What do you like about Europe?
I like travelling around Europe having visited nearly all the countries of Western Europe. In fact, I have only ever once been out of Europe.

What did your country give to Europe (music, literature, theatre, politics…)?
In Britain we went through periods know as the Agrarian Revolution (17th-19thcenturies and the Industrial Revolution (18th-19thcenturies). These were particularly important times in the British economy and we were able to pass these new ideas onto Europe, America and the rest of the world. One very important feature still seen all over Europe is the railways and in France for example, many of the mainline railways were built by British Engineers.
Another feature for which we would claim credit is democracy and the idea in many Western European countries of a constitution monarchy must be credited to Britain.

What did Europe give to your country (generals, kings & queens, artists, concepts)?
Almost everything: People, Language, Religion, Culture
People:The original Britons came from Europe before the island broke away from the continental land mass. Roman invasion in 43 AD. Angles, Saxons. Jutes invasion date possibly 449 AD, Vikings 10th/11thcentury, Normans, 1066 AD.
Language:The Celtic languages in Wales, Scotland and other areas of Britain are described as being in the Indo-European family, Some traces of the early Latin but not many. Old English is mainly Germanic in origin coming first from the Anglo-Saxons and again in a different version from the Vikings. French came from the Normans. All these made up the composite language we now know as English.
Religion:Christianity first came to Britain during the time of the Roman Empire and missionaries went on to Ireland. In 563 AD missionaries from Ireland and in 597 AD missionaries from Rome brought Christianity back to Britain. The Protestant Reformation in Europe starting with Martin Luther in 1517 gradually worked its way across Europe including Britain. However, it was political reasons for the English break with Rome in 1534 and finally in 1559.
Culture:Culture including art, architecture and music is a two-way trade. Medieval architecture in cathedrals and castles in Britain have definite European origins. Many objects of art made in Britain were often copies of the styles in use in Europe. In music the German, Italian and other composers’ are included in classical repertoires today.

In result of your time at JCI: What did you love about JCI?
I joined JCI 48 years ago. I would not have stayed as an active member for 15 years if I had not enjoyed my time in the organization.
In answer to the questions Why did you join? And Why have you remained a member? I used to give the rather glib answer that I joined for intelligent conversation which did not involve any of our local football teams.
What has JCI done for me? I think it has made me a more self-assured person able to stand in front of an audience and speak without showing too much nervousness. Back in my student days I remember being a nervous wreck when I had to chair a student society meeting and, on another occasion, to propose a vote of thanks to a guest speaker at short notice.
I have said for many years that JCI is the best travel club in the world as I have been to many places I would never have dreamed of going and I usually travel as an independent traveller.

What do you love about the Senate?
I did not expect to be awarded a Senatorship but having said that I knew exactly what I would say if I did receive such an honour. What do I love about the Senate? Well it has given me continued friendship with other Senators, some of whom were my contemporaries on JCI. It has given me the excuse to continue attending JCI international conferences. I am not sure of the numbers but one day I shall sit down with a list and count the number that I have attended. I think it is in the order of 14 World Congresses and 28 European conferences