December 2002

The year ends on a high note for the Society and our dear Chairman tells us that he is off to see a Lady in Seattle and have a well earned rest.
 

SALAMANCA
With the great university city of Salamanca celebrating its year as CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE 2002 it was fitting that we, the W.S. should be involved in some of the official activities. The City was occupied by the invading French forces of Napoleon until liberated by Wellington in June, 1812. The following month Wellington's Allied army defeated Marshal Marmonts around the village of Arapiles just south of the City.
In September the Society donated over 500 hand painted military figures of the period to the new museum on the battle site. It was quite a wonderful day of marking the occasion with regiments marching, military bands playing, planes flying low overhead and later our Chairman rubbing shoulders with high ranking Spanish, British, French & Portuguese officers. Needless to say our Chairman somehow managed to get himself on the front page of the Spanish newspapers!

HEMINGWAY'S DOWNTOWN MADRID
Our new Hemingway walking tours have attracted much interest with our members....including Hemingway look-alikes who caused many a raised eyebrow in Don Ernesto's old drinking haunts! Our web site update will have some new photos next year.

WINE TASTING IN OLD MADRID
These new tours are really attracting a lot of attention from so many Members. This is due to the expert knowledge of Connie (who just happens to be our Chairman's future wife!!) Not only do we enjoy fine wines and excellent tapas but we get highly recommended Spanish wines either to buy here in Spain or back in your own country. We look forward to more of Connie's wine tasting both in Madrid and the famous wine regions in 2003.

FAREWELL TO  2002
At this time of the year we of course think of all our Members and we at the Wellington Society here in Madrid send our warmest regards to you all. Let us keep in touch.
Stephen Drake-Jones

Chairman

Wellington Society of Madrid 31st Dec, 2002. Madrid, Spain