From the Chief Executive

FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE & CLUB SECRETARY

It was with great sadness that the Club marked the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Chairman has written to His Majesty The King to express the Club’s condolences.

Before that, despite the extreme warm weather and travel disruption, members continued to flock to the clubhouses in record numbers throughout the summer. Activity in almost all areas returned to, or even exceeded, pre-pandemic levels; the demand for overnight stays, dining and golf all surpassed 2019, the Club’s events have been well attended and our Activity Groups have been extremely busy. Work is also well underway on a much-needed facelift for the Club Room, restoring it to the standard it deserves.

On staffing, I’m pleased to say that we have considerably reduced the number of vacancies despite the severe shortage of staff across the hospitality sector. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our colleagues who joined us over the summer including, in particular, two new members of the senior management team: Jonathan Brown as Director of Operations and Robert Birchall as Finance Director. Both are already making a significant contribution to the success of the Club.

In October we will have the honour of hosting the FIA World Motor Sport Council at Pall Mall, bringing influential delegates from around the world to the ‘spiritual home of motoring’. This will be followed by the Club’s London Motor Week, which is gearing up to be a classic and will, for the first time, include an Art of Motoring exhibition in Sotheby’s Bond Street gallery. As always, the week will culminate in the world-famous RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, on Sunday 6 November.

We will also celebrate of 60 years of James Bond on screen, host a Halloween walk for our Woodcote Juniors and enjoy Fireworks Night at Woodcote Park, which is already a sell-out. We are fast approaching what is undoubtedly my favourite time of year: Christmas – and I look forward to seeing many of you dancing at our Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, singing along at the carol concerts or enjoying your favourite dish in the restaurants.

The Club is not immune to the economic challenges we are all facing but, with prudence and careful planning, I have no doubt that the Club will continue to provide you with a wonderful haven where you can dance, sing, enjoy your pastimes, improve your fitness or eat a little too much from the Christmas menu – or however it is that you choose to enjoy your club.

Daniel Pereira

CONTRIBUTORS

The Club members, journalists, enthusiasts and experts who have contributed to this issue.

CLUB DIRECTORY

For more contact information visit www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk

THE ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB

Chairman, Ben Cussons 01372 229628 chairman@royalautomobileclub.co.uk Chief Executive & Club Secretary, Daniel Pereira 020 7747 3237 daniel.pereira@royalautomobileclub.co.uk

CENTRAL RESERVATIONS

For accommodation and dining. Open Monday to Friday 8.00am-8.00pm and 9.00am-5.00pm at weekends. 020 7747 3474 reserve@royalautomobileclub.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP

01372 229600 members@royalautomobileclub.co.uk

ACCOUNTS

01372 229608/9 accounts@royalautomobileclub.co.uk

MOTORING

01372 229288 motoring@royalautomobileclub.co.uk

PALL MALL

89 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HS 020 7930 2345 Hall Porter 020 7747 3267 Sports Reception 020 7747 3365 Simms Centre 020 7747 3349 Banqueting 020 7747 3386 Events 020 7747 3441 Library 020 7747 3398 Post Office 020 7747 3266

WOODCOTE PARK

Epsom, Surrey KT18 7EW 01372 276311 Cedars Sports 01372 229266 Golf Reception 01372 229245 Walled Garden 01372 229257/8 Shop 01372 229248 Banqueting 020 7747 3386 Events 01372 229230

PELL-MELL & WOODCOTE MAGAZINE

Editorial and Advertising 020 7537 6565 pellmell@royalautomobileclub.co.uk advertising@royalautomobileclub.co.uk Published on behalf of the Royal Automobile Club by Luxury London Media Ltd.

ANNABEL HARRISON

Managing Editor of Pell-Mell & Woodcote since 2018, Annabel is a freelance writer and editor with 16 years of multichannel experience. In this time, she has worked with a wide range of brands and publications across the luxury lifestyle, retail, education and publishing sectors.

