Event Name: Monthly Bowling Night

Date: Sunday 14th August 2011

For more information and to RSVP online visit CitySocialising and sign up for free.

All new members are entitled to attend one free Social when signing up to the CitySocialising site.

Event Description:
We’re back for our monthly bowling club when, every 2nd Sunday of the month, we take over a private bowling room in London for a chilled out Sunday session of socialising with 2 bowling lanes, a cocktail bar, milkshakes, cream sodas and some all American food to keep us amused!

Everyone bowls for free and the kind folks at the bowling alley will help us run a fun, friendly bowling tournament to make sure that everyone gets at least 1 game while the rest of us chill out, socialise together and make use of the rest of the fab facilities.

As we’ve got the place to ourselves we’ll have plenty of room for mingling and enjoying the afternoon. If you’re new to CitySocialising, don’t worry, some of our friendly hosts will be on hand to introduce you to everyone.

This London event is FREE to Silver members, only £5 to Bronze members & £10 to Free members but everyone needs to book beforehand as we’ll be operating a guestlist on the evening. Non-attendees will be available to view the guestlist 48 hours before it takes place.

If you like this CitySocialising event as promoted by City Connect Events, you are only a few clicks away from being able to attend the event and meet new people. Please click the image below.

Create an acccount

Free to sign up & try the service. Attend your first social, join groups, search for people, send and receive some messages and more.

Find friends with shared interests

Use the site to find people who live or work near you or who share the same interests, send messages and create a friends list.

Attend socials and have fun

Meet people offline too at fun socials organised by others and organise your own!

Images reproduced from City Socialising and nicksenger.com
Press release: LC

Cambridge Shakespeare Festival

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July sees the return of the UK’s best-loved open-air Shakespeare Festival. The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival 2011 runs from 11 July until 27 August. The festival takes place in a number of Cambridge University private gardens and promises to deliver some of Shakespeare’s greatest works in the timeless and magical surroundings of the College Gardens.

The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival includes performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Anthony & Cleopatra, Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet. Eight plays will be performed throughout the summer and up to 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the productions across the eight weeks of the festival.

The actors perform in period costume with live Elizabethan music adding authenticity to each production and the garden setting offers a unique atmosphere as the setting sun and moonlight provides the open-air venues with special lighting that could never be recreated inside a theatre.

Before each evening’s performance, the audience can picnic in the picturesque College Gardens before settling down to watch the actors bring Shakespeare’s plays to life with their dramatic interpretation of the Bard’s work.

The absence of the usual trappings of a stage production means that the focus remains on the actors themselves and brings the audience closer to the action. The Company presents each play in such a way that even those who are unfamiliar with Shakespeare can enjoy their first experience of the tragedy, comedy and history of Shakespeare’s plays.

Performances take place every evening during the Festival except Sundays and begin at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased on the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival website, on the door or in advance from City Centre Box Office on Wheeler Street.

Special charity matinee performances will be held on Saturdays at 2.30pm and support the Children’s Hospice in Milton and St. John’s Hospice on the Wirral. Click here for further details.

Below is a list of productions taking place during the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival:-

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream – 11 to 30 July – St John’s College Gardens
  • Anthony & Cleopatra – 11 to 30 July – Robinson College Gardens
  • The Winter’s Tale – 11 to 30 July – Downing College Gardens
  • The Comedy of Errors – 11 to 30 July – Girton College Gardens
  • Much Ado About Nothing – 1 to 20 August – King’s College Gardens
  • Macbeth – 1 to 20 August – Trinity College Gardens
  • All’s Well That Ends Well – 1 to 27 August – Robinson College Gardens
  • Romeo & Juliet – 1 to 27 August – Girton College Gardens

Click here to see a video about the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival and experience the magic for yourself.

Images reproduced from cambridgeshakespeare.com

Picnic Concerts at Audley End

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The sun’s out. The days are getting longer. Sandals can now worn without the risk of frostbite. Summer is finally here. So what better time to plan a picnic. I don’t mean any ordinary picnic though. I’m talking about the fabulous English Heritage Picnic Concerts happening this Summer at Audley End House.

