Madame Sandra Darra MBE, graciously and generously, made available her beautiful gardens for a “wine and cheese party“, and for the annual RE event to celebrate King Charles III Birthday. Sandra also singlehandedly prepared the delicious lunch, for which this Chairman is indebted, and all those in attendance fully appreciated, as we tucked into much more than wine and cheese. On offer was quiche, smoked salmon, a very large paté and much more besides. There was some anxiety whether the weather forecast would dampen proceedings when the day before, the railway line, and the A9 motorway between Sion and Sierre, had flooded, with road collapses and the Rhône at its highest recorded level for 75 years. However, the clouds gave way to sunshine and there was a good turn out including a hardy and intrepid contingent from the Valais, the Lötschental valley, Basel, and Zurich. We welcomed British Embassy Bern representative, Ms Lisa Watanabe as guest of honour, and she managed to sit at all six lunch tables in the garden to “meet and greet“. With the UK general election just three days away, and five weeks of political campaigning drawing to a close, there was no shortage of topics to chat about. We were also very pleased to have as a guest, Mr Alan Chalmers, Chairman of the North-West Region, to propose the Loyal Toast, and the Toast to the President of the Swiss Confederation. The party ended with a swing when Barry on the accordion gave us a melody of songs, with Sandra encouraging us to dance the Gay Gordons.
Andrew Konecki