What's in this week's newsletter

• Message from the secretary
• Horse racing
• Choir
• Rugby
• Shooting
• Forthcoming events
• East India Express
• Club shop
• Wine for home delivery

East India Express, one of the racing section syndicate's horses, has been back in action following a recovery period, and has romped straight home to victory fulfilling all that early promise; article below

Message from the secretary

Members visiting the club this week will spot a specialist decorator touching up the marble-effect decoration in front hall areas. Behind the scenes, a flat roof at the bottom of a lightwell is having a replacement liquid coating, and by the end of the month the staff ladies changing room will have been refurbished, having been affected by the basement works. Looking after the fabric of the clubhouse is pretty much perpetual, what with one area or another needing attention. During the Christmas break we will renovate the stone steps up to the front door, which after the redecoration of the façade will have us step into the club's 175th year looking great from head to toe.

For subscription renewals the club has invited members to renew by year end. The club closes for the Christmas/ and new year break at 4pm on Friday 22 December, and it greatly helps the admin if you can indicate your intention to renew in the coming weeks.

With the especially busy dining period at this time, kindly keep Ruben informed of any changes to your Dining Room bookings to help in his effort to please as many members as possible. Your table booked time is the time to be at table, so please allow for drinks and menus beforehand. For occasions when space is fully booked, asking to be on the waitlist for Dining Room or bedroom requests has proved helpful to many members.

A couple of social events perfect for December are worth a highlight: Georgina Jackson and her mini big band of 15 musicians made possible through the arts section, and the tri clubs Christmas carols service up at St James’s Piccadilly, and then back to the club house for food and entertainment. See the events diary below for more details and to book.

It was all smiles for East India Express's owners at Kempton Park after he romped home to his second win

Horse racing - five length win for East India Express

East India Express was one of a bunch of Nicky Henderson’s novice hurdlers last week to be successful. He won his second race at Kempton Park on Monday, which was over the longer distance of two miles five furlongs. Winning by five lengths, both trainer and jockey, Nico de Boinville, were pleased with his progress as were those section members present.

Asian Tide has had five runs now with no wins so far, and is entered for the 5pm race at Wolverhampton on Thursday 23 November on the all weather track this week. Hopefully she will improve as it is felt that she needs a longer distance and both races are over one mile.

The section held a dinner last Thursday and Tom Malone was the guest speaker. He had helped buy many good horses for Paul Nicholls and others and was an amusing speaker. The event started with club champagne to toast East India’s success; for those that missed it click here to see the race.

If you would like to join the section please contact the office here to be put in touch with the organisers.

The next rehearsal of the East India Club Choir is tomorrow—more singers welcome

Choir - debut performance coming soon

There is still time to sign up to sing in new East India Club choir's debut performance before the tri clubs service. We are looking for confident, experienced singers who are able to sight-read and sing a cappella. The next rehearsal will be at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 22 November in the Hogarth Room and all interested singers are encouraged to attend, preferably with their own copy of 100 Carols for Choirs. The following rehearsal is on Wednesday 29 November.

If interested, either in participating this Christmas or in staying up to date with choir matters, please join the distribution list by emailing the office here. Alternatively, for more information, please email Choir.EIC@gmail.com or check the section page on the website. We look forward to singing with you shortly!

There will be much-loved, big band festive music at the club in December, courtesy of Georgina Jackson and her Mighty Mini Big Band

Arts - that Christmas feeling

The delicious warmth of Christmas big band music is coming to the club, and you can have a foretaste here with Georgina Jackson and Annette Brown perform 'Merry Christmas to you', raising money for Mount Vernon breast cancer research centre. Georgina and her Mighty Mini Big Band will be presenting their evening of seasonal festive music on Wednesday 13 December from 7pm.

This is guaranteed to be a thoroughly entertaining evening with fine music and much fun. The evening will include a three-course dinner with wine. Tickets are available priced at £110pp, and can be booked here. Members may book up to five guests.

EIC played Sherborne Old Boys in a tough encounter, ending in more pints than points for the section

Rugby - membership pitch

Will Mullins

Gorgeous weather and some well-spirited opposition set the tone for a tough encounter when EIC played Sherborne Old Boys on Saturday 11 November. The lack of a ref delayed kick-off by a short while, before both sides finally took to the pitch.

After a testy opening quarter, the first of our injuries struck, with William Martin putting his head on the line before being ushered to casualty. A flowing game with the ball being in play for an usually long time throughout, the fitness of the team was tested very early on.

With Calvin’s calf seemingly on protest, Sherborne managed to sneak a few past us, owing mainly to some dubious refereeing of the quick line-out law. Some East India line breaks were cut short at the final hurdle on multiple occasions, with a special mention to our centre partnership.

The second half proved more favourable with two tries and the only completed conversion of the game!

The game ended Sherborne 50, EIC 12, although our recruitment of their players as potential members benefits our long-term game plan! We hope to see many of them representing the EIC in the future.

After tie ceremonies with the opposition (and a few punishment pints for Archie Merriman and MOTM Daniel Mondragon-Sanchez), we took in the view on Hammersmith Bridge, before retiring to the Den.

Danny introduced some very enjoyable post-match games, ensuring that Louis was unable to complete his driving test the following day. Some tired bodies carried on enjoying the atmosphere of the club well into the night, with upcoming socials also in the pipeline.

With only ten days left of Movember, some of the team are growing some questionable moustaches and raising money in support of men’s mental health! This year, the section is aiming to raise £1,000, whilst also running a total of 500km.

Please find the link below if you wish to support the cause: any donations would be greatly appreciated and I’m sure you’ll spot some of the creations around the club throughout the month!

EIC Rugby section Movember

A few places are still available for the club's clay day at the Holland & Holland just 40 minutes from central London

Shooting - clay day at Holland & Holland

Will Oakes

We still have space available for the Christmas shoot at Holland & Holland on Saturday 9 December. Suitable for beginners and experts alike, it promises to be a fantastic day, with two hours of clay pigeon shooting with an experienced instructor, followed by a delicious lunch.

Situated in a beautiful setting just 40 minutes from central London, with Northwood tube station (Metropolitan line) just a five-minute taxi ride away, this promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable day for all.

The cost of the day is just £150 per person, including gun rental, clays, instruction and lunch (drinks to be paid for separately) and the timetable for the day is as follows:

9.45am: arrive at Holland & Holland shooting grounds for bacon rolls and hot beverages.
10am: division into teams, safety briefing and outline of the morning's activities, and an introduction to your Holland and Holland instructors.
10.15am: shooting commences with instruction and practice on a variety of sporting stands.
12.15pm: shooting ends.
12.15pm: optional pre-lunch bar available followed by a working Christmas lunch; departure at leisure.

Whether you're a seasoned shooter or new to the sport, this day caters to all skill levels. It's the perfect chance to sharpen your aim, exchange shooting tips, and foster new friendships within the section and across the club.

If you would like to book to attend or would like to join the section please contact the office here.

Events diary

Even though an event may be fully booked, please add your name to the waitlist or contact the office directly as spaces do become available.

Further events are listed in the club diary on the website; please check here for what's coming up.

The Wager by David Grann

Book group
To book please email the office by clicking the date below
Monday 27 November - 6pm to 7.30pm
Members may bring guests
Lounge suits
We will be discussing David Grann's The Wager—A tale of shipwreck, mutiny and murder.

Antiques and collectors - competitive dating
To book please click the date below
Thursday 30 November - 7pm
Members may bring guests; tickets are priced at £10pp and include canapés on arrival
No set dress code, but members should observe the club rules.
Calling all collectors! Can you tell your Elizabethan from your Jacobean or your aesthetic movement from art deco? Join section members for a quick-fire evening of deduction, with prizes.
Please get in touch here if you would like to include your item for appraisal in this event. It can be anything from silverware, objet d'art, historical artefacts or items that are especially evocative of a particular time period.