Audley End House in Saffron Walden is the stately venue for a wonderful schedule of concerts this July with performers ranging from Tom Jones and Katherine Jenkins to Scouting For Girls and The Saturdays. This breathtaking setting is the ideal location to enjoy a picnic with friends and loved ones whilst listening to great music in a relaxed atmosphere.

Here are the details of July’s concert schedule at Audley End:

  • Saturday 9 July – Bootleg Beatles & Björn Again
  • Saturday 16 July – Scouting for Girls with Sophie Ellis Bextor
  • Saturday 23 July – The Saturdays
  • Saturday 30 July – Tom Jones
  • Sunday 31 July – Last night of the Audley End Proms starring Katherine Jenkins

VIP packages are available and include hospitality in a marquee which has the best views of the concert stage and a two course cold buffet with wine. Guests can either bring their own picnics or special hampers can be pre-ordered from Carluccio’s and collected on the day. Every concert at Audley End finishes with a spectacular firework display that is the perfect end to a perfect evening of music and entertaining.

On 31 March 2011, the Cambridge News quoted Joel Smith, concert organiser for IMG, as saying that: “The picnic concerts at Audley End bring together fine food and marvellous music in a breathtaking location for a celebration of the British picnic tradition. With the estate boasting a rich musical history – Audley End was built for the entertaining King James I, a strong campaigner for reforming and promoting the teaching of music – the site is the perfect location for magical nights of incredible al fresco entertainment”.

These concerts are extremely popular – especially the ones with big stars like Tom Jones. The last night of the Audley End Proms also gets booked up quick. Therefore it is recommended that you purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Images reproduced from www.picnicconcerts.com, sugarscape.com and getmein.com

Cambridge Open Studios 2011

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July is just around the corner which means that Cambridge Open Studios 2011 is not far away. The editors at City Connect absolutely love this time of year as we are treated to some amazing works of art and, along with the public, are kindly invited into the homes of the artists themselves.

For those of you who have yet to discover Cambridge Open Studios, it is an event which allows artists to collectively work together in the centre of Cambridge and some surrounding towns and villages. More often than not, you will be invited into the artist’s home and will be able to buy pieces you fall in love with even if they are not showing them in a working studio or exhibition.

To add to the magic of Cambridge Open Studios, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that some of the artists go the extra mile and offer you tea, coffee, wine or nibbles as you explore their beautiful works of art in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The added bonus is that the artists themselves are on hand to talk to yo about their work and in some instances commission you your very own piece.

Cambridge Open Studios is often talked about as one of the highlights of Cambridge’s artistic year. You will undoubtedly be inspired and see some outstanding paintings in addition to other works of art such as batik painting, ceramics, pottery, drawings, illustrations, glass, furniture making, painting, jewellery, photography, sculpture, textiles, digital arts, wood carving, enamels and much much more.

To participate in Cambridge Open Studios, a good starting point is to pick up your free guide book which can be found at various venues around the city of Cambridge. This guide book is bright yellow and hard to miss and this year it boasts 240 artists and groups taking part at over 178 venues across the city and villages. For those of you new to Cambridge, the Cambridge Open Studios guide book includes a map to make finding all the studios as easy as possible.

Please note that not all artists display their work on each of the first four weekends of July when Cambridge Open Studios takes place. To avoid disappointment and to make sure the artist of your choice is exhibiting work on your chosen date, please visit www.camopenstudios.co.uk.

Cambridge Open Studios will be displaying work on:
2 and 3 July
9 and 10 July
16 and 17 July
23 and 24 July

Not that you need any more encouragement but Cambridge Open studios are free to the public. Just keep your eyes peeled for the yellow flags denoting participating artists and galleries so pop in and have a look. There is no pressure to buy at any time and you will often find the exhibitors are happy to talk about their work and inspiration.

If you need a little more culture in your life, other exhibits around that City Connect recommends are as follows:-

  • Byard Art – “Capturing Cambridge” showing until 19 June
  • Cambridge Contemporary Art – “Sir Peter Blake New Prints” showing until 26 June
  • Cattle’s Yard – “Andy Holden” showing until 10 July

Images reproduced from camcreative.net, camopenstudios.co.uk and artreview.com

An Evening of Latin American Music and Dance

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City Connect proudly announces the latest charity event organised by ACT – the registered charity for Cambridge University Hospitals, which includes Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital.

