The M u tha i g a Country Club M agazi n e
October – December 2018
The M u t hai ga C oun t ry C l u b M ag az i n e
Front Cover MCC War Memorial 100 years after the end of the Great War, MCC will be hosting numerous events to remember and honour those who fell in the conflict in East Africa and to celebrate the Armistice. (Pages 22 & 23) pages 14 & 15
C o nt e nts
October – December 2018
page 25
page 1
Letter from the Chairman
page 2
Letter from the Secretary
page 3
Membership Matters
page 4
Balloting Report
page 5
Roving Eye
page 6 House Wines & Messing page 7
Staff News
page 6
page 9 Events page 11
Forthcoming Events Chart
page 12 Bird Quiz page 13 Muthaiga Sports Round-Up page 14 Muthaiga Club Soirée page 16 Members’ Achievements page 13 page 10
page 18 Opera & Ballet page 19 Library Book Reviews page 20 Book Launches page 22 WWI East Africa – 100 Years On page 24 Hatches & Matches page 26 Muthaiga Christmas Draw 2018 page 27 Obituaries
page 19
page 16
The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine is published by MCC for Members Editor - Yoyo Volak Magazine Production - Matthew Rudd, Lucy Muregi, Mercy Wanyeri, Diana Waithaka, Eunice Mulwa, Yvonne Magambo. Shumy Ahmed, Vincent Ford, Martin Musyoka Contributors - Stephen Mills, Julia Lawrence, Peter Usher, Edita Camm, Patrick Walker, Michael Turner. Design & Layout by Shelleys the Printers Printed by Graphite Lounge
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
www.mcc.co.ke
Letter from the Chairman Letter from the Chairman Let ter from the Chairman
Dear Members, Welcome to our second Newsletter of 2017. Welcome to of our Newsletter of 2017. Welcome to another edition oursecond Magazine, this one leading to the AGM on 8 November and We concluded the selection of our next Club Secretary late last year the inevitable passing away of another year. We concluded the selection of our next Club Secretary late last year but could not announce it until all the formalities were completed. It but could not announce it until all the formalities were completed. It privilege of being Chairman thepleasure page 17 It’s been five years since I assumed the roller coastingis therefore withthe great reliefofand that we welcome Rupert is therefore with great relief and pleasure that we welcome Rupert Club. As a child of the shortwave radio generation, I Elliot still can’t resist tuning into the World to Muthaiga and to the leadership of our Management Team. to Muthaiga and to thenever leadership of our Management Team. Service of thatElliot much maligned but still reliable, say die Corporation. The World service Rupert is a seasoned hotelier with still an eye and welcome understa y for quality q told us recentlyRupert that roller has longevity side effects news isunderstanding news, I believed story. The is acoasting seasoned hotelierenhancing with an eye quality and fake welcome of the financial y for q and since results.that Hethe is therefore Club an n live eexcellent xcefor elle200 nt ffind iyears nd tto o already ttake ake tthe he C lu forward in pursu BBC also reported recently, with the utmost confidence, is results. He isand therefore Club in pursuit of theborn! excellence an n eexcellent xce ellent ffind ind tto o ttake akfirst e tthe hhuman eC lu toforward that you as Members Club. Muthaiga diverse errs rrequire equire off oour ur C lu ub. M uth haiga hass a d iver Members that you as Members Club. Muthaiga diverse and wetaken mustthe errs rrequire equmight ire offextend oour ur C lu ubmany .M uaches th haigand a has sad imoments ver Membership Fearful that a continued roller-coasting role senior for apursuit. have the a common simple might on understanding unders standing g of of that pcentury, ursu uit. IAhave sim mplee oone ne m ight well be have common thatthis pursuit. simple might on understanding undersin standing g of ofand pursu it. A sim mmy plelast e oone ne m iasghChairman t well be:of our beloved Club. It’s been painless decision nota to seek re-election November is, u therefore, letter ‘delivering ability ng to to the th he best best of of our our abi ility every day day and an nd on on every evveryy occasion occcassion - witho w a great honour‘delivering to serve and the ability ever being ng to tIoam th hgrateful e best best of ofor f our othe ur opportunity. abi ility every day day and an nd on on every evveryy occasion occcassion - without w satisfied ed with with ourselves’. ourseelves’. satisfied ewith d with wiMembers th ourselves’. ourseehave lves’been . hugely rewarding, thanks to those of you who have been able to attend. Our monthly lunches Thee Committee Comm mittee and and Officers Officers have have every every confidence confidencee that that we we have haave the Team Team Unfortunately,The it would take lunch started Officers we the Team take us tolasting the e Committee Comm miattlifetime ee and and to Omeet fficeralls have hMembers ave every everover y confidence coanlimited fidence e that thatsetting we have haabut ve hopefully Teamweto tohave next ext level levvel of of our ou ur eternal eteernal pursuit. pu ursuit. friendships that next our ewill xt level lenrich evvel of ofour ou uClub r eternal eteeexperiences. rnal pursuit. pu ursuiMany t. a subject has been tackled at these sessions and the Club is all the better for We gratitude Fritz We owe owmet e tons toobut ns of gramain, titudethe tto oClub F ritzisWalchli W alchliinfor fothe r his hright is stewardship stedirection. wardship off the the Club Club as as it. We may not be able to have all our individual preferences in the headed page 9 We Fritz We owe owe tons toons of gratitude gratitude tto oF ritz Walchli Walchli for for his his stewardship stewardship off the the Club Club as as Interim Inteeri Secretary. Serving Servving for for over ovver nine nine months, months, he he was was capable, capable, sensitive sensitive and and available avaiilable to to Me Me Serving over nine months, was capable, Members. raced Serv ing for fto orfocus ovveron niisnehow mowe ntmanage hs, he he our wasfinances capablegoing , sensitive senforward. sitive and anThe d available avai ilable to toDining Mem mber rs. He One aspect that wevneed traditional Room refuses to pick up around the Club the hee n no upon aro ound th he C lub like th he tteenager eenager h o llonger onger iiss aand nd u pon fi ffinishing nish hing the C on patronage despite The an improved would around the Club the he no upon assignment, he arooundsignificant th he C luefforts b like by th hemanagement. tteenager eenager h en oassumption llonger onger iiss has aand ndbeen u pothat n fi ffinishing nish hing themenu Club as ssigarrest a long-term has been asked by his Doctor to take a good rest! We wish him well and b ee e n ask k e d D o c t o r t o t a k e g o o d r e s t ! W e w i s h h i m and a qu qu trend and, whilst usage a welcome butand it dis aalso maturity hasthis been asked hisissues Doctor good quick the and beeeisnhelping, askked by Doctpersist. or to to take taPinks ke a has gooprovided d rest! rest! We W e wish wish him hbuffer, im well an quapproaching ickk return retu ur to tranquility retirement. Fritz. trranqquiilityy ooff his retire ement. Thank Thank you you F ritz. usage growth rates will tof reduce. tranquility retirement. Fritz. trranq quiistart lityy oof his retire ement. Thank Thank you you F ritz. Based Outreach Based on the the feedback f edback off our fe our ssuccessful uccessful O utreach Day Day in in Nanyuki Nanyuki lastt year, yearr, Our rooms were the the Nairobiof and the alternative to our Based Outreach Day Nanyuki lastt year, Baonce sed on tenvy he feedback fofedback fe f our ouwhilst r ssuccessful ucour cesstranquility ful O utrestill achstands Day in ius n tall, Nanyuki yearrchoices , we we plan pavailable lan n to t repeat the same the social social at at around the sa ame ttime ime ooff tthe he yyear. ear. The The format format will be largely larggely th h Members and the are now providing onlargely refurbishing the rooms, around same format but treciprocating he social social at atguests the sa ame ttime imreal e ooffcompetition. tthe he yyear. ear. The TWe he have formembarked at will be larg gely the th he same bu but the agehopefully there will be more Members supporting the from our Nair h op p efu f u l ly t h ere M e m b e r s s u p p o r t i n g th h e event f fr om r N air old debate between market concern. hopefully will beaccommodation more Members the from hop pefu fully there thand ereMember Memberates, rs ssupporting upremain portina gconstant th he event f om ourr Nairobi fr Nairoobi town toown base. b Given membership, choosing not easy Given the the spread spread of our membersh hip, ch hoosing the next venue was n ot ea asy Given the of our membersh membership, choosing not easy dice with Given the spread sispour readsubscription ip, ch hoosing the venue was n ot ea asy butrates thee in d Another constant concern income.hWe ablenext maintain our subscriptions lineiswith Gilgil Saturday 30toSeptember 2017.. Further will follow Gilgihave l on onnot Saatbeen urday Further details f llow in fo n the the co inflation and there need streamline the process of subscription thesein arethe adjusted and Gilgil Saturday 30 September 2017. detailsCurrently will follow coming months buthave Gilgiisl aon on Saattourday . Further Furtherreviews. f llow fo n the comiiat ngthe mAGMs o please date weMembership. look forward as amany Members pleeasse save samiddle ve the th heground date and f rward fo d to tshall o welcoming Meemberrs aass often fallen victim to insufficient attention from the balanced of our We be proposing long-term please possible pleeasse save save the th he date date and we look forward f rward fo d to to welcoming as many Members Meemberrs aass p ossibble from Rift Valley, Western Kenya and of course Members from coun V a l l ey, W We stern n K enya M e m b ers f fr om other parts ooff tthe he co oun n solution to theValley, thestern November AGM andofrequest Members support the Committee proposals. and coursethat Members country are Vissue alley,at Western W We n Kenya Kenya M embers fr ffrom om other parts ooff tthe he co oun ntry ar re very welcome. welcome. welcome. weatlcome. The Committee Muthaiga is an institution that works unbelievably well considering its stance of feet in the past and head in the The The Security project proj o ecct is is approaching approoaching conclusion conclusion as as reported reported d on on page 5. The page 16 There The future. is ha elight-hearted approach underscores serious duty. for long periods just for the love Security project approaching pageserve 5. There have been T proj o ecct is is that appro oaching conclusion caon clusiodedication n as as reported repotorted d on onMany eh necessary inconveniences which weeand ceessary inconvenienc ces to to Members Mtoem m berforward s ffor or w hicserve hw aapologise poenrich logisetheand thank yyo o of the Club. I necessary have my time at Committee more come which we ceeenjoyed ssary inconveniences inconvenienc ces to to Members Mand em mbwould ers ffor oencourage rw hich w e aapologise pMembers ologise and thank yyou ou to ffor your forbearance. Concurrent with the project has been a very deliberate re-foc ea a r a n ce. Concu u rrent wi i t h t h e p r o j e c t h a s b e e n v ery re-f f o c diversity of ourforbearance. Club Concurrent eaaexperience. rance. Concu urrent with wiith the the project project has has been been a very very deliberate re-focus re-ffocu of attention to the Clubb grounds, which grounds, w hich are looking magnificent magniificent despite despitte the the delayed delayeed rains rai Clubbisgrounds, which magnificent despite the Ouryear following the gin roits unds, hichJulian are looking magni iSandra ficent are despit tegracious the delayed delaye edinrains. raKilifi i this Our Outreachthe Program thirdw year. Cordingley and our hosts congratulations who passion tiions tto o the sstaff taff w ho cclearly learlyy have a p asssion ffor or ttheir heir eemploy. mplo who passion ions tto o the sstaff tafin fw ho cclearly learly haveand ap asssioCoulson n ffor or ttheir hineir eemploy. mp loyear. The programme has become tradition set bycongratulations Adrian andtiVickie Luckhurst Nanyuki in y2016 Mary Gilgil last At out thetoAGM last the need t November, NovembMembers er, we discussed discu utake sseedthe thetime need d for f r some fo som me form form of an end well received by to travel Atthe theMember AGM communities lastt November, wereach discussed the for of an endowment trustto the events. Novemthat ber,we discu usseedand thebyneed nthe eed dNairobi f r some fo som me form formwho dedicated to the longterm Club terrm sustainability sustainability of our C lub aand nd oour heritage. Som dedicated to the longterm our C Club Somewith further work isbut in also terrmof sustainability sour ustamanagement inability ofand lwho ub aand ndonly oour heritage. I leave the Chair with grateful appreciation not progress withstaff assistance fromsetRoger Oliver Fowler and the Of RMuthaiga oger Bebbington, Bebapart bingtontheir O service, progress with assistance from Roger Bebbington, Oliver Fowler and the Officers of the Club R o g e r B e b b i n g t o n O with their friendship to Members. and we hope to see the project take off before the end of the year. Once aga and we hope to see the project take off before the end of the year. Once again, Members are to consider appropriate gifts to the Club even as w Thank you all for your support of Muthaiga and best encouraged wishes for the holiday seasonbequeathing and the years ahead. encouraged to consider bequeathing appropriate gifts to the Club even as we prepare suitable legal structures to hold the assets and/or interests thereof. And Members’ v legal structures to hold the assets and/or interests thereof. And Members’ views and experiences on similar endeavours are always very welcome. page 12 experiences on similar endeavours are always very welcome. Dear MembersDear Members,
