The UK – looking forward, celebrating tradition.

Transcript of a video recording by Sir Peter Ricketts, British Ambassador to France:

I wanted to talk to you about two things that we have been heavily engaged on in the last couple of weeks.
First of all I was able to pay my first visit to the Rhone-Alpes region, to the great city of Lyon, where I was able to announce 2 pillars of the British presence in that part of France. First of all we have opened a new commercial delegation, reorganised and located in new offices, in the commercial district of Lyon, concentrating on new technologies, both encouraging British exports and investment by French firms in the UK.

Second pillar, the British Council who’ll be opening a presence in Lyon from the autumn, eight classrooms for teaching of English at all levels, but also a presence to encourage cultural cooperation between this part of France and the UK.

Back in Paris it was the week of the Diamond Jubilee. I was amazed to see the level of interest but also the real affection for The Queen and the Royal Family, which was evident – not just in the media but right across opinion in France. You could not open a newspaper or watch a TV programme without The Queen being part of the story, and for the Sunday events in London, the great pageant on the Thames, millions and millions of people followed that live on French TV.  They were also actually able to follow it live here at the Embassy, where we had a street party for the British community and friends of Britain, with big screen TVs and a lot of people came and enjoyed a Sunday afternoon in the garden. So a fortnight where we were projecting modern Britain to an important part of France and also celebrating the traditions and values that The Queen represents.

This coming week I shall also be in Marseille, opening the British Council presence there as well, and then it’s on to the Olympics. It’s a busy time.