Category: Steven Ferry

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Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, October 2021, Message from the Chairman

Steven FerryMessage from the Chairman

Without the silent intervals between sounds in music, we would be inundated with continuous sound. Like “bad” is needed to understand “good,” so we need silence to help understand and appreciate sound. And so it is that I have no particular message to relay to you this month, except “Take joy in the wide variety of life before you,” and I shall leave you now with silence!

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people- skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, September 2021, Message from the Chairman

Steven FerryMessage from the Chairman

It was heartening to see the response to my last message about calming the turmoil in the world by everyone knowing and insisting upon their Human Rights, as delineated in the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Some of you really did take to heart the vital necessity of Human Rights in a civil society—and if butlers represent anything, it is the civility and caring that lie at the root of civilization, so please do continue.

We have found over the last couple of months that it takes a constant effort to bring the message through to the majority, as they are so distraught and distracted by…the turmoil in the world!

To this end, we have created a web site defendinghumanity.global that provides more information on Human Rights and links to very good videos on what they are.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people- skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Leather Care Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, September 2021, Care of Leather Goods

Steven Ferry Care of Leather Goods, Part 11

by Steven Ferry

How to Polish Shoes

Lay a cloth or newspaper on a surface to prevent dirtying the surface with dust or polish. Remove any laces and use a slightly stiffer brush to brush away dust and grime; then a small round “on” brush to apply a small amount of polish to each section of shoe, including the mid-sole (unless it is made of rubber or plastic), as well as the tongue.

For a better shine, apply the polish with a drop of water or even a damp sponge, which will also keep the polish soft so it can be worked into the leather more effectively.

Use an old toothbrush to apply the polish into crevices or small holes, such as in brogues/wingtips.

Repeat for the other shoe.

Then use a large soft brush to buff the shoes to a shine, starting with the first shoe; use a rapid and light “flick” over the leather to bring up the shine.

Use a chamoise or lamb’s wool for an extra shine and to remove any remaining polish that may otherwise come off on trouser cuffs or long dresses.

Replace any laces in the same configuration they were in before, replacing any that may be broken or frayed;

For creams, use a soft cloth to apply the polish instead of a brush. In both cases, work in the polish briefly in a circular motion until the leather has a dull coating and then move to the next section.

Finish with a “heel & edge” stick to bring a shine to the sides of the heel and sole. They usually come only in black or dark brown and are very liquid, so apply sparingly.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Butler training Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, September 2021, Butlers In the Media

Steven FerryButlers in the Media

by Steven Ferry

 

 

An interesting article entitled “What Will Success Actually Take For Estate Managers of the Future?” from one of our own, Mr. Jim Grise.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Butler standards Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, September 2021, The Wisdom of Butlers Past

Steven FerryThe Wisdom of Butlers Past

by Steven Ferry

 

PART 52, AFTER DINNER  

Once dinner was over, the ladies withdrew to the (with)drawing room where they were served tea and coffee by the butler. The men followed later, at which point they were also served tea and coffee. Meanwhile the staff cleared and washed the dirty dishes, etc.

In the event that wine and fruit etc. were leftover in the dining room, the butler was to lock the door to prevent the staff helping themselves to the leftovers. It was advised the staff be given beer so that they would not feel tempted to drink the remaining wine.

When serving coffee, no food was provided, but when serving tea, plum cake, bread and butter, or toast were served.

While this year’s Journal has covered a formal dinner on the ground floor, sometimes suppers were hosted for smaller parties (up to 30!) or for families with just one servant, in the withdrawing room upstairs and combined with some activity like card games. This required the staff carry tables upstairs and lay them there with the same precision of placement as engaged in for larger dinner tables. The food seemed to be presented family style, meaning in bowls on the tables for guests to help themselves.

One caveat after the meal: “It sometimes happens that spoons, forks, etc. are thrown into the dust-hole or hog-tub, with bits and scraps, therefore always count it up the same night or the next morning.”