ce Mulwa,
tchell
Ngugi Chairman N ug Ng u i Kiuna, K una, MCC C Ki www.mcc.co.ke www.mcc.co.ke
www.mcc.co.ke
Ngugi N Ng u i Kiuna, ug K una, MCC C Ki Chairman
October–December April– June2018 2017 Muthaiga Muthaiga Country Country Club Club
April– June 2017
11
From the Secretary Too much beef in my Wellington and the Marmite shortage bites. The HLMs have been quite quiet this quarter (maybe they have been away) and aside from our progress on the new Afternoon Tea offering being too slow and of course the Snooker Table scandal, you seem to be quite a happy bunch. I was asked whose idea it was to move the Snooker From the Secreta r y table to the Drawing Room. I shall never tell. We do, as a team, listen to you though and the table has been moved out. I I am delighted to announce the look forward to seeing the room being used by all those who were so distraught at its conversion. One reported appointment of Rupert Elliott as the new case of depression should now see the clouds part and sunover begin Club Secretary taking fromto ourshine once more. interim secretary Fritz Walchli. Rupert's permit has finally been approved and he On that note, it is great to see the peculiar weather end and the sun return after so long. Pinks has returned to will take up his post with immediate effect. its usual frenetic activity made even busier by Chef’sRupert new toTandoor In welcoming the Club Iovens, would and we’ve got Tapas coming soon too! like to thank Fritz for all he has done in his interim role where his steady hand guided Summer warmth sees the return of Sunday supper in the Main Dining Room with an alternating Live Cooking an excellent performance with both cash Out-going Walchli with some of the Station and Steak & Salad Menu. Jacketsand tooquality are now weSecretary areFritzstill resisting aboveoptional budget. for gentlemen although MCC Staff at his leaving party. The staff presented him trainers, jeans, t-shirts etc., however ‘de Rupert rigeur’ Elliot they may be. to us from the Capital Club with a splendid cake and a carved wooden elephant. has moved Nairobi and prior to that was running a large 4-Star Hotel in Botswana. He has an excellent track record in Our new financial year kicked off on 1 July and we squeaked ahead overall though our bedroom sales remain delivering quality and financial results and was formally depressed as reflected in the city. As I type, weinare buffing andmarket tweaking our new rooms andinare looking trained London’s 5-Star with international experience France, Bahrain and Africa. Hisdelivery commercial experience UK forward with great excitement to opening them. Inevitably some dates have includes been missed and promises country houses of excellence. broken but overall they are spanking! Rupert is joined by his fiancée Heidi. It is an exciting time with many new challenges and projects and I hope Club Night, Club Night, Club Night! – on lastme Friday of every month wethe invite youoftogood come to the Popsy you the will join in wishing our new Secretary very best Bar from 6pm where we delight you withfortune. some delicious nibbles and bitings, compliments of Chef Joseph,
coupled with an astounding 50% off our already modest drinks prices. In August, Chef Joseph set up a Live Cooking Station and treated us to a taster of his soon-to-be launched Tapas menu. I urge you to put this day in your diary and come, with friends, to this increasingly popular and fun event. Bimb Theobald, Chairman of Committees On the topic of events even the Luddites amongst the Committee have managed to download and use the I am thrilledof to take over as Secretary of Muthaiga Country Club, Muthaiga App. Please try it. You get notifications forthcoming events and can sign up at and the swipe of a delighted to join a team of like-minded professionals and enthusiasts finger. I hear all the time from you that you missed that email or this poster; this will help. Available on Google who, together, strive to ensure Members can take pride in their Club. Play or Apple App Stores. My last job was with an excellent club in Nairobi and before that I ran a prestigious hotel in Botswana. I firmly believe that Muthaiga is one of the brightest stars across Africa in the hospitality sector, and to after Please support our next visiting chef, a Michelin starred Englishman, Leo Katou. HeI look willforward be here exploring ways to keep enhancing this historic place for the benefit of all Christmas. Members, whether they joined long ago or more recently. I am very grateful to Members and Staff alike who have already made me feelmag so welcome. My door is always open and I will welcome your feedback Apologies, as usual, to those who find the too long! and suggestions. I am excited to get to work on the next stage of the Club's evolution, while ensuring that we preserve the values and traditions that Until the next time. make this Club such a great one.
Rupert Elliot, Club Secretary
Rupert Elliott, Club Secretary
2 Muthaiga Country Club April–June 2017
2
Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2018
www.mcc.co.ke
www.mcc.co.ke
MEMBERSHIP M AT T E R S With winding down a communications thisround page is devoted to being more the third year of this quarterly rag with many of Plus çathechange, plusofc’est la même committee, chose. We off, incredibly, of an opinion page, where prevailing moods and sentiments of Members on current Club theissues, same brickbats and compliments as we first received, 16 what’s issues expressed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, we want to know on ago. One thing is crystal clear: everyone wants the your mind, and moved will alwaysback welcome snooker table toyour thefeedback. snooker room. And another thing: no one likes the security system. Apart from that (Mrs Lincoln), the play goes on…
JUNIOR FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
TEA COSIES
Pinks at Sir, I recently discovered to my horror that I had completely failed to register children who have now reached the RE CE NTLY, A D E C Imy S I O two N WA S M A DE TO O O F F E Rages BRE A S T O10. NLY AT P INashamed KS… great ofK FA 9 and I am to say that I have been bringing them to the Club without ever thinking they might
Breakfast at Pinks only is a mistake. Do away with need a membership orasthat I should have paying a the chafing dishes and cookcard, to order it used M Obeen R E G EN ER AL LY to be. TP small monthly subscription for them as members of my family.
Hurrah for the new tea cosies! What a difference it makes to having a lovely, leisurely cup of hot Kenya tea rather than having to drink it down in haste before it becomes cold and unpalatable. And I love the striped MCC livery. A great idea! GSV THE RACE CARD
Germanexpect sausage has not seen Germany I will pass by to drop off their forms and will Your naturally Appalled by people’s behaviour at Pinks, and and the saurecraut [sic] was not cooked. It to see theirtosubscriptions on there… my monthly statement. disappointed have to have breakfast I am cars ahead of us with Europeans were allowed in tasted ok asII hope was very hungry. Three PE an overseas Member and come to the Club for the I will not be penalised for this oversight, but do urge you to with very little fuss. My guest was kept there for ages and Club, not to come to an average hotel. FP Whychildren is it that there ice-creams advise all Members of the need to register their as are never any finally they lost his ID. Surely the Club can’t still be in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk. RH While I agree with the economic reasonsasfor having Junior Members of the Club soon as they turn seven. I am racist!! GD only one venue for breakfast, I do not agree with surely not the only person to have neglected to do so! Not the place it used to be. WR the argument that economy alone justifies [Ed: Er, far be it from me, but that sounds like a non dispensing Sincerelywith LObreakfast in the old restaurant in a sequitur.] child-free environment. RS There are only three things wrong with Pinks: 1. Service. 2. Service. 3. Service. DN [Ed: Er, all Members, please take note!] No waiters, tables not laid, multiple trips required, AND BACK TO FAMILY MEMBERSHIP no logic to layout, food in chafing dishes cold, table not cleared AND as food finished, coffee SERVICE STANDARDS disgusting.AB
It is ridiculous that a fellow or female cannot bring his or spouse to the Club more than six times in a year, if the Not a drop of hot water in Mil Wing. Only a B UT IT WAS N ’ T AL L B A Dher … other half is not a Member. A spouse must be a Member! dribble of cold water. Our guest had to wash What happened to family values? What’s all this politically Thank you to the team for a wonderful Red her hair in the hand basin. Dinner at Pinks last Room dinner… It made for a special evening and correct nonsense about equal values requiring equal night was unusually second rate. Shame. ST a great meal. DB subscriptions? And all because spouses can vote?! Bring back Family Memberships! A married couple should Slow services more than 45 min for two burgers. BS www.mcc.co.ke April– June 2017 Muthaiga Country Club 3 have a discounted Entrance Fee, and families should Cottage No 1: disgusting smell of damp carpet and goodness pay structured subscriptions. Please stop backwardknows what else. Shower water obviously permeates the wall looking bean-counters from to singles bedroom. Signs of damp on most walls. Smell never providing a vision for the disappeared. Huge renovation needed. AM future of the Club! RM
Photo Caption Competition The best caption for this photo of the Disabled Parking lots in the Club carpark wins dinner for two in the Main Dining Room, with a bottle of wine. www.mcc.co.ke
Winner of last month’s Photo Caption Competition was Neville Warren.
“He’s no baby and that’s not bathwater. So just pull the plug!”
July–September 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
3
dly, forthright ss her.
’d like to begin ut the waiting list bers. It is long. ct to wait at least eing proposed attend a balloting en wait a further eir names are bers.
Candidates when they are posted on the Board and, if there is the slightest doubt about their ‘clubbability’, to voice any concerns to the Secretary. All objections are treated with the strictest confidence, and are followed up diligently. We really do want to ensure the selection bar for prospective Members is maintained at a very high level. Over
balloting c ommittee
note is that there mbers are o use their ndidates move up However friendly ght be with the nyone else
hat we hope will ct a better turnout
, we are making on our security o complete in early The library project and we hope to e next AGM later it
o complete the is quarter, which a state-of-the-art
f work in progress ires and r diverse ns paramount and n our ability to
Gidoomal VVijay ij Gid
hairman House & Finance
ALL LL gates along Muthaiga Road are n now will now not be shown on the card. It valid ID on them closed osed to allow for f r the construction and fo a will be the responsibility of the in-house Specified as Ken installation Cards or passpo nstallation of the new security Security Database to advise Members 5requirements. The O NLY N LY entrance expired and the years hence, that a new card and photo available to Members and guests is along is required. the old ID with r Serengeti Avenue. It is anticipated that will be acceptabl C A R D S F O R A I D E S / AYA H S this work will be completed by early May Members. The Balloting Committee concluded a three-minute A Nhas D OT H E R S TA Fthat F P H OTO G R A P 2017.
