August 25, 2012

Saturday, 25 August 2012 (rain date Sunday, 26 August)

Locaton: Summer house of Francis and Bobbi de Marneffe, 175 Lake Road, Dublin, New Hampshire

The New England Churchillians summer picnic and book discussion will be held at
the summer home of Francis and Bobbi de Marneffe in Dublin, New Hampshire on
Saturday, 25 August 2012 from noon to 4. The rain date for this event is Sunday, 26 August.

Our topic book is The Fringes of Power: 10 Downing Street Diaries, 1939-1955, by John Colville. Published in 1985, this candid account by Winston Churchill’s principal private secretary provides invaluable behind the scenes glimpses of the great man, his thinking and his methods of leadership during the war and also as Churchill’s grasp on power waned from 1951-1955. When Colville came to No. 10 at age 24 to serve Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, he held the conventional dismissive view of Churchill’s capabilities. But as he observed him intimately, Colville came first to respect and then to esteem Churchill, which calls to mind Pamela Plowden’s observation, “The first time you see Winston Churchill you see all his faults and the rest of your life you spend discovering his virtues.”

After the picnic there will be an opportunity for a swim, so pack a suit and a towel.

Tables will be provided, but bring your own lawn chair. See reverse for more directions.

Please respond by 21 August by printing the attached invitation and RSVP.

Print the complete invitation and RSVP form.