I think I may have posted this before on CC, however as we have many new menbers I though I would post it again and bring a little light relief.
Opened in 1889 by Richard D'Oyly Carte, the Savoy is one of London's finest hotels. It has long been cherished by the rich and famous for its grandiose Art Deco interiors and its tradition of service and comfort.
Book a party of thirteen at the Hotel's famous Savoy Grill, and you'll find that your table is set for an extra guest. Kaspar the black cat, a three foot high sculpture by Basil Ionides, has joined guests ever since he was commissioned by the Hotel in the 1920s.
It all began in 1898 when Woolf Joel, a South African guest at the Hotel, gave a dinner party to which only thirteen were able to attend. He laughed off the old superstition that tragedy would fall upon the first guest to rise from such a gathering, and so the dinner continued. His fellows' fears were soon justified however, when Woolf was fatally shot following his return to Johannesburg.
When the Hotel received news of the tragedy, steps were taken to prevent any chance of a repetition. A member of staff would at first accompany all groups of 13, until Kaspar was created specially for the job. The handsome cat, who is served each course, was at one time even under the protection of Winston Churchill, who secured his safe return following a prank by members of the RAF.
