Chairman’s Report 2006/7

The past year marked a milestone in the activities of the Society with the presentation in January of the first two prizes under the Al Rawabi Group Prizes to be awarded annually to personalities who are considered by the Society to have made a major contribution to Saudi-British relations. The winners, chosen from nominations made by members of the Society, were Bernard Warden for his work over many years towards the success of the Saudi-British Sports Cooperation Programme, which brings young people from both countries to meet and share experience in the fields of sport and youth activities; and Colin Manning, headmaster of the North Reddish Junior School in Stockport, for the close association he has developed between his school and Al Anjal Primary School in Jedda through a busy website link, shared work programmes and exchange of visits. Both winners spoke of their work during the award presentations, which were made by Mr. Abdul Aziz al Turki, the donor of these generous prizes. Many members attended this most enjoyable event, which was held at the Travellers Club and followed by a buffet supper.

The process of selecting candidates for the two prizes to be awarded for 2007/8 is now starting. Society members are strongly urged to let Ionis Thompson or myself have suggestions of individuals from the UK who have played a significant part in recent times in carrying forward our flourishing relationship with the Kingdom. Recommendations by the end of September please, and cast the net as wide as you like.

The year also saw an interesting programme of talks, held at the Middle East Association. At the annual general meeting in July Julia Johnson, who lives in Dubai, gave a most entertaining illustrated talk on the pearl fishers of the Gulf; and took the opportunity to launch the attractive book she has written for children on this topic. In November Dr. Saad Al Rashid, from the National Museum in Riyadh and some of his colleagues from the Archaeological Research Centre spoke about the Saudi government’s activities in identifying and displaying the country’s rich heritage of antiquities from prehistorical and early times, with illustrations of monuments and relics. The party were in Britain to set up working links with museum authorities in London and Scotland. In similar vein Michael Rice gave a fascinating talk in April on the prehistory of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region with illustrations of artifacts which have been uncovered at various prehistoric sites. In May Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles gave a much appreciated talk on his personal, and positive, impressions of the Saudi scene on his departure after three eventful years in Riyadh.

The Society looks in good shape with 215 members. Grants were again made from its funds for deserving activities in the field of bilateral relations. Certain of our events were thrown open to members of our sister Society for Arabian Studies, and in return our members were invited to attend interesting talks in their programme.

                                                                                              Sir Alan Munro