December 2024
Dear Cook Society Member,
It was a great honour and privilege for me to have served you as your Chair for 2024 and I would like to thank you for your support.
What a wonderful year we have had with so many extraordinary speakers.
In February Vincent Keaveny, previous Lord Mayor of the City of London, David White, Garter Principal King of Arms at our Spring reception in the stunning and historical College of Arms, in the summer, Rebecca Hossack, in her famous art gallery, in September The Rt Hon Alexander Downer AC and in December this year Brigadier Grant Mason DSC DSM ADC, Head of the Australian Defence Staff in London.
In March we had the very successful Gathering in Australia visiting the Cooks in Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. We are most grateful to the Australian Cooks who cared for us so generously
We welcomed eleven new members to The Society this year. Our membership stands at 85 paying Members. As you are aware we have some flexibility around the limitation of member numbers and 13 Honorary Members. I would encourage you to come forward to any committee member with suggestions for new members.
The finances are in good shape and we retain sufficient reserves for the foreseeable future.
As decided by the committee, next year’s membership fee will remain as this year’s ie £440
Marina has been working on our website which will be ready to launch once the Committee have given their feedback on the functionality. Once the website is ready a link will be sent out to all Members where they will have to create a new password, as their previous passwords will not work any more. Instructions on how to log in will be sent out. Subscriptions will be able to renewed only via the website, so it is recommended that you all join up to the new Cook Society website to be able to take advantage of the online booking system. Gathering news etc.
We are now organising the UK Gathering which will take place in July 2026, we have a preliminary draft program, which of course is subject to change, and welcome any input from you. Events so far include a welcome reception in the stunning King’s Chapel of the Savoy, panel discussions at RUSI (Royal United Services Institute), Australia House, Downer Room, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, tour and talks by scientists at The Francis Crick Institute tour and visit of the 3 billion Kings Cross scheme widely regarded as a blueprint for successful regeneration (partially funded by the pension fund AustralianSuper), (I have asked the famous architect Thomas Heatherwick to give us a talk), an equestrian day out at Newmarket, possible visits to a Cambridge College followed by dinner, boat trip to Greenwich and museums, Royal Hospital and Chapel Service, tour of Mansion House meeting The Lord Mayor, dinner in beautiful Drapers’ Hall, optional visit to Bletchley Park and tour of historic Reform Club. Private dinners also included.
I would like to thank my committee for the superb time and effort they have given to The Society and special thanks to Marina for her invaluable support.
It is my great pleasure to welcome Paul Madden as our Chairman for 2025 and 2026.
Yours sincerely
Pauline Lyle-Smith
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