An exclusive wine tasting and auction held at the Caledonian Club in London has raised more than £15,000 for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
Over 50 people attended the event, which took place on the evening of Wednesday 1 October. The proceeds from the auction will go towards funding the GWCT’s vital and ground-breaking scientific research, aimed at conserving the British countryside for generations to come.
Attendees sampled a selection of fine wines under the expert tutelage of Hew Blair, Chairman of Justerini & Brooks, before taking part in a wine auction led by renowned antique jewellery specialist, Humphrey Butler, who spent 25 years working for Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses and now runs his own business in Pall Mall.
The money was raised from 13 wine-related lots, which provoked some lively bidding. The GWCT’s London events organiser, Lucy Pearson, said “Our very generous supporters raided their cellars and pulled out wonderful wines to donate as lots, making the auction one of our most tantalising and successful yet.”
The evening was sponsored by the Landed Estates group at accountancy and investment management firm, Smith & Williamson, which provides financial advice on all aspects of running an estate. Smith & Williamson spokesman Andrew Lockwood said: “Humphrey Butler did a grand job as auctioneer and everyone seemed to have a very good time while supporting the important work of the GWCT in preserving and enhancing our countryside.”
The GWCT would like to thank Mr Blair and the team from Justerini & Brooks – whose efforts were the driving force behind the evening – along with Smith & Williamson, Mr Butler and all those who helped the make the event such a great success.
For more information about forthcoming GWCT events in London please contact Lucy Pearson on 020 7290 0110 or by email at lpearson@gwct.org.uk. To learn more about the GWCT please visit www.gwct.org.uk.
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Photocaption: Over 50 people attended the GWCT’s wine tasting and auction at the Caledonian Club in October. Photocredit: Will Pocklington, Fieldsports Magazine.
Notes to editors:
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats and we lobby for agricultural and conservation policies based on science. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse. For Information, contact: Morag Walker – Head of Media, Telephone – direct-dial: 01425-651000. Mobile – 07736-124097 www.gwct.org.uk
Smith & Williamson is an independently owned professional and financial services group with around 1,500 people. The group is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices and mid-to-large corporates. The group has eleven principal offices: these are in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Glasgow, Guildford, Jersey, Manchester, Salisbury, and Southampton.
Smith & Williamson is the official sponsor for the National Business Awards’ search for the Entrepreneur of the Year in both 2013 and 2014.
Smith & Williamson LLP
Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International.
The word partner is used to refer to a member of Smith & Williamson LLP.
For press enquiries, please contact: Natalie Birrell at NBPR on 07557 356860 or email natalie@nb-pr.co.uk or Kate Harrison, Head of PR at Smith & Williamson, on 0207 131 4228 or email kate.harrison@smith.williamson.co.uk