Thank you, Samoa!
The letter
His Highness Tui Atua
Tupua Tamasese Efi
Head of State
Government of Samoa
Apia
Samoa
10 November 2015
Delivered by Hand
Your Highness
Commonwealth
Youth Games – Samoa 2015
You may remember discussing the Lake District with a member of Team England whilst watching a boxing bout at The Games in September.
I come from the Lakes, am happy to talk passionately about the beauty of the area with anyone, but have to admit it was not a conversation I expected to have in Samoa. One of many surprising and memorable moments we had visiting your country for the Games.
Given our conversation, I thought you might like the enclosed book to remind you of your visits to our Lake District. Alfred Heaton Cooper was a renowned local artist, influenced by the Wordsworth family, who based himself in Grasmere. I’m sure you will have seen some of his paintings on your visits as they are quite distinctive.
Sending you this book also gives me the opportunity of thanking you and the Samoan people for a most wonderful experience. We knew The Games would be special – it’s impossible to travel so far away from home and not have a life-enhancing experience – but the warmth of the reception, the hospitality and the friendliness we encountered were extraordinary. There were so many memorable moments, wonderful insights into Samoan culture and such infectious pride in every Samoan we met for hosting The Games.
Our young athletes were unanimous in their praise for the event.
For many it will be a life-changing, not only in sporting terms but for their personal development. Even though some of the team travel extensively to international competitions there was a general feeling that Samoa is somewhere special, a feeling echoed by those of us supporting the team.
So thank you from us all, I doubt we will ever forget our time with you.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Simpson
Director, and Chair of Finance
Commonwealth
Games England
HEAD OF STATE: His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.
Mr Chris Simpson
Director and Chair of Finance
Commonwealth Games
England
Dear Mr Simpson,
What a lovely surprise to receive a letter from you during the Christmas season.
I am sending a copy of your letter and this response to our Samoa Observer newspaper because I believe the contents should be shared with our people.
Thank you for your gift of the book on the Lake District. The graphics and contents of the book powerfully illustrate the beauty and ambiance that inspired the Romantics. After reading your letter and the book I became nostalgic. I recalled my visits to the Lake District when growth was lush and green.
I am reciprocating by enclosing a copy of Su’esu’e Manogi, which is a festschrift, put together by Samoan scholars in honour of my 70th birthday. Our conversation reminded me of I’uTuagalu’s chapter on the Romantics. The poetic works of Wordsworth, Coleridge and other brought the Lake District, your home, into the imaginations of us all.
Sincerely,
Tui Atua Tupua
Tamasese Ta’isi Efi
Head of State of Samoa