Perennial has announced a change of venue for its revived annual Festival Dinner. The event will now take place at The Langham Hotel, the celebrated luxury 5-star hotel on Portland Place, near Oxford Circus in central London, and will be hosted by James Alexander Sinclair. Tickets cost £150 each and are available individually or in tables of ten.
The change of venue comes following a fire earlier this year at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kensington, London, where the event was due to be held.
Perennial events manager Chris Crooker commented: “Although the Ballroom of the hotel wasn’t directly affected by the fire, damage elsewhere has impacted crucial utilities and the hotel’s management has deemed it impossible to host an event of this size. They have been incredibly supportive in helping us secure an alternative venue and we are thrilled that the Langham was available. It is a wonderful hotel, with a long and rich history, so it suits us perfectly. We look forward to welcoming guests in October.”
The 2018 Perennial Festival Dinner, which is sponsored by the London College of Garden Design and the Landscape Show, promises to be a fantastic evening of fundraising, with the help of partners and supporters from across the industry. Taking place on October 12 at The Langham Hotel, the event will begin with a champagne reception in the Portland Foyer followed by a delicious three-course dinner and entertainment in the Grand Ballroom.
The annual festival dinner was a prestigious event dating right back to Perennial’s origins. On 17 January 1839, the Gardeners’ Benevolent Institution was founded at the inaugural dinner, which was attended by gardeners, nurserymen and wealthy estate owners. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the dinners drew the attention and support of high society. In 1852, Charles Dickens presided over the ninth festival dinner and in 1867 it was the turn of Sir Robert Peel, founder of the modern police force.
London College of Garden Design director Andrew Fisher Tomlin said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the revival of a great Perennial tradition and know that money raised from ticket sales, and on the night, will help this wonderful charity continue to offer its essential welfare services, which are needed by horticulturists of every profession today more than ever.”
An auction will take place, presided over by Andrew Fisher Tomlin and Jeremy Storey Walker, with a host of fabulous lots to bid for on the night. Already confirmed are a spa break at Barnsley House and a holiday cottage stay at Easton Walled Gardens. To find out more and to book tickets to the event visit the website here: https://perennial.org.uk/events/festival-dinner-2018/ or call Maya Albert on 01372 384043 or email malbert@perennial.org.uk.
