The British Commonwealth Society, Santiago Chile 1922-2022

Chairman’s Report 2022

Once again, I must start the annual review by mentioning the Covid Pandemic, which continued to impact us through most of the year restricting and limiting our operations and activities. With vaccines available and the restrictions easing off towards the end of the year, the risk of being affected by the virus was thankfully reduced. Despite this progress, infection is still very much a possibility, and we sincerely wish that all Members, Friends, and the Community in general to stay safe and well.

In line with the above, the BCS maintained its 2020 operating format in 2021, with meetings held via Zoom and a restriction on all social activities. Nevertheless, all our areas of interest continued to be covered and we were able to help Community members in need and those affected by repercussions of the Covid restrictions. I would like to thank the Community for their continued support, which allowed the BCS to fulfil this role. I am glad to say that contributions in 2021 reached an all- time high, giving us the opportunity to help out in some very complex situations. A huge thanks to all who contributed in 2021.

The BCS is sad to announce the death of Mrs. Phyllis (Nina) Peak in April of this year. A few years ago, the BCS was instrumental in setting up, and participating in, a support initiative for Nina when her financial situation became critical. A special thanks to Barbara Dunford, who brought this to our attention and coordinated her funding. The BCS and the Royal British Legion (Nina’s husband was in service during the war) worked together to provide the needed support. In January 2021 Nina celebrated her 100 th birthday, and despite Covid restrictions in the Home, we were able to organise a celebration which included an Embassy recognition and a 14 th Fire brigade drive through (her husband was a volunteer at the 14 th ) which was highly appreciated by Nina. I would like to thank those who were instrumental in the support initiative set up in 2018 for Nina, the BCS is proud to have been a driving force in this matter.

2022 will be a special year as it sees two important celebrations. It is the year of Her majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, and the British Embassy in Santiago is set to celebrate this in form, working to this end with the different Community organisations since late last year. To date, a Street Party was held at the end of April and announcements are out about a gathering for Members and Friends in Viña del Mar on Saturday the 4 th of June. A special service has also been announced at the Anglican Cathedral in Valparaiso for Sunday the 5th of June. There will be further activities during the rest of the year and The BCS will strive to keep the Community informed as and when they take place. The second important event is that the British Commonwealth Society is celebrating its Centenary this year. Founded in 1922, the BCS has supported a wide range of Community activities for a century. Celebrations will very much depend on pandemic restrictions, although a Historic Review of its 100 years is being contemplated for later in the year.

This review will remember the likes of Commonwealth House, the Home for the aged community members in Ñuñoa, and the “Casi Nuevo” (the Not New shop) which sold clothes for charity and operated in Providencia for many years.

The BCS continues to be attentive to situations in which it can contribute towards support for Community members in need. The last 10 years have shown us that this requirement may appear in various shapes and forms, and we have learned to be responsive to what in Chile is shaping up to be a complex socio-economic situation and has an impact on the most vulnerable community members. The BCS is proactive in identifying and helping in situations as they appear. To do this, we depend on the support of the Community, a key element when structuring assistance.

During 2021, the BCS also continued to cover the other areas in its defined scope. This includes its special role at the PWCC and the Concepcion Country Club, as well as the management of the cemetery plots entrusted to us.

I would like to thank my fellow board members and our administrative support, Pamela Yorston, for their continued support over so many years, particularly in the present restrictive conditions set by the Covid Pandemic. I am confident this will continue into 2022 and we look forward to sharing events that the BCS Centenary and the Platinum

Jubilee will signify.