Not all Brits in LA Members live in Los Angeles: in fact a fair number are scattered around the globe.
Meet Charles Cockerton from London, who lives in Marin County in the Bay Area, who last year became President of a charity founded in 1858 during the Gold Rush called the British Benevolent Society of California (www.bbsofca.org).
Seeing as you don’t live in Los Angeles how did you end up joining Brits in LA?
I was introduced to Brits in LA by fellow Brits in LA member, Barbara, who works at the British Consulate in Los Angeles. The BBS’s key objective right now is to raise awareness that we are a charity here to provide aid and relief to British citizens in need across the Western States of the USA. On being introduced Craig and Eileen, they immediately and very kindly invited me to join them for the Brits in LA Breakfast at Cecconis. This was last May. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time at the breakfast. Everyone that I met that day was really friendly and welcoming to me. I joined Brits in LA there and then! I can’t wait to head back for breakfast when I am next in LA.
What was your first impression of LA?
My first visit to the US was as a young teenager staying with family friends in Santa Monica. I fell in love with the beach, Los Angeles and California during that summer stay. I always enjoy my trips to LA whatever takes me there, work or to see friends. California remains my favorite part of the USA, LA and San Francisco my two favorite cities. Maybe it is because I just like the sunshine and big skies.
Do you think you could ever see yourself moving to LA, if not tell us what keeps you in the Bay Area?
We did consider moving to LA at the outset, but chose Marin County as the family friends I had stayed with in Santa Monica as a teenager had since moved up to Northern California. Not having any family in the US they really helped us to land successfully in CA and start our life here. That being said, I “never say never” and feel fortunate that I am able to visit LA for work or pleasure. However, our children, new friends and the life that we have created for ourselves is here in the Bay Area, and will I expect most likely keep us here.
Do you have a hidden gem in Marin that you would share with us?
I have always enjoyed a quality “dive bar” or “earthy” British pub back home. There are some good ones across California, but my favorite in the Bay Area has to be “Ernie’s Tin Bar” found tucked away on the road to Sonoma. Just don’t be seen making a phone call in there. I also like taking in a sunset with a nice picnic at Limantour Beach, West Marin.
Why would you recommend other overseas/ out of town readers joining Brits in LA?
You will meet at an instant group of friendly and welcoming people who have in most cases at some point in their lives shared the common experience of boarding the airplane to try life in America and at some point when in the air, thought to themselves, what am I doing, is this the right thing? But once you land you just throw yourself into life here. I think that experience binds us, as well as where we came from obviously. That is why I joined and support Brits in LA. Brits in LA genuinely look out for each other. I do my best where I can to encourage people to get involved.
What can you tell us about the British Benevolent Society?
With the unexpected lockdown we are all now under due to Covid-19 and the hardship that this is sadly causing for many Brits, this has made the mission of the British Benevolent Society more relevant today than ever. We recognized early on that we really needed to up the speed of our outreach program and look to make as many Brits living in California right now aware that we exist as a charity to help Brits during times of hardship. Please contact us if you might need assistance or would like to join or support us. www.bbscofca.org
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
An influential teacher I was very fortunate to have been taught by at high school in England said to me, “if you ever find yourself in a position of leadership make sure you that you have a very good number two who is prepared to question you and to be open to this and be prepared to listen to them”…. The same applies to having good people around you. This has really helped me at the BBS, particularly at this time.
For more information visit bbsofca.org or my company florinpensions.com
