We are delighted to announce the launch of a new series of online meetings. 

Hosted by Forest, The Smoking Room is an opportunity to listen to or take part in an informal conversation on a range of subjects including but not restricted to smoking. You decide.

To give the meetings some focus however each one will feature a special guest who will be interviewed for 15-20 minutes before we invite comments and questions from you, the audience.

Our first guest – on Wednesday 24th February from 6.00-7.00pm – is Ranald Macdonald (above), managing director of Boisdale Restaurants.

Founded in 1988, Boisdale of Belgravia has since been joined by three more Scottish-themed restaurants in Bishopsgate, Canary Wharf and Mayfair.

The smoking terraces at the Belgravia and Canary Wharf restaurants are a significant part of their appeal and friends of Forest have enjoyed many eventful evenings at both venues.

On a side note, Boisdale of Bishopsgate was the location for our first meeting with David Hockney in 2004 when Britain's greatest living artist joined us for an impromptu and very entertaining dinner!

Described as Britain’s ‘most politically incorrect restaurant owner’, Ranald has been an active supporter of Forest for over 15 years.

During that time we have hosted numerous events together including Revolt In Style (at the Savoy Hotel in London in 2007), the annual Freedom Dinner and Forest's 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner in 2019.

Apart from smoking we'll be discussing Ranald's love of music, food and alcohol (whisky and wine!). We'll also ask him about the impact of the pandemic on Boisdale and the hospitality industry in general.

To join us please register in advance here.
 

Talking Liberties

A further date for your diary. On Wednesday 10th March (No Smoking Day) we are hosting another in our series of Talking Liberties webinars.

Previous speakers have included the former leader of the Green Party, Baroness Bennett of Castle Manor; Claire Fox (now Baroness Fox, Academy of Ideas); Chris Snowdon (Institute of Economic Affairs); Patrick Basham (Democracy Institute); Tam Fry (National Obesity Forum); former MSP and MEP Brian Monteith and many more.

This time we'll be discussing, with a panel of speakers, the Government's forthcoming Tobacco Control Plan. Full details to follow.