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Newsletter Issue 34 |
July 2012 |
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Win a Two-Person Hammock!
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Enter our competition and you will have a chance to win a first prize of a two-person hammock or a runner's up prize of a silver-plated drinks jug from thepresentfinder.co.uk.
You will be able to make the most of the summer with the handmade hammock, which is made from all-weather fabric that is resilient to both sun and rain, in contrasting stripes of burgundy and beige. The hammock can be suspended between walls, beams and trees.
The silver-plated drinks jug is the perfect accessory for a picnic, barbecue or outside meal.
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The Present Finder
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The Present Finder is a small family-run business based in Sherborne in Dorset. They specialise in providing unusual gift ideas for any occasion and to suit any budget. With over 1,000 products on their website you’ll be sure to find something for the people you care most about.
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Dress Codes |
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Special occasions often require a multitude of different dress codes. Ensure that you dress correctly with our essential guides to what to wear...
Whether the occasion demands black tie, white tie, morning dress or lounge suit, we will decode the dress code and explain when it is appropriate.
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Midsummer pleasures
Summer is well and truly here, and – even if the weather forecasts are gloomy – the highlights of the English summer season continue regardless.
When the weather permits, we all enjoy entertaining outdoors. Whether it's a barbecue, a garden lunch or a summer buffet, we have plenty of advice on hosting an al fresco event.
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Season Highlights |
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July is the peak of the summer season, and the calendar is packed with a host of traditional and contemporary events.
Many of us are watching the progress of Andy Murray at Wimbledon – and the weather – with bated breath, and there's more test cricket to come. But there are a host of other events in July that will suit every taste: the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is a must for dedicated horticulturalists, while racing enthusiasts will enjoy the King George Day at Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
It's the peak month of the year for festivals, so why not pack your camping gear and enjoy the varied entertainment on offer, from the Galway Arts Festival and the Port Eliot Festival to the Larmer Tree Festival, Camp Bestival and the Secret Garden Party.
July also sees the launch of the BBC Proms, thought by many to be the greatest classical music festival in the world, now entering its 116th year.
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Outdoor Entertaining |
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Seize whatever chances you can to eat outdoors in midsummer. If you're planning an al fresco meal, you'll need to think about your guests' comforts (provide cushions and don't expect people to sit for hours on rickety garden chairs). It's essential that you site your table and chairs somewhere where the sunlight is dappled, not direct, or alternatively provide a sunshade.
Provide plentiful jugs of chilled tap water to mitigate the effects of the sun, and use cool boxes to keep drinks appetisingly cold.
If you're planning a barbecue, sit your guests upwind of the grill. Barbecues may appear to be spur of the moment, but they should be planned well ahead and salads, marinades and skewers should be prepared before your guests arrive.
Always warn neighbours if you're planning to entertain outside. And remember, al fresco entertaining in the UK is an optimistic exercise, so make contingency plans for wet or cool weather.
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