5-a-side team ready to socialise

Football section - curry night
To book please click the date below
Thursday 30 November - 7pm to 11pm
Members may bring up to three (gentlemen) guests
Lounge suits
The football section will be hosting a Christmas curry evening in the East India Room. Tickets will include dinner, and two pints from the bar, followed by a screening of European football in the Den.

Reverend Lucy Winkett leading last year's annual tri clubs service

Tri clubs carol service and Christmas party
St James's, Piccadilly, and clubhouse; to book please click the date below
Wednesday 6 December - 6.30pm church service, 7.45pm Smoking Room
Members and up to nine guests; tickets are priced at £85pp
Lounge suits and cocktail dresses
The club will be 'at home' to members and their guests at this annual event. The evening begins with a carol service followed by refreshments at St James's Church, Piccadilly, before members head back to the clubhouse for a drinks reception with food and entertainment in the Smoking Room.

The stained glass window in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace created to celebrate the Late Queen's golden jubilee

Advent carols and lunch
Chapel Royal and clubhouse, this event is now fully booked; to be added to the waitlist please click the date below
Sunday 10 December - 10am
Members and one guest; tickets priced at £70pp
Lounge suits
Members of the club are cordially invited to attend the traditional Advent carol service within the beautiful Chapel Royal of St James's Palace, followed by lunch at the clubhouse.

Carol concert and dinner
Clubhouse, this event is now fully booked; to be added to the waitlist please click the date below
Thursday 14 December - 6.45pm for 7.15pm
Members and up to three guests; tickets are priced at £90pp
Black tie
An evening of Christmas music and carols. Champagne reception prior to the concert, and a black-tie dinner in the Dining Room afterwards.

Old favourite, Prawn Moilee, returns to the menu

East India Express - prawn moilee on the menu

Club favourite prawn moilee has made its comeback on the East India Express menu. Originally from Kerala in southern India, this dish takes its name from the curry known amongst Malayali as 'moli'. The delicious sauce has a coconut milk base and is spiced with green chilli, curry leaves and mustard seeds.

Our delicious authentic curries bring a taste of the east to your home. Just place your order, relax and enjoy. With your order, you could include a bottle of your favourite club wine or Champagne, or some club chocolates to end the meal in style. When ordering, you can now select the date you would like to receive your Express menu, so be it a weekend treat, a special occasion or just because you don't want to cook, orders can be placed via Shopify here or by scanning the QR code below. If you encounter any difficulties or would like to order for a large party please contact clubsales@orientalclub.org.uk.

All the East India Express menus are designed for two people (or two meals for one person). They are all carefully prepared by the chefs at the Oriental Club, and each is made to order before being flash-frozen. The orders are then packaged in special temperature-controlled boxes, which means they are guaranteed to arrive at a safe temperature, below 4ºC, ready for refrigeration. The meals can be reheated either on the stove or in the microwave and cooking instructions, use-by dates and all ingredients are detailed on the packaging. For those yet to try the service, we deliver to the UK mainland and the Isle of Wight.

Be gym-ready with this club vacuum flask bottle

Club shop - hot or cold drink?

With the Gym reopening, why not kit yourself out with an East India Club water bottle?

The 500ml bottle is made from RCS-certified recycled stainless steel, and has a vacuum insulation and a copper-plated inner wall. This means your drinks stay hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. Bottles can be ordered here and cost £20 each.

Stock up the wine cellar

Members can order club wines, gins and ports for home delivery from the club's nominated wine supplier, Davy's. Members may also like to try the guest wines Davy's has selected, which complement our own club wines. To see the full collection please click here.

Sports & activities at the club

Along with opportunities to attend Twickenham and Lords using our debentures, and our box at Ascot, the club offers a variety of sporting and interest groups for members. Click links to be taken to their web pages to find out about upcoming events and to be added to their mailing lists.

antiques & collectors, arts, backgammon, book group, chess, cigars, cricket, fly-fishing, football, EPICS (golf), hill-walking & mountaineering, history & military history, horse racing, jazz at no 16, motoring, polo, rowing, rugby, shooting, snooker, yachting, wine-tasting & tours

If you are interested in setting up a section, please contact the secretary's office to discuss the matter further.