The new British Ambassador’s first official visit to the Canary Islands is taking place between 2 and 4 November 2009. Ambassador Giles Paxman will be officially launching British Consul Matthew Vickers in both Tenerife and Gran Canaria; and will be unveiling a plaque at the refurbished British Consulate in Tenerife.

Amongst other events and meetings during his visit, Mr Paxman will meet members of the British community as well as dignitaries and local authority representatives. He will also visit both the English library and the Anglican church in Puerto de la Cruz.

Giles Paxman, British Ambassador to Spain, said:

First, let me say how saddened I am at Sunday’s tragic deaths in Santiago de Teide. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.

I am here, on my first official visit outside Madrid, to officially ‘launch’ Matthew Vickers and meet dignitaries and British residents in both Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

The beautiful and often dramatic scenery of the Canaries – as well as of course the wonderful climate, the renowned warmth of the Canarian people and a first-rate tourism infrastructure – has meant that around 80,000 British people live here, and almost three million Britons visit the islands every year.

So our historical links as well as our current challenges bind us ever closer together, and I am sure will continue to do so.