I write to offer you a warm welcome to the British Slovene Society. The Society’s very existence depends on its membership, and the Board of Trustees, of which I am the Chairman, is here to serve you. Set up 28 years ago, following Slovenia’s independence, the Society provides a focal point for Slovenes of all ages, studying, working or resident in the UK. It helps to promote the relationship between our two countries socially and culturally. Membership is expanding as the number of young Slovenes coming to study at Britain’s top universities within the last decade, has increased dramatically.

The ‘big ticket’ events in any one year are Prešernov večer, our Annual Dinner in February; the summer picnic under the shade of kozolec; and the Christmas Carol Service at the Church of St Andrews-by-the-Wardrobe, Blackfriars. These days we organise events online rather than in person but we hope that our old gathering routine will soon be back.

We work closely with the Slovenian Embassy in London and regularly share literary evenings, art exhibitions and concerts. All these occasions allow you to meet new faces and to enjoy pleasant company.

As a registered Charity, the Society is governed by a Board of Trustees, of whom six currently are Slovene ‒ see below. At two of our annual events, the Carol Service and Prešernov večer, we invite all those attending to make a modest voluntary financial contribution which goes to help support Društvo Barka. This is part of the Canadian L’Arche Foundation which lives and thrives in Zbilje, to the north of Ljubljana, and cares for those with special needs: autism, Down’s Syndrome, the abused, and so on.

The best source of information on all the Society’s activities and forthcoming events, are our website and Facebook page.

Meanwhile, we very much look forward to seeing you at one of our events!

With all good wishes,

David Lloyd
Chairman

Trustees: David Lloyd (Chairman), Alan Banes, Simona Bennett, Igor Cesarec, Evelina Ferrar, Marcus Ferrar, Gorazd Kert, Catherine King, Miha Košak, Kaja Pečnik, Shirlie Roden, Ana Stanič, Mateja Šömen, Nadia Špendal, Jana Valenčič.
Honorary President: Keith Miles.
Patrons: Lady Nott, HE the Slovenian Ambassador to the UK, HE The British Ambassador to Slovenia, Neil Parish MP — Chairman British Slovenia All Party Group, John Austin — former Chairman British Slovenia All Party Group, Gordon Johnston — former British Ambassador to Slovenia, David Lloyd — former British Ambassador to Slovenia, Matjaž Šinkovec — former Slovenian Ambassador to the UK, Marjan Šetinc — former Slovenian Ambassador to the UK, Marjan Senjur — former Slovenian Ambassador to the UK, Iztok Mirošič — former Slovenian Ambassador to the UK, Tim Simmons — former British Ambassador to Slovenia, Andrew Page — former British Ambassador to Slovenia, Iztok Jarc — former Slovenian Ambassador to the UK.