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Jun 03

David Lloyd’s farewell to his friends in Slovenia

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On 21st May the community of Barka gathered in Zbilje in Slovenia to honour and celebrate the life of David Lloyd. David and his partner Elizabeth, with about another 30 friends, joined on-line, whilst a similar number participated in Barka. David and the British-Slovene Society have been loyal and generous supporters of Barka, a charity for people with special needs, since its establishment in 1997.

David spoke of his joyful time as British Ambassador to Slovenia and of the friendships he established there, which have deepened and expanded over the decades. Whenever David has been in Slovenia he always popped into the community where he is a well-known and well-loved friend.

                          

Following David’s words many people spoke how he had enhanced, enriched and energised their lives. These were personal and special words. One recurring theme was that David was a great British Ambassador to Slovenia and that he has been a great ambassador for Slovenia in Britain. Amongst those sending warm greetings were Slovenian colleagues who worked with him as Ambassador. Tiffany Sadler, the present British Ambassador in Slovenia, said David has been a personal inspiration for her.

To add their own celebration, Zoran Predin and Vlado Kreslin sang songs close to David’s heart. The residents of Barka sang one of their own with a chorus of “Hallelujah David”.

David said: ‘I could not have imagined such a lovely, moving occasion, and seeing so many old friends’.

Here is a recording of this touching farewell:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2fpc7vbd8ydou06cpy7fp/Barka-21maj2024.MP4?rlkey=uvwqxkfucl8sjo59up1evrfwj&st=lquo3on4&dl=0

 

 

May 13

Notice of Annual General Meeting of the British-Slovene Society – Thursday 13 June 2024 at 6 pm (UK Time) via Zoom

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For members of the British-Slovene Society only:

Notice is hereby given that The Annual General Meeting of the British-Slovene Society will be held at 6 pm (UK Time) on Thursday 13 June 2023 online via Zoom. Any member may join the session.

AGENDA

Ordinary Business

  1. To receive and adopt the Report of the Trustees and Accounts for the year ended 30 Sept 2023
  2. To re-elect the following as Trustees, who retire by rotation and are offered for re-election: Andrej Ogorevc, Simona Bennett
  3. To appoint a Secretary for the forthcoming year. Miha Košak has indicated his willingness to continue in office.
  4. To appoint a Chairwoman for the forthcoming year. Evelina Ferrar has indicated her willingness to continue in office.
  5. To approve the Minutes of the AGM held on 13 June 2023.
  6. Any Other Business.

Please confirm your attendance by email to: miha.kosak@britishslovenesociety.org  by close of business on Monday 10th June, 2022. You will then be sent an invitation to join the Zoom session together with instructions. You may also receive BSS Accounts for the year ending 30th September 2023 and the Chairwoman’s Statement.

In case you cannot attend the AGM and wish to vote, please use the Form of Proxy: BSS-AGM-Form-of-proxy

Evelina Ferrar, Chairwoman

Dated: 13 May 2024

May 12

Evelina Ferrar takes the Chair of the British-Slovene Society

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Trustees have appointed Evelina Ferrar as new Chairwoman of the British-Slovene Society. She succeeds David Lloyd, Chairman since 2013, who has resigned for health reasons.

At their last meeting, Trustees expressed heartfelt thanks to David for his wonderful services to the Society, and sent him warmest wishes on his departure.

As a former British Ambassador in Slovenia, David has retained close links with that country. In particular he cultivated relations with Barka, the Slovenian charity for people with special needs which the Society supports.

In a tribute to the retiring Chairman, Evelina said: “Under David’s leadership, the Society has expanded and flourished, forging strong bonds of friendship between Britons and Slovenians. I shall do my best to foster the same spirit. Above all, I want members to feel that we are a supportive community.”

Evelina is Slovenian by origin and also holds British citizenship. Having worked in Corporate Relations at Lek Pharmaceuticals, she is now a freelance translator and court interpreter.

