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In Association with - Rendezvous – London
Hi Everybody,
Here is Page 1 of the May / June issue of the Ice & Fire eMag –
Maybe time to broaden our horizons – with a breath of truly fresh air - go up, up and away and try Gliding. Back down to earth and moving on with a somewhat more Continental flavour - partake of some French farce – the Moliere kind. – Network and socialize with a fabulous gourmet dinner at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons.
For aficionados of unusual music we have Ukuleles - plus a touch of comedy – and added to this is a mix of champagne, overseas trade, art, auction + + !!
We hope you find an event to enjoy.
My best wishes,
Sandra
NB – as usual if you have any friends / colleagues who you think would like to receive our eMag – please get them to contact us at –
sandra@icefiremarketing.comEdition/ 8 – May / June 2009
Page 1
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Topics –
Sport = With a difference – Gliding with the British Gliding
Association – venues throughout the UK
Theatre – French farce with Moliere – at a‘local’ theatre –‘Upstairs at the
Gatehouse' - Highgate, N6
Champagne – The Confrerie du Sabre d’Or - May Events - The Millennium
Gloucester Hotel - Champagne and Canapés with Philippe Brugnon.
Overseas Trade – Africa – China Business Development, Portcullis House,
London, SW1
Joke Corner – A novel way to solve our current economic crisis !!!
Gourmet Dinner - Celebrate 40 years with Laithwaites at Le Manoir aux
Quat’ Saisons, Great Milton, Oxford
Art - Jonathan Ross invites you to view paintings by Nerys Davies,
Gallery 286, London SW5
Art + Auction = The Greek Sale at Sotheby’s, New Bond Street, W1
Music with a Difference – The Ukulele Orchestra, Cadogan Hall, SW1
Antiques – Kensington Antique, Art and Fashion Doll Show,
Kensington Town Hall, W8
Designer Clothing – British Designer Clothing Sale, Chelsea Old Town
Hall, SW3
Diary Notes – A reminder – not to forget –
-
A Gourmet Master Class – with Chef Mark Read
of The Mango Tree - courtesy - Cafe Spice Namaste –
06.05.09.
http://www.adventuregourmet.com/course_dates.htm-
Socialites - the new monthly networking event at
Kumo, Beauchamp Place, South Kensington SW7
06.05.09.
http://socialite-evenings.webs.com/eventsactivities.htm-
Freedom in the City talk by Nigel Farage MEP,
UKIP – 13.05.09.
www.tfa.net/freedominthecity-
Macmillan Cancer Support Gulls’ Eggs in the
City Luncheon – 19.05.09.
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/*Please note events are by topic not date order unless otherwise given
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Want to get away from the rat race for a few hours – soar across the sky in peace and tranquility but with a sense of exhilaration – why not try Gliding -
Pure Energy - Sheer Excitement !!
"Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned forever skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return" Leonardo Da Vinci
Gliding is the ultimate free flying experience. It is a truly diverse sport that can be enjoyed at all levels: from the thriving club scene, to aerobatics, to the international racing competitions, currently dominated by British pilots (with five World Champions).
The gliders you can fly soar using the same air currents that birds use to fly, but have also been designed with the kind of aerodynamic efficiency that enables top speeds of up to 170 mph. Distances of over 600 miles have been covered in one day in the UK and heights of almost 40,000 feet have been achieved. Gliding gives you the freedom to explore the world from a unique birds eye view and discover the many moods of the sky.
What is Gliding?
Gliding is many different things to many different people. For some, it is just a casual hobby, and a way to meet new people. For others, it is an inexpensive way to get airborne. For many, it is even the cutting edge sport of either racing or aerobatics.
For the UK's 77,000 gliding participants though, it is a silent and graceful way of flying without an engine.
Gliders 
Gliders come in many shapes and sizes. They can also be cheap or expensive! Fortunately, you don't need to buy your own glider - clubs will generally all have two-seaters for instructional purposes, and most also have single-seaters which you move onto once you are sent solo. If you do buy your own glider, you can keep the cost down by joining a syndicate.
Just Gliding! Of course, if you take up gliding, you don't have to become a racing or an aerobatic pilot. Many people just enjoy seeing the world from a different viewpoint, or even enjoy the thrill of trying to perfect their basic flying skills. A large number of glider pilots also carry on to become instructors (most instructors are unpaid, but professional nonetheless!) so that they can pass on the skills they have learned.
Gliding is also a sport for all ages - from those who go solo on their 16th birthday through their club cadet schemes; there is no upper age limit.
