Volunteers step up!

Greetings to all on this joyous approach to Ostara! 

As nature awakes from her winter's rest, we here at the Festivities Committee invite one and all to volunteer to assist with preparations for our annual Ostara ball. Ah yes, the exuberance of Spring is most certainly in the air after this rather chill winter, and it is time to spring into action, saying goodbye to the old and make room for the new!

Dust off your thinking caps Ladies and Gentleman, for this year's theme is Great Inventors of Past and Future, and we expect everyone to be present! Yes, we are celebrating the eternal resourcefulness of those of our brethren and sistren who have introduced innovations that have changed our very existences!

During this, our time to celebrate nature's boundless ability to renew herself, we will also be celebrating the unique ability of we humans to create our world.

To make this event a success, I am seeking volunteers in the following areas:

⁃    decorations

⁃    catering

I remind you all that you have only a week more to submit your entry for the Ostara mead-based cocktail competition. Each and every one will be included on the menu for the happy night, and I for one am in great anticipation of the honey-fuelled jollity that is bound to ensue!

For all our Persephones and Demeters, a reminder that the wildflower picking expedition is scheduled for the day before the great event, location to be announced closer to the time.

Yours in anticipation,

Nigel

From the desk of Nigel Rutherford, Viscount Templemore

Head of the Festivities Committee
Order of the Splendid Chalice (London Chapter)

Imbolc blessings

Imbolc blessings to you, dear Chalicers!

As winter's chill arms still hold us in her thrall, I plump my cravat in anticipation of the splendid afternoon tea and corn dolly and ornamental broom creation event that Lady Augusta is hosting in her glorious orchid room. I thank the ladies of the newly created Temperance Committee for their tireless efforts in planning what I am sure will be an entirely suitable occasion on which to divine the exit of what has been one of the most bitter winters to date.

We shall be following this with our annual symbolic (and actual) cleaning of the Chapter House, where the children from Lady Augusta's Orphanage for Lost Waifs will follow the cleaning staff about for the day in preparation for their ultimate vocations. I apologise again to all those who are put out by the House's annual closure for the day, however it is done in the spirit of thoroughness and is ultimately in the best interests of our many members who abhor the very sight of children, and most particularly waifs.

For those of you attending the upcoming Lupercalia festivities, which is so kindly being hosted by Miss Finch-Newtley and her inestimable Aunt Philadelphus at their winter retreat in Surrey, I remind you that places are limited, that 'plus one' means just that, and that the RSVP date is done and gone.

It is with sincere regret that these, the first two events that I am overseeing, have been by invitation only, and I am aware that this goes against the spirit of the Club's ethos of veritas unitas caritas, however having now gotten to the bottom of this situation, I shall shortly have matters firmly in hand and soon we shall see vox populi heard!

Vale!

Nigel

From the desk of Nigel Rutherford, Viscount Templemore

Head of the Festivities Committee
Order of the Splendid Chalice (London Chapter)

A warm welcome

Dear friends,

As you are all only too well aware, since the untimely and unfortunate demise of Lady Henrietta Snow early last year, we have too long been without a Head of the Festivities Committee. I shall not here dwell on the incidents at the Samhain rout, or indeed the recent Yule fiasco or the confusion around the Hogmanay celebration – wounds too fresh to address quite yet... Suffice it to say that this... shall I say, comedy of errors have proven that a firm hand is required as this matter of rule by committee is proving unsuccessful and I daresay potentially hazardous to the club's reputation and our members' peace of mind.

I thank those of you who put my name forward for this esteemed position, however as you know I am seldom in the country and would not be able to do the job justice. I am, however, delighted to inform you all that our very own Viscount Templemore - who many of you will know as Lieutenant General Lord Templemore - has returned to our green and pleasant shores, and has graciously agreed to assist us in this capacity. As many of you know, among his prodigious list of accolades, dear Nigel was formerly British Ambassador to Russia, and has for the past 10 years graciously filled the position of Viceroy of India. As such he is of a splendid disposition to bring order to the chaos that has so recently engulfed our festivities.

An effulgent welcome to you, dear Nigel!

With warm regards,

Merry