Bentham's Big Day

This week we celebrated the 30 years of Ade Bentham being with Laithwaite's at a suitable supper room in town. I say 'supper room' probably because I usually come on a bit PG Wodehouse with Ade as we are both big fans. Ade had a cat called Baxter.

'Plum' Wodehouse was, of course exiled for his later years to Long Island on account of that unfortunate business in The War. But that we exiled cricket-loving Ade to Connecticut for misdemeanours is not true. But exile him we did. Luckily he loves it.

Ade came to us 30 years ago having exhausted all possible means of staying yet another year at St Andrews – he managed five or six. The next best thing to student life for him, as for many, seemed to be one of Laithwaite's shops, with their (back then, not now) very relaxed opening hours and generous staff wine tasting facilities.

No. 36 Goswell Arches, Windsor sadly does not have a Blue Plaque saying 'Laithwaite's Born Here' but then it never had much of anything really. Like no water, no toilet, even no electricity at first. Ade running with legs crossed to the Victoria Park Public Conveniences was a common sight.

But he did well, and his writing skills got him promoted to composing customer letters and brochures with me in warm offices with toilets.  He did so well – fear of being returned to the Arch – he became my department boss. You'd think it risky to 'bin' words written by the owner of the business, but as editor, 'bin' them he bloody did.

 

It wasn't for this that we sent him to the USA but because a few years ago we had this wonderful, huge opportunity in America with The Wall Street Journal and such, which logically required our finest talents.

Ade went off with a few other leading lights to a task which would have daunted many. It daunted me; I certainly didn't volunteer. I've had more of my words escape the bin but had to work a good bit harder.

The USA, well-known as a graveyard for British businesses presuming to go there, has been (touch wood, fingers crossed) a Great Success for Adrian Bentham. He's been drawing in our transatlantic cousins to the joys of Laithwaite's Wine at an astonishing rate. The US will overtake the UK unless we watch out. (And we ARE watching out … upstart Bentham you are NOT going to overtake your old teacher).

But your old teacher was delighted to make a speech and cough up some '82 clarets as well as another book on cricket to comfort you in exile.

Thank you Ade. Good show, what! 

PS. We just sent your brother to Australia. Well, if it worked once …