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A British Lord Coming to Kansas City To Celebrate History

The Rt. Hon. Lord Alan Watson, award-winning BBC broadcaster, Vice President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth (UK), and acclaimed author, will give a lecture at a luncheon on Friday, October 14, 2016, at the Carriage Club in Kansas City, MO.

This lecture program is part of the formal celebration of the 70th anniversary of Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, given March 5, 1946, at Westminster College, Fulton, MO., with U.S. President Harry S. Truman in attendance. This program is sponsored by the National Churchill Museum at Westminster College, Fulton, MO.

Lord Watson's lecture is inspired by his newly published book, "Churchill's Legacy: Two Speeches to Save the World." He will describe how Winston Churchill wielded his influence in post-war politics to enable the restoration of Europe through two key speeches in 1946. Having first helped bring victory to the Allies in 1945, Churchill went on to preserve the freedom of the world by gaining the support of the United States in the restoration of Europe.

He will explain how Churchill's "iron curtain" announced the beginning of the Cold War and changed the way the Western world viewed communism. He will describe the resulting controversy and explain how these speeches were integral to the emergence of NATO and the Marshall plan, committing the U.S. to Europe's economic recovery and foreshadowing the EU today. Lord

Watson will also show how these two speeches presented a new prospect of recovery and hope – both for Churchill as a political pioneer, and for the rest of the world.

Timothy Riley, Director and Chief Curator of the National Churchill Museum, has extended a cordial invitation to all members of the Kansas City Branch of the English-Speaking Union to this luncheon and lecture.

What: Luncheon and Lecture Program: Rt. Hon. Lord Alan Watson

When: Friday, October 14, 2016, 11:30 AM

Where: Carriage Club, 5301 State Line, Kansas City, MO. Click here for map

Cost: $25 per person for luncheon and lecture program including tax and gratuities.

Purchase Luncheon/Lecture Tickets: Online Here

Book Signing: Lord Watson's book, "Churchill's Legacy: Two Speeches to Save the World" will be available for purchase courtesy of Rainy Day Books. A book signing will follow the lecture.

About Lord Watson:

Alan Watson has been an award-winning BBC broadcaster for over 20 years. He is Chairman of CTN Communications which is acknowledged as a pre-eminent multi-media, consultancy, and production company. 

He currently serves as Vice-President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth (UK) and was International Chairman Emeritus of The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth (UK).

Lord Watson was elected as High Steward of Cambridge University for life in 2010. He is an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, a Patron of the Churchill Archives at Churchill College, and Chairman of The Cambridge Foundation. He was a recipient of the Churchill Medal in 2005.

He is an accomplished author, whose publications include Europe at Risk, The Germans: Who are They Now?, The Queen and the U.S.A. and his most recent book Churchill's Legacy: Two Speeches to Save the World (Bloomsbury, 2016).

Outside of the United Kingdom, Alan was a Member of the European Parliament's High Level Group on Romania. His political interests are the worldwide use of English, EU enlargement and transatlantic relationship. He speaks frequently on all these subjects, both in Europe and the United States. Lord Watson's fascination with Churchill has been lifelong. His enthusiasm for Britain at the interface of Churchill's three circles – Europe, America, and the English-speaking world – remains unmatched.

Lord Watson is married to Lady Karen Watson, an artist working in ceramics and mosaics. Her garden in Somerset has become well known. They have two sons, Martin and Stephen, and four grandchildren. Lord Watson was born in South Africa of British parents and was educated at Bishops in Cape Town, Kingswood School in Bath, and Jesus College, Cambridge.

 

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