It is not often that Tamworth residents have the chance to attend a glittering literary event in London.  Members of the Tamworth based Peel Society were invited to the launch of a new biography of Robert Peel by Douglas Hurd (Lord Hurd of Westwell).  This was a "thank you" for the help that members of the Society had given to Lord Hurd.

L to R; Nigel Morris, Vice Chairman, Douglas Hurd and Jan Morris, Hon. Secretary at the reception in the Atrium of Coutts Bank

The event was held in the atrium of Coutts Bank, which is in the Strand.  A regency façade hides a modern office complex with an atrium in the middle five stories high with a jungle of tropical trees and a pond with large Coi carp.  Coutts Bank is banker to the Queen amongst others. Lord Hurd is a vice-chairman of the bank.

The reception was attended by members of the Peel family, including Earl Peel, who is now Lord Chamberlain to the Queen.  There were also a number of Coutts Bank's customers and members of the London press corps.

In his introductory speech, Lord Hurd emphasised how interesting it had been to try to "get under the skin" of Peel and discover what made him tick.  Can we imagine life without Roman Catholics in Parliament, the Police force and free trade between the nations?  Lord Hurd thinks that the latter was the most significant contribution Peel made to the prosperity of Britain and the peace of the World.  In his speech, Lord Hurd congratulated the Peel Society and particularly Norman Biggs, the Chairman, for keeping the reputation of Peel in the consciousness of the nation.

David Cameron gave the keynote speech, which compared the achievements of Peel to the efforts he is trying to make to refocus the Conservative Party.

There was a display of signed letters of former customers of Coutts Bank, including William Pitt the younger, Duke of Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone.  Not a bad reference list!

Lord Hurd will launch the book in Tamworth at a Peel Society luncheon at Drayton Manor on July 22nd, when members will be able to buy signed copies.  Anybody interested in attending should contact the Society.