Find a Gliding Club in the UK
For more information contact -
British Gliding Association Limited 3rd FloorKimberley HouseVaughan WayLeicesterLE1 4SE
Telephone: +44 (0) 116 253 1051Fax: +44 (0) 116 251 5939Email:
office@gliding.co.ukOr go to -
http://www.gliding.co.uk/the sky’s the limit !!!!
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Back to earth - how about a touch of French farce with Moliere?

The riotous comedy by the 17th Century French playwright Molière turns on its head the classic situation of an older man obsessed with love for his beautiful young ward, whom he has deliberately kept naïve and simple, only to discover that she innocently prefers the attentions of a handsome younger man. Since the gruff guardian, Arnolphe, has kept the girl in seclusion in a house in the country, under the care of a pair of exceptionally stupid servants, misunderstandings and confusions abound in a rumbustious series of mishaps. The Schools For Wives is both a regular crowd-pleaser in France, and is also never off the syllabus in schools, both in its native country and in Britain.
DIRECTED BY - ADRIAN BROWN
PRODUCED BY - SEAN GARVEY
FROM MAY 12TH – JUNE 6TH
AT - UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE ,HIGHGATE, LONDON N6
Tue - Sat at 8.00pm / Sundays at 4.00pmTue - Fri & Sundays: £12 (Concs £10)Saturdays: £15 (Concs £12)TO BOOK TICKETS CALL THE BOX OFFICE ON:020 8340 3488or
TO BOOK TICKETS ONLINE GO TO -
http://www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com/
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Continuing with a somewhat French theme –
Champagne – Champagne – Champagne
courtesy of -
La Confrerie du Sabre d’Or
The Champagne Club That is a cut above all Other Champagne Clubs

Can YOU sabrage ?? OR as known to the cognoscenti - knocking a champagne cork out of a bottle with a Sword (Sabre)?
If you love champagne, have never attempted a sabrage – BUT would love to try – Come and join us -
Firstly – just a little about the Confrerie and the Art of Sabrage –
The Confrérie du Sabre d'Or is devoted to promoting the act of Sabrage and the enjoyment of Champagne. The Heart of the Order is the growing number of Caveaux de Sabrage where Sabrage may be performed. The Caveaux range from small restaurants and Wine Bars to the grandest of Hotels. They all have two things in common - Champagne and fun. This is a wine and far too good to be left only to special occasions.
A programme of events throughout the year held at prestigious venues gives all our members and their guests excellent value for money and plenty of opportunity for Sabrage as well as enjoying excellent Champagne and food.
We welcome the opportunity of introducing you to the Confrérie and the fun of Sabrage.
Art of Sabrage
It can seem daunting when you are initially handed a sabre and a chilled bottle of Champagne with the expectation that you will sever the top of the bottle with the sword’s blade. Do not be downhearted! No-one has ever failed and all it needs is a firm wrist with a high elbow and you’ll be back at your table regaling your fellow guests with tales of how easy it really was.
When performed on a suitably chilled bottle of Champagne, the cork and glass annulus fly away, spilling little of the precious wine. The pressure of the Champagne always ensures that no glass falls back into the bottle. Today, the Maître-Sabreur is always there to make sure safety is observed, and the cork flies away from spectators.
May Events
Friday 8th May 2009 Annual Brugnon Champagne Tasting at The Millennium Gloucester Hotel . Champagne and Canapés with Philippe Brugnon.
Tickets - Members £27; Guests £35. Dress:smart Informal
For further details - tel 020 7727 0780 or email - mailto:julian@julianwhite.com
Friday 15th May 2009. Grim’s Dyke Hotel Seventh Chapitre in Harrow Weald. Champagne and gourmet dinner. Investiture of Chevaliers and Officiers.
Dress Black Tie.Tickets £75; Sabrage and Champagne £35.
For further details - tel 020 8385 3100 or email - enquiries@grimsdyke.com
Friday 22nd May. Waterfront Hotel St Helier, Jersey Ouverture de Caveau. Gourmet Dinner after the inauguration of the Caveau. Investiture of Chevaliers and Novice Sabrage.
Tickets £80
Special Accommodation rates: Contact 01534 671100 nollaig.clancy@radissonsas.com
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Still ‘overseas’ but with a somewhat more serious note – learn what is happening with African / Chinese Business Development and see how we in the UK can participate and capitalize with the -
AFRICA - CHINA
Business & Development Event
okra eXpress >>>> Quality is the key. If you have learnt from our experience, then our past is a success.