to you, dear speed-dating session with candidates for MembershipThis is insufficiently long ascertain was a cause concern due to to the high Photos cannot b Once the Main Gate is operational from of staff andathat cardsrigorous might obvious security whether or not buttermid-May, melts in So we intendturnover to implement more the mouths. Serengeti Avenue not be recoverable. It will be the entrance will become by a Members’ Only assessment of potential ‘clubability’, handing responsibility to a broader range of OLD MEMBER Member’s responsibility to advise the entry and exit point. Members with Once the new sy Members. Club on the termination of employment guests will have to enter and exit from
for those with ol of those who hold Club aides’ or ayahs’ (staff) cards. Once advised, the in-house will be allowed. We plan to have thewill newbe security regime soon, Candidates’ names posted on the Board for two months. This isAnthe Access card w Security Database will ensure that these operational by the middlefor of May. New and you can then members of Club. staff can no longer be there has first glimpse that Members will have of those being proposed membership of the Assuming Generation Cards will be available or apply for a ne admitted. been no objection during this time, Candidates then be asked to forward-pay their Entrance fee and to pay a towardswill the end of April and Members EDESTRIAN willMembers’ be advised when they are ready forthey Iwill S S U EbeOgiven F A D DaI T I O N A L C A Rcard, D S Pand monthly Facilities fee (set at the same rate as subscriptions); Candidate’s collection. The only pedestr A few Members enquired if additional will be allowed to use all the facilities of the Club. on Muthaiga Ro There was a wholesome amount of cards could be issued to them. As this is where a card-op feedback from Members in February in a security regime, this will not be As Candidates, clearly they will not be allowed to invite guests Club, nor will they be able to make use in ofservice. response to the New Card to andthe Entry possible. regime. Here we However, have highlighted Muthaiga’s reciprocal arrangements with other Clubs. theythewill beI Drequired to use the Main Dining ENTRANCE T main areas of concern with our A N D B OW L S Room for lunch or dinner at least twice during their candidacy, to use Pinks at least three times, again for responses to them. The requirement for guests to show A card-operated lunch or dinner, and to attend at least one Club event. They will need to settle theirofaccounts andsituated at the en some form ID on entrypromptly, was a C A R D E X P I RY DAT E concern. Aside from the Club’s security demonstrate to Members and Staff that they are indeed ‘clubable’. bowls facilities. This was by far the main bone of requirements, it is the law in Kenya that When the new sy contention, but we can advise that this ALL persons in the country M UST carry May everything w During the time that candidates are allowed to use the Club, it will be incumbent upon Proposers and Seconders smooth, fast and to ensure that their proposed candidates are endorsed by six Members of the Club (other than relatives of theClub for Membe Initially, Senior candidate), two members of the Main Committee, and by three members of the Balloting Committee – that’s “ I can by complete the the Main Entry g project under budget Matthew Rudd Starting Chairman Balloting Committee
the Main Gate.
eleven different Members in all. A special signature booklet for endorsements will be made available for this Members holdin and ahead of schedule, purpose, and members of Main and Balloting will be available on the first Monday evening of every month and Club MU S T sup but you’ll need to on Club Nights, to meet candidates in an informal setting. of guests to the R allocate additional time and money fo that.”
advance of the fu facilitate their ea thought Club.
This does put a greater burden on Proposers and Seconders, but the aim is to ensure that candidates are to be worth the effort, rather than proposed for the fun of it. Also, in the event that a candidate might run-up a happy to We are under budget fo bill which remains unsettled, the Proposer and Seconder will become liable for that bill.
“ The identity I stole was a fake! Tony Clegg-Butt ” the Board and You justthe can’t trust days!off Chairman Security C The process is likely to take approximately three months from time thatpeople namesthese have come
pre-payment Entrance Fees have been received. If at any time objections are received by the Club Secretary, then www.mcc.co.ke www.mcc.co.ke these will be investigated in strictest confidence and appropriate action taken. If a candidate is considered toApril– be June 2017 Mut ‘UTS’ (Unlikely To Succeed in the event of a ballot), then the candidacy will be withdrawn and the person will no longer be eligible to use the Club. The pre-paid Entrance Fee will be refunded in full (less any outstanding bills that are due), and the candidate cannot be proposed for Membership again for a period of at least three years. The normal sanction will apply to Proposers and Seconders, that they may not propose another candidate for two years. If, having tried out the Club for a few months, a candidate decides that he/ she no longer wishes to join the Club, then their pre-paid Entrance Fee will be refunded, less a 20% administration fee and any outstanding bills that may be due. We think this new system is worth a try. It will, in time, reduce the waiting list of potential Members and it should certainly make for a more rigorous assessment of Candidates who, after all, will be helping determine the direction of the Club in future years. We look forward to your active participation and feedback. Matthew Rudd Chairman Balloting Committee 4
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
www.mcc.co.ke
roving eye
Eye-phone
Eye-peace
Scene in the Popsy Bar (which hasn’t been repainted yet, so it still has a name rather than a colour). Egg One sits, calmly tapping away at its mobile phone. Egg Two, irritated, leans across to ask, “Excuse me, but do you think the rule about use of phones in the main areas of the Club is a good one?” “Yes, I do.” And Egg One returns to sending messages on his phone. There’s a pause, as Egg Two waits for wind to fill his sails again… “Well then, don’t you think you should turn it off and put it away?” Egg One, looks up, blithely. “No. I know it’s wrong. I should be fined. The Club should fine me.” And continues tapping away at its phone. Eye’s monocle pops clean out of its socket.
Peace in our time! Eye is pleased to announce a cessation of hostilities. The news is – all right then, it’s still only a rumour – that a white flag has been raised. The bloody billiards table is going home! Members who remember where its natural resting place lay, may now play snooker in blissful peace and quiet, undisturbed by other Members who in turn may now raise a glass of port as they warm backsides by the fireplace, toasting the fact there’s no longer any danger of a back-swinging cue to the, um, Eye.
Eye-yapo That’s how the Greek word for love was pronounced by a Germanspeaking Burundian, who sang like a canary, accompanied by a delectable Scot playing beautifully on the piano. What an evening! Early 19th century love songs, in four different languages, performed by supremely talented musicians, made for a superb evening. Sometimes, Eye’s cup overflows…
Eye-poplexy It is extraordinary how some perfectly able-bodied Members are unable to distinguish a disabled parking sign. Eye supposes thoughtlessness is a form of disability. But the signs are there to allow the less able-bodied to have easier access to the Club, and Eye finds it remarkable how many Members screech their cavernous 4x4s into the wider parking slots and leap out, importantly. This is where the charade becomes quite funny, as the insouciant member (note deliberate use of small em) tries to show it’s in a tearing hurry, far too busy and important to notice the disabled parking signs. When spotted, it flaps a paw to suggest it’s quickly rushing off again. Of course, once in the Club, the warthog trot becomes a serpentine slither towards the relaxed interior of the Club. Eye asks you, what kind of a beast is that?
COMPETITION Question: Who are these characters? Where was the photo taken and on what occasion?
Prize: The first correct entry
that we receive will win dinner for two with a bottle of House Wine in either Pinks or the Club Dining Room. Please send your answers to communications@mcc.co.ke www.mcc.co.ke
Answer to our July – September Competition QUESTION: What is this, who used it, and when? ANSWER: This is the Governor’s Coach of the Uganda Railway. The Prince of Wales travelled in it on his official visit to the Colony in 1928. WINNER: Graham Roberts
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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hou se wines & mes sing
Visiting Chef Jordane Jacoby Sous Chef from the Le Sud Gastromomic Restaurant in Luxemburg Jordane Jacoby delighted MCC Members and friends cooking up a week of delicious French cuisine when he visited the Club in July. Jordane served up a mouth-watering selection of his own traditional French culinary specialities to almost 450 delighted diners and passed on a few gastronomic tips to the Club catering staff.
Bellingham Wine Pairing Dinner Brand Custodian of Bellingham Wines Dimitri Lingris hosted an intoxicating evening of wine pairing together with a sumptuous 6-course dinner courtesy of the Club. With over ten years in the wine industry and qualifications from the Cape Wine Academy and the Wine Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Dimitri enlightened the delighted diners in the art of wine pairing. Dimitri is pictured here with Pia Vraalsen who he presented with a celebratory bottle of Bellingham wine for winning the Lucky Draw.
Jordane is pictured above with his girlfriend Mégane and MCC Executive Chef Joseph Macharia.
Wines & Messing Bulletin AGM 2018 The Committee will be holding the 2018 Annual General Meeting on 08 November, in the Ballroom at 6.30pm. All Members are encouraged to attend and the Committee looks forward to seeing many of you there.
NEW TANDOORI MENU AT PINKS To go with our spanking new toy - the Tandoor Oven – we have introduced a spicy selection of sizzling Indian dishes on our new Tandoori menu, for your enjoyment at Pinks.
CLUB DINING ROOM HAS RE-OPENED FOR SUNDAY DINNER The Club Dining Room is open once again for dinner. The Ballroom will still remain open for Sunday Curry Lunches.
THE AFTERNOON TEA BUFFET HAS BEEN RE-INSTATED Everyday from 3pm – 6pm in the Garden Room.
VENETIAN NOVEMBER There will be a Venetian theme running throughout the month of November at the Club when many of our regular events will have a Venetian flavour including the menus. So dig out your carnival masks and tunics and enjoy a month of Venetian culture (see Edita’s Programme Page 22 for details)
*The ‘Jackets’ rule for gentlemen in the Club Dining Room will be relaxed in the warm weather.
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Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
www.mcc.co.ke
staff news
Retirees Julius Ngarega Kang`eri Kitchen Steward Julius was hired in 1991 as Kitchen Hand/Cleaner, a position he has maintained to date. He will retire having dedicated 27 years of service to the Club.
Laban Wachira Ndirangu Cashbook Accountant Laban was employed by the Club in 1989 as a Telephonist. He has worked in various departments including F&B, Front Office and Reception. He is currently working in the Accounts Department. He retires after 29 years of service. James Muriithi Kiaha Painter James was employed in 1994 as a Painter, a position he has maintained to date. He has worked diligently in the maintenance department for 24 years.
Joash Anduvate Lugadiru Chief Steward Joash was hired in 2003 as a Kitchen Hand/Steward and rose through the ranks to his current position, Chief Steward. He is in charge of maintaining pristine hygienic standards in all kitchens. He retires after 15 years of service.
Employees of the Month From left - Gregory Mumo – Waiter, Club House & Sophia Karwitha – Cleaner, Fitness Center (June). Geoffrey Ouko – Cleaner, Housekeeping & Shairi Yussuf – Dawa Man, Pinks Restaurant (July). Asminy Wafula - Chef de Partie, Main Kitchen.
All the candidates were proposed for their dedication to their duties and their cheerful teamwork.
Congratulations to Club Dining Waiter Elkana Makau (right) who married Joyce Nduku in July in Machakos County.
& Pinks Mixologist Mwanapili Mohammed who married Abdullahi Leshan also in July in Nairobi. www.mcc.co.ke
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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events
An Acoustic Musical Journey with June Gachui The highly talented June Gachui gave Members a rare treat when she performed at the Club recently, taking them on an acoustic musical journey, singing a mixture of traditional folk songs, R&B and ballads. She is pictured here with one lucky member of the audience whom she presented with her latest CD for her birthday.
MCC Film-Making Camp All the aspiring young film-makers who attended the 10-day Film Camp during the summer holidays enjoyed a fun hands-on experience learning how film production works. Coached by Jean Akinyi, a specialist in directing and writing screenplays for film and stage from Magma Productions, the children had an exciting time learning the art of scriptwriting, acting, shooting, editing and all the other behind-the-scenes magic that happens in film production. The Camp team produced and shot a five-minute film, which they screened for family and friends at the end of the course. Jean is pictured here with her budding film protégés.
The Crocodile Crew Jamie Manuel lives for the wilds of Africa. Inspired by the tales of George Adamson, Samuel Baker and Livingstone himself, he and his writer sister Hollie published a set of river and bush tales entitled ‘Where Crocodiles Roam’ in paperback, e-version and audio book. They recently gave a fascinating ‘How To’ Talk at the Club with George Gasston, using their book to explain the writing and selling process of book publication and the recording of audio books to demonstrate the endless possibilities open to aspiring storytellers.
MCC Book Club
The ‘Crocodile Crew’ is pictured here with George Gasston (left) Hollie and Jamie Manuel. 8
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
The MCC Book Club has been enjoying reading a wealth of local literature. Last month, after reading the novel ‘Who Will Catch Us As We Fall?’ by Kenyan author Iman Verjee, Book Club members enjoyed a lively discussion of the book with the author herself pictured here with members of the Book Club (fourth from right.)
