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While enjoying a cup of tea, the residents listened to Sir Christopher speak of his life and career in the Diplomatic Service.  He started with his experience of the then USSR and his posting to Moscow at the height of the Cold War.  After moves to countries such as Spain, Sir Christopher Meyer worked as Press Secretary to Sir Geoffrey Howe, who was then the Foreign Secretary, and John Major during his period as Prime Minister.  This was Sir Christopher’s first experience of journalists, the press and the printing industry.  It generated in him an enthusiasm that has never died.  

Having once expected his career to end in Moscow, he then found himself happily appointed as the UK’s Ambassador to Washington.  He was told on arrival that nothing much was happening, with Clinton comfortably in his second term, Sir Christopher explained that all that changed suddenly with the Monica Lewinsky scandal and after that it was non-stop action: attempted impeachment of Clinton, war in Kosovo, Northern Ireland peace process, saga of the “hanging Chads”, 9/11, war in Afghanistan and then preparations for war in Iraq. He had the privilege of a ringside seat on all these events.

Following his retirement and because of his work as Press Secretary, he was invited by National and Regional Newspapers to chair the Press Complaints Commission.  This was a six year appointment and it was to quote Sir Christopher “tough, but enjoyable”.  In 2009 he retired and has now written two books.  He has also been made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and this was how he began his involvement with The Printing Charity.

He has an active life on TV, radio, contributing to newspapers and sitting on boards.  But his ambition is to write another book, this time historical fiction and he gave the residents some secret insights into the title and topic. The visit concluded with informal chats over lunch.