Lancaster’s rich and famous raise thousands for the Lune Scholarship at their Moulin Rouge Ball.

Parisienne chic came to the southern quarter of Lancaster recently as Netplay TV’s Executive Chairman Martin Higginson and Emma Stanyon hosted a Moulin Rouge themed Ball in order to raise money for the Lune Scholarship , a local charity that supports under-privileged children attending Lancaster Royal Grammar School.

Guests were greeted on the torch-lined, red carpet by a Harold Ziegler look-a-like, stilt-walkers and a volley of flash bulbs. The transformation of the Old Filter House, bedecked in swathes of luxurious reds and bursting with plumes, corsetry and glamorous costumes, put 170 guests in the mood not only to party, but to part with their money for the worthy cause. 

A combination of raffle and auction helped boost the total funds raised.  Fabulous prizes included a beautiful blue Topaz dress ring and Tag Heuer watch from Banks Lyon Jewellers, Lancaster. For the sports fans in the group a number of signed England shirts were also on offer to the highest bidder. Champagne and much more made sure all the 170 guests were catered for.

Can-can girls kicked off the evening’s dancing with local bands, The Bootleggers and The Aeolian Quartet, providing the music.

 “It was an honour to host the Ball and raise money for the Lune Scholarship.” said Emma Stanyon .

“A fantastic evening was had by all and a big thank you must go to everyone for a superb effort, both creating the venue and with their stunning evening dress. We hope that the money raised will make a big difference to the school lives of some of the boys at Lancaster Royal Grammar School”

Lancaster Royal Grammar School were well represented with head Andrew Jarman and colleagues in attendance.

Andrew Jarman, Head of LRGS with Host Emma Stanyon

Andrew Jarman said “It was a sparkling event with a serious purpose.  We can’t thank Emma and her team enough, plus Martin of course for his inspiration.  The funds will be used to support the most needful of our boys to become fully involved in the rich life of the school, and to broaden their horizons and aspirations beyond their norm. Regardless of their background or family circumstances, we want every boy to enjoy the same level of opportunity.  The Lune Scholarship delivers just that”.

For further information about Lancaster Royal Grammar School visit the website at www.lrgs.org.uk or contact them on 01524 580600

For further information about Netplay TV visit the website at www.netplaytv.plc.uk or contact them on 01524 841155.

Richard Scowcroft Charity Dinner

In April this year Banks-Lyon sponsored and attended the Richard Scowcroft Charity dinner where all funds raised are donated to a research program at the University College  Hospital, London for the causes and treatments of childhood bone cancer.

'Research is concentrated on ways of reducing the appaling toxicity of current chemotherapy drungs, this in turn enables young patients to be strong enough to complete the treatment.' The focus being on Osteosarcoma: 'The most common type of bone cancer, and the sixth most common from of cancer in children.'                 

Amongst the feativities for the evening was a charity auction including a week's holiday for two to the Sandy Lane Resort, Barbados; a Corporate Shoot Day and a Cartier Must 21 from Banks-Lyon and a hour long set from Spandau Ballet's Brian Ferry.

          

A wonderful evening was had by all who attended and over £200,000.00 was raised for this worthy cause.

Breitling at Banks Lyon Abbeystead Clay Pigeon Shoot

More than £10,000 is raised for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust at the first ever Breitling at Banks Lyon Abbeystead Clay Pigeon Shoot

The great and the good of the North West of England helped to raise more than £10,000 for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, at the first ever Breitling at Banks Lyon Abbeystead Clay Pigeon Shoot, which took place on Saturday 26th April 2008.

The ex-owner of sportscar manufacturer TVR, as well as scions of the Scowcroft and Hemmings families were amongst guests invited to take part in a spectacular clay pigeon shooting competition on the Duke of Westminster’s magnificent, and very private, Abbeystead Estate, an event organised by Lancaster and London Marketing and PR Firm, Samuelson Wylie.

The shooting part of the event was organised by the Hon. John Cavendish of Cavendish Sporting, and attracted teams of shots from across the North West. Each team of four were tested against some extremely challenging clays and even had the opportunity to bring down remote controlled aircraft with their shotguns, a feat that was achieved rather spectacularly twice in a row by Paul Bowker of Bowker BMW’s team, which comprised himself, Craig Bancroft of Northcote Manor, Nick Thompson of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and entrepreneur Andrew Duckworth.