Africa - China Business and Development Event
Event Date: Wednesday, 20th May 2009
Event Evening Time Slot: 6pm till 8.30pm
Event Host: okra eXpress
Event Venue: House of Commons, Portcullis House, Attlee Suite, Bridge Street, Entrance, Westminster, London, SW1A 2LW
Guest Speakers include:
ü Dr. Gang Zhang, Manager, Exploration and News Business, China National Offshore Oil Corp, CNOOC Africa (UK) Ltd.
ü Mr. Zhuangfei Li, Deputy General Manager, Bank of China.
ü Professor Raphael Kaplinsky, Professor of International Development at The Open University. ü Mr. Youssouph Diallo, Counsellor, Senegal Embassy, UK.
In Attendance:
ü Mr. Wensheng Lui, Deputy President of Shenzhen Branch, China Development Bank.
ü Representatives from the Economic and Commercial section, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, UK.
ü Mr. Donghong Li, Commissioner of Residential mission, UK, China Development Bank.
ü Mr. Hongbing Xi, Assistant Commissioner of Residential mission, UK, China Development Bank.
ü Representatives from The China Council for the promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
ü Rich mix of participants - Diplomats, forming part of the forum and networking session with professional delegates, industry experts, investors, and lawyers.
Chairperson
ü Mr. Andrew Halper, Partner, Head of China Practice, Eversheds LLP, a distinctive and innovative international law firm for the 21st century.
Registration Fee Per Delegate, £20 for discount registration fee, if paid by 12th May 2009 or if you have previously attended an okra eXpress event or if more than one delegates register from the same organisation. Otherwise, regular registration fee is £25 per delegate.
Payment Options: You can pay by credit/debit card or cheque. Please make all cheques payable to okra eXpress and please note the event title and delegate name telephone and email details on the reverse of the cheque(paid in Pounds Sterling and drawn on a UK bank). Please post all cheques to okra eXpress, PO Box 54449, London, E10 5YN and please ensure that your cheque payment is cleared at the bank two days before the event.
To pay by Pay Pal go to:
http://www.okraexpress.com/africa-eubusiness&developmentbrusselseve2
Event Overview
In 2008 the two - way trade between Africa and China reached the target of $100bn, a target which they had set in 2006 when trade was $55bn - This had been reached two years earlier than initially planned. Economists have argued that since 2001, Africa has outperformed global economic growth, and one contributing factor driving this has been the emergence of China as a major trading partner in Africa.
In February 2009, China’s President, Mr. Hu Jintao made a very fruitful tour of Africa including a number of non-oil producing countries and granted $22m (£15m) in aid to Tanzania as he continues his tour of Africa to countries namely Senegal, Mali and Mauritius.
At the IMF meeting in Dar-es-Salaam in March 2009, Yuan Chen, the head of the China Development Bank told the BBC that “he expects investments in the continent by China to continue and China is keen to work with countries on agriculture and infrastructure projects”.
This Event will examine the significance of China’s interest in Africa. Professor Raphael Kaplinsky, Professor of International Development at The Open University will shed some light on the growing economic diverse opportunities for investment in Africa and will address the question of whether the investments are only in few areas such as the oil and gas sector whilst other potential agricultural commodities, which include food crops (such as grains), beverages (such as tea and coffee) are under-invested. China’s keen interest in Africa is accelerating beyond the search for minerals and energy supplies to focusing on agriculture. The extent to which agriculture can better enhanced development in Africa will be examined at the event.
This event will be entirely driven by a greater focus on promoting foreign direct investment flows in Africa. Mr. Zhuangfei Li, Senior Executive, Bank of China, and Dr. Gang Zhang, Manager, Exploration and New Business, China National Offshore Oil Corp, CNOOC Africa (UK) Ltd, will attend the event to give guest speakers' perspectives and an account of China's success stories in regard to investment in Africa. Mr. Youssouph Diallo, Counsellor, Senegal Embassy, UK, will attend the event and speak on trade and investment opportunities in Senegal.
Going Forward >>>> Africa is open for Business.
Journalists including Nik Wood, a correspondent for BBC TV will attend to cover the event. Please use the link below to access Nik Wood’s recent interview with Yuan Chen, head of China Development Bank at the IMF Conference in Dar es Salaam on “China keen to continue Africa investment”).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7935901.stm
okra eXpress looks forward to welcoming you at Portcullis House, Attlee Suite, House of Commons, Westminster, Bridge Street, London, SW1A 2LW for the okra eXpress event. It is always a dynamic and insightful event to focus on positives, prospects and potentials. A great opportunity for keen and interested parties to meet, greet, mingle with the impressive range of participants and gain fresh insights on investment prospects.
