Member's Dinners

OLYMPIC DINNER at the LEANDER CLUB

On Tuesday 21st September 2010, we are holding our best dinner so far for our members and their guests. This dinner will be held at the exclusive private club, the Leander, overlooking the river at Henley. Present will be three top athletes (two of them are also former Olympic medal winners), two are from from the track and one from the rowing fraternity. (They will also bring their Olympic and World medals for you to examine if you've never seen or touched one.)

But first things first. A little about the Leander. Founded in 1818 it is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. If you are an up and coming British oarsman, you strive for membership of the exclusive Leander. Members include Sir Steve Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell - as well as actor (and former rower) Hugh Laurie. The Clubhouse is set on the banks on the Thames, and we have reserved the stylish dining room, overlooking the river. From past expereince the food is also magnificent to match the surroundings.

Mark Hunter MBE won an Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing in 2008 in the Lightweight Men's Double Sculls, together with his partner Zac Purchase. The previous year at the World Rowing Championships in Munich they also won a Bronze medal. But in 2008, the double dominated the lightweight event, winning all of their races, and finishing the season as Olympic champions. Mark was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours.

Mark Richardson is the current joint English 400m record holder (with Roger Black), has won an Olympic Silver Medal and a Gold Medal in the World 4 x 400m championships. He's also the only European to have beaten Michael Johnson over 400m and he's additionally won individual medals over 400m at the Europeans and Commonwealths as well as the IAAF Grand Prix final and World Cup.

Tim Benjamin was also a 400m runner and was formally ranked World No.2 to Jeremey Wariner, the World and Olympic champion at the time, who he beat twice in 2005. By 2002 he had established himself as one of Britain's best athletes, winning the British AAA title, and running in the successful Team GB squad at the European Cup. In the Commonwealth Games that year, he helped guide Wales to a silver medal in the 4x 400 metres relay. It was during that year also that he also earned a silver in the European Athletics U23 Championships in Poland.

The cost for this extra special dinner, which includes a reception, three courses, wine and coffee to follow is £55 per person (plus VAT). Celebrate Britain holding the 2012 Olympics, meet some of the stars who have been there - all in the luxurious and exclusive surroundings of the Leander Club.