The English Manner® continues to provide many unique cultural and concierge travel experiences for private clients.This year's Diamond Jubilee programme was hugely popular, and we were pleased to be able to give our guests unparalleled access during this exciting summer, not only to fantastic experiences during the Jubilee & Olympic games but also to Scotland, Ireland, Paris & Normandy, as well as other parts of the UK. We are now designing programmes that will be running for 2013 and these will be published on our website later in the year.  

Together with Prestigious Education, we are pleased to be running a 1-day Essential Social Etiquette Course on 14th October at one of the country's most recognisable historic houses, Castle Howard near York (well known from 'Brideshead Revisited').

The course will be fully interactive, informative and, of course, fun; students get the opportunity to tour the magnificent house after the day's proceedings. 

The course will focus on the essential etiquette that one needs for moern day social scenes, from networking skills, dining etiquette and creating your image. 

To find out more, please click here.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner is to be fronted by cook Clarissa Dickson-Wright and sees her explore the history of these three meals. Clarissa filmed one of our classes for the documentary. In addition a one-off documentary exploring the concept of 'the lady', presented by journalist Rachel Johnson, as part of the BBC4's autumn schedule. 

BBC Radio 5 Live's presenters all have different styles - for me, Nicky Campbell's show can be quite challenging - not least because we are kept on the line for so long before we actually say anything - but also he probably has the most contentious guests! Having worked on TV and radio, I like going into the studios to see how things have changed over the years, and the new BBC home at Media City in Salford is stunning. It really is state of the art, and when I was on BBC Breakfast recently (talking about the Sex Pistols!) I felt the buzz. It was also good to see a producer and an engineer who were there when I used to read the news for Breakfast North West!

Out tutor William Hanson has been causing a stir on ITV1's flagship daytime show This Morning. He was debating whether women over a certain age should or should not wear bikinis in public. He's also been giving Gino D'Acampo and Melanie Sykes a lesson in afternoon tea etiquette (video below). 

Tomato Ketchup is an accompaniment to food and so, by definition, is a condiment.  The key to condiment etiquette is to take small portions on to your plate, and never to smear it all over a burger or a roll direct from the bottle or knife!  

When entertaining, never allow the bottle of tomato ketchup anywhere near the table, no matter how 'posh' the manufacturer - Heinz is probably still the best and easiest to get out of the bottle!  Shake the bottle well, holding the cap, and then tip or spoon into a small pot. For a chic barbeque or supper, serve guests with individual tiny pots (ramekins) and small spoons so they can take their own.  

Always spoon ketchup directly on to the plate, as one would with a sauce or jelly.  At a formal meal, never ask for it unless it is already on the table, and never dip anything into the bowl.  If you do find a bottle on a table at a supper party, never squirt it all over food, don't mix it with salt and pepper and don't eat it with your fingers!

For more articles like this, do please read our blog which is regularly updated by our tutors & expert consultants. It covers etiquette, household management, fashion, mentoring & the season. Click to read.