A pre-festival launch of the Cambridge Summer Music Festival, An Evening of Latin American Music and Dance on Sunday 10 July celebrating the health link between Addenbrooke’s Abroad and El Salvador, will be a unique charity event held under cover in the gardens of the Old Vicarage, Grantchester, by kind permission of Lord and Lady Archer.

This special event in an iconic Cambridge location will be an unforgettable evening with entertainment from The Festival Chorus, world-music performers Kosmos Ensemble and accordian virtuoso Milos Milivojevic who will perform music with a tango flavour by composer Astor Piazzolla, and more including Latin American guitar music and dance demonstrations.

In cabaret style – ticket price includes a hamper with a variety of food for all tastes and dietary requirements and wine. Click here for hamper contents. There will be a paying bar with sangria, South American beer and wine and soft drinks, and a raffle – first prize a Nintendo Wii!

The event will raise funds for Addenbrooke’s Abroad, part of ACT, which supports hospital staff in sharing their skills and knowledge with hospitals abroad, particularly those in developing countries, and in doing so using these experiences to improve the care of patients at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.

Date: Sunday 10 July 2011
Time: 7.30pm – 10pm (Gates open at 6.30pm.)
Tickets: £45 each including entertainment and hamper

You can buy tickets by clicking here.

About ACT:

ACT is the registered charity for Cambridge University Hospitals, which includes Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. ACT raises additional funds to help make a difference for patients at the hospitals and help save lives.

Charitable donations have bought extra high-tech equipment, paid for additional specialist staff, contributed to environmental enhancements and funded research to improve the understanding of conditions and find possible cures for patients in Cambridge and around the world.

There are many ways to support ACT and help make a difference for patients. For more information go to: www.actcharity.org.uk

Glastonbury Festival

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Our first time at Glastonbury, City Connect decided to read up on their website to find out a little more about the do’s and dont’s for the event. We were told as follows:-

Glastonbury Festival is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world and a template for all the festivals that have come after it. The difference is that Glastonbury has all the best aspects of being at a Festival in one astonishing bundle.

It’s like going to another country, a hip and thrilling Brigadoon that appears every year or so. Coming to Glastonbury involves a fair amount of travel, and probably a queue to get in but, when you get past these impediments, you enter a huge tented city, a mini-state under canvas. British law still applies, but the rules of society are a bit different, a little bit freer. Everyone is here to have a wild time in their own way.

The Festival site has distinct socio-geographic regions. The more commercial aspects are around the Pyramid, Other and Dance stages, which feels as if the West End of London a Saturday night has been removed to a field and thoroughly beautified. Unlike the West End, visitors are on every guest list, from the night time cinemas to the biggest gigs.

But that busy whirl of excitement is not to everyone’s taste. To accommodate the more laid-back reveller, more chilled out areas like the Jazzworld and Acoustic areas are in easy walking distance. If that’s still not the relaxed state a Glasto-goer is after, there’s also family oriented areas like the Kidz Field, the Theatre and Circus fields. And if you’re into the more alternative, less noisy aspects of festival life, you can always head up to the Field of Avalon, the Tipi Field, and the Green Fields. At the top of the site is the Sacred Space – the stone circle is a modern construction, but it has already seen as much celebration and ceremony as some of its forebears. Sun-up on a Sunday morning, with drums and torches and chanting and an astonishing measure of joy from the sleepless revellers at the Stone Circle is a glorious sight to behold.

The Festival takes place in a beautiful location – 900 acres in the Vale of Avalon, an area steeped in symbolism, mythology and religious traditions dating back many hundreds of years. It’s where King Arthur may be buried, where Joseph of Arimathea is said to have walked, where leylines converge. And the site is ENORMOUS – more than a mile and a half across, with a perimeter of about eight and a half miles.

