With the residence garden bathed in the warm evening sun, and with music provided appropriately enough by two former British stars of Radio Luxembourg, the relaunch of the British-Luxembourg Society was something of a celebratory party. Guests included the Honorary President of the society, Jacques Loesch, as well as current committee members and invitees from the British and Luxembourgish communities as well as students who are alumni of universities in the UK.

In welcoming the guests, ambassador John Marshall stressed that although the UK would be leaving the European Union at the end of March next year, he was certain it would maintain the closest relationships with the grand duchy and the EU. British-Luxembourg Society president David Clark, who was instrumental in reviving the society, has often referred to Brexit, saying that bilateral relations would become more important than ever and that the UK would need to build whatever bridges it can. “The British Luxembourg Society is very much a bridge between Britain and Luxembourg,” Clark said.

Entertainment was provided in the form of two sketches performed by members of the BGT theatre group, and by Radio Luxembourg DJs Mark Wesley and Paul Burnett. They spoke with Luxembourg film-maker Loïc Tanson who is in the midst of directing a documentary about the impact of Radio Luxembourg.

As well as the customary Luxembourg crémant and soft drinks, guests were also able to enjoy draught beverages from Luxembourg cider maker Ramborn, whose president of products and marketing, Adie Kaye, is from the UK.