MEDIA PARTNERS >>>> ACCREDITED
v BBC WORLD SERVICE – NETWORK AFRICA http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/
v AFRICAN ENERGY http://www.africa-energy.com/
v BBC WORLD SERVICE – FOCUSON AFRICA
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/
v CORPORATE AFRICA – TIMES PUBLICATIONS
http://www.corporate-africa.com/Subscribtions/subscription.htm
okra eXpress >>>> Quality is the key. If you have learnt from our experience, then our past is a success.
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Joke Corner – A novel way to help solve the UK’s economic crisis –
The absolute best solution to our economic crisis.
There are 25 million British over 45 in the UK. Give each of them £1 million with the following stipulations:
1. You must quit your job. Therefore, 20 million jobs are created.
Unemployment solved !!
However I must just add my ‘two pence worth’ here as I don’t think we would need to have 20 million resignations – with the possibility of 3 million++ unemployed this would have to be done on a selective basis !!!!!
2. You must buy a new car. Therefore, 20 million new cars sold.
Auto industry problem solved !!
Excellent you would not need the £2000 subsidy for older cars !!!! Plus the proviso should be to purchase cars made in the UK not imports !!!! For those with no car spend it on something else !!!
3. You must buy a new house or pay off your mortgage.
Housing industry problem solved !!
Would also create more liquidity in the Banking system and possibly get rid of some of the toxic assets !!!!
For £25 billion we could be out of this mess and on an upward trend again. Much less money than has already been spent with virtually no results and the effects of this "stimulus" package would be felt almost as soon as the cheques went out. I like this idea and I believe this would go a long way to solving the problems, and the bankers and Gordon CLOWN would be surplus to requirements
Would it work ????
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From champagne to more champagne and fine wine – join Laithwaites’ celebration of 40 years in business – at a gourmet dinner held in the wonderful environment of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons

style=Profile of Laithwaites from it's founder - Tony Laithwaite
"Ever since I drove down to Bordeaux in 1969 to get my first wine shipment, I've kept the habit of always going straight to the source - the winemaker in his vineyard - for what my first customers used to call 'the real thing'. No middlemen … just lovingly crafted fine wines at way-down-to-earth prices.
What I call 'real' wine comes straight from the cellar door, has extra flavour, extra elements of pleasure, and somehow anyone, even a newcomer to wine, can feel its inherent quality and goodness. Laithwaites has never cut costs by buying the cheaper mass produced factory blends - never has and never will."
Le Chai ... Au Manoir
A Gourmet Dinner to Celebrate Laithwaites 40th Anniversary - presented by Jean-Marc SaubouaTuesday 12th May 2009, Evening (7.00pm)Address: Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Great Milton, nr Oxford
The 40th Anniversary Gourmet Dinner
Help us celebrate our 40th year at this unique and exclusive event! We will begin with a glass or so of Champagne and a selection of canapés in the private garden (weather permitting). Then we will move into the Milton Room for our 'Black Tie' dinner. Head of Winemaking, Jean-Marc Sauboua will guide you through the wines of Le Chai au Quai, our barrel cellar in Castillon-la-Bataille - those carefully selected parcels of prime fruit from the finest regions of the world, but most especially Bordeaux, that are handcrafted into outstanding wines bearing the 'Grand Chai' label. The wines will include such classics as Pomerol and Pauillac and will be paired with a seven-course menu gourmand dinner created exclusively for our event by Raymond Blanc, Head Chef Gary Jones and Chef Sommelier Arnaud Goubet. This very special event is bound to be hugely popular and will sell out very quickly, order today! An accommodation offer will accompany the confirmation of your order. All food, wine and service are included in the price. 44 tickets only. Order online - http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/ Or call 0845 194 7755 quoting Order Code: 93261Price: Only £190.00 per person Dress code: Black Tie
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From fine wines, fine food to fine art -
Jonathan Ross invites you to view
RECENT PAINTINGS by NERYS DAVIES
'Portrait of Mike Figgis' oil on canvas 60”x40” (exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in 2008)
MAY 5 - 29 2009 Private Views:
Tuesday May 5th 6.30 - 8.30pm
Thursday May 7th 6.30 - 8.30pm
Sunday May 10th 12.00 - 3.00pm
viewing by appointment at other times at
GALLERY 286, 286 EARL'S COURT ROAD(near the junction with Earl's Court Square)LONDON SW5 9AST: 020 7370 2239
E: jross@gallery286.comhttp://www.gallery286.com/davies/index.html
"My work is about trying to capture time, a moment in time with somebody. The study of light with oil on canvas helps me to externalise those moments into something lasting. Portraiture and figurative drawing feel to me a great way of slowing down life that might otherwise be lost forever."
