Oh What a Marvellous Party

For houses such as Highclere or Downton Abbey the month of June is all about the social season. Dressing for Royal Ascot, dances and garden parties, going to events and hosting one’s own parties. 
You may remember that Noel Coward had a cameo role in the last Downton film, but what you may not know is that Geordie’s grandfather, the 6th Earl, actually knew Noel Coward as a friend. He was also friends with Ian Fleming of James Bond fame. Both men owned houses in Jamaica nearby to each other, one called Goldeneye and one called Firefly. Noel Coward famously hosted notorious naked pool parties at his and was the only person who called the 6th Earl ‘dolling’ whilst the 6th Earl commented that he was a warm-hearted genius.

 Back at Highclere, Geordie’s grandfather also loved to host a party. He had been well trained by his mother who liked to do things on a grand scale, from 500 children for a New Year’s party to 5,000 local people to celebrate the coronation of King George V.
Following this tradition, this year Geordie and I thought that it was our turn. Inspired by the one and only Dowager Maggie’s Smith’s throwaway line “What is a weekend?”, it was now time for a marvellous set of parties spread over a weekend. We decided to keep our scale more intimate than huge which we hoped would be more fun for all and enabled our home team Highclere to look after everything. 

 Friday night belonged to cocktails and jazz. Guests were serenaded within the castle as well as outside in the summer palm filled marquee. The warm summer’s evening had fortunately lost some of its heat but left us with balmy long views to distant tree studded hillsides. The mirrored cocktail bar produced Lavender Ladies and Negronis as fast as possible whilst the Pasadena Roof Orchestra Band kept a wonderful tempo. At this point we were all treated to the prettiest dessert canapes, from mini chocolate flowerpots to tiny raspberry possets, irresistible mini treacle tarts and savoury toasts.  As the light began to leave us our guests wandered slowly hand in hand back down the drive.

We had never curated a summer dance before and given it a was June Saturday night thought it was high time to invite people to come! Originally, we had concerns about the weather, thinking it was England so it might well rain but perhaps predictably we then had to worry about a heatwave instead. Luckily as the afternoon progressed a light breeze developed and we set the white clothed tables on the lawns, underneath the lime trees. How heavenly was that? 

 The arrival story was framed by vast floral arrangement framing the front doors, before a chance for some memorable photos on the famous oak staircase for Friends of Highclere by way of saying thank you. 

Highclere has a reputation for exceptional cooking and traditional seasonal food but Brian the head chef and his team definitely took it to another level. Meanwhile Mike the Magician amused everyone, removing rings and money… he did give them back. Then, following a short gin masterclass with Luis and Geordie, we were all treated to a special impromptu duet. The Earl and the Soldier -   Geordie and Colin Thackeray brought the house down with a song together – I found it really rather emotional. This was followed by a Scottish reel which proved the most enormous fun before the jazz band and Brooks and Baker returned for more contemporary dancing!!! 

Our weekend included Sunday - carrying on with the Dowager’s inspiration. In this case with a rather wonderful walk in the park. Luckily, the gardens part of the tour provided shade under the trees which made it pleasant rather than too hot.  Geordie and I were joined by Emmeline our head gardener to explain all that Emmeline and her team achieve. There is always so much to see after which we all enjoyed the prettiest afternoon tea.

 In Noel Coward words I hope it was the most marvellous party, partly in the fresh air and to share the final verse:

 “We talked about growing old gracefully
 And Elsie who's seventy-four
 Said, “A, it's a question of being sincere
 And be, if you're supple you've nothing to fear
 Then she swung upside down from a glass chandelier
 I couldn't have liked it more.”