Unnecessarily extravagant or that perfect finishing touch?
£17,500
We hardly have the weather to justify it, but the British have a reputation as a nation of picnic-lovers. The merest blink of sunshine sees us heading to the park or the beach to recline on a blanket or a deckchair and tuck into a pork pie. For some people, though, a picnic requires more stylish accessories. They, along with an elite squadron of retired colonels, must be the target audience of the new Officer’s Field Set from Ghurka.
Part of a collection marking 200 years of Ghurka service to the Crown, the set was created by master craftsman Richard Wrightman and hand-made by Italian artisans. It consists of two folding chairs (American oak frames and leather backed with regimental green twill), a whip-stitched field blanket, a field umbrella (of course) and two cushions. All pack snugly into a chestnut leather trunk with beautiful brass detailing, which itself has been designed specially to fit in a car boot – the neat and precise way it comes together would delight the strictest of sergeant-majors.
At £17,500, it may cost quite a bit more than your average picnic set, but if you can afford the sizable price tag of this beauty (which is exclusive to Fortnum & Mason in the UK), you will be one of only three owners in the world. Any guilt at spending such a sum should evaporate in the knowledge that 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
DETAILS
Words Caitlin Clements
