The Sherlock Holmes Society of London
Founded as The Sherlock Holmes Society in 1934
THE STODDART DINNER
“ absolutely unique.”
Saturday 30th August 2014
On this date 125 years ago, J.M. Stoddart, the editor of Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine invited Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde to dinner at the Langham Hotel. The result of this significant meeting was two commissions from Stoddart which led to Wilde penning The Picture of Dorian Gray and, from Doyle, The Sign of The Four.
The Society will hold a one-off dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Langham Hotel in London on Saturday 30th August 2014, at 6.30pm for 7.30 pm. The Stoddart Dinner will pay special tribute to J.M. Stoddart for his part in the careers of these two famous writers.
We look forward to welcoming members of our Society from all over the world, as well as a number of special invited guests.
The management of The Langham Hotel have kindly offered to provide a complimentary bar offering selecting wines, beers and a bespoke Sherlock Holmes cocktail for the half hour immediately preceding the dinner.
The menu is as follows:-
Serrano ham with black figs, endive salad and Ines goats’ cheese
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Rump of Cornish lamb, courgette Provencale and fine caper jus
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Tangy lime posset with pomegranate and elderfower
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Coffee and petit fours
The seating capacity of the Grand Ballroom is limited so it is important that members and their guests(s) apply early. If the Dinner is oversubscribed a ballot will be held immediately after the closing date for applications, which is 31st July. Admission will be by formal invitation only: for this reason we need to know the full name of your guest(s). Successful applicants will receive personalised invitation cards which will have to be produced on the night in order to gain entrance to the building, and these will perforce be despatched a few weeks prior to the event. If you expect to be away at that time please give an address to which mail should be sent to ensure safe receipt.
Fish or vegetarian alternatives will be available if ordered in advance, and special dietary requirements can also be catered for provided sufficient notice is given. Space is provided on the application form for you to state your requirements.
The charge for the evening will be £79.00/US$158.00 per head, inclusive of everything except drinks (other than those during the complimentary half hour) which must be paid for individually on the night. Copies of the Langham’s extensive wine and beverage list will be sent to all successful applicants so you will be able to order on the night.
The Dinner is a formal occasion and it is customary for gentlemen to wear dinner jackets (black tie) and for ladies to wear evening dress (short or long) but this is not obligatory. Given the special nature of this occasion we would actively encourage those who wish to attend in Victorian costume. Visitors from overseas may not wish to bring dress clothes for one evening only, and we should like to assure them that dark lounge suits and cocktail frocks are equally suitable.
Smoking is not permitted in any rooms, including the bar and the Dining Room itself.
THE SHERLOCK HOLMES SOCIETY OF LONDON
Founded as The Sherlock Holmes Society in 1934
To: Miss Catherine Cooke,
15, Copperfield Court, 146, Worple Road, Wimbledon, London, SW20 8QA.
“THE STODDART DINNER”
I/We should like to attend the Society's Dinner at the Langham Hotel on Saturday 30th August 2014 with …… guests and enclose the appropriate remittance of £79.00/US$158.00 per head, payable to The Sherlock Holmes Society of London.
I/We should like to order …… vegetarian or fish meals (please delete or specify as applicable).
I/We have a special dietary requirement as follows ………………………………………..
NAME(S) OF MEMBERS …………………………………………………………………
NAME(S) OF GUESTS …………………………………………………………………...
ADDRESS TO WHICH INVITATION CARDS SHOULD BE SENT:
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
TELEPHONE NUMBER OR E-MAIL ADDRESS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Please print or write clearly - especially if giving an e-mail as these can so easily be mis-read and one mistake is fatal!