As a Trustee since 2012, she has been managing membership and the web site, and together with other Trustees organises our Prešeren Evening, Summer Picnic and Christmas Carol Service. In 2022, she brought Slovene craftsmen over to Henley to erect a traditional Slovene hayrack (kozolec), where we can gather for our summer celebrations.

 

Apr 24

Reminder for two London events: VTIS on 25 April and Andrej Šifrer on 27 April

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VTIS  (Slovenians Educated Abroad) are organising a spring gathering in London. It will be held on Thursday 25 April 2024 from 6:30 pm at Vinegar Yard, 72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX.

They are inviting members of the British-Slovene Society to join in. Do come for a bite/drink and stimulating company!

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The Slovenian House in London is inviting:

On 27th April an exhibition of 70 years of Andrej Šifrer will be opened and followed by a musical gathering. The exhibition will take place in the Slovenian House at 62 Offley Road and the concert in Wheatsheaf community hall near Vauxhall.  Dave Cooke, a musician from London is going to play with Andrej. Also, the Slovene Choir led by Kaja Pečnik will sing at the start and together with Andrej. It should be fun for non-Slovene speaking folks as well.

There is no entrance fee, but registration on Eventbrite online is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nic-proti-vecnosti-andrej-sifrer-70-let-tickets-828977141947

Apr 15

Reserve the date: BSS picnic in Henley on 7th July

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On Sunday 7th July, the British-Slovene Society will hold its Annual Picnic at Gillotts Field, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1PT. This is the third time we will meet by the traditional Slovene hayrack (kozolec) built by Slovene artisans in 2021.

Save the date now. Bring family, friends, food, drink and good cheer to share with everybody. We expect friends in Henley to join us in our celebration.

The video above shows a traditional folklore group from Bled in Slovenia performing at last year’s Picnic. Bled is twinned with Henley.

Mar 12

Andrej Šifrer in London on 27 April

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The Slovenian House in London is inviting:

On 27th April an exhibition of 70 years of Andrej Šifrer will be opened and followed by a musical gathering. The exhibition will take place in the Slovenian House at 62 Offley Road and the concert in Wheatsheaf community hall near Vauxhall.  Dave Cooke, a musician from London is going to play with Andrej. Also, the Slovene Choir led by Kaja Pečnik will sing at the start and together with Andrej. It should be fun for non-Slovene speaking folks as well.

There is no entrance fee, but registration on Eventbrite online is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nic-proti-vecnosti-andrej-sifrer-70-let-tickets-828977141947

Mar 10

Record turnout for BSS Prešeren Evening with Vlado Kreslin on 2nd March

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114 people took part in the British-Slovene Society’s annual Prešeren Evening with singer-songwriter Vlado Kreslin at the Ambassadors Hotel in London on 2nd March. This was more than ever before in the three decades of our existence.

       

After a Drinks Reception, we sang the Slovenian national anthem Zdravljica and dinner was served with Slovenian wines. BSS Chairman David Lloyd spoke words of greeting, followed by Slovenian Ambassador Simona Leskovar. Then Kaja Pečnik and John Dawton recited a poem, the Slovenian Choir in the UK directed by Kaja sang, and Slovenian violinist Nikola Pajanović  gave a short recital. Finally Vlado Kreslin  brought the evening to a climax in his inimitable way.

         

Meanwhile a tombola organised by Andrej Ogorevc and Mateja Šömen raised a record £1,062 for Barka, the charity for people with special needs which we support in Slovenia. This is more than twice as much as ever before. For the tombola, Elan donated a pair of skis, Trimo gave a voucher for travel worth €500, and Riko donated a weekend stay at Škrabčeva domačija in Slovenia.

             

We acknowledge with thanks a grant from the Slovenian Government’s Office for Slovenians Abroad to help us stage events.

Photographs kindly taken by Anthony Dawton.