| Description | Typed transcript of pp.1-48 of Belgrave's diary for 1 January to 4 May 1951. Topics covered include a series of naval visits (13-22 January), meeting with Frank Whittle (15, 20 January), a visit from Shaikh Ali of Qatar with his British adviser, Phillip Plant (7-12 February), opening of the Eastern Bank (15 February), visitors including the Dean of Lincoln, Alan Trott - the UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia - and Geoffrey Furlong, head of the Middle East department of the Foreign Office (15-16 February), a trip to Om as Sabaan for a luncheon party with the Thornburgs (23 February), the arrival on a yacht of Iraqi politician Nuri Pasha (27 February - 3 March), cinema screenings (2, 12 March, 2 April), visits from the famous Arabist and explorer Gerald de Gaury as well as Gulf oil expert Stephen Longrigg (19-25 March), a waqf committee election in a mosque at Kurzakhan (26 March) and another at Bab al Bahrain (15 April), a special party and presentation organised to mark the 25th anniversary of Belgrave's arrival in Bahrain (30-31 March), discussion about cinemas (9 April) and a huge crowd for a football match (4 May.) |