Then there are the people, thousands of them in all their astonishing and splendid diversity! There is only one common characteristic of a Glastonbury-goer – they understand that Glastonbury Festival offers them more opportunity than any other happening to have the best weekend of the year or even of a life-time, and they are determined to have it! You’ll meet all kinds of people, of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities, lifestyles, faiths, concepts of fashion (or lack of it) and musical taste. Some will undoubtedly wear silly hats, or buy shirts that they’ll never wear again… until next year, that is. The overall vibe of the Festival is consistently mellow and friendly, even in the event of rain and all that comes with rain, a field and thousands upon thousands of tramping feet.

There will be moments when you ask yourself the inevitable: “Why can’t life always be like this?” There will be enlightenments, awakenings, surreal happenings, Damascene epiphanies and people doing the strangest things in public. Sometimes the strangest things you’ll see happening have been booked well in advance – but often it will be people spontaneously reacting to the spirit of the Festival. No two people’s Festival experience will be the same unless they’re tied together, in which case they’re probably part of a theatre company.

It’s best not to come to Glastonbury with a head full of preconceptions and a notebook full of plans of what you want to see. If there are one or two particular bands a day you really want to see, then let your day revolve around them and go with the flow. Hurrying between stages so you can tick off a list of things you feel you must see is not the best way to enjoy Glastonbury. If you can’t get a good vantage point, or aren’t enjoying a show, move on; there’ll be something else in the next field that might just change your way of seeing the world! Often, your best memories of the Festival will be of new things that have startled you with their brilliance.

Have a good look at the Line-up and Areas pages on this site and at the Festival programme when you are on site, or ask at Information points. There are a plethora of wonders to be seen, heard or just caught from the corner of your eye. Glastonbury runs like a huge clock – it is the Big Ben of Festivals after all – and it is best not to stay staring at just one of the huge cogs, however many famous spokes it has. Travel round it clockwise and investigate all the workings of the Festival. All those other stages and attractions wouldn’t be there if they weren’t worth taking in – and they are all capable of surprising a visitor.

One last instruction: whilst at Glastonbury Festival forget all instructions (as long as doing so involves hurting no one) and ENJOY!

Image reproduced from hitthefloor.co.uk and gig-tickets-guide.co.uk

Breathtaking Ball at the Savoy

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The Breathtaking Ball sponsors Asthma UK. We have included its press release below.

Breathtaking news… Alistair McGowan is to host the Ball but tables are selling fast, so call now to book your place!  

Following on from the success of the Gala Evening over the past four years, and to celebrate its fifth anniversary, Asthma UK will once again be organising a glamorous evening of gourmet food, fine wine and live entertainment, to take place on 23 June 2011 at the exclusive and newly opened Savoy Hotel.

Last year’s event was a great success, raising over £107,000 for the charity. Over 250 guests enjoyed a show-stopping performance from Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag, stars of BBC1’s hit programme Strictly Come Dancing, and John Sergeant as the guest speaker.

Tables are priced at £1,500 for ten guests, or £150 per person.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, or to book your place, please contact our Special Events Team on 0800 121 62 55 or specialevents@asthma.org.uk

For photos from last year’s Gala click here

23 June 2011
The Savoy Hotel, London
Call:   0800 121 62 55
Email: specialevents@asthma.org.uk

Newmarket Racecourse Celebrates 25 Years of Newmarket Nights

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Newmarket Nights began back in 1986 and from the very start this Cambridgeshire music event has gone from strength to strength. This year’s fantastic line-up includes Peter Andre, Tom Jones, Boyzone and Scissor Sisters. In the last 25 years, Newmarket Nights has entertained over 1.5 million music lovers and is aiming to break its own attendance records this year while celebrating its quarter of a century anniversary.

Friday 17 June sees the first of Newmarket Nights special commemorative line-up kicking off the celebrations with Jules Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Jules is no stranger to Newmarket Nights and has played 2 consecutive years at the racecourse and he will be including special guests Sandy Shaw and Ruby Turner at his concert.

If Rhythm & Blues is not your scene, the popular Scottish band Texas fronted by Sharleen Spiteri will be performing old favourites such as I Don’t Want A Lover and Summer Sun interspersed with more recent tunes from their 10 albums. They will be performing at Newmarket Racecourse on 25 June.

