PATRON: HE U Nay Win, Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar.

The Britain-Burma Society was founded in 1957 under the distinguished patronage of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Sir Hubert Rance (formerly Governor of Myanmar), Miss Dorothy Woodman, the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Macdonald, the Rt. Hon. Arthur Bottomley and others.

The Constitution states The Society shall be non-political and have as its object the fostering of friendship and understanding between British people interested in Burma (Myanmar) and Burmese people, especially the encouragement of cultural and social relations between the two countries. The Society is non profit making.

The Society holds seven meetings a year (for members and their guests only) in London. The October meeting was traditionally a reception for newly arrived Myanmar trainees and students at the start of the academic year in Britain, as the Society has always been concerned to make them feel at home in this country. During recent years however the very few trainees from Myanmar are mostly based outside London and unable to be present at the October reception, which has become solely an opportunity for members to meet again after the 3-month summer break. The remaining evening meetings (November, December, February, March, May and June) are devoted to lectures, slide and film shows, and reports from recent visitors to Myanmar. Light refreshments are always served. There is often a very enjoyable Society boat trip on the river Thames around the first Sunday in September.

Membership is open to all individuals or bodies interested in the aims of the Society. Individual members pay an annual subscription of £8.00, (or $14.95 when joining on the web site) and corporate members pay £20. In addition, members pay, at the door of regular meetings, amounts varying from £5.00 (lectures) to £8.00 (pwes). Myanmar students and trainees are guests at all meetings. Persons wishing to join should first fill in our form on this web site.

The Chairman of the Society is John Okell (tel: 0181 440 6096) the Hon. Secretary is Derek Brooke-Wavell (Address: 40, Kidmore Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7LU, UK; home tel: 01189 476874; e-mail: D.Wavell@ntlworld.com).