Racehorse trainer Ian Balding—whose owners included HM The Queen and HM The Queen Mother—has arranged an exclusive invitation for CountryClubuk Members to walk the Grand National course with him on Fox Hunters Day (Thursday, April 3). This has been agreed by the Clerk of the Course, and is available only to our Members and their guests.

A brilliant amateur rider himself, Ian Balding rode round the Grand National course five times—so to walk with him around this, the most famous steeplechase course in the world, will be a unique and enthralling experience. As Ian says, ‘Seeing these famous fences at close quarters is awe-inspiring. To stand in front of Bechers gives real insight into the courage of horses and riders, and the Fox Hunters is deservedly the most prestigious race there is for Amateurs. There are always plenty of runners and a certain amount of carnage can be expected, as the Amateurs tend to set off rather too fast for their own good ... ’

We walk the two-mile course at 11am, and it takes an hour. The rest of the day is a hugely enjoyable CountryClubuk house party at the races. Our headquarters are in the superb Corbiere Suite, three floors up in the new Lord Sefton stand, overlooking the finish and giving an unrivalled view of the course. Our Members receive special badges to walk the course, plus entrance and hospitality badges. They enjoy a Champagne reception, four-course luncheon with wines (hosted by Ian Balding and Emma, his wife), unlimited complimentary bar excluding Champagne, morning coffee and afternoon tea, plus private Tote facility, racecard, reserved car parking, daily newspapers and sporting papers.

The whole day costs Members £279 plus VAT. Please book soon, as only the first 12 Members are permitted to walk the course. For more details and to secure your place, click here or call us on 020 7291 8600.

This Spring, skirts have a swish in their tail and Nature rules with a celebration of all things floral. Put the two together and you have our stunning new pure cotton skirt collection: pretty, freestyle and fun.

White lotus flowers blossom on the new Henrietta, a pure cotton black printed full skirt revealing a black petticoat beneath to add extra swish. The broad waistband is ruffled and fastens at the hip with four large pearly buttons. This is a really pretty, fashionable and stylish skirt to wear with a cropped jacket, pretty shirt or plain top—dressy enough for a party and perfect for any Spring day ...

It comes in sizes 8 to 16 in two colours: white flowers on red or white on black. Code HS11CC06. RRP £38. CCUK £17. Order Henrietta Skirt.

The intense yet delicate dawn hues of a 2.35-carat natural pink sapphire create the stunning centrepiece of this Aurora cluster ring, beautifully set off by high-quality diamonds and 18ct white gold. It has everything—instant glamorous appeal, high value, and an enduring ‘wow’ factor.

Few things capture the imagination like an exquisite piece of jewellery, and sapphires in particular are considered to be the ‘heavenly gem’—symbols of love and loyalty—and not in blue alone. Pink sapphires the colour of dawns and sunsets can be equally rare and magnificent—and this large pink sapphire is gorgeous, full of brilliance and life. It is cushion cut, traditionally claw set, and surrounded by .43 carats of brilliant cut diamonds in white gold.

This lovely, feminine and romantic ring has a price tag of £1,750, but similar rings can be seen in London’s West End selling for more than twice that. In its smart presentation case it makes a gift any woman will remember forever—and it will of course last forever: sapphires and diamonds are the two hardest gemstones on earth.

The ring is fully hallmarked in England and carries an insurance certificate at the full retail price, together with a 100% money-back guarantee. If you are not sure of ring size, this will be adjusted later, free of charge.

Pink Sapphire and Diamond Aurora Ring. One only. Code PS01JK02. RRP £1,750. CCUK £995. Order.

This elegant new Parisian linen and silk suit by René Derhy has a touch of the ‘ready for Royal Ascot about it’—or perhaps the Bois de Boulogne. It is a classic with plenty of savoir faire, using sheer gauze detailing and a flattering cut for a light, floaty, alluring look that is soft, stylish and incredibly easy to wear. We love it.

For a start, the swishy skirt makes a girl walk with a real swing. A dozen pleats, flatteringly low cut, are accentuated with Fortuny-inspired sheer gauze pleated panels over a plain lining. The waistband is comfortably wide, the cut hip-skimming, and a soft ribbon sash completes the effect.

The matching top is semi-fitted, darted, and gently curved to flatter. The hem mirrors the skirt with its tiny and irregular triangles of sheer gauze, the neat revere collar was made for a floaty silk scarf or string of pearls, and the pretty bluebell sleeves are the perfect match.

Every detail about this sweet suit has been beautifully thought out by its Parisian designer, and the outfit is effortlessly irresistible and versatile—you will wonder how you ever managed without it. The material is 40% linen, 35% ramie (one of the oldest natural fibre crops) and 25% silk, and can be hand washed. It comes in red, white, black and light grey. Sizes: 8-14. Code LS01CC04. RRP £135. CCUK £95. Order.

