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60th Anniversary

Maidenhead Women’s Group for European Friendship (MWGEF) celebrated a major landmark in 2025: 60 years since its foundation in 1965. The first President of this unique organisation was Grete Winton, wife of Sir Nicholas Winton.

Members hosted a total of 20 delegates from Kortrijk in Belgium, Bad Godesberg in Germany, Frascati in Italy, Saint Cloud in France and Salzburg in Austria in their own homes for five days. Visits included Evensong in St George’s Chapel in Windsor, a day out in Oxford with tours of the Bodleian Library and a literary walking tour, and a guided visit of Dorney Court.

The Kortrijk ladies gave a presentation about Belgian singer and songwriter, Jacques Brel, which was attended by RBWM Mayor Mandy Brar and Councillor Jack Douglas. In her speech on the final evening, at a celebration dinner held at Moor Hall in Cookham, MWGEF President Gina Curtis said that it had been a privilege and a joy to host the guests and thanked them for their company and friendship. “You will stay in our hearts until we meet again very soon.” 60th Anniversary Celebrations in Frascati

The Frascati circle celebrated their own 60th Anniversary a few months later and a group of twelve ladies from MWGEF travelled to join with delegates from the other circles to celebrate with them. Visits included two days out in Rome with tours of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Quirinale, the Presidential Palace, and a visit to the Greek Abbey of San Nilo in Grottaferrata. The President of Italy sent a personal message of congratulations to the group which their president Paola Romani included in her welcome, followed by a lovely speech from the Lady Mayor. A beautifully produced video traced the 60-year history of the group - a tribute to friendship, unity, and shared purpose.

It ended with the words of Pope Leo: “Friendship is the road to peace.” That message lies at the heart of all our circles and we all echo Paola Romani’s words: “I wish, just for this reason, our friendship will go on and on for another 60 years — because surely, it is through this that we can imagine a better world.”