Royal College of Defense Studies visits Bristol

Two groups of 40 of the most promising senior officers of the British Armed Forces and those from a number of countries worldwide visited Bristol as part of their tour of the South West.  In a socially distanced dinner held on board the SS Great Britain, Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE donned her hat as an Honorary Captain of the Royal Naval Reserve and addressed the group.  The topic the College selected for her to explore was the maritime history of Bristol and the City’s place in the United Kingdom and the world. ’The question and answer session following my speech was one of the most interesting I have encountered.  Chatham House rules enabled us to speak candidly on a number of subjects.  The course enables officers to become comfortable working in cross-government and international environments and is seen as a stepping stone to promotion to senior military, diplomatic, civil servants and the like,’ Peaches added.  Students on the course are attracted from countries across the globe, from Italy to Kenya and across to the Pacific and the Americas.