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More fine art in The Greek Sale at –
Sotheby’s
The Greek Sale
Sale: L09660
DATE & TIME
Session 1: Wed, 6 May 09, 10:30 AM, Lots 1 – 125
LOT 5 NIKOS ENGONOPOULOSGREEK, 1910-85 ULYSSES AND PENELOPE - 30,000—50,000 GBP
LOT 1 MICHALIS ECONOMOUGREEK, 1888-1933 LES BUISSONS – 25,000 – 35,000 GBP
TO SEE MORE OF THE CATALOGUE GO TO –
http://www.sothebys.com/app/live/event/EventSearchResults.jsp?office_id=1&source=O
EXHIBITION – VIEWING
Fri, 01 May 09, 09:00 AM - 4:30 PMSun, 03 May 09, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PMTue, 05 May 09, 09:00 AM - 4:30 PM
CONTACT
Constantine FrangosSenior Director19th Century European and Greek Paintings
Tel: +44 20 7293 5704Fax: +44 207 293 5923
mailto:constantine.frangos@sothebys.com

Sothebys
34-35 New Bond Street,London W1A 2AA
Tel: 44 20 7293 5000 Fax: 44 20 7293 5989
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Now for a truly different musical evening at -
CADOGAN HALL

Tuesday 5 May, 2009 7.30pm
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, seen and heard across the globe, is simultaneously provocative, entertaining and inspiring. Their shows combine music, humour and intelligence with silliness. Using a menagerie of voices and cheap instruments, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain elicits emotion and thought in unexpected forms and successfully mix highbrow with lowbrow to appeal to an astonishingly broad audience: think Morecambe and Wise, explaining Joseph Beuys’ 'Desert Island Discs'. Wherever The Ukulele Orchestra performs, from Never Mind The Buzzcock’s Christmas Special, Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, to Blue Peter, to the smallest pub in England, they bring a hilarious style of music virtuoso that is all of their own.
Tickets*: £22, £18, £14
Special Offers*: Encore: Tickets £14
To Book Tickets offline –
By Phone:020 7730 4500
The box office is open for telephone bookings:Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm*Sunday from 3pm to 8pm (performance days only)*
*(unless other than advertised)
Tickets purchased up to 6 days prior to the event are mailed 2nd class.Tickets purchased within 7 days of the event are held at the box office for collection any time prior to the concert.
All telephone bookings are subject to a fee of £2.50 per transaction
*Note: Certain ticket prices are currently only available via telephone.*Note: Certain Special Offers are currently only available via telephone.
Please noteOnline booking is only available up to midnight on the day prior to the performance. On the day bookings via telephone and counters sales only.
To book online go to –
https://esro.cadoganhall.com/peo/chi2007/integrate.php?page=event&peocode=1000If an advertised offer in not available online, please call the box office on :
tel: 020 7730 4500
and we will apply the offer over the phone.(All Special Offers are subject to availability)
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Kensington Antique, Artist, & Fashion Doll Show
Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX
Sunday 10th May 2009
Antique, Artist, & Fashion Dolls
Old Dollshouse Miniatures
Books
Old Teddies & Gollies
Supplies & Related Accessories
Tickets:Early Bird Tickets: 9.00a.m. £10Open to public: 11.00 - 4.00 p.m.Adults: £4 Children: £1Pre-booked tickets: £3 + SAE Tube Station:High Street KensingtonDistrict & Circle Lines
For stand bookings & enquiries: Judy Bebber, P.O. Box 75, Bridlington YO15 3YZTel: 01262 677775 Mobile: 07850 200738
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Finally in this time of ‘credit crunch’ what could be better than Designer clothes on SALE –
The British Designer Sale of Ladies and Menswear
Saturday 9 May 2009 at 10am
Main and Small Hall
Chelsea Old Town Hall
Kings Road London SW3 5EE
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If you have a great event which you would like to tell us about please email – sandra@icefiremarketing.com
Dear Reader - Please Note - If you cannot access a link just copy and paste into your browser. If you do not want to be a recipient of the Ice & Fire e-Mag and would like us to cease contacting you please email us at – sandra@icefiremarketing.com and you will be removed from our mailing list immediately.All endeavours are made to exclude viruses from our data transmissions and it is the obligation of the recipient to check for viruses. Ice & Fire therefore accepts no liability for any loss or damage caused by computer viruses. Sincerely, the Editor