Last October I attended a lecture at the University of Washington's Kane Hall featuring Winston S.Churchill III, grandson of the famous statesman, author, orator and British prime minister during World War II, Winston Churchill.
This year, on Nov. 16, the university's Evans School of Public Affairs, the UW Alumni Association and the Churchill Centre presented Sir Winston Churchill's granddaughter and biographer, Celia Sandys. I was invited to a pre-lecture reception to meet Ms. Sandys (whom I had had the pleasure of chatting with in 2003).
The Honorable Celia Sandys (pronounced Sands) is a respected authority on the life of her illustrious grandfather. She is the daughter of Winston's eldest daughter Dianna and Lord Duncan Sandys, M.P. Cabinet Minister and a member of his father-in-law's wartime government.
As a teenager, Celia often accompanied her grandfather on his travels. She has written five books about him and speaks internationally on his life and accomplishments. Perhaps you've seen her appearances on "Hardball with Chris Matthews," "The Charlie Rose Show" and C-SPAN.
Celia is also proud to be a trustee of the Churchill Centre and strongly recommends membership to anyone who has interest in Winston Churchill.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., and active internationally, the Churchill Centre was founded in 1968 to inspire leadership, statesmanship, vision and boldness among democratic and freedom-loving peoples through the thoughts, words, works and deeds of Winston Spencer Churchill. There are chapters and affiliates throughout the United States, which sponsor local programming, speakers and events. Their web address is www.winstonchurchill.org.
With all this in mind, on the afternoon of Nov. 16, braving the blustering rain and rush-hour traffic, we made our way to the UW campus seeking the elusive Parrington Hall where the reception was to take place. Upon reaching Parrington, we were directed to the third floor, where we were glad to find the reception room equipped with a string quartet and some very welcome armchairs.
Celia arrived on time, having just flown in from a lecture in California. This was her first time in Seattle, and unfortunately she was leaving again at the crack of dawn and would not have time to see more of our fair city.
Celia and I chatted about her books and travels. She told me about a new museum set up at the headquarters in the District of Columbia. She also shared some exciting news about the formation of a Seattle-Puget Sound Chapter.
Refreshments were served and the fortunate people attending the reception were presented with a glossy coffee-table edition of her most recent book, "Churchill," which is an accompaniment to a three-part PBS series due to air in May 2008.
With my copy of the book firmly under my arm, I made my way to the lecture room across the hall; filled to capacity with alumni, faculty, students and Churchill Centre members from as far away as British Columbia. Among the assemblage were Jonathan and Susan Hayes of Magnolia (members of 12 years standing), as well as members of the general public interested in Churchill.
Dignitaries included former governor and U.S. senator Dan Evans; Gerry Alexander, chief justice of the Washington State Supreme Court; Bill Jacobs, chairman of Western International review board; and Jay Rockney, founder of the Rockney Company. They were introduced by Simon Mould, president-elect of the new Seattle-Puget Sound Chapter. Then Celia Sandys took the floor.
She spoke about her grandfather, his travels, his lifelong love affair with the United States and his Christmas visit with the Roosevelts. She also shared some of his more well-known quotes, including "If my father had been American rather than my mother, I might have got here on my own" (speech to Congress, 1942).
Her talk, informative and interesting, was followed by questions from the floor. Celia was charming and gracious and a delightful speaker - her grandfather would have been very proud of her.
The lecture was very well received. She extended a special invitation of those present to become charter members of the Seattle Puget Sound Chapter.
Simon Mould then took over with a very eloquent explanation of the aims and function of the Churchill Centre. He is the head of the departments of history and government a Christ Church Academy in Kirkland.
All in all, the evening was a great success and much enjoyed by all devoted Churchillians, including yours truly. We made our farewells, hoping that Celia would return for a longer visit.
Congratulations to Simon Mould and the new chapter. And to quote the great man, "Never give up."
If you need more information, give me a call: 282-8161.