For those who are seeking a stylish event during the day, look no further than Cambridgeshire’s most reknowned and fashionable Ladies Day which returns to Newmarket Racecourse as part of the Piper Heidsieck July Festival on 7 July. This flat racing event has often been referred to as the sporting and social engagement of the summer.

This year, fashion at the festival returns in association with Cambridge’s Grand Arcade and our editors are definitely vying for the spot of Best Dressed Lady and/or Best Dressed Couple. This competition is open to everyone and is a wonderful way to combine fashion and sport in hopefully what will be a glorious summer day. Gates open at 11am with racing starting at 1.30pm with last races around 5pm. Tickets are reasonable priced starting at £10 for Garden Enclosure to up to £36 for Premier Enclosure. Also note this festival continues on 8 and 9 July inclusive. To book online or for further information, visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk.

For style tips to ensure you look your best on Ladies Day, take a look at our article Fashion at the Races written by City Connect fashion writer and Cambridge-based personal stylist, Katie Bowen.

The fun however does not stop there, continuing on with the 25th anniversary of Newmarket Nights, in July the racecourse also brings you the singer James Blunt – an ex-officer who has captured our hearts not only with his debut album Back To Bedlam but also through the wonderful charity work he does for Help for Heros and the British Legion. Tickets for James Blunt are available for his Newmarket performance on Friday 15 July.

Should acoustic tinged pop not be your thing and you would like to add a little more energy and disco to your night out, Friday 22 July promises to deliver all this and more with the presence of Scissor Sisters whose frontman Jake Spears is sure to entertain. If you need even more great music to get your feet moving, Friday 29 July brings Anglo-Irish pop stars The Wanted to the stage. This group is not just for teenyboppers as they were nominated for Best British Single this year at the Brit Awards.

If that’s not enough testosterone to whet your appetite, Friday 5 August sees Boyzone take to the Newmarket Nights stage. For all of you who were unable to get Take That tickets for their July concert, the Newmarket performance of the Irish pop group Boyzone is a must for your calendar.

As we come to the end of the Newmarket Nights 25th Anniversary, we are spoiled with yet another Cambridgeshire appearance from Tom Jones who needs no introduction and will be strutting his stuff on 20 August.

Last but by no means least, Peter Andre will be closing the Newmarket Nights 25th Anniversary season on 27 August.

Newmarket Nights ticket prices range from approximately £16 plus for Garden Enclosure, £20 plus for Grandstand & Paddock, and between £31 and £40 for Premier Enclosure. To book your tickets, please contact Newmarket Racecourse on 01638 675 500.

City Connect editors will be attending a selection of the concerts so do say hello if you see us. We look forward to seeing you there or reading your comments below.

Images reproduced from newmarketracecourses.co.uk and meetengland.com

Question Time at Addenbrooke’s

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Inspired by the BBC’s famed Question Time programme chaired by David Dimbleby, ACT presents an exciting debate at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on current affairs within the NHS to be chaired by Quentin Cooper, Science Journalist and current presenter of BBC Radio 4’s weekly Material World. ACT is the independent registered charity for Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) – including Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals.

Date: Tuesday 14 June 2011

Time: 5-8pm

Venue: The Martin Cohen lecture theatre in the CRUK Cambridge Research Institute on the Addenbrooke’s Hospital site.

Panel members include six clinicians of world-class reputation, amongst them three of the six best UK specialists in their fields according to The Times’ ‘Britain’s top doctors’ directory of November 2010. These are Professor Adrian Dixon, Professor of Radiology at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Consultant Radiologist at CUH, Professor John Pickard, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Cambridge and Clinical Director / Chairman of the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre based at CUH and Professor Stephen O’Rahilly, Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Institute of Metabolic Science based at CUH.

The event is free to attend – but places are limited.

You are invited to suggest up to two questions on current affairs within the NHS which will be considered for the evening’s debate.

Please include your questions when you RSVP to Susanne Owers on susanne.owers@addenbrookes.nhs.uk or call the ACT office on 01223 217757.

