HUGH MITFORD RAYMOND
Location:
England, United KingdomAbout HUGH MITFORD RAYMOND
Hugh Mitford Raymond is the author of “The Mitford Family” Nearly A Thousand Years of History, 2016 ISBN 9781903506448 – £16.99 / €20.00 and
“British Policy In The Middle East & The Creation of Israel” 2015 ISBN 1515087832 – £7.50 / €9.00 and
“The Middle East As It Was” – a series of five books on Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Iran & Afghanistan. “Syria As It Was” 2017 ISBN 978-0-9955839-0-0 £4.50 / €5.00 and “Palestine As It Was” 2017 ISBN 978-0-9955839-1-7 £4.50 / €5.00
Available from all good bookshops, Waterstones & Amazon
Born and brought up in South Africa, Hugh grew up on the back of a horse and went on to train and breed racehorses for various international clients. He has served in the South African Defence Force completing active duties in Mozambique, Caprivi Strip and South West Africa. He also managed large farming operations in Zimbabwe. Widely travelled he has lived in 6 countries and speaks 4 languages, working for several international companies, along with IBM and United Nations. He has been resident in the South of France for over 20 years and has served on the central committee of the British Association (Menton, Nice, Cannes & Var) linked with the British Consulate for over 15 years, providing help to British residents along the Riviera. He is a member of the London Society of Authors and Chairman of SAFI, the South African International Association of the Riviera. Hugh is the great-great grandson, nephew and cousin to the last seven squires of Mitford, on the direct mainline of the Mitford family of Mitford, Northumberland since 1042.
My Specialist Subjects
THE MITFORD FAMILY
"Discover the power and glory of one of history’s most famous and controversial families from the Norman times and the beginning of England to the disintegration of the family seat in the 21st century. Landowners and philanthropists, writers and historians, activists and fascists and peers of the realm feature in one of the world’s most fascinating dynasties".
To quote – “The fact that he is a Mitford himself is unique and adds an extra dimension and passion to the telling of his family’s story. I would highly recommend this talk to anyone interested in history or intrigued by the idea of putting those Mitford girls into context!” Open discussion, questions & answers.
THE MITFORD GIRLS
Many have heard of the famous, infamous and scandalous Mitford Girls. Diana, who married Bryan Guinness, heir to the Guinness brewery fortune and later married Sir Oswald Mosley, the fascist leader and due to her admiration of Hitler, got locked up in Holloway prison for three years. Unity became a friend of Hitler and Nazi supporter and shot herself when war was declared between England and Germany. Jessica became a communist and writer (American Way of Death) and Deborah, became Duchess of Devonshire and Chatsworth, last of the Mitford girls. Not to forget Tom, the only son who was killed in the war. They were a junior branch of the original, mainline family. Hugh explains many of the family feelings over recent generations. Open discussion, questions and answers.
THE RIVIERA SET
Somerset Maugham said the French Riviera is a sunny place for shady people. Hugh Mitford Raymond, the author of “The Mitford Family” has lived along the Riviera for over 20 years and has become friends with some fascinating people, the last of the golden “Belle Époque” era. Many members of the Mitford family were frequent visitors and formed part of the "Riviera Set". His talk includes, true life stories of some extraordinary characters, their amazing homes and lifestyle. If there is anything you have ever wanted to know about life along this glorious coastline, now is the time to ask? Open discussion, questions and answers.
THE CREATION OF ISRAEL
Talking of the Middle East, many think of Peter O’Toole and the famous Lawrence of Arabia. However, before him there was someone that also became the doyen of the British foreign office. Lawrence felt close to the Arabs and tried to create a pan-Arabic state, whereas Edward Mitford was driven towards creating a home for the Jewish nation. The beginning of Israel starts with Hugh's great-great grandfather Edward Ledwich Mitford who was the first person to present a plan for the creation of the independent state of Israel to the ministers of the British government which led to the Balfour Declaration and British Mandate. Hugh, co-author of British Policy in the Middle East & the Creation of Israel, will share with you his story of the creation of Israel. Open discussion, questions and answers.
TRAINING A RACEHORSE
It’s like training a human being. Training a racehorse is not just about getting a racehorse fit for a race meeting – the English Derby, the Prix Diane & L’Arc de Triomphe, the Dunlop Gold Cup or the Durban July Handicap to mention a few – it’s also about training the owners and captains of industry to cope with the ups and downs needed to win the race! Hugh spent 15 years riding and training horses, working with top racing personalities and horses in South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, England, Ireland and Saudi Arabia. Join him for a first hand insight into the fascinating world of breeding and training racehorses. Open discussion, questions and answers.
SOUTH AFRICA & THE LEGACY OF NELSON MANDELA.
With continuing debate within African politics, South Africa has coped well through the change from apartheid to democracy. What has changed? To understand any country one needs to know its history and culture. Bertram Mitford wrote “When two great bulls stand looking at each other over one fence, are they friends for long?” Hugh’s great uncle wrote 44 bestselling novels on the culture and history of South Africa, black and white. Hugh was born in South Africa and presents a unique insight to the books and history of what his great uncle understood and wrote about South Africa. Open discussion, questions and answers.
FROM CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE TO HOWARD CARTER
Admiral Robert Mitford was on excellent terms with the Khedive Mahomet Ali of Egypt and this provides the basis of an intriguing family story. His only daughter Margaret Mitford married William Tyssen-Amhurst (Lord Amhurst). “The Cleopatra needle that stands on the Thames Embankment in London once belonged to my grandfather” (Admiral Robert Mitford). They all had a passion for Egypt and with their youth and unlimited Tyssen funds started to build a collection of Egyptian artefacts. It was here that Howard Carter began his interest in Egyptology. Part of this collection is now at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Hugh will explain what happened to one of England’s largest private collections of Egyptian artefacts. Open discussion, questions and answers.
NOTES
All talks with Microsoft Power Point, usually lasting for around 35/40 minutes followed by questions and answers. All talks are open, relaxed good fun, enjoying the good humour and audience participation.
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