The next book on the Book Club reading list will be ‘The Eyes That Look’ by Julia Grigg (aka MCC Member Julia Spry-Leverton) and will meet to discuss it on 30 October, with Julia, in the Blue Room at 6.00pm. (See page 20 for a review of Julia’s book.) All Members are most welcome to join. www.mcc.co.ke
events
Centenary Poppy Ball
Guy Fawkes Night
Friday 9th November
Saturday 3 November
7.30pm – Dawn
6.00pm at the Tennis Courts
100 years after the end of the Great War Muthaiga Club will be hosting the British Legion of Kenya Poppy Ball to celebrate the ceasefire.
MCC will be putting on a
This hugely popular annual event is always a glittering occasion with medals and uniforms in abundance. It also raises much-needed funds for the annual Askari and British Legion Kenya Appeals. Members and friends are cordially invited to the Poppy Ball where they will be treated to a sumptuous four-course dinner, Live Band, Raffle and dancing ‘til dawn. Breakfast will be served at 2am. We look forward to seeing many of you there. Tables can be booked through events@mcc.co.ke
Subira
Wednesday 28 November, 6.30pm MCC Member Sippy Chadha has written and directed many award winning films such as Kibera Kid, which won 8 awards and an Emmy (2008) but Subira is Sippy’s first feature film and it has already won 15 international awards and was screened at Cannes this year. Subira tells the story of a free-spirited young girl in Lamu who struggles to live out her dream of swimming in the ocean, against local customs and an arranged upper class marriage. Does she have the courage to take her dream on, against all odds? MCC Members and friends are invited to an exclusive screening of Subira at the Club where Sippy and members of the cast will be present to chat and answer questions after the film.
Pinks Venetian Film Nights
Spectacular Firework Display and Big Bonfire With Bar and sizzling BBQ Dinner Snacks & Ice Cream Parlour There will be entertainment for Children and they are encouraged to bring their Guy to throw on the bonfire. There will be a fantastic prize for the best Guy Fawkes (look out for more details.)
MCC Classic Car Show Sunday 18 November
MCC will be hosting an Exhibition of Classic and Vintage cars. All Members are welcome to come and view the style, class and luxury of a past age in motor travel. Members and friends who would like to exhibit their Classic and Vintage vehicles on the day should sign up with the Events Desk events@mcc.co.ke
Following the Venetian theme in November Barrie Thomas will be presenting two entertaining films set in Venice for Pinks Film Night in the Mkutano Room.
‘Io Don Giovanni’ - Saturday 3 November
‘Bread & Tulips’ - Saturday 17 November
Based on the colorful life of Venetian Lorenzo da Ponte, poet and librettist and his meeting with the composer Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart.
A charming romantic comedy/drama about a housewife who, while travelling on a holiday coach with her family, is left behind at a petrol station ...near Venice.
www.mcc.co.ke
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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events
LEST WE FORGET Saturday 10th November 2018 Ballroom - 7pm Davina Leonard & John Sibi-Okumu
will be presenting an evening of Poetry and Prose with Dinner to commemorate the Centenary of the end of The Great War, with a focus on the East African campaign.
Live Violin Recital
Maestro Francesco D’Orazio 16 November 2018 The great Maestro Violinist Francesco D’Orazio will be performing Live at MCC in November. Francesco’s large repertoire includes classic, romantic and contemporary music and, as the highlight of our Venetian events programme, he will be treating us to a selection of works by his favourite Venetian composers. Nominated “Best Soloist” of the year by the Italian National Music Critics Association in 2010, Francesco has performed in concerts all over the world and he will be playing at MCC on 16 November, courtesy of the Italian Cultural Institute, as the highlight of the Venetian Programme running throughout November.
Christmas Street Market & Carol Service 16 December 2018 3 - 9pm From 3pm until 9pm on 16 December MCC will be holding a Christmas Market on the Centenary Lawn. Members, friends and children can come and stock up on some delicious home produce ready for Christmas and, at the same time, enjoy a happy festive social evening with mulled wine, mince pies, hot chocolate and Christmas carols. At 7pm MCC will hold the annual Christmas Carol Concert so those who feel so inclined can go and sing to the glory of Yule Tide and then come back for more mulled wine and Christmas delights afterwards. Children welcome. Anyone who would like to reserve a stall for their homegrown, home-made produce (Christmas cakes & Puddings, Mince pies, tree decorations, Christmas wreaths, honey, Christmas crackers, chocolates, etc) should contact the Events Desk events@mcc.co.ke
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Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
MCC and the British Legion of Kenya will be holding a Remembrance Service on Saturday 10 November 2018 to mark the end of the Great War a Century ago. Members and friends are warmly invited to come and support this historic occasion, 100 years after the signing of the ceasefire, and to remember the Fallen of the Great War in East Africa and all other conflicts since. Colonel Nick Wood, Commander of the British Army Training Unit Kenya and Padre Nigel Kinsella will officiate. We look forward to seeing many uniforms and campaign medals. There will be refreshments, compliments of the Club, after the Service.
The MCC and British Legion of Kenya Remembrance Service
will be held on Saturday 10 November 2018 from 10.15am at the MCC War Memorial.
Kiddies’ Christmas Party
Saturday 15 December 2018 Pinks Lawn from 12 noon Bring your children to a wonderful family-friendly Christmas Party with great entertainment for kiddies and a delicious buffet for everyone. All good Girls and Boys will receive a present from Father Christmas himself who will arrive from Lapland and land at the Tennis Courts at 3.00pm. Parents are encouraged to bring gifts for their children (not in excess of Ksh 5,000/- in value please) and leave them at the Front Office clearly marked with your child’s name and age.)
www.mcc.co.ke
forthcoming events
Fo r t h c o m i ng E v e n t s Ballet Night –‘La Traviata’ & ‘Carmen’ (Double Bill)
3 October, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Kilifi Pre-Party – with Limericks Band
4 October, Pinks, 7.30pm onwards
Dinner Dance – Noel Nderitu Guitarist and singer
5 October, CDR, 7.30pm
Chairman’s Outreach Luncheon
6 October, Kilifi, 12.30pm
Book Signing – ‘Warrior Boy’ by Virginia Larby
11 October, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Guest Speaker – Abyssinia by Dennis Leete
12 October, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Magical Musical Movies – ‘Brigadoon’
18 October, Garden Room, 2.30pm
Tennis Tournament – “Cup of Nations”
21 October, Tennis Courts, 9.00am
Book Launch – ‘Kenya: Through the Eyes of My Father’ by Salim Amin
24 October, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Opera Night – Otello
25 October, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks)
26 October, Popsy Bar, from 5.30 – 7.30pm
Pinks Film Night - 'Cider with Rosie'
27 October, Mkutano Room, 6.30pm
MCC Book Club Meeting – ‘The Eyes That Look’ by Julia Grigg
31 October, Blue Room, 6.00pm
NOVEMBER 2018 – dedicated to Venice Live Concert – Nairobi String Quartet playing works by Venetian Composers
2 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Pinks Film Night – ‘Io Don Giovanni’
3 November, Mkutano Room, 6.30pm
Guy Fawkes Night – Fireworks, Bonfire and BBQ
3 November, Tennis Courts, 5.30pm
Film Night – Documentaries about Venice (Double Bill)
6 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
AGM
8 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Poppy Ball
9 November, Ballroom, 7.30pm until dawn
Armistice Memorial Service
10 November, MCC War Memorial, 10.15am
Davina Leonard Live – An Evening of War Poetry and Prose
10 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Magical Musical Movies – ‘The Tourist’
14 November, Garden Room, 2.30pm
Film Night – ‘The Merchant of Venice’
14 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Book Launch – ‘The Unsung Heroes’ by Mia Collis & Yoyo Volak for DSWT
15 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Live Violin Recital - Maestro Francesco D’Orazio
16 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Pinks Venetian Film Night – ‘Bread & Tulips’
17 November, Mkutano Room, 6.30pm
KSPCA Ball
17 November, Ballroom, 7.00pm – ‘til dawn..
Tennis Tournament - “Les Oiseaux de Proie” (55+) Mixed Doubles
18 November, Tennis Courts, 9.00am
Classic Car Show
18 November, Chairman’s Lawn, noon onwards
Book Launch – “The Eyes That Look” by Julia Grigg
21 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Young Musicians’ Concert
24 November, Ballroom, 2.30pm – 7.00pm
Opera & Beads - excerpts from ‘Orfeo’ by Claudio Monteverde followed
22 November Ballroom, 6.30pm
by talk ‘Venice the Cradle of Beads’ by Rhodia Mann Film Screening – ‘Subira’ by Sippy Chadha
28 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Film Night – ‘The Honest Courtesan’
29 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks)
30 November, Popsy Bar, from 5.30 – 7.30pm
DECEMBER 2018 Tennis Tournament – Christmas Crackers – Mixed Doubles
2 December, Tennis Courts, 9.00am
Book Signing – ‘Donald’s War’ by Tony Seth-Smith
6 December, MCC War Memorial, 6.30pm
MCC Christmas Draw – Lunch & Mini Draw
8 December, Centenary Lawn, 11.30am
Children’s Christmas Party
13 December, Pinks Lawn, 12 noon
Christmas Carol Service
16 December, Ballroom, 6.30pm
Christmas Street Market
16 December, Centenary Lawn, 4pm – 9pm
Christmas Eve Dinner
24 December, Club Dining Room, 7.30pm
Christmas Day Lunch
25 December, Club Dining Room, 12.30pm
Boxing Day BBQ
26 December, Pinks, 12 noon
Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks)
28 December, Popsy Bar, from 5.30 – 7.30pm
New Year’s Eve Ball
31 December, Club Dining Room & Lawn, 7.30pm until 2019
New Year’s Day Brunch
01 January 2019, Pinks, 11.00am
www.mcc.co.ke
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
Dates and times of events were correct at the time of going to Press. They may change post printing so please check with the Events Office events@mcc.co.ke when making your bookings.
OCTOBER 2018
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bird quiz
Bird’s Eye View Six birds - all from the same family - except one which, although it has a similar name and appearance, is of a completely different species. All are commonly seen in Kenya including Nairobi. 1. Name the odd bird out. 2. One is also known as the “Rain-bird”. Which one and why, and what is its official name? 3. The bird-family gets its name from the call of one of these birds. Which one of the six is that bird and why are we, in Kenya, unlikely to identify the bird from its voice?
Answers on page 29 12
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
www.mcc.co.ke
squash and tennis
SQUASH REPORT 2018 MCC CLOSED SQUASH CHALLENGE CUP The annual MCC Squash Challenge Cup, which boasts an almost unbroken record of play since 1914 when it first began, was won in this 104th year by Squash Club Captain Walter Kuoni. 2018 Challenge Cup Winner Walter Kuoni (right) and Runner-Up Dirk Sickmueller.
Best Upcoming Player
NINA BELL TROPHY Only players who did not reach the semi-final of the Challenge Cup could participate in the Nina Bell Trophy, which was held in August in tandem with the Challenge Cup. The Nina Bell Trophy Final was an electrifying contest thrashed out between Frank Meifels (left) and Kavan Shah and the animated spectators were treated to a closely disputed five-game thriller between the two finalists, but it was the more experienced Frank who claimed the trophy with a 3:2 victory over Kavan, who nevertheless stamped his mark as a very promising player for the future. Walter Kuoni - Squash Captain
TENNIS REPORT Our annual MCC Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Tournament was small this year with only twelve players. Consequently, with six pairs competing on a Round-Robin basis in just one Pool, Clemens Calice and John Syekei were the overall winners followed closely, by Dirk and Megan Sickmueller as runners-up.
Over the last three months Joseph Kariuki has distinguished himself as the most promising MCC Squash Player. In the 2018 Challenge Cup Joseph beat the 2014 Club Champion Spence Dry in a breathtaking fivegame thriller to the delight of all spectators.