After lunch, Ben Samuelson conducted an auction to raise money for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust where the star lot was a flight in a jet fighter as part of the Breitling Jet team’s aerobatic display.

The winning team members - Jonathon Simpson, John Swires, Simon Coakley and Mick Nicholson from the Pinewood Shoot – each received a stunning £1800 Breitling Avenger Seawolf watch courtesy of principal sponsors Breitling and Banks Lyon Jewellers of Lancaster.

Additional sponsors Mercedes Benz sent up a Maybach and a Mercedes Mclaren SLR, while shared access supercar club The Segrave Club arrived with a Lamborghini Gallardo SLR, which were displayed in the middle of the shoot to add to the glamour of the occasion. Royal Westmoreland, Barbados gave a slightly chill April day a Caribbean flavour when they served everyone who had finished shooting with rum and cokes. Pannone Solicitors took it one stage further and actually competed, securing a more than creditable top ten position.

Rodney Banks-Lyon, MD of the eponymous Banks Lyon Jewellers said the day was a huge success.
“Lancashire is one of the great shooting regions of the country and an event like this has been long overdue. The standard of shooting was very high but best of all people really seemed to be enjoying themselves, and a decent sum was raised for a very worthy cause.

“Our greatest thanks go to His Grace, the Duke of Westminster, as well as the staff and tenants on his beautiful estate who were all incredibly supportive, Samuelson Wylie for organising such a superb day, as well as our sponsors and all those at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust who made the event possible.”

Edward Hay, Director at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, welcomed the event onto the shooting calendar.
“The atmosphere was amazing from start to finish and we were delighted at the way it has raised our profile in Lancashire, as well as the money raised which will go towards our use of science to promote game and wildlife management as an essential part of nature conservation,” he said.
“It was a superb event and our sincere thanks go to everyone involved.”

The winning team members - Jonathon Simpson, John Swires, Simon Coakley and Mick Nicholson from the Pinewood Shoot with Franz La Rosee, MD of Breitling UK and Rodney Banks Lyon, MD of Banks Lyon.

Even more Champagne & Seafood at Whittington Races plus watches, jewellery and fast cars!

The wintry weather over the Easter weekend didn’t deter race goers at Whittington this year, as visitors arrived in their droves to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy champagne and seafood whilst admiring an array of beautiful jewellery, watches and fast cars!

Andrew Southcott’s Champagne and Seafood Bar was as popular as ever, and with Banks Lyon Jewellers and Lake District Audi teaming up to sponsor the bar on Saturday 22nd March, guests enjoyed Veuve Cliquot champagne, red and white wine and a selection of freshly prepared seafood salads including lobster, crab, salmon and shrimps while admiring stunning collections from Banks Lyon and Lake District Audi.

Home made soup and chicken in a creamy white wine were also on the menu this year to help warm those braving the elements!

Inside the Champagne Bar, Banks Lyon displayed watches and jewellery from luxury brands they represent including Rolex, Cartier, Chopard, Breitling, Faberge and Omega as well as their own Banks Lyon Flawless Diamond Collection.

Sophie showing a Rolex to an interested customer

“The day was a tremendous success despite the stark contrast in the weather compared to the sub tropical weather last year, said Rodney Banks-Lyon.

“Whilst Whittington point-2-point is always a great day out, we were delighted to welcome back a large number of existing friends and clients, whilst making many new contacts.  The organisation was excellent and thankfully the services of the tractor were not needed!”

Lake District Audi, formerly Hadwins, showed off their very latest models as well, and caused quite a stir with the 187mph R8 and the new, recently launched A4 – the most advanced car of its class on display.

Lake District Audi with the Audi R8

“The cars certainly attracted a lot of attention,” said Paul Crewdson of Lake District Audi.

“It was also really nice to see so many familiar faces at Whittington and speak to existing clients as well as new contacts about our recent re-branding and the expansion of Lake District Audi.

“We did offer assistance to visitors as well on the day when one of the guests, there with ex-snooker player, John Parrott, needed a hand starting their Audi Q7!”
 

