British Residents’ Association of Switzerland

This will take place at Christ Church, Lausanne on 30 April, 1-2 May. See the Christ Church page for details.

We are disappointed that our efforts to provide more events have come to naught. The Winter Weekend in Lenk is the latest in a series of cancellations due to lack of interest. Please do your best to ensure that it is the last such casualty.

January was a bad month for your Council. Susan Ince, who was responsible for Sponsorship, passed away on 19 January after a long struggle with cancer. Her funeral took place in Leeds on 29 January.

We deeply regret her passing and are profoundly grateful for the time and energy she devoted to the BRA. A gathering will be held in Switzerland to celebrate her life on 7 March (place not yet definitive).

Please remember that the Winter Weekend will take place in Lenk on March 12-14. Even if you no longer ski, which seems to be the case of many of our members, you can enjoy the walks around the village and enjoy the scenery from the upper stations. A meal will be organized at altitude!

Just click on the event and complete the Registration Form. See you there!

For once it was a fine day at Vevey, though still a bit damp underfoot, and there was a good turnout, including a wide-ranging group from the various diplomatic corps, to pay homage to the fallen, not just those of the two World Wars but also those in the lesser confrontations that have taken, or still are taking, place around the world and where British soldiers and those from Britain’s former colonies are dying in the name of freedom and democracy.
Especially gratifying was a substantial contingent from St. George’s School, Clarens adding a very welcome touch of youth to the predominantly grey, or even white-haired, participants. You can see photos of this moving ceremony. If anyone has more photos, please send them to our Webmaster.

After the ceremony the community of All Saints, Vevey, ably led by our Honorary Consul, Sandra Darra,  provided a very substantial aperitif and the opportunity to get to know each other better.

On 2 November the Foreign Office announced the appointment of a lady Ambassador to Switzerland (the first time this has happened.

Her name is Sarah Gillett and you can find out more about her on the F.O. Web-Site

Her Majesty’s Ambassador is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Roger Nicholas Balsiger as Honorary Consul at the British Vice-Consulate in Zürich. The Consular District covered by his appointment includes the Cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Glarus, Graubunden, St Gallen, Schwyz, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Uri, Zug and Zürich.

Mr Balsiger has spent a career in the international financial services sector and is still active in this field. He is also involved in the watchmaking industry. Mr Balsiger is currently a Councillor of the British Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) and Deputy Chairman of the BSCC’s Public Affairs Commission. He is a dual British/Swiss national.