Kiddies’ Sports Camp
Once again, entries were right down, for MCC’s U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Tournament, nevertheless, we still continued with only eight players, with one Pool of four pairs. This is really quite surprising and worrying since this time last year, some twenty-eight players entered the very same tournament. Nevertheless, play was very competitive but Rupert McLellan and Aida Kimenia, managed to just get ahead with a final score of 17 points followed very closely by the runners-up, Dirk and Hans Sickmueller, who achieved a score of 16 points. With time to spare at the end we had a round of “Beach Tennis” which involved playing for twenty-one points with four players on each side of the net. This was almost more fun than the tournament! My special thanks go to Omega and his assistants for maintaining the courts to a high standard despite the drop in attendance and also, the MCC catering department for always producing wonderful morning refreshments and bitings for our tournaments. John Goodwin - Tennis Captain www.mcc.co.ke
Over 25 Members’ children signed up for Sports Camp held over two weeks during the school holidays. The children were coached in a variety of sports including tennis, cricket, football, swimming and yoga. Another Sports Camp will start on 29 November. Look out for details.
Forthcoming Tennis Events 21 OCT
“Cup of Nations” Tournament (9am - 12.30pm)
18 NOV
“Les Oiseaux de Proie” (55+) Mixed Doubles (9am - 12.30pm)
“Christmas Crackers” - Mixed Doubles (9am - 12.30pm)
2 DEC
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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MCerCSoiree
Summ 14
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
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October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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members’ ac hievements
Spanish Fashion House Loewe Meets the Mamas of Samburuland When the worst drought in living memory struck Kenya in 1999-2001 the nomadic Samburu people of northern Kenya lost 80 per cent of their cattle, and with it their primary source of livelihood. MCC Member Julia Francombe set up the Ol Malo Trust in order to help this ancient tribe by giving them the means to help themselves through this natural disaster and restore their pride.
the Samburu Trust, which today supports a number of projects in Northern Kenya including wildlife protection, healthcare, water projects and schools for pastoralist children. For her efforts Julia was awarded the 2006 Humanitarian Rose Award for Social Entrepreneurship, bestowed by The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation.
The entire tribe suffered during the drought, but the women and children struggled the most. While the Samburu men roved with their cattle to try and find grazing, the women and children were left behind to cope with the increasingly hopeless conditions. With little food, water or medical resources all progressively became malnourished, sick and defeated. Julia created the Beads for Food Programme to help the Samburu women in the area of Ol Malo. In exchange for their beads, the Samburu mamas were given food for their children. The programme was so effective that within a week there were more than 600 women exchanging their beads for food. When the rains eventually came the Beads for Food Programme evolved into a Beads Workshop and the Ol Malo Trust became 16
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
www.mcc.co.ke
members’ achievements The award was in recognition of Julia’s work to improve the lives of the Samburu people of Northern Kenya and to create economic sustainability for the Samburu community, particularly its women and children. Today, the Samburu mamas still come to the Bead Workshop on Ol Malo Ranch every day and, through their ancient art, using their traditional beads and patterns, they are able to perpetuate their bead culture, and the money they earn gives them the freedom to live their lives how they choose. Uplifting the women in the community, uplifts the entire tribe. They are able to feed and educate their children and pass on their ancient beading traditions.
What makes this charming little bag so special in Kenya is that, made from leather, the bag is adorned with handcrafted beadwork by the Samburu mamas of the Samburu Trust operating out of the Bead Workshop at Ol Malo. Loewe travelled to Ol Malo to work with the mamas to learn more about their craft. Samburu beadwork is much more than decoration, it tells a story, a diary of life and Loewe, understanding the deep connection they have with the land and its wildlife, commissioned the mamas’ beadwork to decorate their mini Elephant Bags.
Despite the prolonged drought in 2017, the Trust did not have to bring food aid to the Samburu last year. The mamas supported their communities entirely from the money they made through the Bead Workshop. And one particular project brought them not only an income but celebrity status and a niche in the international fashion industry. Spanish Fashion House Loewe recently launched a collection of handbags in support of the Elephant Crisis Fund, joining other fashion companies like Ralph Lauren and Tiffany in the fight against the ivory trade.
Founder of the Samburu Trust Julia Francombe pictured here with some of the Samburu mamas at the Bead Workshop on Ol Malo Ranch. 100% of the proceeds (each bag retails for $1,650) will be donated to the Elephant Crisis Fund and the conservation initiatives they support to protect elephants and stop the poaching and trafficking of ivory. The elephant-shaped bag is exclusively available from Loewe and New York’s Bergdorf Goodman department store. Loewe’s elephant-shaped bag has been seen tucked under the arms of some of the fashion industry’s most prominent names including super models Naomi Campbell, Doutzen Kroes, Behati Prinsloo, Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Gisele Bundchen.
It is such a wonderful project where ancient Samburu beadwork is complementing high fashion in the western world and helping to protect the elephants in Africa. As well as creating work and revenue for the Samburu mamas in the Bead Workshop at Ol Malo and the Samburu Trust, it gives them a project that supports their own culture and traditions. The Samburu have always revered and lived in harmony alongside the elephants they share the land with, so this is very much a project that resonates with them. They are also delighted their traditional beadwork is being admired and exhibited by the famous fashionistas of the modern world. Julia Francombe – Samburu Trust www.mcc.co.ke
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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edita’s ballet and opera programme I have a fabulous programme this quarter starting with a Double Bill of two Operas performed as Classical Ballet. The first ‘La Traviata’ is a rare DVD featuring the Ukranian Sergei Polunin who became the Royal Ballet’s youngest principal dancer. The second, ‘Carmen’, is a new choreography by the great Carlos Acosta, in which he takes the role of Don Jose in his farewell performance with the Royal Ballet.
The Live Concert performed by the Nairobi String Quartet and Violinist Liesbeth Booth will be held on Friday 2 November, in the Ballroom.
‘La Traviata’ & ‘Carmen’ Double Bill will be screened on Thursday 4 October, in the Ballroom.
This will be followed by a Double Bill of short films about Venice. The first, ‘Canaletto & the Art of Venice’ takes us on a tour of Venice as seen through the eyes of Canaletto, the most famous Venetian painter. And ‘Venice – A Musical Tour of the City’s Past & Present,’ is a visual feast of Venice, accompanied with music by the most famous Venetian Baroque composers. For Opera Night in October I will be showing the latest, long awaited ‘Otello’, with the great Jonas Kaufmann, performing at the Royal Opera House. His performance has been described as “…Moving beyond words. Acting and singing beyond compare.” ‘Otello’ will be screened on Thursday 25 October, in the Ballroom. We have dedicated the whole of the month of November 2018 to Venice also known in Italian as “La Serenissima.” As a Grand Opening I will be presenting a Live Concert performed by the Nairobi String Quartet, who will celebrate Vivaldi’s music and other Venetian composers. The highlight will be Verdi’s ‘Four Seasons,’ accompanied by the fabulous Dutch Violinist Liesbeth Booth. 18
‘Canaletto & the Art of Venice’ and ‘Venice – A Musical Tour of the City’s Past & Present,’ will be screened on Tuesday 6 November, as a Double Bill. Shakespeare loved Italy and Venice especially, so I am including the film version of “The Merchant of Venice”. This romantic drama is based on Shakespeare’s play. The story and language is simplified, which makes it accessible to a wide range of people. The shots of Venice and the costumes really bring the story to life and whilst not strictly ‘to the book’. This is Shakespeare made easy. “The Merchant of Venice” will be screend on Wednesday 14 November, in the Ballroom. Venice is the cradle of many arts Opera and Beads are just two of them.
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
The very first lyric Opera was performed in Venice by a group of artists, one of whom was Claudio Monteverdi, who is generally regarded as the first major Opera composer. His first was ‘Orfeo’ and his last ‘L’Incoronazione di Poppea’. I will show some short excerpts of both, before handing over to bead historian Rhodia Mann, who will give a talk explaining how Venetian beads travelled to this continent and became a vital part of African history and culture.
Opera Night showing excerpts from ‘Orfeo’ and L’Incoronazione di Poppea’ followed by a Talk on the History of Beads by Rhodia Mann will be held on Thursday 22 November, in the Ballroom. A fabulous film ‘The Honest Courtesan,’ about one of Venice’s most extraordinary citizens - author and poet Veronica Franco, concludes this Venicethemed month. Veronica was a talented beauty disdainful of the restrictions placed on women of her era. Only one profession will allow her to pursue learning, acquire property and publish her writing, so Veronica becomes a Courtesan to the rich and powerful. Shot in Italy recreating Renaissance Venice and its gondola-filled canals, this film is as sumptuous as it is passionate. ‘The Honest Courtesan’ will be screened on Thursday 29 November, in the Ballroom.
www.mcc.co.ke
book reviews
New Arrivals
Stanley Muritu Mukuha Died July 2018
HOUSE OF GOLD by Natasha Solomons The Goldbaums are a vast, immensely powerful Jewish banking family - little of note in finance happens in Europe without their influence. The story opens in 1911 Vienna. A wedding is planned between Greta and her cousin Albert whom she has never met. (Goldbaum marriages are always within the family.) Unconventional and outspoken Greta does not welcome leaving Vienna to settle in Britain, but has little choice. The Goldbaum dynasty is almost certainly modelled on the Rothschilds, and when the First World War begins, the family is split and isolated - Austrians on one side, British on the other. Solomons writes vividly about this pointless and most terrible of all wars. Her prose is exquisite, her powers of narrative and character study are brilliant.
“I have just the book for you.”
SKIN DEEP by Liz Nugent The fisher folk who live on a small island off the Galway coast are generally classified by mainlanders as ‘not quite right’ through inter-breeding. One such is handsome, charming Martin O’Flaherty, who marries an impulsive visiting American girl. When their daughter Delia is born, Martin annexes her, telling her she is a Queen, descended from Ireland’s High Kings. However Delia’s life suddenly changes drastically. Nothing seems to turn out right for her. She attracts trouble wherever she goes, both for herself and for those with whom she associates. She marries but cannot bond with her son. Readers must decide for themselves, is she flawed through her earlier complicated father-daughter relationship or is she merely just a ‘bad ‘un’? Perhaps Nugent had King Lear’s Cordelia in mind when she created this character. The final dénouement will come as a surprise. REBEL PRINCE by Tom Bower The title is misleading. Charles comes over instead as just plain ‘difficult’ and hypersensitive to criticism - the book would be better named ‘The Prince of Wails’. He undoubtedly has his strengths, and has worked hard on many worthy, if occasionally misguided causes, which have often bordered on being unconstitutional, but somehow he has never had what it takes to capture public empathy, and is now married to a woman who will never enjoy wide popularity. What will happen when he becomes monarch and insists that Camilla is his Queen? He may well epitomise the quotation ‘uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’. Bower has produced a riveting read - what happens inside Buckingham Palace opens a rather nasty can of worms. SO MUCH LIFE LEFT OVER by Louis de Bernières De Bernières possesses astonishing prescience - so often he expresses our thoughts, which on our own we could never have formulated. The story begins with Rosie and Daniel living an idyllic existence in Ceylon. WWI is not long over, and many who were involved feel they’ve already lived their finest hour. Daniel was an air Ace and loves Ceylon life, but after a family tragedy Rosie drags him back to England with disastrous results. There are many other characters in the plot who are closely connected to the main family. Most have ‘problems’, some more acute than others but De Bernières, with his inherent ability to see inside people’s heads, gives them all startling reality. As the narrative unfolds we cannot help but realise that there is indeed ‘so much life left over’. There is sadness in the story, but the book lives out its title to the last page. www.mcc.co.ke
When the Library Committee heard that Stanley had reached retirement age, gloom and despondency descended. So good was he that we implored the Club Secretary to extend his contract another year, as we couldn’t imagine life without him. The consensus of opinion amongst Members was that Stanley was irreplaceable - he not only helped them with book choices, but always knew where to find it if any particular book was required. He possessed a vast in-depth knowledge of the library and what was where, and he had an uncanny knack of knowing just what each Member would like to read. Stanley joined the Club in 1975 as a trainee at the Front Desk but was soon transferred to the Library. My history with Stanley goes back a long, long way and I enjoyed working with him immensely over the years – he had a keen sense of humour and was a much-loved and respected figure in the life of MCC Library that he served, in the end, for a total of 37 years. Stanley finally retired to his shamba in Murang’a in 2012, but he died earlier this year. Our sincere condolences go to both his family and friends - his courtesy, intelligence and appreciation for the service he so loyally provided Muthaiga will long be remembered. Anne Sutcliffe - Library Committee
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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book launches
Donald’s War
edited by Anthony & Julia Seth-Smith The First World War in East Africa was once considered an insignificant skirmish and omitted from many official military histories. In this centenary year of the end of the conflict, it is quietly garnering more attention as one of the most extraordinary theatres of the Great War. Donald Seth-Smith arrived in East Africa from England in 1904 aged 24. Farmer and entrepreneur, he was a co-founder of both modern-day Kakuzi and Muthaiga Country Club. During his time in the army in 1916, he kept a detailed diary, which is a fascinating historical record that covers the events leading to the battles of Salaita and Latema Nek, in British East Africa, and the subsequent push into German Tanganyika. ‘Donald’s War’ recounts how the soldiers had to battle with Africa herself - a vast, largely unmapped area covered in dense bush, filled with dangerous wildlife. In the dry season, the equatorial sun was merciless and in the wet, the mud bogged down both men and transport. The supply chain and medical support were woefully inadequate, which led to as many as 75 per cent of the troops being invalided out or dying from illness and starvation. Compiled by Donald’s son, Tony Seth-Smith and his daughter-in-law Julia, ‘Donald’s War’ is a captivating insight into the period, enriched by the inclusion of many family photographs, letters, articles and personal insights from Donald’s diary.
