April 1, 2018

1986

We learnt that Sir Geoffrey Howe, then British Foreign Secretary, was a great fan and we were invited to sing at Brocket Hall, just north of London, where the European Community foreign ministers were meeting. After a full day of negotiation and discussions, our performance followed a sumptuous supper. We were graciously received, even by those who spoke no English at all, and Sir Geoffrey popped round afterwards to thank us and to present each of us with a magnum of extremely good wine. On bumping into the Belgian foreign minister a little later, we heard him mutter: ‘That was marvellous - marvellous, the first bit of harmony we’ve had all day’!