                                      Capturing the action at the races.                                       

Banks Lyon Jewellers celebrate official Chopard retailer status with exclusive Chopard Boutique

To celebrate the appointment of Banks Lyon Jewellers as the newest authorised retailer of Chopard fine jewellery and watches in the UK, owners Rodney and Jasmin Banks Lyon have turned the West showroom of their Church Street store into an exclusive Chopard Boutique between the 3rd and the 10th of November.
Banks Lyon Jewellers are the only official Chopard retailer in the whole of the UK to be appointed this year, and expect their Chopard customers to come mainly from Preston, Blackburn and the Lake District, as well as from Lancaster and its environs.
For the first week of their tenure as retailers of Chopard jewellery and watches, Banks Lyon’s have augmented their already substantial stock with a further selection of stunning Chopard pieces, sent over directly from Geneva, including the stunning Sun Burst Pendant, priced at £18,000.

Guests can enjoy a glass of chilled champagne at the event and seek expert advice from owners, Rodney and Jasmin Banks Lyon and General Manager Bob Breden.
“To be appointed by Chopard as the only new UK retailer this year is a fantastic achievement,” said Rodney Banks Lyon.
“We have built a strong reputation for offering an extensive list of luxury brands with exceptional service here in Lancaster and it’s a tribute to the quality our staff that Chopard has chosen us as the authorised retailer for the area.”
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to our exclusive Boutique where they can peruse the extensive range of truly stunning Chopard watches and jewellery, while sipping a nice glass of champagne.  And we are sure customers who visit the Boutique will discover something exceptional for that special somebody.”
Chopard is renowned as a prestigious manufacturer of timepieces and jewellery due to its attention to quality and creativity combined with a successful blend of innovative design and modern technology. Perhaps one of its most famous jewellery designs is the Happy Diamonds collection, with trademark free moving diamonds, that playfully follow the wearers’ movements, and which have been made famous by the likes of Scarlett Johanson, Elizabeth Hurley and Emanuelle Béart.

Chopard Mille Miglia 2008 GT XL Chrono

Chopard are also manufacturers of a stunning range of watches. Probably best known is the Mille Miglia Collection, named in celebration of the famous thousand mile motor race across the Italian mountains, which was first run in 1927 and which Chopard have sponsored since 1988. Every year, each driver is presented with a limited edition watch with their race number engraved upon it, and Banks Lyon Jewellers have managed to acquire a small selection of these highly collectable pieces.

TAG Heuer, P1 and Banks Lyon Jewellers bring global luxury icons to Lancaster
5 March, 2007

Lancaster reverberated to the roar of high performance engines as Banks Lyon Jewellers threw a party with prestige and performance car club P1 and Swiss watch manufacturer TAG Heuer.

P1 have recently launched a Northern branch of their club, where members get access to the ultimate garage of the world’s finest and fastest cars and released a tranche of six memberships for Lancashire and the Lakes at the event. Lancaster’s traffic is pretty bad at the best of times but it ground to a standstill as a Ford GT and a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder drove round the one way system to Banks Lyon’s Church Street showroom.

Banks Lyon Jewellers have the best range of exclusive watches North of Manchester and South of Glasgow and the esteem in which they are held by their suppliers was in evidence as TAG Heuer chose to show watches that aren’t actually being launched until the Basle Watch Show in April.

Rather appropriately for an event with a motoring theme, the new TAG Heuer Monaco Vintage Gulf Limited Edition was shown, which celebrates the the 1970 racing film Le Mans that made the iconic square faced watch famous. It’s two stars were Steve McQueen and the Gulf Porsche 917, whose colours the new watch takes. Only 4,000 of them are being built for the global market - but only 3,999 are now available as the first one was pre-sold in Lancaster on the night!

Sam and Sophie with the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

Nick Bailey, General Manager of P1 North, drove the Lamborghini up from their new base in Middlewich. “We keep the numbers of members strictly limited so, when our convertible Bentley Continental arrived, we were able to release six new memberships. It seemed to make sense to launch them at an event at Lancashire and the Lakes’ top jeweller and watch retailer. When we heard that we could have a preview of watches that weren’t even on the market yet, from a legendary manufacturer like TAG Heuer, the keys were in the ignition!”

Banks Lyon Jewellers Showroom