‘Donald’s War’ will be launched on Thursday 6 December at the Muthaiga Club War Memorial at 6.30pm. Tony Seth-Smith will be signing copies of his book and giving a talk covering the Great War in East Africa, based on Donald’s 1916 War Diary.
The Eyes that Look
the secret story of Bassano’s Hunting Dogs by Julia Grigg MCC Member Julia Spry-Leverton, who writes under the nom de plume Julia Grigg, has just published her debut novel ‘The Eyes That Look,’ which was long listed for the Exeter First Novel Award and the Virginia Prize for New Writing in English by Women. Julia’s compelling novel of art and adventure is set in the feverish creativity and competition of mid-sixteenth Century Italy and tells how Francesco Bassano, a young man who questions why one extraordinary picture has been painted, sets off to find out. Francesco’s journey takes him across the Veneto and to Florence. Little by little, he unravels the story behind the painting. Multi-sensual in its storytelling, ‘The Eyes that Look’ entertains as it informs, inviting readers to revel in a Renaissance world of unrivalled artistic richness. Julia started her career in fashion, food, travel and arts journalism before being recruited as a writer by UNICEF. Julia began writing ‘The Eyes that Look’ while studying for the Bath Spa University Masters in Creative Writing, from which she graduated with Distinction. Julia will be giving a talk about ‘The Eyes that Look’ and signing copies at the Club on 21 November 2018. In keeping with this month’s Venetian theme it will be a gala evening of masks and splendour with classic Venetian bitings and wines from the fabled city. Julia pictured at her home in Muthaiga with Finch & Scarlet. 20
Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
www.mcc.co.ke
book launches
Warrior Boy
‘The Unsung Heroes’
by Virginia Clay
Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E
MCC Member Ginny Larby, who writes under the nom de plume Virginia Clay, will be giving a short talk and signing copies of her book Warrior Boy at the Club on Thursday 11 October. All members and friends welcome.
Kenya: Through My Father’s Eyes
The late Dame Daphne Sheldrick devoted her life to rescuing orphaned elephants and advocating for their protection. Recently published, ‘The Unsung Heroes,’ is a collection of previously untold stories about these baby elephants and their heroic rescuers. The orphans celebrated in this book come from many different corners of Kenya, showcasing the country’s varied and beautiful landscapes.
relationships forged between the orphans and their Keepers, redefining the barriers between the two. ‘The Unsung Heroes’ is both Dame Daphne’s final tribute to the ongoing work of conservationists, and to others who fight tirelessly for Kenya’s most vulnerable orphans, as well as an enchantingly documented, beautifully illustrated piece of conservation history.
by Salim Amin Recognised as one of the most influential photo-journalists in history, Mo Amin’s lens has documented some of the most important events in Kenya and Africa’s history. For almost four decades, he was known as the “Eye of Africa.” Mo’s son, Salim Amin, has painstakingly selected and culled photos from hundreds of thousands of his father’s pictures, some of which are more than half a century old and many previously unpublished, to create ‘Kenya: Through My Father’s Eyes.’ The book is a magnificent tribute to Kenya and the people and stories that have made it the globally recognised place that it is today.
Designed and produced by Angela Sheldrick, and with an introduction and quotes from the late Dame Daphne Sheldrick herself, ‘The Unsung Heroes’ features more than 200 pages of previously unpublished stories, researched and written by Yoyo Volak and illustrated with exquisite photographs by Mia Collis. ‘The Unsung Heroes’ is a heart-warming read capturing the acts of kindness, bravery and compassion of the ordinary men and women who went to extraordinary lengths to help the orphaned elephants that are featured in this book. Aside from telling these fascinating stories, captured within the pages is the unusually tender
“For those who have followed Daphne and David Sheldrick’s lives over many decades, this publication is a definitive collector’s piece. Created with love and passion, ‘The Unsung Heroes’ serves as an important and valuable reminder of Daphne’s life’s work and remarkable legacy.” Angela Sheldrick Angela, Mia and Yoyo will be signing copies of ‘The Unsung Heroes’ on 15 November 2018, and talking about their behind-the-scenes experiences while designing, photographing and researching the book.
Salim Amin will be giving a talk and signing copies of ‘Through My Father’s Eyes,’ at the Club on 24 October 2018. All profits from the sale of this book go to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to support the care of orphaned elephants and the protection of wildlife in Kenya. www.mcc.co.ke
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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WWI East Africa
100 Years On... In contrast to the Western Front, the distances in East Africa were enormous and troop levels were low. When 50,000 British, Indian, South African and Belgian troops advanced into German East Africa from the north and east in early 1916 they did so on a front 1,500 miles long – nearly three times the distance from Calais to Nice. Lettow-Vorbeck was effectively cut off from meaningful support. He could entertain no hope of a decisive victory. His aim was in targeting forts, railways, and communications, with the goal of forcing the British to divert manpower from the main theatre of war in Europe for as long as possible and to make the British expend the largest available resources in men and supplies in his pursuit.
the size of France. For almost a year Lettow-Vorbeck’s men had been living off the land; they had replaced their old rifles with new equipment captured from the British and Portuguese and acquired machine guns and mortars after taking Namakura (in Mozambique) in July 1918. At the end of the War, they still had more ammunition than they could carry.
troops continued heading southwest towards Katanga, but when he reached the Chambeshi River on the morning of 14 November, the British magistrate Hector Croad appeared under a white flag and delivered a message from the allied General Jacob van Deventer, informing him of the
By contrast, that same year a column of two King’s African Rifles battalions marched 1,600 miles in seven months, forded 29 large rivers and fought 32 engagements. In July alone they covered 330 miles virtually without rations, subsisting on what could be foraged. Having the advantage of leading the pursuing British troops, von Lettow’s army was able to plunder and burn the crops and food supplies of the locals as they retreated through East Africa and south leaving the attacking British army trailing through the slashed and burnt land with no choice but to enlist human porters to carry supplies. By 1918, when the fighting had moved to Portuguese East Africa, the area of operations for just 12,000 British and German combatants was two-thirds
Despite initially being ignored in the British strategy in East Africa, the British Army was nearly all-African troops, by the end of the war. The King’s African Rifles had grown to over 30,000 and the troops spent most of 1918 chasing the elusive Germans across Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique) and beyond, fighting fierce engagements at Kireka Mountain, Korewa, Namirrue, and Kasama. Although none of these battles halted the German manoeuvring, the KAR acquitted themselves well, but in the end it was the Armistice that finally stopped the unrelenting Schutztruppe. Unbeknown to von Lettow-Vorbeck, isolated from his country, the armistice was signed in France on 11 November 1918. On 13 November, two days after the ceasefire, they fought their last battle taking the town of Kasama, which had by then been evacuated by the British. Von Lettow and his
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Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
armistice. It was crushing news for von Lettow-Vorbeck and his men. After their own domination over the British forces throughout the war in East Africa they struggled to comprehend how badly things had gone in Europe. But he agreed to a cease-fire and, as requested, marched his undefeated army to Abercorn where he and his remaining force of just under 5,000 troops and some 3,500 porters laid down their arms in surrender – astounding compared to the 111,000 remaining British troops and porters at the end of the war. www.mcc.co.ke
WWI East Africa
The Chambeshi Monument in present-day Zambia, now marks the spot where Colonel von Lettow-Vorbeck received the news of the armistice on 14 November 1918, finally ending the hostilities of the First World War in East Africa, three days after the Armistice in Europe. Impressed with their opponents, the British treated them with respect as they surrendered. Lettow-Vorbeck had not defeated the British in East Africa, but he had very effectively tied up Commonwealth troops for four years, drawing them away from the theatre of war in Europe. The diversity of troops and countries involved in East and Central Africa was unrivalled in any other single theatre of war. In all, 23 countries deployed troops to the campaign, but around 75 percent of those serving died from malnutrition, malaria, dysentery, blackwater fever and wild animals. In the end, the East Africa campaign engulfed 750,000 square miles – an area three times the size of the German Reich. The British had committed at least 180,000 troops and spent £72,000,000 during the four years of war thousands of miles from European soil. Its financial cost to the Allies was comparable to that of the Boer War, Britain’s most expensive conflict since the Napoleonic Wars. The official British death toll exceeded 105,000 troops and military carriers, and von Lettow’s army had surrendered not because it had been beaten, but because of an armistice signed in a land far, far away. Essentially undefeated, Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was the only German commander to successfully invade imperial British soil during the First World War. His exploits in the campaign have been dubbed as the greatest single guerrilla operation in history, and the most successful. At the end of the war, Kitchener was proved right - the East African campaign was drawn out, it drained the European war effort and had no major impact on the final outcome of the war. It was, rather, a story of heroic human endeavour and terrible suffering set in some of the most difficult and inhospitable terrain in the world. www.mcc.co.ke
Von Lettow-Vorbeck surrendering his forces to the British at Abercorn, drawn by an African artist.
Graves of the Mounted Infantry Company East Africa 1914-1918. October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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h at c h e s
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Wade Kilburn & Laura Cuthbert
Photo Mia Collis
Wade Kilburn, son of Douglas and Patricia Kilburn of Durban, South Africa, married Laura Cuthbert, eldest daughter of Neil and Linda Cuthbert of Nairobi. The wedding was held on 9th December 2017, on the beach at Watamu.
Tarquin Gross & Olivia O’Donoghue
Oliver Callaghan & Victoria (Tori) Sylvester
Tarquin Fredrick Lenox Gross, oldest son of Anthony and Rowena Gross of Timau, Kenya, married Olivia Roselyne Marie O’Donoghue, youngest daughter of Gerard and Raphaele O’Donoghue of England. The wedding was held on 7th April 2018 in Talloires, France.
Oliver John Callaghan, son of Dianna and Stephen King (stepfather) and David Callaghan of Perth, Western Australia, married Victoria Margaret Sylvester, youngest daughter of Roger and Laura Sylvester of Kenya. The wedding was held on 21st April 2018 at the Tradewinds Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia. er of
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Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
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er of
h at c h e s
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Alberto Pacheco Capella & Liana Vetch
Photo Mia Collis
Alberto Pacheco Capella, youngest son of the late Eneida Capella De Pacheco and Lorenzo Pacheco Cardenas of Venezuela, married Liana Vetch, youngest daughter of Stewart and June Vetch of Muthaiga. The wedding was held on 9th June 2018, on Soysambu Ranch, Kenya.
Ralph Paget Mason Born 27th March 2018, Nairobi. To Charlotte (nĂŠe Bourke) and Thomas Mason of Naivasha. Little brother to Pia Layzell. Fourth grandchild to Dr. Michael and Gabriele Bourke of Nanyuki/ London and fifth grandchild to Philip and Charlotte Mason of Takaungu.
