Tuesday 23rd January 2007

2007 Annual Dinner

The Society’s annual dinner took place in January, with over 50 members in attendance. Members met at the Club de Premier Regiment des Guides, where they enjoyed a drinks reception downstairs before moving to club’s beautiful dining room for dinner, toasts and  and speeches.

Our guest speaker, Sir Stephen Wall, gave a witty and enjoyable talk entitled ‘Lying abroad: 35 years with HMG’. Having served in Addis Ababa, Washington, Paris and Lisbon, before becoming EU Advisor to Tony Blair, Sir Stephen gave members a fantastic insight into the inner workings of foreign policy. Afterwards he took questions and answers which gave members a chance to find out more about the hidden side of the foreign office -- and also told some great anecdotes revealing the secrets of a number of statesmen (and women!)

Toasts were given by the Society’s President, Treasurer and Membership Secretary, and ensured that members got to enjoy the full selection of wines. As for the food, the menu included curry de fillets de sole antillaise, selle d'agneau à l'estragon, and fondant au chocolat amer crème à l'anglaise, which led to a captivating debate at at least one table as to whether a physilis was a tomato or a citrus fruit. Afterwards, port and coffee were served downstairs.