Queens' College host Great Fen Project Dinner

Date: 03/10/2008

The actor, comedian, writer and television presenter Stephen Fry hosted a black tie dinner at Queen’s College in Cambridge on Tuesday evening in honour of the Great Fen Project.

Mr Fry, who has been President of the massive conservation project since May 2006, entertained the 50 privileged guests with a champagne reception and a four course fenland-inspired meal.

The dinner was held to introduce new people to the Great Fen Project and to thank those who have already supported it. The Great Fen Project aims to create a fenland habitat of 9,000 acres just north of Huntingdon to benefit people and wildlife. By the end of 2008, the project aims to secure about 60 percent of the land within the project area. In the next few years, the project will concentrate on restoring this land and providing visitor facilities. Stephen Fry has been the President of the Great Fen campaign for two years following a visit to Woodwalton Fen and is a former Alumni of Queens’ College, Cambridge.

The event started with a champagne reception in Cloister Court and was followed by a sumptuous dinner in the Old Hall prepared by the Queen’s College catering team headed up by Master Chef Hans Schweitzer. Hans Schweitzer created a special menu for the event and used local produce found in the Fen area. Guests were treated to a Smoked eel and pike terrine followed by Venison with blackcurrant sauce and East Anglian farmers’ vegetables. The meal was finished off with a special Fen pudding incorporating caramelised pears and apples.

Dining at Queens’ is a unique experience. The contemporary menu and fine wines combine beautifully with the historic surroundings to create a truly memorable event. The Old Hall with its 550-year history, opulent decoration by William Morris and his contemporaries; and historic portraits has long been a favourite with businesses from the UK and around the world.

Kelly S. Dickson, Campaign Manager for the Great Fen Project commented:
"It was really wonderful working with the banqueting team at Queens’ – Tim Shorey was so patient and helpful and Hans Schweitzer worked with us to provide a truly unique and scrumptious meal for our guests. The pairings of the wine with the courses was perfect and the atmosphere of the Old Hall capped off a perfect evening."

Great Fen Project
For more information on the project, please visit www.greatfen.org.uk

Photo courtesy of Terry Brignall of All Aspects Photography