Back due to popular demand this is a really great night out.

One Aldwych, Covent Garden is a member of the Small Leading Hotels of the World. We enjoy a superb dinner in the recently renovated Axis Restaurant, followed by the movie in the private screening room.

Movie: Goodfellas
The lives of three New York mob figures during the 60s and 70s are the focus of this seminal movie. After careers involving both
co-operation and double crossing they end up in a jam with each fighting to save his own skin. Starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

Meet: 6.00pm in Axis Bar. Dinner 6.30pm, movie 8.30pm.

Cost: £79 (aperitif, 3-course dinner, 1/2 bt wine & the movie)

A quintessentially British pub, The White Swan Pub and Dining Room offers an impressive selection of real ales alongside a truly extensive wine list.

The mezzanine level restaurant offers a sophisticated, continually changing Modern British menu including old favourites such as fish and chips and sausage and mash.

Meet: 7.30pm
20 Farringdon Street,
London,
EC4A 4AB

Cost: £12 admin charge (pay for food & drink on the night)

This walk focuses on the splendid new Midland Hotel and St. Pancras Station. The walk also includes a visit to St. Pancras Old Church, reputedly the oldest place of Christian worship in the country, and a gentle stroll around the area ending up at The British Library where we'll have a 'nice cuppa char'!

Meet: 2.00pm - Kings Cross tube, north exit (Euston Rd)
Walk: 2 hrs
Optional tea: British Library (pay on the day)

Cost: £18

To mark the centenary of the birth of Paul Mellon (1907 – 1999), one of the greatest collectors of British art, The Royal Academy of Arts presents an exhibition of major works from the Paul Mellon Collection at the Yale Center for British Art.

An unparalleled opportunity to experience some of the finest works of British art, the exhibition features more than 150 works, including prints, drawings, paintings, rare books and manuscripts. Featured in the exhibition are many objects that have not been seen by the British public since they were purchased, as well as major works by artists such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, Stubbs, Constable, Turner and Blake.

Paul Mellon was born into one of the most powerful banking families in the US. Together with the fellow Pittsburgh families of Carnegie and Frick, the Mellon family shared a strong commitment to public philanthropy. Paul Mellon’s interest in British culture ranged from horse breeding and racing to building the most significant private collection of British art outside the United Kingdom.

Pre-tour talk @ 6.30pm: Duncan Robinson, Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum and Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge University, and John Baskett, former art adviser to Paul Mellon, delve into the creation of Mellon’s art collection.

Gallery closes 10.00pm.
Optional supper/drinks locally afterwards

Cost: £29 (talk, glass of wine, exhibition entry)

Speakers for the motion:
Journalist, author and columnist for the Guardian and the Sunday Times, as well as broadcasting for the BBC.

Baroness Helena Kennedy MP Barrister who has acted in many leading cases including the Brighton bombing trial, the Guildford Four appeal and many of the trials of battered women who kill their partners.

Angus Robertson MP Scottish National Party spokesman on defence and Europe in Westminster and Scottish Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Speakers against the motion:
Sir Michael Quinlan Senior Consulting Fellow on South Asia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Visiting Professor in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP Former member of the British Government (1979-97) and served in a number of posts including Minister of Defence (1992-95) and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1995-97). He now works in the private sector.

Oliver Kamm Columnist for The Times.

The debate will be chaired by Jonathan Freedland Award-winning journalist and broadcaster.

Post-debate dinner at our favourite local haunt, Hugo's delicious organic restaurant.

Cost: Debate £35
2-course dinner & wine £45 (priority booking for those booking both events)

SOLD OUT
ENO’s commitment to reinvigorating the Italian repertoire, in particular Verdi’s operatic canon, continues with this major new production of Aida, an intoxicating work that blends impressive scale with moving intimacy. The Company’s first new Aida in more than 20 years sees ENO Music Director Edward Gardner working with the ENO Orchestra and Chorus to meet the full potential of Verdi’s marvellous score. In her house debut renowned British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes presents a vibrant re-imagining of ancient Egypt with her colourful sets and costumes.

Director Jo Davies and choreographer Jonathan Lunn collaborate with first-class British artists, including Claire Rutter, John Hudson, Iain Paterson and Gwynne Howell, to realise Verdi’s spectacular love story.

A co-production with Houston Grand Opera, the Norwegian National Opera and San Francisco Opera

Running time: 3 hrs

Meet: 7.00pm - 7.30pm curtain up

Cost: £105 (best stalls seats, programme, interval wine)

You are invited to a special preview evening of the Red Cross Christmas Fair at Guildhall. The event will be opened by Princess Alice and the Lady Mayoress. Opening time 5.30-9.00pm. This will be an elegant way to Christmas shop in beautiful surroundings while supporting the vital work of the Red Cross.

Cost: £20 if booked through Red Cross, £21.50 through EEC

Revolution in Leadenhall St has to be seen to be believed, as it really is one of London's coolest new venues. We've decided to go a bit wild for a Tuesday, with a cocktail mixing evening in the private Vault, but hey why not!

Places limited so book early.

Meet: 8.00pm

Cost: £69 (welcome drinks, 90 minute cocktail mixing session, buffet)