JOHN EVANS

John trained to be a concert pianist before becoming a car salesman. He went on to edit car, caravan and classical music magazines before becoming a freelance journalist specialising in motoring and music. He is Pell-Mell & Woodcote magazine’s Motoring Editor.

ANNA SOLOMON

Anna is Deputy Editor of Pell-Mell & Woodcote magazine, and Assistant Editor at Luxury London magazine and luxurylondon.co.uk. She has written for various other publications in the fields of fashion, hospitality and travel.

MARK BAILEY

Mark writes about sport, health, fitness, travel and adventure for The Daily Telegraph, The Financial Times, Men’s Health, Cyclist, Runner’s World and other national titles. Prior to this he was the Features Editor for Sport magazine.

MARIA DOULTON

Maria is founder of The Jewellery Editor and has 20 years’ experience as an author and journalist in the field of watches and jewellery. Her work has appeared in The Financial Times, The Telegraph Luxury, The Economist and other publications.

TIMOTHY BARBER

Timothy is a freelance features writer and editor, specialising in wristwatches, luxury and culture. He writes for the likes of Wired, The Daily Telegraph, The Financial Times, Spear’s, Mr Porter and Rolls-Royce, among many others.

GILES CHAPMAN

Giles is an award-winning journalist and author, with 55 car and motoring-related books to his name. He created the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Book Of The Year Awards, and is an expert in collectable cars and artefacts.

JENNY LINFORD

Jenny is an established food writer, member of the Guild of Food Writers, and author of more than 15 books including Garlic, The Chef’s Library and Great British Cheeses. Her work has appeared in The Financial Times and in Time Out’s Eating Out guides.

JAMIE LAU

Jamie is a specialist food photographer whose work appears regularly in Waitrose Magazine, Time Out, Eurostar Magazine, and publications for ASOS, John Lewis, Bloom & Wild, Marks & Spencer and many more.

MARTIN BURTON

Martin is an established photographer who contributes striking and original portraiture and reportage for the Club, having done so since 2005. He continues to work with leading figures from business and the arts.

CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2022 | ISSUE 180

05 From the Chief Executive

Daniel Pereira welcomes

Pell-Mell & Woodcote readers

08 Your Letters

Members’ views and comments

11 Picture Perfect

The Chairman shares a favourite photograph

12 In The Rotunda

The AC Cobra that earned a black flag at the 1964 Ilford

Films Trophy Race

15 Club News

24 Club Promotions 30 Winning Formula

Jota Director David Clark explains why the company is facing its toughest test yet

36 London To Brighton:

Five To Look Out For

We catch up with some of the motorists taking part in RM

Sotheby’s Veteran Car Run

42 ‘Tis The Season

Christmas markets are a festive tradition, and the Club has an exciting visit planned

46 The Sound Of Music

Behind the scenes of the

Club Choir’s Christmas performances

48 A Warm Welcome

A word with Jonathan Brown,

Director of Operations

50 Game For Game

Pall Mall’s Head Chef suggests some Christmas dinner alternatives

54 First Port Of Call

The case for drinking more fortified wine outside of the festive season

58 A Jewel In Chelsea’s Crown

We pay a visit to the

Royal Hospital Chelsea and its resident Pensioners

64 Quality First

The Club’s Executive Chef talks us through new organic menu options

66 Centre of Excellence

An interview with

Rugby World Cup winner

Will Greenwood

70 Future Proof

Professor Yvonne Rogers on the fascinating future of AI

74 A Small Renaissance

How the art of micromosaic is enjoying a comeback in the jewellery world

78 Woodcote Juniors

The winter activities for our youngest members

83 Club Events: December,

January and February 99 Activity Group Events

103 RAC Foundation

Communicating changes to the Highway Code

104 Classifieds

Goods and services on offer from other members

106 Club Curiosity

This trophy was awarded in 1934, but what for?