Our new sterling silver cufflinks are understated classics, and eminently versatile. Elegant enough for a white tie ball, black tie dinner, wedding or the Royal Enclosure, they are also perfect for everyday wear at the office, in the boardroom, or at the club.

The cufflinks have a neat swivel torpedo back so you can put them on easily, and they come in a smart case. They can be gift wrapped and sent with your message, but at this price why not treat yourself?

Code SC01CC04. RRP £55. CCUK £25. Save £30. Order silver cufflinks.

The combination of lustrous natural freshwater pearls and the subtle green shades of natural Burmese jade is both unusual and delightful, and our pearl jeweller in the Hawaiian Islands has designed this new necklace for us to highlight a globe of jade carved with an oriental coin and dragon design. Two tiny seeds of jade are added on either side to enhance the effect, and the clasp is in 14ct gold.

Simple yet beautiful, this necklace looks good whenever you wear it, with most necklines and on so many occasions, from an evening dress to a simple shirt or scoop-neck top for the office, or a cashmere sweater for Sunday lunch. And as jade is held to bring us joy, vivacity and happiness, it adds an extra dimension to a thoughtful and unique gift.

The necklace is 17in (43cm) long and fastens with a traditional 14ct gold filigree pearl clasp. It arrives in a presentation box. Code PJ01CC04. RRP £150. CCUK £85. Order Freshwater Pearl and Burmese Jade Necklace.

Our fabulous new Milano handbag has serious scene-stealing potential in rich ruby suede. Designed and made in England by the same craftsmen who make for Mulberry, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Paul Smith, Barneys New York and Nieman Marcus, they create superb designs using the finest hides. As a Club Member, you have the best of all worlds: English craftsmanship, high fashion, and an exclusive low price.

The Milan Bag from the Cherry Bolbery Collection is smart and stylish for work, relaxed enough for weekends—and at 18in wide x 10in (46cm x 25cm) it is so roomy it will even take your gym kit.

It has a secure zipped top and two pleated and zipped front patch pockets to keep tickets etc for easy access. Carry as a handbag or shoulder bag or as an extra-long shoulder bag using a detachable 3ft (91cm) strap. The bag is lined in navy, and has an interior zipped pocket.

We chose ruby, but it comes in a whole panoply of lovely colours: oatmeal, purple, fuchsia, lichen, burnt orange, rose, baby pink, pistachio, cornflower, autumn leaf, moss, chocolate, mid-brown and black.

Code MB01OB02. RRP £149. CCUK £79. Save £70. Order Milano Bag.

This is the last month of the season to enjoy the justly famous Rye Bay scallops. After March 31, they will be out of season until next January, and that is far too long to wait to taste these iconic scallops (they even have their own dedicated week-long festival at the end of February each year).

Rye Bay scallops have just the right fleshy texture and mild, sweet flavour. They are wonderful pan-fried, served in their shells, with butter, parsley and lemon, or rosemary and garlic, for your next dinner party.

They come from the Club’s Kentish fisherman, Andy Cook, at Griggs of Hythe, delivered to your door spanking fresh from the sea.
Orders received by 1pm are dispatched next day for overnight delivery to your door before 5.30pm (except Saturday and Sunday).

One dozen Rye Bay Scallops: Code RB01GH01. RRP £25.50. CCUK £21. Order. Two dozen Rye Bay Scallops: Code RB02GH01. RRP £51. CCUK £41. Order. Current orders subject to non-stormy weather!

As soon as the new season’s fish arrives, we will be making fresh fish hampers available to Club Members: Dover Soles, Wild Sea Bass, John Dory, Turbot and Brill (all from June to September), with fresh crabs, prawns, lobsters and crevettes. To pre-order, all at special Club prices, call Member Services on 020 7291 8600.

Now, a new find from the eastern Loire Valley—the first Chardonnay of the region, made by the Marquis de Goulaine and winner of the top vin de pays unoaked Chardonnay award.

Nobody familiar with the Marquis could be surprised at his introducing a new wine at the age of 64. Winemaker, shooting man and author, he has written two novels, a wine memoir and a collection of shooting reminiscences (he shoots in Scotland and Ireland, as well as in France)—and his new and delicious Chardonnay is already a well regarded vin de pays.

The 2006—which we suggest that our Members should try—not only made it into the Top 100 at France’s national annual Vin de Pays awards, it won the main trophy for the best unoaked Chardonnay. It is the House Chardonnay at Gleneagles—a very drinkable wine in an extremely attractive bottle embossed with the Marquis’ coat of arms, and amazingly good value to our Members at £69 per case of 12 (just £5.75 a bottle, including delivery in the UK mainland).
Code MG01WD07. CCUK £69. Order 12-bottle Case of Marquis de Goulaine 2006 Chardonnay.