About ACT

ACT is the registered charity for Cambridge University Hospitals, which includes Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. ACT raises additional funds to help make a difference for patients at the hospitals and help save lives.

Charitable donations have bought extra high-tech equipment, paid for additional specialist staff, contributed to environmental enhancements and funded research to improve the understanding of conditions and find possible cures for patients in Cambridge and around the world.

There are many ways to support ACT and help make a difference for patients. For more information go to www.actcharity.org.uk

Image reproduced from act4addenbrookes.org.uk

The Business Lounge Dinner – Midsummer House

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The Business Lounge invites senior executives and entrepreneurs to a special networking dinner at 2 Michelin star Midsummer House on Midsummer Common in Cambridge on 25th August at 7pm.

The 4 course dinner with wine costs £95 per person and is open only to Company Owners, Directors, CEO’s, Chairpersons, Principals or Vice-Principals.

One of only seventeen 2 Michelin star restaurants in the UK, and the only one in East Anglia, Midsummer House nestles in the grounds of Midsummer Common beside the River Cam. Chef Daniel Clifford spent the first 12 years of his career in some of the best restaurants in the UK and France. This Victorian villa encapsulates Daniel Clifford’s vision for culinary perfection and is home to some seriously stylish food.

The Business Lounge dinner will take place in the private dining room of Midsummer House which houses a sophisticated bar and terrace for alfresco drinks with stunning views of the River Cam.

The Business Lounge is an exclusive business dining club for which invitation is only open to Company Owners, Directors, CEO’s, Chairpersons or Principals. Their focus is on providing an intimate audience of peers in a relaxed informal environment where over great food and wine business issues, battle stories, investment opportunities and much more are discussed and debated with the best business breed from across London, East Anglia and the South East.

Great networking takes place before and after dinner where long lasting business relationships are built with the right people.

To reserve your space, please email patsy@business-lounge.co.uk

Places are limited and do go quickly so please book early to avoid disappointment.

The Business Lounge is governed by “The Chatham House Rule”. For further information regarding “The Chatham House Rule” please visit The Business Lounge website.

Business Consort – Charity Golf Day

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Business Consort would love to invite you along to their charity golf event – a day of enjoyment, corporate networking & fundraising to be held on Friday 8th July at Styal Golf Club, Cheshire.

Any funds raised on the day will be donated to the Five Stars Scanner Appeal who are aiming to raise £1million to buy a new MRI scanner to be housed at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital – a fantastic cause!. A prize draw will also be held on the day with some fantastic prizes.

Schedule for the Golf Day
10.30am – Refreshments on arrival
11.30am – 18 holes Golf Course with a 2 tee start (1st & 10th) so all teams will arrive back at the Clubhouse at a similar time – 11 teams ONLY 9 teams left!
3.30pm – Back to the Clubhouse for sandwiches, prize draw & awards…& more importantly you can also get yourself a nice drink from the bar to celebrate!

TEAM OF 4 PACKAGE – £149 + Vat – Entry of team of 4, refreshments & green fees

KEY SPONSOR PACKAGE – £749 + Vat
Entry of team of 4, refreshments & green fees
Corporate branding on email invitation to over 100,000 North West based businesses
Dedicated email campaign about your business to our website subscriber base
Inclusion in monthly newsletter which is sent to all 1.2 million subscribers
Full page coverage of the event in Mingle Magazine – the business and lifestyle publication
Display of banners & promotional materials at the actual Golf Day
(To discuss sponsorship, please call Julie Roberts on 0800 334 5784)

Submit your team of 4 online or call Julie Roberts on 0800 334 5784.

About Business Consort

Business Consort, is now one of the UK’s Premier Networking Forums with over 1.5 million subscribers. They host over 130 events a year including training courses across the UK. Each monthly networking event attracts on average 75 guests and there is an array of high profile speakers for delegates to enjoy too. The events are held in exclusive venues such as Aston Martin & Bentley showrooms and their cocktail parties are extremely popular events with over 100 guests & attract a high calibre of decision maker. For more information, please check out their website.

Image reproduced from businessconsort.com