I'm very fortunate to be recently acquainted with Charles Hughes, the president of the BCS.  He is a very genuine and passionate chap, and I was pleased to be able to join him for his BCS residents dinner at "The Banqueting House" in Whitehall.  It was designed in 1619 and completed in 1622 with the ceiling paneling decorated with paintings by Rubens.  The guests of honor were the Duke of Kent and Lord Sainsbury.  After dinner entertainment was most spectacular with the band of the Royal Corps of Signals marching up and down between the tables playing excellent marches and other tunes.