This year also marks the 125th birthday of the renowned Sir Noel Coward.
He was a remarkable and witty individual who, as a close friend of The Queen Mother, frequented many gatherings at this venue.
The reception tonight may not be as wild as the one depicted in Coward's famous song, "I went to a marvellous party," with its amusing verses:
We knew the excitement would start When Laura indulged in Dubonnet and gin And scraped her surface with a Cartier pin I couldn't have enjoyed it more
Interestingly, Coward often claimed he wasn't fond of parties and preferred staying at home with an apple and a good book.
While I trust none of you are currently feeling the same, our shared love for literature is what has brought us together this evening - along with the desire to express gratitude and support for promoting a passion for reading.
In this regard, Noel Coward serves as a perfect inspiration, having left school at 9 and crediting his knowledge to his regular visits to the Battersea Park Library and his voracious reading habits.
As Vicki will elaborate, along with our daily routines and physical exercise goals, we should aim for at least 5 minutes of reading each day for significant cognitive and emotional well-being benefits.
It turns out, books are indeed beneficial for us - a fact that is now backed by scientific research!
The success of the Reading Room in spreading awareness about the transformative power of literature would not have been achievable without all of you.
Over the past three years, it has reached nearly 12 million individuals through various platforms, generated over a thousand educational literary pieces, and hosted its inaugural festival at Hampton Court, attended by a diverse audience from across the globe.
Additionally, the launch of a podcast featuring conversations with 32 inspiring writers, actors, and intellectuals marks a new chapter in our journey to explore the impact of storytelling on our lives.
Your contributions, creativity, and unwavering love for reading have been instrumental in making all of this possible.
Coincidentally, Noel Coward, who passed away 51 years ago on this night in 1973, had a book by his side.
It was authored by his beloved writer, E Nesbit, who famously remarked, "There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books.
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Ladies and gentlemen, we share a unique bond - our mutual admiration for books.
Thank you for helping us spread this message.