Chairman's Letter
The centenary of the Entente Cordiale gave a major boost to Franco-British relations at all levels, including the highest. The Queen’s brilliantly successful State Visit to Paris was complemented by President Chirac’s return visit in November, which included a magnificent supper in Windsor Castle. I had the privilege of attending on behalf of the Society and was much impressed by the splendour and personal warmth of the event. After the difficulties of the previous two years this was a high-water mark in the long and sometimes turbulent Franco-British relationship.
Our own programme was centred around the Entente anniversary and included Joyce Quin’s speech at the AGM, a special workshop at the Public Records Office in Kew, which put on display the original documents embodying the 1904 agreements, and our Reception at the House of Commons in November. We had strong French representation at the Reception both from London-based organisations and from the Association France-Grande Bretagne. Kate has written an account of this evening for the Newsletter. Another highlight of the year was the Society’s visit to the Côte d’Azur, which included an afternoon at a local celebration of the Entente, addressed by both the British and French Ambassadors. Frances Taylor has written a personal account of the whole visit, which will give members the flavour of it.
Some of the other main events have been written up by members, whose accounts appear below. I would also single out Cathal Breslin’s beautiful piano recital at the Residence of the French Ambassador and the private tour of Windsor Castle arranged and led by Christopher Lloyd, a veritable fountain of fascinating information about the Castle and its contents.
It remains for me to thank the members who have energetically supported our activities throughout the year, especially those who contributed to the cost of commissioning our Entente Cordiale plaque and in due course erecting it at the French Embassy in Knightsbridge. I hope that all those who enjoyed our programme of activities will encourage others who share an interest in France to join the Society: we do still need more members and especially younger members. I must also express my heartfelt thanks to Kate, who works for us with incredible devotion, and to Brenda and Peter who put in long hours to keep the Society in good order.
And finally I must recall that I am now approaching ten years in the role of your Chairman and as I indicated at our last AGM I am looking to hand over the reins in 2005. Thank you all for the confidence you have accorded me. I have enjoyed the privilege of being your Chairman, but it is certainly time for someone new.
The centenary of the Entente Cordiale gave a major boost to Franco-British relations at all levels, including the highest. The Queen’s brilliantly successful State Visit to Paris was complemented by President Chirac’s return visit in November, which included a magnificent supper in Windsor Castle. I had the privilege of attending on behalf of the Society and was much impressed by the splendour and personal warmth of the event. After the difficulties of the previous two years this was a high-water mark in the long and sometimes turbulent Franco-British relationship.
Our own programme was centred around the Entente anniversary and included Joyce Quin’s speech at the AGM, a special workshop at the Public Records Office in Kew, which put on display the original documents embodying the 1904 agreements, and our Reception at the House of Commons in November. We had strong French representation at the Reception both from London-based organisations and from the Association France-Grande Bretagne. Kate has written an account of this evening for the Newsletter. Another highlight of the year was the Society’s visit to the Côte d’Azur, which included an afternoon at a local celebration of the Entente, addressed by both the British and French Ambassadors. Frances Taylor has written a personal account of the whole visit, which will give members the flavour of it.
Some of the other main events have been written up by members, whose accounts appear below. I would also single out Cathal Breslin’s beautiful piano recital at the Residence of the French Ambassador and the private tour of Windsor Castle arranged and led by Christopher Lloyd, a veritable fountain of fascinating information about the Castle and its contents.
It remains for me to thank the members who have energetically supported our activities throughout the year, especially those who contributed to the cost of commissioning our Entente Cordiale plaque and in due course erecting it at the French Embassy in Knightsbridge. I hope that all those who enjoyed our programme of activities will encourage others who share an interest in France to join the Society: we do still need more members and especially younger members. I must also express my heartfelt thanks to Kate, who works for us with incredible devotion, and to Brenda and Peter who put in long hours to keep the Society in good order.
And finally I must recall that I am now approaching ten years in the role of your Chairman and as I indicated at our last AGM I am looking to hand over the reins in 2005. Thank you all for the confidence you have accorded me. I have enjoyed the privilege of being your Chairman, but it is certainly time for someone new.
