Bahrain purchase anabolic steroids and the United Kingdom share a very special relationship spanning over two centuries that has only continued to grow stronger with time. The bond that has been nurtured by the royal families of the two nations. For the UK, this year has been one of highs and lows – from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations to her demise and the swift change of guard at 10 Downing Street. To talk about these and more, Life N Style met the British Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Roderick Drummond at his residence…
First, we would like to offer our deepest condolences for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. With an extraordinary reign of selflessness and devotion to public service, she has been a role model for many across the world. What is your fondest memory of her?
HE Roderick Drummond: It’s been very moving to hear the connection people here have had with her over so many years, so many generations, people who shared images and so on, with us. But I was very fortunate to meet her when I was High Commissioner in Fiji, and she took so much interest in what was happening in a place that she had known well over five decades and asked such fascinating questions and really wanted to hear what was up to date and she had a great sense of humour as well.
The relations between the two countries go back over 200 years and an instrumental role was played in the maintaining of these relations by the two royal families. We’ve seen many heart-warming photographs of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth with the Late Emir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, of HM the King riding to the Ascot with Prince Charles and the late Prince Philip. And now going forward with His Majesty King Charles ascending to the throne, there is a sense of new beginnings, how do you see these bilateral ties progressing?
Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth played a huge part in developing our modern relations with the Gulf and with Bahrain. But I have no doubt that His Majesty King Charles, who’s been very much a part of that and has strong relationships with everyone here, and other members of the royal family, will pay it the same attention. Similarly, the new Prime Minister and other members of our government really understand the strategic importance of our relationship with Bahrain. I have no doubt that things are going to go from strength and strength.
You have had an illustrious career in the Diplomatic services – you joined the Diplomatic Service in 1985, and have had an exciting career being stationed in Damascus, Riyadh, Doha, Amman, Algeria, Fiji and now Bahrain. That’s more than 35 years, and doubtless, the journey has been eventful. What do you consider your greatest accomplishments during this time?
So there were some interesting things in Fiji where I was High Commissioner – helping them through a Democratic transition, getting back into the Commonwealth, and playing a very positive role in climate change. But the bulk of my career has been in the Middle East, dealing with trade investment, defence, security and political relationships. And that’s been hugely rewarding because you can really build very strong relationships here. At the same time, we also had a lot of fun.
I’ve really enjoyed you know, travelling in the desert, crossing the Rub’ al Khali in Saudi Arabia from north to south and camping in the desert in Jordan and in Syria. And Jordan, of course, is where I learned Arabic originally. So that was great…
Well, we’ve also heard that you’ve been a rugby referee…
Yes, I was a referee and a coach both, of a junior team and an adult team, for a number of years. And that was fantastic fun. And we helped plant a little seed by settling rugby in Syria where it’s still played. And they have a women’s team now as well.
We’ve also heard you are a big fan of motorsports as well…
Yes! Motorsports, particularly F1. And following all the British teams because we have you know so many teams that have their base in the UK and several British drivers.
I met Lewis Hamilton, who’s an amazing guy. He really is, for someone who’s so talented, he’s very humble, I was very impressed with him. But of course, McLaren is the flagship Bahraini investment in the UK, in motorsport, and that’s very important. So I’ve also had a bit of fun on the track driving McLaren supercars. So that’s been a lot of fun and occasionally a bit scary.
You’ve lived in so many places in the Middle East, what from the Middle Eastern cuisine, is your favourite?
Well, I love Madrouba, of course, the classic Bahraini dish. I will eat most things, but I must admit I’m a little bit nervous about all the sugary things here, so I try and keep it savoury. But there are so many different dishes. Most of the things I cook myself are Middle Eastern influenced.
We must try it one of these days, moving on, your role as an Ambassador comes with a lot of stress because you have to manage so much, but we’ve seen you in pictures, always smiling and laughing. How is it that you remain so calm and what do you do in your spare time?
That’s a good question. Well, I think I’m a naturally calm and positive person. All my experiences have had so many more positive things than, occasional stressful points.
Bahrain’s a lovely place, a very relaxing place. So we spend a bit of time looking at Bahraini art. We socialize a lot with different friends. I think we’ve made friends here with some Bahrainis whom I hope will be friends for life. And that’s not to be taken for granted making, real friends. So no, life is pretty good here.
We believe you’re an art lover because your wife, Yasmin, is an artist. Yasmin, take us through some of the paintings that you have done and talk us through your thought process.
Yasmin Drummond: This painting is called ‘A labour of love’ and it depicts a family and the love that engulfs them. I hope when people stand in front of it, they feel a connection with the painting and remember their own families and how much love there is in their lives.
My painting ‘Separation’ was painted during the time of COVID because I felt that we all wanted to be together but because of COVID, we couldn’t really have any time together. And I’m so glad those days are over.
It is so beautiful that you’ve managed to put together a wonderful representation of what we went through in the last two to three years.
This painting ‘Strata’ shows different societies in a community and how certain societies are more visible than others. So you have the bottom part where you hardly see people or they’re almost invisible. You have the commuters in the UK where you see a lot of people going on the train and trying to get to work then there is the top level that you hardly ever see in society.
Yasmin, abstract art gives one so much to think about – it means different things to different people. You’ve definitely given us a lot to think about, even as we see the other artwork in your house. Thank you so much for introducing us to these beautiful paintings.
These are excerpts from our video interview with the British Ambassador HE Roderick Drummond. While we have presented to you the essence of our conversation here, however, only a video can bring to life the cheery personality of HE Drummond as he talks about his love for Middle Eastern cuisine as well as the vibrant colours in Yasmin’s art.You can watch the full interview here:
