We are incredibly excited about welcoming you all to join us for our charity event in The Cotswolds, ready to raise lots of money for the most worthy of causes; particularly close to our hearts, Supporting Wounded Veterans, previously known as Skiing with Heroes . We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our partners for this event and the amazing lots they have given us to make the evening truly spectacular. Just take a look below!
TICKETS: If you haven’t already bought your ticket you can do so here
DONATIONS: If you would simply like to donate, THANK YOU, and please click here.
ONLINE BIDS: To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount. (And don't worry... you don't need to attend the event to bid!)
The Auction Lots!
(Please bid by 16.00 on the 3rd of November - you don't need to attend the event to bid!)
LOT 1. Sporting Commission by Jeremy Houghton: Contemporary Cotswold artist Jeremy Houghton creates artworks that depict the dynamic world. He paints sport, journeys and adventure to explore the essence of motion, favouring themes of light, space, transience and change. The subjects and places that characterize these scenes are illuminated by the way that he shapes the spaces between things, and the spaces in which bodies linger, shimmer, move and often take flight. Houghton was official artist for the Olympics in 2012; artist in residence at Highgrove in 2013, at Windsor Castle in 2014, and at Goodwood in 2015. He is currently artist in residence for Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing (The America’s Cup), and official artist for next year’s tennis Championships at Wimbledon.
To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount (reserve price for a Jeremy Houghton commission is £1,500).
LOT 2. 7 Night Luxury Ski Break for 4 People with The Boutique Chalet Company during a Boutique shared week: Enjoy a luxury ski holiday with The Boutique Chalet Company who were nominated Best UK Chalet Company in The Telegraph’s World Snow Awards. You will enjoy every aspect of luxury ski - from your private chef preparing incredible daily breakfasts, to your chauffeur driving service, from the delicious treats waiting for you in the chalet after your ski day, to the luxury Bamford Spas available in all our chalets. Enjoy 5-course fine dining evening meals, incredible wines and exquisite luxury accommodation in some of the most sought after luxury ski chalets in the Alps. Choose between Chamonix, Morzine or Les Gets as your destination in two luxury rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Fully catered and Ski Equipment Hire Included. Enjoy the finest ski areas in the world, in the finest chalets.
To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 3. 3 nights for 2 adults at 5-star Le Chalet Zannier, Megeve: Why not head to the Alps to the 5-star rustic mountain retreat, Le Chalet Zannier? Comprised as a collection of 3 cosy chalets and well located only a short walk from the centre of Megeve, with wonderful views over the valley. With outstanding service we can ensure your stay is a truly memorable one. Relax in the lovely spa area dedicated to calm and serenity, including an indoor pool, hammam and sauna. Enjoy a drink or light meal in the lounge bar in front of the roaring open fireplace within a warm and relaxed atmosphere. La Ferme de mon Père Restaurant invites you to share moments of conviviality in a bistro-chic ambiance. Megève itself is a stylish picturesque resort located only 1hr from Geneva Airport. The town is very pretty and has a really charming village feel to it. Along the cobbled street, you'll find a selection of restaurants, boutiques and bars.
To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 4. 3 nights for 2 adults at 5-star Hotel Avenue Lodge, Val d’Isere: If you are looking for a stylish, sleek and trendy place to stay, the 5-star Hotel Avenue Lodge ticks the box! Located in the heart of resort with only a short walk to the ski slopes, it’s in an extremely convenient location. The luxury Esthederm Spa within the hotel features an indoor pool, two saunas, hammam and Jacuzzi. Enjoy a full buffet breakfast served in the Restaurant each day, or a cosier option of a continental breakfast available in your room. The bar area is friendly and welcomes you for an afternoon snack or après ski drink. Val d’Isere is a fairly lively resort with a good mixture of bars, shops and broad range of restaurants. Sitting high up at 1,850m in the Tarentaise Valley, the ski resort is a pleasing mix of superb skiing for all abilities, around a 3hr drive from Geneva Airport.