 

 

Extracted from the 1823 book, The Footman’s Directory and Butler’s Remembrancer, re-published in hardback by Pryor Publications. You may obtain your discounted copy (with free s&h) by emailing the publisher: Mr. Pryor (alan AT pryor-publications.co.uk).

 

 

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Leather Care Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, August 2021, Care of Leather Goods

Steven Ferry Care of Leather Goods, Part 10

by Steven Ferry

General Care of Leather, Part 2

After each use, wipe leather products with a cloth dampened with water (soap often contains chemicals that degrade leather) to remove abrasive particles such as dust that are a leading cause of wear and tear.

While shoes can be returned to their proper shape by the use of shoe trees, the same cannot be said of other leather products, such as bags and jackets. So for clothing, hang the item after wearing and let it fall naturally by doing up any zippers or buttons. For bags, wallets, etc., when in use, do not overstuff them in a way that stretches them and loses their natural shape. One could try stuffing bags with newspaper or cloth to emulate the same function as a shoe tree in the hope that the leather may regain its normal shape.

As well as storing leather in cloth bags, away from heat, humidity, sunlight, and dust, air them occasionally to prevent the growth of mold. Similarly, do not leave leather in direct sunlight, otherwise the color will fade and, as the leather dries, it will crack.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, August 2021, The Wisdom of Butlers Past

Steven FerryThe Wisdom of Butlers Past

by Steven Ferry

 

PART 51, Having Sufficient Silver and China

One problem butlers ran into was not having enough silverware and plates, and so they had to remove them from the table as quickly as possible once used. They were washed and then presented again for the next course.

Advice offered by one employer was to set up a maid outside the dining room with a bowl of hot water to wash the items and cold water to rinse them—and so avoid the time of taking dirty items all the way to the scullery by the kitchen.

Anyone who can afford a butler these days, of course, is unlikely to have a shortage of these items, even if they have to switch sets between courses or have to bring in caterers.

 

 

Extracted from the 1823 book, The Footman’s Directory and Butler’s Remembrancer, re-published in hardback by Pryor Publications. You may obtain your discounted copy (with free s&h) by emailing the publisher: Mr. Pryor (alan AT pryor-publications.co.uk).

 

 

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, August 2021, Butlers In the Media

Steven FerryButlers in the Media

by Steven Ferry

 

 

A well-written and interesting article by a butlerphile on the case of the disappearing butler in books, films, and TV series—with a few ideas offered to explain this observation.

One intriguing piece of equipment: a “butler pan used to collect crumbs and ashes from the table.” This one made in Japan of porcelain.

 

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, July 2021, Message from the Chairman

Steven FerryMessage from the Chairman

When one is confronted by other people, such as employers, colleagues, family members, or even an entire environment, that are hostile to one’s general welfare and success, the feeling of helplessness and despondency can be overwhelming. This is certainly something one can experience as a butler in the workplace and, these days, even in life in general.

It helps to know that there is something one can do about it.

Simply find one little thing one can do toward that hostile person or environment to push back, to make it better. The magic being that in the process, one settles back into the driver’s seat and starts to steer one’s life in the right direction.

By building on this little act of self-assertion with other creations or actions, one can regain control over one’s own life and one’s happiness.

Try it if you feel you are not valuable or appreciated, your views do not count, or you feel threatened and seem not to be able to do anything about it.

Because the truth is, you can!

One person who is on a roll is the recipient of the partial scholarship organized recently by Mr. Jim Grise and supported by several players in our industry—she has now secured employment as a Personal Assistant on a fine estate in the United Kingdom. We wish her continued success.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people- skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Newsletter Steven Ferry

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, July 2021, Butlers In the Media

Steven FerryButlers in the Media

by Steven Ferry

 

 

A welcome change for the butler profession to be in the background again in the media—just one mention of butlers this past month, and this applying to bathroom accessories that some bright spark decided to call a Bathroom Butler.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.