Tag Archives: Ronald Reagan

YBF visit the Ronald Reagan Ranch

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Thanks to the kindness of the Young America’s Foundation, YBF was able to visit the Ronald Reagan Ranch outside of Santa Barbara in California. Ronald and Nancy Reagan used it as an oasis of calm far away from the politics of Washington D.C. during his time in office.

It was once said by former First Lady Nancy Reagan, to truly know Ronald Reagan the man, you must go to the Ranch. The peaceful, tranquil surroundings are truly awe inspiring. Wild horses roam the grounds untroubled in a place he called Rancho Del Cielo, the ‘Ranch in the Sky.’

Ronald Reagan himself described it like this:

“From the first day we saw it, Rancho Del Cielo cast a spell over us. No place before or since has ever given Nancy and me the joy and serenity it does.”

Set in 600 acres of land, the centrepiece is the house itself, a humble abode restored to its original state. During his time there, Reagan personally built most of the Ranch himself, including the fence made out of old telephone polls that surrounds the house.

Reagan loved the Ranch so much he often invited world leaders and friends to visit him there. In 1993 Margaret Thatcher finally got the chance to visit Ronald and Nancy’s beloved presidential retreat. Their special relationship allowed them to achieve much during their time in power on both sides of the Atlantic. Lady Thatcher said a final goodbye with a heartfelt, emotional eulogy at his funeral in 2004. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh also visited in 1983. Despite the winding road and treacherous weather, the Queen insisted on making the journey. Continue reading →

YBF visits the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

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On Sunday, the Young Britons’ Foundation delegation visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Set in the hills of Simi Valley, this stupendous location is the final resting place of one of the finest presidents in the history of the United States of America. Containing the finest moments of Reagan’s life and presidency, the 90,000-square foot exhibit hanger also held the original Air Force One as well as Marine One, the presidential helicopter.

Construction of the library began in 1988 and the centre was dedicated on November 4, 1991. The dedication ceremonies were the first time in United States history that five United States Presidents gathered together in the same place: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan himself and George H. W. Bush.

Funded by private donations, the library cost $60million to construct. It attracts around 300,000 visitors every year.

On Tuesday, the YBF delegation will be visiting the Ronald Reagan Ranch, known as ‘Rancho Del Cielo”

Guest Blog: Why Reagan matters

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In advance of YBF’s visit to Ronald Reagan’s Ranch and the Reagan Presidential Library this weekend, Californian conservative leader Rose Corona explains why Ronald Reagan still matters to conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic. 

As the summer of 2012 quickly approaches, the struggle to determine the candidate for the Republican ticket continues to rage and has become hotter than Texas in mid-August. And as confused and seemingly undecided as the voters seem to be in primaries and caucuses, there is one undeclared candidate who would win the 2012 American presidential election against Barack Obama: His name is Ronald Reagan.

At least you would think so. He is always right there, the unannounced debater, the silent speaker, the Conservative Republican with the strongest, longest record. There is an echo heard after each primary debate, “We need another Ronald Reagan.” This isn’t just wishful thinking. It is the prescription for success, a mantle of leadership. His name is invoked by every Republican candidate: “I’m a Reagan Republican” or “I’m a Reagan Conservative.” Entire movements, like the sprawling and unfolding Tea Party, embrace him. He was become a national icon, right up there with Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. One recent poll found that Americans think Reagan was our country’s greatest president. Some want his face on Mount Rushmore. His name is already on hundreds of buildings, highways, parks, schools and at least one airport and an aircraft carrier. He may be more popular now, and certainly more respected, than when his presidency ended in 1989. Continue reading →