To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 5. Family ticket for 4 at Giffords Circus 2017 at Barrington: From its inception in 2009, Giffords Circus has taken to the roads every summer; enlivening that vision of a miniature village green circus, busting at the seams, packed, rowdy, with a little band of performers who live nomadically, performing daily, engrossed in the serious business of making magic. To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 6. Kate Evans Style Consultation: Kate has been a qualified Image Consultant and Life Coach for over 12 years. Her friendly and relaxed approach as well as her understanding of styling means she knows how to find clothes that truly fit people's personalities, colouring, body shape and lifestyle. To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 7. The Wild Rabbit - 3 course midweek lunch for 2 with a glass of wine: The Wild Rabbit in Kingham was created in 2013 and quite amazingly, has just been awarded a Michelin star! Founded by Lady Bamford with Executive Chef Tim Allen at the helm, this pub offers stripped back walls, open fires, top-notch service with creative, seasonal dishes that celebrate everything that is great about local produce – much of which is grown and reared on it’s sister farm, Daylesford. To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 8. Personalised Merrythought Teddy Bear – a perfect Christmas gift: Merrythought has been creating the finest teddy bears since 1930 and is the only company of its kind in the UK. All teddy bears are handmade using traditional craftsmanship and materials to create timeless characters that last a lifetime. A Merrythought is not just a teddy bear but an exquisite piece of British heritage to cherish and pass on to the next generation. To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 9. An exclusive half day cookery course with Mark & Sue Stinchcombe from Eckington Manor: The Restaurant at Eckington Manor is led by husband and wife team Mark and Sue Stinchcombe. Mark is the reigning champion of Masterchef: The Professionals, beating off tough competition from 12 finalists. Sue has also appeared on staple foodie viewing including the Great British Menu, Britain’s Best Dish and Hairy Bikers. This one of a kind, money can’t buy prize will offer an exclusive half day cookery course with Mark and Sue Stinchcombe themselves. The winning bidder along with a guest will be invited into Eckington Manor’s state of the art cookery school for a bespoke session as hosted by successful chefing duo. To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 10. Men’s Falke Ski Gear from Sock Solutions: Ski gear package worth £125RRP: Men’s socks, crew neck shirt and cropped leggings. The socks have very light padding, this sports sock provides for effective protection against pressure marks with direct power transfer. Their Crew neck shirt and cropped leggings perfectly wick away moisture and have targeted thermal insulation and ventilation. To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 11. 3 course dinner cooked by Annabel Gonifas for 8 guests in your home: Annabel’s food is inspired by a passion for eating, creating and entertaining. With 15 years of catering experience she has worked around the world as a private chef, was runner up in the Times Online Chalet Chef 2010, and has written her own cookbook. Annabel will come and cook a 3 course dinner party for you in your home. To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 12. Chalet Shop Hamper: Founded by the same team who set up Richard Branson’s The Lodge in Verbier, the Chalet Shop offering comes with vast experience of furnishing ski pads and a working knowledge of the commercial ski chalet. The Chalet Shop Goodie Bag contains:
- Selection of luxury toiletries that feature in several prestigious Alpine chalets
- Selection from our accessories collection
- A Gift Token which can be put towards anything on our website
- A handy jute shopping bag
To place a bid please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your amount.
LOT 13. Fondue Sets for sale at £25 each: Feeling Wintery and inspired by our Alpine themed event? We have a number of high-quality, ceramic Vonshef fondue sets for sale at £25 each which you can take home after the event. They have been used once before for a wedding but they are spick and span now and packed away in their original packaging. These are being sold on a first come first serve basis so be quick if you want one! To buy, please email annabel@oxfordski.com with the lot number and your request.
How do you bring Après Ski to The Cotswolds? With the help of these generous people!
(Photo: the uniforms we will be wearing, donated by Bramble Ski)
Oxleaze Barn - Event space: Tucked away in rolling countryside, Oxleaze Barn is a large flexible event space, perfect for celebrating and entertaining or for reflection and professionalism.
Silver Ball PR - Event PR: Annabel Rayer established Silver Ball in 2009 with the belief that obtaining great PR results requires great PR practitioners who are bursting with energy, passion, knowledge and charisma. Silver Ball specialises in delivering results-driven PR strategies to those in the travel & leisure industry.
Oasis Events – Après Ski decoration: Oasis Events is an award-winning specialist in event hire and management, serving private and corporate clients throughout the UK.
Justerini and Brookes – Wine: For more than 260 years, Justerini & Brooks has looked after the needs of the discerning collector looking for quality wine, expertise and personal service.
Siblings Gin – Gin: Although their values of hard work and no shortcuts are old fashioned, their gin is anything but. They have combined the hands-on process of mashing in the cane sugar base & preparing fresh fruits and other botanicals, with a state of the art distillery & beautifully modern set of botanical flavours.
Force Brewery - Beer: The reins of Force Brewery are in the hands of Charles Malet; brewer, barman, chief cask washer and director. He grew up in Gloucestershire and, following one or two outings and some time in the Coldstream Guards, he's come back to brew an armful of seriously eventful ales.
Bottlegreen – Mixers for gin cocktails: Bottlegreen Drinks Co. has always believed in creating the finest and most natural soft drinks possible. Blending wonderfully sublime flavours into the most exquisite drinks is their one driving passion.
Davina Longsdon Canapes – Canapés: Davina’s canapés have been described on many occasions as outstanding, original, creative and always seamlessly organised, prepared and served by her friendly team.
Bramble Ski - Our uniforms! Bramble Ski have built a portfolio of exclusively operated luxury properties across some of the most desirable resorts in Europe. Not to mention they have the best staff uniforms in The Alps which we are looking forward to showing off at the party!
The Charity
And finally, if there's a way to understand how this charity truly helps, it's to hear it from the veterans themselves. This video never fails to incentivise us and shows how incredibly valuable this charity really is.
