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:

But the downside is that having spent £20 to get in, some people over-indulge in the wine tasting before then coming to sample the foods. On one occasion I was talking to a group of people about the different types of hams we have available for Christmas when one half-cut lady picked up the carving knife I was using and started carving herself a slice of particularly fine Shropshire Black Ham! After getting over my initial shock (would you walk into your local deli and just help yourself while the shopkeeper was talking to other customers?), my heart leapt as I contemplated public liability claims for somebody being accidentally stabbed by an inebriated customer. I gently (or maybe not so gently) took hold of the hand holding the knife and asked her if she would like to sample some ham. The bare-faced cheek of the woman was such that she looked me straight in the face and said ‘Actually, no!’ and walked off…..

This weekend, with the weather as it was, I’m surprised anybody made it outside. Unlike the slick organisation of Olympia and the London transport system, people were parked along the length of the driveway and I’m amazed more people didn’t get stuck. We were at a beautiful venue called Losely Park, just outside of Guildford, for a Christmas gift event and again people couldn’t get enough of our hams. We ran out entirely of the Dukeshill Wiltshire ham  (which is immersed in brine for several days before being coated in unrefined Brown sugar), and even the more challenging Shropshire Black Ham (dry cured by hand and then immersed in a vat of molasses and juniper for a fortnight, and holder of the Royal Warrant) was severely depleted. Have a look at them both by clicking here, and remember to place your Christmas orders by 14th December!

Anyway, am off to another event tonight at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where we are launching our Help For Heroes hampers…..