Dr Mauro Saio & Catherine Simpson Dr Mauro Saio of Karen, Nairobi has married Catherine Simpson also of Karen, Nairobi. The wedding was held on 24th August 2018 in Watamu.
er of
All newly-weds who send in their wedding photo for publication will be offered a romantic dinner for two with a bottle of House wine, either at Pinks or in the Club Dining Room. Send your photos and details to secretariat@mcc.co.ke and please send high-resolution images. www.mcc.co.ke
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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christmas draw
MCC Christmas Draw 2018 The MCC Christmas Draw has become a epic occasion in the Club calendar, kicking off, as it does, the festive season with a spectacular event, where Members and friends get together to win hundreds of fabulous prizes followed by a great Christmas lunch party. It has become one of the social highlights of the year. Last year, the Club gave away more prizes than ever before, many were generously donated by our Members and friends, and the number and quality of which was quite outstanding. This year looks set to challenge even that record and we hope the numbers of you in attendance on the day will also be a record breaker. With spectacular prizes ranging from International airline tickets (the Top Prize winners in the last few years have flown to Los Angeles, Shanghai, Delhi, Vancouver and Dubai, in Business Class, courtesy of tickets donated by Swiss Air and Ethiopian Airlines.) This year the Top Prize is two Business Class tickets to anywhere in the world courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines serves over 100 destinations globally - so the world will become an oyster for the lucky winner this Christmas! Other winners have had the chance to stay at some of the most exclusive Camps and Lodges in Kenya, get techie with top-of-the-range iPhones, Samsungs, Go-Pro cameras and Fitbit watches; many have enjoyed Gourmet Dinners, Deluxe Christmas Hampers and luxury beauty treatments, and this year we have all kinds of other exciting indulgences and prizes setting up this year’s Draw to be another record-breaking Christmas Extravaganza! 2017 was a good year for ticket sales and one of the highest yet recorded. Some Members have been lucky enough to win several prizes in the same Draw, to the great dismay of others, but it all comes down to basic maths and the formula of probability in the end – the more tickets you buy, the greater your chances of winning a prize – or three.
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Muthaiga Country Club October–December 2018
So don’t leave it down to luck alone – if you can’t beat them, join the winning ticket holders, and buy more tickets to be a winner yourself. And remember, ten per cent of the profits from the MCC Christmas Draw goes towards the Muthaiga Staff Fund. The Main Christmas Draw is always preceded by a Mini-Draw - also with dozens of fabulous prizes - for Members who attend on the day. Mini Draw tickets cost 100/- each with a maximum of ten tickets per Member. And this is followed by a sumptuous pre-Christmas Lunch.
Blue Bay Resort, Zanzibar
The Club welcomes all Members and their families to join in, and there will be entertainment and an informal lunch at Pinks for Members with young children who don’t want to miss out on the fun. The MCC Christmas Draw is a lively, fun day out and just the beginning of a fantastic Christmas season at the Club - so come, bring the family and join the party where everyone’s a winner. Thanks to the generosity and support of our Members and friends, this year promises to be an even bigger and better occasion than ever before. Christmas Draw tickets are now on sale at 200/- each. They can be ordered directly through the Accounts office on accounts@ mcc.co.ke and they are also available at the Main Reception and in all the Rooms and Public areas of the Club and they can also be bought on line – just click on the Christmas Draw tickets link http://www. mcc.co.ke/Member-Central/Christmas_ Draw_Form.aspx available on Members’ central web page after logging in.
Kitich Camp
So don’t delay, buy your tickets NOW for a better chance of winning! www.mcc.co.ke
obituaries
Peter Vernon-Evans Peter Vernon Evans was unquestionably a Secretary of great and positive influence. He and his wife Pam first came to Muthaiga in the 1960s, already well-known from their days at Naivasha, where they ran the Bell Inn to legendary standards of hospitality. Peter was born to the pub trade as his mother was Fanny Craddock, the first of the TV cooks, from whom he inherited his energy and pace. His father was an RAF pilot who was killed in the War before he was born, so Peter was brought up by his grandparents. Peter was close to indispensable to the Markham-led Committee that set up the second 50 years of MCC. The Committee of 1970 was trying to live within sharply reduced means, but really worried more about change than money – change from town refuge for up-country land-owners to a cosmopolitan city-focussed Club. Expert at belt-tightening and at squeezing money out of those who had drunk more than they could afford, Peter’s sharp “Oi!” slowed many a receding back, when its owner
Angelo Esposito
Angelo was born in the village of Carvico, near Bergamo, Italy in the foothills of the Alps in December 1922. Leaving school at 12 he started work in Milan until 1941 when he was just 18, he enlisted as a paratrooper. During his time in the army, Angelo escaped from prison in Corsica, spent time in Trentino, Sardinia and fought in the Battle of Montecasino. After the war, disillusioned with Italy, Angelo applied for a job in a mine www.mcc.co.ke
September 1927 – August 2018 hoped he’d slunk onto the premises undetected. Despite the hard times Peter always reported to the Committee cheerfully at the monthly meetings and it was sad to see him leave Muthaiga in the early 1970s. He returned to Devon where he bought an inn, aptly named The Pack of Cards, as there were 13 other pubs on the same street, but the high volume charabanc trade never really appealed and when Paddy Cliff, took up the Committee Chair and offered a second incumbency, Peter and Pam didn’t hesitate, coming back as a team. With Peter and Pam reinstalled in the Secretary’s Cottage, the Club entered a long period of relative prosperity, when the Membership grew and money was found for overdue repairs and improvements. Peter’s annual budgets, composed on some sort of Rubik’ Cube, he claimed, were pretty accurate and he was good at squirrelling away modest reserve funds. We owe a debt to both Peter and Pam, but the generations changed again and with Richard Markham about to take
the Chair, Peter finally retired and was replaced by Graham Nichols. Peter’s long retirement on the North bank of Kilifi Creek enabled him to pursue another great interest – keeping an eye on the cricket by means of a large TV set. He latterly became reclusive, but for some years had a welcoming ale for select friends who would join him in front of his screen. Peter is survived by his wife Pam and three sons. He worked for MCC for a total of 15 years. by Patrick Walker
December 1922 - March 2018 in Argentina, but he received a letter from the company advising him that he wasn’t going to Argentina, but to Kenya instead. He arrived in Nairobi in January 1949. Mackinnon Road near Voi was the site of a large British engineering and ordnance depot designed to hold 200,000 tons of military stores. Two thousand Italians were enlisted to build the depot - Angelo was one of them. He spent nearly two years there, the Italians making the most of being in the bush; running underground casinos, restaurants and distilleries. Angelo remained a stalwart of the Italian community in Kenya until he died. When his contract at Mackinnon Road came to an end in 1950, he decided to stay on in Nairobi and secured himself a job working for an electrical contracting firm. After a couple of years, he set up on his own and for over 50 years ran his own electrical business. Soon after moving to Nairobi,
Angelo started rallying and developed his love of Alfa Romeos. A founder member of the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club, Angelo competed in numerous Safari Rallies until 1972 when he stopped rallying after an accident and bought an Alfa Romeo Spider, which he raced for many years at Embakasi. In 1969 Angelo met and married Jane Tait whose father was DC in Western Kenya. They had two daughters Luisa and Julia and built a beautiful home in Lavington. They were very happily married for 45 years until Jane died six years ago. Angelo was a wonderful cook and always had a house full of visitors; he firmly believed that life was for living and valued his family, friends and fun above all else. Angelo was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and is survived by his daughters, Ingrid, Luisa and Julia and six grandchildren. He was a member of MCC for 25 years.
October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
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obituaries
December 1932 - February 2018
Kay Turner When the history of game wardening and wildlife conservation in East Africa is written a significant chapter will be devoted to the achievements and role played by the young wives, who in the 1950s followed their husbands into the bush and played a key part in securing the future of these important National Parks. In an era when Kenya’s parks were defined by Messrs Sheldrick, Woodley and Jenkins, Myles Turner was given the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania on which to stamp his mark. He arrived in 1956 with his young wife Kay, newly plucked from the Nairobi YWCA. They took up residence in a mud and wattle hut at Banagi, with no electricity or running water, which they called ‘Cobra Cottage’. And so began a 30-year safari which would define their lives and achievements in the conservation of Africa’s wildlife. Kay was born in the Nilgri Hills outside Bangalore on 10 December 1932 the fourth of five siblings. At school she excelled at music and drama but left comparatively early at the end of the war when her father was released from Changi Prison and the family moved to Tanga. She trained as a secretary and began working in Nairobi at Ker and Downey, the safari company, where she met Myles one of the leading professional hunters of the time. They married in Malindi church and soon moved to the Serengeti. Captivated by the beauty of the park, Kay’s passion merged with that of Myles’ in their fight to preserve this fragile ecological balance. Her life involved raising two children, keeping an array of wild pets and entertaining endless notables who she enlisted to
provide support for conservation. James Michener described her picnics as the best he had ever been on. From learning to fly, cornering poachers and rolling baby carriages past mildly interested prides of lions Kay relished the adventure and adrenalin rush of her unusual life. She became an accomplished artist, capturing many of the wonderful landscapes of the Serengeti and later wrote her memoir ‘Serengeti Home’. After 18 years in Tanzania, Kay moved with Myles to the Nyika National Park, a high alpine plateau in northern Malawi. She quickly adapted to her new surroundings, continued painting and assisted Myles as they set about redefining the boundaries of the park and establishing the Vwaza National Reserve. This often meant taking long foot safaris through the foothills of the plateau accompanied by up to 40 porters. It was tough going and exactly as Kay liked it. Returning to Kenya in 1978, Myles was appointed the wildlife advisor to the Narok County Council. They lived in the Mara at Kicwha Tembo camp and Kay managed Friends of Conservation, a charity dedicated to wildlife conservation and helping the people of the Maasai Mara. Following Myles’ death in 1984, Kay moved back to Nairobi and based from there set about travelling to all corners of the world visiting friends and family in distant lands and taking safaris to places like Antarctica and the South Sea Islands. One feature of her travels and safaris was her ‘Face Box’. She simply would ‘not leave home without it’ meaning even in the most remote and inhospitable locations she was most elegantly turned
