Wednesday night saw Pam & I at the Old College, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for a British Fine Food and wine tasting evening. What a place! Set just off a busy main road, you would never realise such a stunning environment was just beyond the trees. I’d been there before for a corporate training event but only in the cheap seats of the modern training building, and not in the splendour of the Old College. Set imposingly in the middle of the campus opposite a beautiful lake, Old College stands like the star of a period drama. Upon entering through the main doors, you are confronted by a massive portrait of the Queen and her family at the Passing-Out ceremony for Prince William (Harry is also there), and a rather unfortunate figure of some senior army figure caught unflatteringly, with his knee at a particularly camp angle. Most unfair..must have annoyed the artist!
Beyond this entrance is a magnificently named room called the Indian War Room, formerly the college chapel, adorned with all sort of mementoes from various bits of derring-do from our colonial past. We were there for a tasting with the members of the Sandhurst Foundation to introduce them to the best of British artisan food so we had the hams from Dukeshill, Wild Boar Salami from Simon Gaskill, various cheeses, and Salar smoked salmon. Most importantly however was the launch of our Help for Heroes hampers, where 10% of the retail price goes directly to this most worthy of charities. Our decision to support this charity was reinforced when at the end of the evening after the Foundation guests had melted away the cadets were invited in. Without exception these young men were incredibly polite, appreciative…. and also very willing to help us pack our kit away! But it did bring to mind the idea that in a few months time these guys could well be leading men into battle in the mountains of Afghanistan, and how important it is that when they give so much to us, mostly without our knowledge or thanks, we much reciprocate and help them when they need us.
Our help for Heroes hampers are available by clicking here: