News

News

Dudley Exhibition

Each section of this Exhibition
shows work from my frequent travels
including my six books ...
starting with the one for Russia ....
here New York Central Park...
Labuan Malaysia beach driftwood...
The Cotswolds where I enjoyed the snow ...
Bridgnorth in Shropshire.. still a quaint ,very unusual town on the River Severn
I enjoy being able to share my work with the visitors

and this church has come alive with my paintings and the
people who came to look
and stayed to talk
Some came to listen to my Talk on Opening night
about my worldwide long years of overseas life..
in many countries..some shown here during this week

Dudley Exhibition Saint Augustines

My drawings of the Earl of Lichfield's country seat
not far from Dudley,
Shugborough Hall
were made at a time when he and I had talked about
my producing a book of my drawings, paintings and photographs
which I was simply going to entitle 'Shugborough'

He, like the National Trust, liked my work, it had publicised my recent English book, and he had been interested in my Malaysia book and 'Drawings of my childhood places',
which features Dudley,
so he retained a copy of that, and a framed print of the

Saint Augustines Church
where this Exhibition was held

The Exhibition, for me, had very sad moments,

as the memories of my parents are very close and real,
and this is where much of my childhood was spent,
which is why it features so prominently in that book

I also was sad at his loss ...So it is perhaps fitting to feature this drawing of his private entrance,

as well as my drawings and that particular book, in this peaceful, inspiring place

I hope that others, who visited, could in some way understand the prominence

that this church has, in my portfolio

I gave a Talk on the Opening night, expressing some of my thoughts,

and the inspiration

which I had, from this, and other 'Childhood Places'

Dudley Exhibition
4th September
I was very pleased to be asked to have an Exhibition in Dudley,
my home town
where I first studied to become a professional artist and author

It was surprising to me to find that many local people
remembered me, some even having prints of drawings which I had made
and they, particularly, I felt, enjoyed the opportunity to see my work
from many parts of the world
Throughout the Exhibition I made a cosmopolitan arrangement
although England dominated, many other countries
were here, reminders for me, of very enjoyable days
spent in one of my favourite occupations

I am so pleased to see the enjoyment which others show
in my Paintings, drawings, photographs and books

Merdeka Celebration 30th August

At the very informal Merdeka Celebration in Hertfordshire
OMEC had offered to Exhibit and sell my new Malaysia book
'Labuan'
on their stand
it had two in the park
Here we are just at the opening
with A G Kader my Publisher, for these latest books,
where he and I met last year

My Exhibit next to this, showed the Labuan book, cards
prints and also my book 'Malaysia Terima Kasih'
which became the Official book of Malaysia
Many OMEC, and other visitors, came to talk to me
about my experiences as Bilateral Aid Advisor
to New Zealand and Malaysia Governments, and
later Consultant to the Board of Malaysia Airlines .......

leading to the invitation from the New Zealand Government to

The United Nations

Merdeka Celebration 2008

I was pleased again to have the company of
Datuk Aziz
The High Commissioner of Malaysia
when, with me, he launched my latest book
'Labuan' at
the Merdeka Celebration
in Hertfordshire
This is a very casual enjoyment of this day
with music food dancing and shows
from some of the best of talent from Malaysia

Labuan ..my book about that island, where I was guest of

The King
The Prime Minister
Cabinet Ministers
The Chief of the Navy
and others
is a colourful painting and photographic
record of
the Regatta
at which I stood on the beach watching, as
His Royal Highness
presented prizes to the Malaysian and foreign participants
in water sports of many types ..windsurfing power boat racing boats
all taking pleasure in the beautiful coast of this delightful island
in the South China Sea
I was delighted, the next day, to be told by my escort,
the Navy Leuitenant Commander that I was to be the King's
Guest for dinner, on board the naval vessel in the Harbour

National Day Malaysia

I was invited by The High Commissioner of Malaysia
Datuk Aziz
to the National Day Celebration at the High Commission in Belgrave Square
I showed him my second book on Malaysia about the island
of Labuan it is entitled 'Labuan'
and is an illustrated essay with my drawings and photographs
of that island which was special for me when I lived in Malaysia

We had our photographs taken on the balcony
of that beautiful building which I have visited for many years,
and two days later in the garden of another Stately English home,
this photograph shows me at the public launching of
my Labuan book
at Merdeka, the Celebration of Independence of Malaysia

Malaysia Week on Stage

Part of the opening of MALAYSIA WEEK in Potters Field by the Thames
had been a concert of Malaysian music,
then fashion shows featuring batiks and woven fabrics created into very beautiful,
often flowing, dresses for the ladies, and fine quality shirts for men..........

In Malaysia 'Batik' on an invitation card means that men can wear a
batik shirt, without
a jacket, even for quite formal events
the batik shirt is correct formal attire
suiting the climate

At this event I met the new Director UK & Ireland of the Malaysia Minstry of Tourism Rauf,
and AGKader Vice Chairman of OMEC and I talked,
he is publishing my books,
and he introduced me to Trevor Krueger Publisher of the first
issue of Taste of Asia Magazine
He told Trevor as I approached that 'You should interview this lady, not me'
and so Trevor decided to do just that especially for articles about my new Malaysia book
'Labuan'....................soon being launched after this WEEK

Meeting with Radziah Omar OMEC

The Chairman of OMEC and I,
have met many times, since I first went to the National Day Merdeka Carnival in Hertfordshire
She invited me to the Taste Asia open day in Ilford at Valentine Park
which was opened by the Mayor of Redbridge, who came to the OMEC stand for lunch,
Malaysia style ..as always Malaysia hospitality
is offered generously ..

OVERSEAS MALAYSIA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
has UK and Malaysia members
brought together by Trade and also cultural ties
This event was a mixture of both,
with a radio station on site, music and dancers provided entertainment,
and I also talked with The Director UK & Ireland of the
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
Abdul Rauf Hassan, showing him the proofs of my book LABUAN
which he will have in his office in Malaysia House Trafalgar Square

Victoria in New Straits Times

This is the first article about me in New Straits Times
the English Language daily newspaper ......
widely read throughout Malaysia
with its associated papers including the Business Times
I was pictured many times, and quoted in all of Malaysia's press,
as I was Advisor to the Country and New Zealand, and involved with all aspects of Malaysia,
including the media
I wrote, at the request of the Group Editor in Chief, book review and
a number of full page articles which were illustrated with my photographs,
now as I have my second Malaysia book published
one of the full page articles is most apt
as it was about LABUAN the island in the South China Sea
which is the title of my new book
of this beautiful country

Malaysia Kitchen in London

In London during MALAYSIA WEEK
I did the obvious thing I visited Jom Makan again
This restaurant which is part of the Malaysia Government
overseas marketing campaign to encourage people
to taste Malaysian food, enjoy its hospitality,
and, perhaps, through these experiences to visit
or in some way become involved with Malaysia and its people

It is very close to Trafalgar Square in Pall Mall East,
any visitor to The National Gallery will see it alongside
the entrances,
and with its restrained decor, it does not try to bring
all of Malaysia to London
simply its excellent hospitality and food
............................
The very first article about me in New Straits Times quoted my comments
that Malaysia should export more of its food products
and I recall being taken to restaurants in Kuala Lumpur by
the Chairman of the organisation for Sate
which many people associate with Malaysia

I especially enjoy seeing this piece of Malaysia in my favourite city
and each time now in London I know that I can have a typical Malay meal

I show the proofs of my new Malaysia book, the 2nd about Malaysia
entitled
'LABUAN'
about the island which I called 'my favourite place'.................
where I was guest of the King, Prime Minister, Chief of the Navy,
and others, many times

Global Emerging Markets Summit

I enjoyed very much meeting Mohamed
the Director of Islamic Development Bank,
he is based in Jeddah,
a Malaysian who debates strongly with those who say that
ASEAN is not important in the world scheme
He, Dr Mohamed Ghazali Noor, like I, believes that the

Association of South East Asia Nations
can play a pivotel role in world markets,
and certainly the development of Malaysia, since I was first invited by,
and became the Bilateral Aid Advisor New Zealand and Malaysia,
then Consultant to the Board of Malaysia Airlines,
then writing my book which became the Official book of Malaysia
'Malaysia Terima Kasih '

by the private sector, and the Government, has been dramatic

Global Emerging Markets Summit

I was invited to be Guest at The Global Emerging Markets Summit held at
The Institute of Directors
This Summit held under the auspices of ASLI... Asian Strategy and Learning Institute,
as was the Cambridge Malaysia Forum late last year,
hosted many distinguished delegates and Speakers
all concerned in some way with the global changing marketplace
which we all know now.. represented were Europe, Asia including Malaysia, Phillipines, China Hong Kong, USA, Africa
All spoke with authority about their various programmes, growing pineapples in Africa,
desalination plants and their effectiveness ..biodeisel, too many to list here...
I opened the questions when the Cabinet Minister for Tourism Malaysia spoke first,
with my interest in the Iskander development
in Johor, which will compete with, take traffic,
income, and generate new businesses
for Malaysia, instead of Singapore
which I have helped to do with my Advisory work for New Zealand and Malaysia
long ago

Johor is being changed from the comparatively quiet stretch of land at the southern tip of
Peninsular Malaysia


For me it was a pleasure when some time ago this development was mentioned ..
as, of course, it is named after the King who hosted me on two occasions in Labuan

HRH Iskander .. he showed interest in my strategies to develop trade and tourism throughout Malaysia..not forgetting the offshore islands ...
.........with Dato' Dr Michael Yeoh CEO & Director ASLI Chairman of the Summit..............

The Minister for Tourism and I spoke later about my new book of the island of
LABUAN
which is also the book title

Malaysia Week London

I was invited to Malaysia Week, in July ..................................
my first..in London.....It was held in Potters Field.. the very nice park alongside City Hall,
The Tower Bridge and the river
It was delightful to sit, during a lovely sunny day to watch and listen to Malaysia Cultural troupes
from the many different cultures and States
My host Dato' Seri Mohd Shafie the Minister of Unity Culture Arts and Heritage
spoke of the beauty of his country, of which I am well aware
and welcomed us with The Deputy Mayor of London, Mayor of Southwark
and guests from Embassies and High Commissions
As often happens at a formal Malaysia event ..the finale was the audience..........
pulled into the centre of the grassed area in front of the stage
we all danced traditional Malaysia Dances
not a new experience for me ......................I learned this long ago...................
but I did note few hesitant people ..however the dancers from the troups ensured
that all the sedentry spectators in the formal area joined in....... as did the Minister and I

Civil Service Club Annual Dinner

I decided to accept the Invitation this time to The Civil Service Club Annual Dinner,
and invited AGKader the Vice Chairman of OMEC, Overseas Malaysia Executive Council
to be my Guest
It was an excellent evening and David Rowberry
the General Manager, was interested to talk to myself and AG about our
publishing plan and also the possibility that I may have an Evening
at the Club to Exhibit a few paintings and books
already
one enterprising Member
has written to me saying that he wishes to come
word went around very quickly
as it can in this very business minded group
who are active in providing links for British and Malaysia people
who wish to have closer business and social links
As I had a Saturday meeting also I decided to add to my portfolio of London drawings
with Trafalgar Square, Haymarket and here a German visitor
photographed me in Piccadilly
with my latest drawingwhich joins Saint Pauls
Saint Margarets Houses of Parliament and other London sights which I enjoy so much
and which I am so happy now to be able to see so often on my visits

Townswomen's Guild Talk

At my Talks, I like to be able to tell my audiences
something more about the Countries to which I have been Advisor and Consultant, than they would ever learn from the
tourist guide books, or from holiday visits.
As my nephew so profoundly said when I took him to Paris for a few days
for his 15th birthday, which is the subject of my latest book 'A trip to Paris'
''I am seeing the real Paris, not just what
the tourists see''......
That sums up what I do with my Exhibitions, Talks and Seminars

I enable my audiences to learn about
the real life of countries,
not just about the facade, the obvious things,
which actually often tell one little about people's lives and aspirations.
This is a gift from Thailand where I went as a Consultant to a private project
with Government links, some years ago
It shows a hand designed new batik based on the birds and flowers of Thailand

My Talk at the Townswomen's Guild

On 8th July I was invited to give a Talk to The Townswomen's Guild in Stourbridge

I spoke about my work as Bilateral Aid Advisor to the New Zealand and Malaysia Governments,
my role as New Government Consultant to Tonga,
my invitation to The United Nations by The New Zealand Government
when Emeka An Yaoko, The Secretary General of the Commonwealth gave me his support
and that of the 54 Nations of The Commonwealth

I told them of the background to my later work, when I had travelled frequently throughout Scandinavia and parts of Europe
I was responsible for international Marketing, Exhibitions, Books and Advertising
with the international GKN Group, meeting Heads of State
I spoke about my meeting with The President of Portugal in Lisbon

I had on display a selection of my paintings drawings books and photography
The 60 or so Members looked at these and asked questions over coffee afterwards
it was an interesting evening
Joan Oakley who Organised this evening and I talked about some of my
latest work and we are seen here with STARBUCKS
one of my drawings from the time of my Spring Exhibition
in Southend on Sea Library Gallery
We expect to meet again in the New Year
when I speak to the Norton History Group
............................................
Margaret who assisted me took photographs

Milford Sound New Zealand

One glorious trip in New Zealand
was on to the Fox Glacier in a small plane
staying at Milford Sound, here
with Mitre Peak in the background

seeing the ski Championships in Queenstown ...enjoying the special quality which New Zealand has,
a freshness still, which cannot easily be found in our overcrowded
lands ......here it still can..... in New Zealand ...
try......as I have....... sailing in the Hauraki Gulf, taking a fast boat out from the shores near to Christchurch.
Akaroa, eat fresh cooked fish on the waterfront, and tour around the harbour, which people from France almost made their own,
it still has the French atmosphere, in a way which complements the New Zealand one.
For a great thrill learn to take a glider over some of the most beautiful, unspoilt countryside
that the world can offer ..I have had the unique role of Bilateral Aid Advisor to this special land
and Malaysia, and appreciate the qualities of it, and it forms and important part of the Talks and Exhibitions
which I have been giving recently in England

Certificate Malaysia Minstry of Tourism

As I left the Dialogue with The Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia last month, at Chatham House,
Mohmed Razip and I met for the last time, before he left for Kuala Lumpur, from his post as Director UK & Ireland
of Tourism Malaysia, based in Malaysia House Trafalgar Square.
We talked about the possibility that I might visit Malaysia again
and also of course, a second Malaysia book, which always enters conversations with

Malaysia Government and business people,
away from home, and based in the UK .
I never did finish the tour arranged for me by the Government
I was so absorbed in my writng, photography, drawings and printing for my book
Malaysia Terima Kasih
then the presentations around the world
which were followed by The New Zealand Government invitation to the United Nations,
that a second book never eventuated

I still have the title, and my work for it, and for a small book on Labuan, the island where I was guest of
The King, The Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Sabah and Cabinet Ministers.
I hope that one day these will be published, and welcomed by Malaysians, as my first book was ,
and my writing and photography in The New Straits Times.

A few days later, at home, I received from Razip, this Certificate, which is a delightful way to show me that
my own special relationship with Malaysia has continued after many years,
and I am delighted that he thought of this way to show his appreciation.
Unfortunately at the moment I cannot thank him personally.
He will be missed in London.

Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister Dialogue

I attended, last month, the Dialogue with Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak
Deputy Prime Minister Malaysia
at Chatham House
He was giving Malaysia's response
to global challenges
When I was first invited to Malaysia, becoming Bilateral Aid Advisor to New Zealand and Malaysia Governments,
the first Member of Government whom I met, was a previous Deputy Prime Minister
and during the years when I spent most of my time in Malaysia .
I was guest of His Majesty The King, and Prime Minister Mahathir, a number of times,
both formally, and quite informally.
One characteristic I found of all the Government people whom I met, and talked to,
was their interest in telling the world about their Country.
This afternoon was no different, I had not met Dato Tun Razak
but I had met the current Prime Minister Badawi,
as I hade met other Cabinet Ministers,
and whilst Malaysia, like the rest of the world, faces new problems
it was interesting to hear what its strategies may be.
Malaysia is cushioned by its capabilities in food production, I was asked to look in Horticulture,
as I had when I was New Zealand Government Consultant to Tonga.
At that time I was fully committed on other pressing Malaysia projects,
however I hope that it can develop new markets for its food products,
having met a few of the people involved in Malaysia and in the UK

Marketing New Zealand

I wrote this Paper
MARKETING NEW ZEALAND
shown on the cover,
at the request of the Editor of Management Magazine,
The Journal of the Insititute of Management of
New Zealand
as I had said many times that New Zealand
was relatively unknown
This paper encouraged The Hon. Brian Tallboys, after our meeting in Singapore,
to Chair a Conference in Wellington at which he asked me to speak.
At the Talks which I now give, in England, years later,
as I did to The Townswomen's Guild, last week
I, once again, talk about my work as

Bilateral Aid Advisor to New Zealand and Malaysia Governments
and still find that many people still are keen to learn about this aspect of my life
in the UK and overseas

Trafalgar Square London

Recently when I stayed in London
to attend meetings and
the Annual Dinner of The Civil Service Club

I had a day in which I could sit and draw parts of London
which I have known well for many years
as my family took me to London
as a child
This view towards The Houses of Parliament
from the fountains makes a
splendid drawing
which I enjoyed making on a bright sunny June day

Exhibition Dudley St Augustines Church

It has now been confirmed that the Church at Holly Hall Dudley would like me to hold an Exhibition
during September

I anticipate that I will show local works including Shugborough, the ancestral home of The Earls of Lichfield,
Himley Hall, which features on the cover of my book 'Drawings of my childhood places',
towns and villages of the Midlands, landscapes,
and also many of my international works including books for Russia, about Malaysia, New Zealand, Paris, England
The Exhibition will also include photographs, as seen in The Photographers Gallery,
and works exhibited internationally by The British Council

Memories of Paris

Since on May 23rd I had the formal launching of my book
A trip to Paris

I have looked at the photographs which were taken during the few days
when I took my nephew for a holiday in Paris, for his 15th birthday
This look at Paris was taken by Jason,
he showed quite an interest in photography,
enjoying the sights and sounds of this beautiful city

Open Day Himley Church

21st June 2008

This drawing is one of many which I have made
of the Himley district, as I enjoy the peace of nearby Himley Hall
on many days, and launched my book 'Drawings of my childhood places' in the Hall
especially, I think, I appreciate it, in the winter, when the grounds
are quite peaceful.
They are open for all to enjoy
Capability Brown's designs for this estate of The Earl of Dudley

This weekend the memorial garden of The Earl of Dudley is open
just for two days,
and today Saint Michael's Church Himley
has an Open Day,
when visitors can enjoy the surroundings of this,
the Church of Himley Hall, the grounds of
which are along the narrow lane from the Hall

Dudley News 11th June 2008

The Dudley News
wrote about my latest book A trip to Paris and Malaysia Terima Kasih in this
article about the formal launch of my book in May in Wombourne
by Sir Patrick

..................................................
.................................................................................
The photograph was taken and supplied for use by
The Village Voice magazines