FASHION PHOTOGRAPHS AT LANGAR HALL

Photographs taken at Langar in March have recently appeared in fashion pages of magazines all over the world. The front cover of Mood Europe International trade magazine is a great version of the second picture here. The editorial brings tears to my eyes:

"Everything is British: from the location, Langar Hall elegant country house hotel near Nottingham, to the mood of the collections. From the Union Jack right down to the photographer himself who surprisingly and for the first time, is the designer himself

"I decided to take photos of where I stay when working on new collections. I adore this place. Its like a home for me and is perfect for creating a natural atmosphere, a kind of meeting beteen friends, having fun."

Amazing praise ! Those few words sums up Langar Hall as I know it. "Not posh" as Paul would say. And certainly not corporate.

Do look at the Paul Smith blog on his web site. It is inspirational. And if you are in Nottingham a visit to his shop, Willoughby House, will make you feel special. Even if you don't splash out on a new suit/dress, you might be tempted to treat yourself to one of the little Christmas presents.

I can't resist the socks !

Just back from Goa, getting over jet lag and now I have a cold caught from that ghastly cold air con on the flight. I flew direct from Goa to Nottingham East Midlands, 10 hours non stop. Pretty good. You can see my Goan version of Langar on this web site. It is not a hotel, just simple, clean comfortable beach shacks, very good food and interesting customers. Friendly and fun. The rooms cost from £25-£30 which this year includes hot water showers en suite! The sea is bath water warm, safe and clean, 7 mile of unspoilt beach where the few beach loungers and all sign of tourism was cleared away by the cyclone. Now that was some experience!

I am off to Goa for a couple of weeks sunshine, back on 21st November all ready for Christmas.
It has been a beautiful autumn. This is a picture of 'Kent's man' Stuart clearing the golden leaves.
All will carry on smoothly here with out me. I get very forgetful these days!

Langar and Sikhism

Today I was honoured to be invited with my daughter Louise to celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib at Langar Hall, Church street, Lenton. Guru Nanak Sahib started the practice of Langar that prevails today in the Gurdwaras all over the world.

LANGAR is an institution of fundamental importance in Sikhism. It is sitting together to partake of food from a common kitchen regardless of caste, creed, sex, age or social status.

Eating together must take precedence over meeting together. ( nothing changes)

Langar is a Sanskrit word. In Saxon times Langar was a place of pilgrimage when Langar Hall was situated a mile to the north of the church, by the river Smite, the pilgrims walked up the hill to the 11th century church and then on towards Colston Bassett where the priory of St Ethelburgers was a place of pilgrimage 'to where great multitudes resort'

Draw a line on the map from the Observatory in Edinborough to Grenwich and you will find the line goes straight through reception and out through the study.

There is something very special about Langar.

These gooles welcomed a few guests on arrival on Saturday night and did a little tour of the dining room. We gave them all one cornetto to go away. They left this pumpkin on the desk. It was a good night with three birthday parties in private rooms and a full dining room. Well that's over for another year. I forgot the flash so the pictures came out darker than they should be.