THE Commanding Officers of all service units involved in the Falklands War of 1982 along with members of Mrs Thatcher's Cabinet at the time met for a Falklands 30 Command Dinner at Pangbourme College in Berkshire last week.

Left: Beating of the retreat at Pangbourne College for the Command Dinner

Gary Rimay-Murany  told Penguin News: "The venue at Pangbourne College in Berkshire was proposed and organised and this was followed by a period of tracking and tracing. As the person doing this, it was wonderful to see the strength of the bonds that remain between the veterans after so many years, with steers coming from all directions to try to make sure nobody was missed out."

Among the many guests were Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward and Major General Julian Thompson Royal Marines, along with Field Marshal The Lord Bramall and Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham. The Falkland Islands Government Representative in London  Sukey Cameron MBE also attended.

The speech given by Professor Julian Lindley-French was entitled, The Falklands Thirty Years on – British Élan and the Aura of Power.

One addition to the reception was the first public tasting and launch of Falkland Islands Ale, a new beer produce by Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame.  Its production is purely to raise money for the South Atlantic Medal Association and the Falklands Veterans Foundation.

Below: the intricately created dessert showing a map of the Falklands in chocolate