A Clifton Club Talk Given by Francis Cornish CMG LVO
UK Ambassador to Israel (1998-2001)
Why is it so difficult to find peace in the Middle East?
Saturday 17th January 2026
Arrival 10.30am; talk at 11.00am,
Brunch from 12.00pm (bookable separately via The Clifton Club - see below)
This is a FREE event, but tickets must be booked in advance
Places are limited so book asap!
Brunch is booked separately via The Clifton Club & is NOT included with your event ticket
See below for full details
Taking place in the elegant Clifton Club, in the heart of Clifton Village, Francis Cornish, British Ambassador to Israel (1998-2001), will focus on his experiences in the Middle East, exploring why achieving lasting peace in the region remains so challenging.
Francis Cornish CMG LVO
British Ambassador to Israel (1998-2001)
Francis Cornish began his career with the Foreign Office in 1968. After early postings in London, Malaysia, and Indonesia, he returned to London in 1973 to head the Greek desk.
In 1976, he moved to Bonn to manage European Community affairs, before returning to London in 1980 as Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales. He assumed this role just months before Prince Charles announced his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer and left shortly after accompanying the couple on their first official visits to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Francis was appointed High Commissioner to Brunei in 1983, and three years later transferred to Washington, where he oversaw media relations and public diplomacy in both Washington and New York. In 1990, he became spokesman for Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, before moving to Hong Kong to help prepare for the 1997 Handover. He subsequently became the first British Consul General in Hong Kong. After serving as a Director at the Royal College of Defense Studies, Francis was appointed Ambassador to Israel in 1998, a post he held until his retirement from the Foreign Service in 2002.
Full Details

When: Saturday 17th January 2026
Where:
The Clifton Club, 22 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS
Time: 10.30am arrival; talk starts promptly at 11.00am (
Brunch from 12pm, bookable/payable separately to The Clifton Club)
Booking for the talk: Contact
Helen Sutton at CCA on: helen@crownchurchandarts.co.uk or 07802 256315
Booking for brunch: email reservations@thecliftonclub.co.uk or call 0117 974 5039 to make your reservation for a delicious brunch following the talk
NB. payable separately to The Clifton Club
There is NO CHARGE for the talk, but places are limited so book NOW