Are all your events in Hereford?
No. This page shows that they are everywhere in the county or not far from its borders.. Sometimes we go far afield to national and international events.
Herefordshire Branch - International Wine & Food Society
Frequently-asked Questions
F A Qs
About the Society
How much is it to join?
Standard membership
Single …………….£40.00
Joint ……… ……..£52.00
Young membership
Single ………..….£20.00
Joint …………… £26.00
Joint membership is available to partners living at the same address.
Young membership rates are available to those aged between 18 and 36 on joining/renewal. Once a member reaches 37 (whether single or joint) the standard rates apply.
What do I get from being a member?
Benefits of Membership include:
The opportunity to meet like-minded people at Branch activities and at the Regional and International events which take place roughly once a year.
A quarterly magazine ‘Food and Wine’ with news and reports from and about the European and African membership, book reviews, events diary and topical culinary and wine writing.
An annual wine vintage guide incorporated into your credit-card sized membership card.
Access to the Society’s reference library, the ‘André Simon Collection’, housed in the magnificent Guildhall Library in London.
Members discounts of varying types.
How many members are there?
There are more than 7,000 members in 150 branches in 33 countries.
Where are the UK Branches?
Here is the list
Bath & Bristol, Berkshire, Blackpool & Fylde Coast, Capital, Devonshire, East Anglia, Herefordshire, Leicester, London, London (St James's), Manchester, Merseyside & Mid-Cheshire, Northampton, Northern Dales, Surrey Hills, Sussex, Wessex, West Riding
Do you have a website?
Yes and you can click above to see the present one. In mid 2010, it will have been completely redesigned.
Will my subscription support a central London business address?
Not exactly. We are based in The Naval & Military Club in St James’s Square. A small amount of your subscription is spent on central services.
About the Branch
Tell me about your events.
You can see past and future events via the links above.
Tell me about your members.
We have thirty members many of whom are retired professionals. They will welcome you to their table as will others who manage to combine their professional lives with an active society.
Are any of them vegetarian?
Not at present and we welcome everyone.
What about teetotallers?
As you might anticipate, they are few on the ground in a wine and food society. Many of our events are at a set price to include drink. If you are keen to join, we may be able to adjust prices to fit your situation.
Is transport available to events so that I can drink alcohol?
This is often arranged on a friendship basis. Come along at first under your own steam. Friendship is a key feature of our Branch. In this situation, Norman drives next week and Mary drives a month or two later.
Do I need to wear anything special at your events?
The broad answer is no. Some events are very informal and are held at member’s houses, often at lunchtime. At other events, the dress code is announced as ‘Black tie’. Obviously if you turn up dressed for the beach, you will feel out of place, but if you have a dark suit and ordinary dark tie, nobody will notice. Translate this accordingly for women members.
How can I join?
I have lots more questions.
Give our Publicity Member Sue Davidson a ring – 01989 563473 or use the email link on the Home page . Better still, come to an event! You can book by email.
About the Society
How much is it to join?
Standard membership
Single …………….£40.00
Joint ……… ……..£52.00
Young membership
Single ………..….£20.00
Joint …………… £26.00
Joint membership is available to partners living at the same address.
Young membership rates are available to those aged between 18 and 36 on joining/renewal. Once a member reaches 37 (whether single or joint) the standard rates apply.
What do I get from being a member?
Benefits of Membership include:
The opportunity to meet like-minded people at Branch activities and at the Regional and International events which take place roughly once a year.
A quarterly magazine ‘Food and Wine’ with news and reports from and about the European and African membership, book reviews, events diary and topical culinary and wine writing.
An annual wine vintage guide incorporated into your credit-card sized membership card.
Access to the Society’s reference library, the ‘André Simon Collection’, housed in the magnificent Guildhall Library in London.
Members discounts of varying types.
How many members are there?
There are more than 7,000 members in 150 branches in 33 countries.
Where are the UK Branches?
Here is the list
Bath & Bristol, Berkshire, Blackpool & Fylde Coast, Capital, Devonshire, East Anglia, Herefordshire, Leicester, London, London (St James's), Manchester, Merseyside & Mid-Cheshire, Northampton, Northern Dales, Surrey Hills, Sussex, Wessex, West Riding
Do you have a website?
Yes and you can click above to see the present one. In mid 2010, it will have been completely redesigned.
Will my subscription support a central London business address?
Not exactly. We are based in The Naval & Military Club in St James’s Square. A small amount of your subscription is spent on central services.
About the Branch
Tell me about your events.
You can see past and future events via the links above.
Tell me about your members.
We have thirty members many of whom are retired professionals. They will welcome you to their table as will others who manage to combine their professional lives with an active society.
Are any of them vegetarian?
Not at present and we welcome everyone.
What about teetotallers?
As you might anticipate, they are few on the ground in a wine and food society. Many of our events are at a set price to include drink. If you are keen to join, we may be able to adjust prices to fit your situation.
Is transport available to events so that I can drink alcohol?
This is often arranged on a friendship basis. Come along at first under your own steam. Friendship is a key feature of our Branch. In this situation, Norman drives next week and Mary drives a month or two later.
Do I need to wear anything special at your events?
The broad answer is no. Some events are very informal and are held at member’s houses, often at lunchtime. At other events, the dress code is announced as ‘Black tie’. Obviously if you turn up dressed for the beach, you will feel out of place, but if you have a dark suit and ordinary dark tie, nobody will notice. Translate this accordingly for women members.
How can I join?
Easily! Contact Sue [next paragraph] or click the link at the top of the page.
I have lots more questions.
Give our Publicity Member Sue Davidson a ring – 01989 563473 or use the email link on the Home page . Better still, come to an event! You can book by email.
How did the Society start?
Our Founder - Andre Simon (1877-1970)
Andre Simon - bibliophile, gourmet, wine connoisseur, historian and writer - is unrivaled in his contribution to the "art of good living". Born in Paris, he came to London in 1902 as the English agent for the champagne house of Pommery and Greno. A year later, the editor of the Wine and Spirit Trade Review commissioned him to write twelve articles on the history of the champagne trade in England.
Simon went on to write more than a hundred books and pamphlets on wine and food. His knowledge of wine and food was encyclopedic, and his literary style was imaginative, clear, concise and distinctive..In his words, the purpose of the Society “is to bring together and serve all who believe that a right understanding of good food and wine is an essential part of personal contentment and health, and that an intelligent approach to the pleasures and problems of the table offers far greater rewards than the mere satisfaction of appetite.” Simon’s energy and charm ultimately enabled him to generate branches throughout the world so that today there are more than 7,000 members in 150 branches in 33 countries.