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The Burton Appeal Dinner |
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The East India Club in St James’s Square, London, was the perfect venue for the Sir Richard Burton Mausoleum fund raising dinner on May 19th, 2010, organized by the Friends of Burton and the Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames. Nearly one hundred devotees gathered to celebrate a truly inspirational Victorian hero in the very place which had seen the start of Burton’s illustrious career. In 1842, aged 21, he enlisted in the army of the East India Company and with a commission was posted to 18th Bombay Native Infantry in India. The club still proudly displays a framed letter from Burton in its Library.
After a reception on the
first floor, guests moved elegantly down to the dining room for an
evening of fine wines, exquisite food and scintillating
conversation. Other speeches followed, all very well received (click on any of the links below to read the speeches) Sir Christopher Ondaatje, explorer and author… Lord Harries of Pentregarth, the Bishop of Oxford… Lord Wright of Richmond, also spoke and at the end of the evening there was talk of a reunion once the Mausoleum has been restored. Work begins in July and should be completed by the end of October, 120 years after Burton’s death. It is an occasion that will, indeed, be celebrated!
Special thanks go to the
Chairman of the East India Club, David Cartwright, who made it
possible to hold the dinner at the club and to Alex Bray, the
secretary, who facilitated all requests with consummate ease and
good humour. |