The annual British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Christmas Lunch was held on Friday at the traditional venue of the Hemicycle in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

Alison Macleod, Chairman of the BCC, addressed the 190-strong attendance and thanked the sponsors - Fast for the crackers, Luxair for flight tickets (to be drawn later) and KPMG for the gin bar. Looking back at 2015, she stated that membership had increased and the chamber had held 23 events which attracted no less than 1,400 people, the highlight of which was the viewing if the Magna Carta at the European Court of Justice.

Looking forward to 2016, she said that the highlights will include the New Year reception at the British Ambassador's residence in January, the lunch event with Nigel Farrage, leader of UKIP, in February, and the results of the tax survey in March.

She thanked the British Ambassador, Alice Walpole, for her support over the years and wished her well as she takes up another ambassadorial appointment on the African continent in the new year.

After the main course of the 4-course roast turkey dinner, guest speaker Ambassador Walpole gave the main address and talked about the UK reform agenda put forward by the British government, following the events of the previous evening's discussions in Brussels.

She said that this is currently the single most important issue for Britain, with the possible exit from the EU on the cards. She explained that, however, no country is more actively engaged in the future of the EU than Britain, and said that the EU could act more efficiently as global events occur. Britain has identified 4 main areas of improvement which formed the basis of yesterday's discussions, namely economic governance (including recognition of multiple currencies in the EU), competitiveness (e.g. cutting red tape, to enable free flow of goods and services), sovereignty and migration (including regarding welfare benefits).

She stressed that the method of action concerning these issues is up for discussion, currently in negotiation with the leaders of the 28 EU Member States. On the issue of the British referendum on the future of Britain in the EU, she stressed that Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that the best solution would be for Britain to remain in a reformed European Union.

The winners of the two pairs of Luxair flight tickets were Keith Amos and Gerard Oosevoort who were presented with their flight vouchers by Christian Carbonne of Luxair.

While some of those attending were heading back to their offices after the late lunch event, some took advantage of the festive cheer and conviviality - as well as the gin bar - to start the countdown to the holiday and start their holiday from then...

Photos by Geoff Thompson (top, L-R): British Ambassador, Alice Walpole; BCC Chairman, Alison Macleod