 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Francis Fee The Journalists Sweetheart  |
|
| On Friday the 18th February this year, a wealth of International
Journalists began to arrive in Southampton. They had been invited
to take part in a D Day Familiarisation Trip, organised by Francis
Fee Marketing Manager of the Southern Tourist Board. For her this
was a two year project beginning to materialise. These were the people who were going to tell the world about just what was going on in her area on this very special commemoration of D Day. The Southern Tourist Board had pulled out all the stops, everyone had joined together, grasping the opportunity to promote Hampshire and all that it had to offer. Impressive to say the least. The first evening there was welcoming drinks, hosted by Southampton Tourism. Then on to Dinner and a 'Dugout' evening of entertainment. One relaxed in the well organised and happy atmosphere created by a constant attention to detail. Always someone on hand to help translate to each other... French, English, German, Dutch, American, Swiss, Danish and more, all conversing with each other. Feet just did not touch the ground, as soon as one event was over, it was off to the next. |
Dinner is served Madame,... then drinks before being whisked off in a smooth running coach, where Francis Fee explained over the speaker, exactly where we were going, giving not only the history of the buildings as we passed, but chatting in the most friendly manner, throwing in a pleasant joke, bringing everyone even closer together, a truly professional guide. D
Day Museum.. something to be remembered, the overlord embroidery,
Southwick House, Southwick Village, then on to the Lion pub. Here Eisenhower
would walk for many hours alone, thinking, reading, staying away
from the men in his chosen mobile home, waiting...
waiting for the time he was to say "Let's Go". Not
an easy task. This decision would motivate millions of men,
many of
whom would lose their lives. He had been chosen to give the
order... This he must do... But when? Denise Smallwood |