out at all times. Throughout her life Kay always enjoyed the thrill of living slightly on the edge. In Bridge parlance she would go for 3 ‘no trumps’ rather than leave it at two, and in later life she took great pleasure in the cut and thrust of the Nairobi Bridge circuit, playing regularly. Gregarious, adventurous and indomitable, Kay was the first to acknowledge the wonderful and privileged life she had enjoyed. She died in February after a short illness and her ashes were scattered on a hill in the Mara overlooking the Serengeti. Kay Turner, adventurer and conservationist, is survived by her two children Michael and Linda and two grandchildren. She was a member of Muthaiga for 34 years. Michael Turner
DEATHS
The Club regrets to announce the deaths of the following Members
ROSE DYER on 6 February 2018 GOREL DAY-WILSON on 23 June 2018 TONY DYER on 3 July 2018 DAVID STANLEY on 12 July 2018 GILLIAN JOHNSON on 28 July 2018 WILLIAM (BILL) HORNE on 29 July 2018
GRAHAME DANGERFIELD on 31 July 2018 PETER VERNON-EVANS on 5 August 2018 BARRY CORLINE on 13 August 2018 MAEVE (CHOU CHOU) UPSON on 30 August 2018 PATRICK HEMPHILL on 31 August 2018 BRENDAN WRIGHT on 21 September 2018
WILLIAM ROCHFORT HORNE 1928 - 2018 A gathering to mark the life of Bill Horne will be held on Saturday 1 December at 12.30pm in the Ballroom of Muthaiga Country Club Bill’s family would be delighted if you were able to join them. If anyone would like to publish an obituary for a Member who has died recently, please send a tribute and photograph of the deceased to the secretariat@mcc.co.ke
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candidates being considered for membership CANDIDATES ON BOARD FOR THE 2ND MONTH
CANDIDATES ON BOARD FOR THE 1ST MONTH
Proposer Candidate Category
Proposer Candidate Category
Tobias Theobald
Oliver Cashin
F(18-29NR)
Timothy Chege
Patrick Murigi
F(18-29R)
Nyokabi Lenana
Lisa Ikinya
F(18-29R)
Timothy Chege
Theresia Murigi
F(18-29R)
Isaac Awuondo
Chirag Sanghrajka - Rajvi Sanghrajka - Aadit Sanghrajka - Aryan Sanghrajka
FT FT JFT JFT
Elizabeth Bake
Paulo Nunes
FT
Rodney Cheatel
Anna Stabrawa
FT
Michael Okwiri
Daniela Cellini
FT
Andrew Ndegwa
Declan M’Mbijjewe
F(18-29R)
Mahmud Janmohamed
Sahiba Bamrah
F(18-29R)
Michael Okwiri
Karim Fazal - Rukshana Fazal
FT FT
Godfrey Owino
Annette Owino
F(18-29R)
Godfrey Owino
Jane Owino
F(18-29R)
Mburu Karanja
Solomon Lutta - Sharon Othieno - Flora Lutta
FT FT U7
Mbui Wagacha
John Burton - Rachael Wagacha - Juliet Wagacha
Karani Nyamu
Joyce Murigi
FT
Raphael Nzomo
Alexander Kobia - Carole Kobia - Nigel Kobia - Jordan Kobia
FT FT JFT JFT
Jeremy Herren
Andreas Schriber
NR
Courtney Morris
Michael Chung - Viviane Chao - Adrien Chung - Xavier Chung
FT FT JFT U7
Frank Kretzschmar
Stefan Opitz - Nicola Simon-Opitz
ST ST
Dhruv Pandit
Tajvir Bedi
F(18-29R)
Suzannah Goss
Angus Miller - Felix Miller - Albert Miller - Cassius Miller
Gerald Githinji
Gideon Gathuru
F(18-29R)
FT FT JFT
SWEEPSTAKES AUGUST 2018 Prize
Member Name
Amount
1st
Shantilah Shah
59,262.56
2nd
Haren Patel
29,631.28
3rd
Alastair M Addison
16,932.16
4th
Lain Gibson
16,932.16
5th
Dudley Stannah
12,699.12
6th
Nathaniel Kang’ethe
8,466.08
7th
Ian Mcrae
8,466.08
8th
Nigel Sandys-Lumsdaine
8,466.08
9th
Michele Castegnaro
8,466.08
ST JFST JFST JFST
Answers to Bird Quiz
SWEEPSTAKES SEPTEMBER 2018 Prize
Member Name
Amount
1st
Mark John Tilbury
74,176.20
2nd
Luke Fraser Nightingale
37,088.10
3rd
James Kenneth Gibson
21,193.20
4th
Ngatia Muchiri
21,193.20
5th
Michael M. W. Matu
15,894.90
6th
Anna Muriel Barratt
10,596.60
7th
Chris M. Ngovi
10,596.60
8th
Michael Francis Klesh
10,596.60
9th
George Bernard Sutton
10,596.60
www.mcc.co.ke
Top row: Common or European Cuckoo, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Middle Row: African Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo. Bottom row: Klass’s Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo. * * *
The odd one out is the African Cuckoo-Hawk, which is a raptor. The Red-chested Cuckoo is the Rain-bird and its three-note call is often interpreted as “It Will Rain” - and it often does! The Common Cuckoo is silent in our region but its “cuckoo” call is a feature of the European springtime. Why is it silent? As a migrant through Kenya it doesn’t need to defend a territory or advertise for a mate. October–December 2018 Muthaiga Country Club
29
MCC reciprocates with 114 Clubs in 24 countries around the world. The Reciprocity Committee invests a great deal of time ensuring that these Clubs are worthy of our association and Members are encouraged to submit brief reports if they visit or stay at any one of them. These reports will be published for the benefit and interest of other Members who may be planning to travel overseas.
more114 information and24 contact details ofaround reciprocating Clubs please the Secretary’s office. invests a great MCC reciprocatesForwith Clubs in countries the world. Thecontact Reciprocity Committee INDIA TURKEY ensuring that these Clubs are worthy of our association and Members are encouraged to submit Adelaide Club Adelaide Club Ltd These reports will Kolkata Buyuk Kulup Cercle Istanbul brief reports if they visit or stay at anyTollygunge one of them. be published for thed’Orient benefit and interest Athenaeum Club Melbourne Umed Club Jodhpur of other Members who may be planning toNadu travel overseas. Australian Club Melbourne Melbourne Ootacamund Club Ooty, Tamil UK Commonwealth Club Canberra Secunderabad Club Secunderabad For more information and contact details of reciprocating ClubsBangalore please contact the&Secretary’s Army Navy Club office. London Melbourne Club Melbourne Bangalore Club AUSTRALIA deal of time
Royal Automobile Club of Australia Sydney AUSTRAL IA Club of Victoria Royal Automobile Melbourne Tattersall’s Club Brisbane Adelaide Club Adelaide AthenaeumClub Club Melbourne Tasmanian Hobart Australian Club Melbourne Melbourne Union, University & Schools Club Sydney Commonwealth Club Canberra United Service Club Brisbane Melbourne Melbourne Weld Club Club Perth Melbourne Savage Club Melbourne Naval Military and Airforce AUSTRIA of South Australia Adelaide St. Johanns Club Club of Australia Vienna Royal Automobile Sydney Royal Automobile Club of Victoria Melbourne Tattersall’s Club Brisbane BOLIVIA Tasmanian Club Hobart Circulo de La Union La Paz Union, University & Schools Club Sydney United Service Club Brisbane BELGIUM Weld Club Perth Western Australian Perth International Club Club Chateau Sainte-Anne Brussels AUSTRIA CANADA St. Johanns Club Vienna Granite Club Toronto B OLIVIA Rideau Club Ottowa Circulo de La Union La Paz The Hamilton Club Hamilton The National Club Toronto B ELGIUM The Ranchmen’s Club Calgary International Chateau Sainte-Anne Brussels Union Club ofClub British Columbia Victoria University Montreal CAN ADAClub of Montreal University Club of Toronto Toronto Cypress Club Medicine Hat Vancouver Club Vancouver Granite Club Toronto The Hamilton Club Hamilton CARIBBEAN The National Club Toronto West Indies YachtClub Club Caribbean The Ranchmen’s Calgary Terminal City Club Vancouver Union Club of British Columbia Victoria CHILE University Club of Montreal Montreal Club De LaClub Union Santiago University of Toronto Toronto Vancouver Club Vancouver FRANCE CH ILE Cercle de l’Union Interalliee Paris ClubTravellers De La Union Santiago The Club Paris F RANCE GERMANY Cercle de l’Union Interalliee The Travellers Club Anglo-German Club E.V Union International Club GERMANY
Paris Paris Hamburg Frankfurt
Anglo-German HONG KONG Club E.V Union International Club The Hong Kong Club HONG KONG
Hamburg Frankfurt Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Club
Hong Kong
IN DIA Tollygunge Club Ltd Kolkata Umed Club Jodhpur Ootacamund Club Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu
IIRELAND NDI A continued Kildare Street Club and University Club Secunderabad Dublin Secunderabad The Stephen’s Dublin Bangalore ClubGreen Hibernian Club Bangalore IJAPAN RE L AND Tokyo American Club Kildare Street and University Club
Tokyo Dublin
The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club Dublin LUXEMBOURG JAPAN Cercle Munster Luxembourg Tokyo American Club Tokyo MALAYSIA LUXE M BOU RG The Royal Lake Club Cercle Munster
Kuala Lumpur Luxembourg
NETHERLANDS M AL AW I The Nieuwe of Littéraire The Hague Mulika Blantyre Sociëteit De Witte NE THE RL A N D S NEW ZEALAND The Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De WitteThe Christchurch Club Christchurch Hague The Canterbury Club Inc. Christchurch Hawke’s Bay Napier N EW ZE ALClub AND The Northern Club Auckland Christchurch Club Christchurch The Wellington Club Wellington The Canterbury Club Inc. Christchurch PAKISTAN Hawke’s Bay Club Napier The SindNorthern Club Club The Wellington Club SINGAPORE S I NG APO R E Tanglin Club Tanglin Club SOUTH AFRICA S OUTH AF R IC A Cape Town Club The Country Club Johannesburg Cape Town Club Durban Club Club Johannesburg The Country Inanda Club Durban Club Kelvin Grove Club Inanda Club Port Elizabeth St. Georges Club Kelvin GroveCountry Club Club The Pretoria Port RandElizabeth Club St. Georges Club
Cape Town Johannesburg Cape Town Durban Johannesburg Johannesburg Durban Cape Town Johannesburg Port Elizabeth Cape Town Pretoria Port Elizabeth Johannesburg
The Pretoria Country Club SPAIN Rand Club Circulo Ecuestre S PAI N Real Gran Peña
Johannesburg Barcelona Madrid
Circulo Ecuestre SRI LANKA Real Gran Peña The Hill Club S RI L ANKA THAILAND The Hill Club The British Club, Bangkok T HAI L AND
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Pretoria
Barcelona Madrid Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya Bangkok
The British Club, Bangkok
Bangkok
Buck’s Club London Cardiff & County Club Cardiff U K Carlton Club London Army & Navy Club London City of London Club London Boodle’s London Farmer’s Club London Buck’s London Garrick Club London Cardiff & County Club Cardiff Hurlingham Club London Carlton Club London Lansdowne Club London City of London Club London Leander Club Henley-on-Thames, Farmer’s Club London Naval Club Club London Hurlingham London Norfolk&Club Norwich Ipswich Suffolk Club Ipswich Northern Counties Newcastle Lansdowne Club Club London Oriental Club London Leander Henley-on-Thames, Oxford & Cambridge Club London Naval Club London Phyllis Court Club Club Henley-on-Thames, Northern Counties Newcastle Reform Club London Nottingham & Notts United Services Nottingham RoyalOriental Air Force Club The London Royal Automobile Club Oxford & Cambridge Club London Royal Over-Seas League London Phyllis Court Club Henley-on-Thames, Savile Club Club The Reform London The Athenaeum Liverpool Royal Air Force Club London Royal Automobile Club London The Boodle’s Royal Over-Seas League London The Caledonian Club Savile Club & Guards Club London The Cavalry The Athenaeum Liverpool Clifton Club Bristol The Caledonian Club London East India Club The & Naval Guards London The Cavalry In & Out & Military Club London The Club Bristol The Clifton New Club Cheltenham The London The East New India Club Club Edinburgh The ClubClub Cheltenham The New Norfolk Norwich The New Club The Royal Northern & University Club Edinburgh Aberdeen The Club Norwich The Norfolk Royal Scots Club Edinburgh The The Royal SloaneNorthern Club & University Club Aberdeen London The Scots Club Edinburgh The Royal St. James Club Manchester The Sloane Club London The Western Club Glasgow The St James Club Manchester Travellers Club London The Travellers Club London Turf Club London The Western Club Glasgow Ulster Reform Club Belfast The Turf Club London Ulster Reform Club Belfast USA Vincent’s Club Oxford The Army & Navy Club Washington DC USA Cosmos Club Washington DC The ArmyClub & Navy ClubYork City Washington DC Harvard of New New York Colony Club Club New The Explorers New York York Cosmos Club Club Washington DC The Princeton New York The Club The Princeton Saturn Club Buffalo City,New NY York State The Club Buffalo City, NY State The Saturn Standard Club Chicago The Standard Club Chicago Union Club of Boston Boston Union ClubClub of Boston Boston University of Cincinnati Cincinnati The University Club The University Club Washington DC of Washington Washington DC The Yale Club of New York City New York The Yale Club of New York City New York ZI MB A B W E ZIMBABWE Bulawayo Bulawayo Bulawayo Bulawayo Harare Harare Harare Club Club Harare
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