The Albertopolis Wine King
By
Christopher Cook live on BBC Radio 3 from the cellars of The Royal Albert Hall
Via a fascinating BBC Radio 3 broadcast during the Prom concert last night (28th July), we were able to delve deeper into the facts about the man who founded The Wine Society – Major-General Henry Darracott Scott.
‘Twenty Minutes’ – the programme that happens every night during the interval of the concert – focused on the architect and builder of the Royal Albert Hall who was also Secretary of the Royal Commission for the Great Exhibition of 1851 and hence organiser of the International Exhibition from where we draw our full name (The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society). The insufficient publicity behind the event led to there being an awful lot of wine left in the cellars of the Hall and the rest, as they say, is history.
Presenter Christopher Cook and producer Michael Surcombe are both members of The Society. I was invited to speak on behalf of The Society and, along with other guests, featured in the programme which you can listen to here on the BBC iPlayer (until Tuesday 3rd August).
Whether you heard the programme live last night or have listened online since, please do let us know your impressions by leaving a comment here on the blog.
What a pity to have missed hearing The Albertopolis Wine King broadcast on the radio. It is an important element of our IECWS history, so why not make it available on our website for all to hear. I am sure that many members will have had the misfortune to miss it due to the holiday season, as did I. What are your thoughts?
Thank you for your note, Mr Davies – I am waiting on a response from the BBC as to whether or not we can have the recording up permanently on our website. Watch this space!
I’ve just heard from the BBC that unless a local recording was made (which did not happen here), the broadcast evaporates once it disappears off the iPlayer. But I’m on the case to see whether we can get condensation from the evaporation. I haven’t given up yet.
Thank you for your efforts Ewan. You evidently, also, consider it important for a broader audience of members to see this feature. I wish you luck for a successful conclusion.
Leighton, a partial video version is on the way, taken on the night and just edited together today. Keep you eyes open for a new Grapevine entry shortly.