June 20, 2025
by Mark Tiler Richmond, Politics & Law Correspondent & Duane Sandville, Outland Affairs Correspondent
Meet the New Ambassador
Photo taken with assistance of Dall E AI.
At a press conference yesterday in the Bricklyn’s Federal Council chambers, Federal Chancellor Malter Thurnbrick told reporters that “after an exhaustive search, we are pleased to announce a special choice as Ambassador to Britain: Mr. David Brown, a longtime Vermont friend of Bricklyn. As required by Bricklyn’s Avatar law, Thurnbrick added, Mr. Brown, being a human Outlander, will be represented by a Bricklyn avatar, Mr. David Brownbrick.”
The Bricklyn Eagle has obtained from an anonymous source in the Bricklyn Chancellor’s office a copy of Mr. Brown’s application papers for the ambassadorship, which we are sharing with our readers below.
Chancellor Thurnbrick declined to either confirm or deny the authenticity of Mr. Brown’s application for the post of ambassador, other than to note that “Bricklyn would certainly welcome having a Nando’s restaurant, given its international reputation for deliciously spicy chicken dishes.”
Mr. Brown was unavailable for comment, though he was reportedly spotted last night at a Nando’s in Ottawa, Canada, apparently a stop enroute to Scotland on one of his peripatetic “professional tourist” trips.
Presentation of Credentials at Buckingham Palace
In a ceremony held in Buckingham Palace earlier today, Ambassador-designee Brownbrick presented his “letter of credence” to His Majesty King Charles and to David Lammy, Britain’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, both of whom graciously welcomed Brownbrick to the United Kingdom.
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White House photo in public domain. Wikipedia.
As King Charles noted, “It is a great privilege and honor to receive you as the new ambassador from the Realm of Bricklyn. We value the strong and longstanding ties between our two realms. While Providence led your Realm to join, at least for the next four years, the French Republic, we appreciate your insisting on retaining autonomy in your historic relations with the United Kingdom.”
“We will also work with you to ensure that a Nando’s restaurant soon finds a place in Bricklyn, and, on a personal note, I can tell you that Camilla and I also love Nando’s flavorful Chicken peri-peri, as well their highly caloric Sweet Potato & Halloumi Wrap.”
“Finally, Mr. Ambassador, in your honor, we will play this justifiably famous song, for you are truly the real Ambassador. ✥
Bricklyn’s Diplomatic Corps & the “Carve Out” to the Franco/Bricklyn Accord
A little noticed provision of the agreement which incorporated Bricklyn, on a four year “trial” basis, into the French Republic as an Overseas Collectivity, carved out for Bricklyn the right to maintain independent diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom; the Realm of Denmark; and the State (and formerly Republic) of Vermont.
Questioned on this during yesterday’s press conference, Bricklyn Federal Chancellor Malter Thurnbrick noted that member nations of France Overseas, such as Bricklyn, often have agreements with France specific to their nation, which provide varying levels of autonomy in domestic or foreign affairs.
As Thurnbrick explained, “In our negotiations with France, we stressed the importance of maintaining our historically close relationships with Denmark; the United Kingdom; and, of course, the State of Vermont.”
“The French delegation understood this, and agreed to incorporate into the Franco/Bricklyn agreement Bricklyn’s right to maintain its own diplomatic relations with these three governments, while consulting with France’s prefect in Bricklyn on any significant foreign policy matters.”
We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com
To the Editor: As a world traveler, our new Ambassador to the United Kingdom is ideally suited to strengthen both the economic and cultural ties between the two realms. The Bricklyn business community looks forward to strengthening our relations with the British people, including those in the four LEGO realms located in the U.K.
Once our new Brick Air super fast jets are in service, hopefully by the end of the year, we’ll be able to fly from Bricklyn not just to Paris, but to London, and perhaps Glasgow or Edinburgh as well. — Tom Brickorti, CEO, Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce.
To the Editor: Mazel tov to our new Ambassador and his avatar. It will be a blessing for the Jewish LEGO citizens of Bricklyn to have a member of our tribe in such an important position. We are pleased that Mr. Brown and his wife want to strengthen relations between Jewish communities on both sides of the Atlantic.
We offer Temple Beth-Shalom as a place where visitors from the British Isles, whatever their beliefs, will be welcome.
Visitors to our synagogue will be especially fascinated by the remarkable stained glass windows designed in 1981 by the great LEGO artist Marc Brickall which grace our main sanctuary.
— Rabbi Rachel B. Weinstein, Temple Beth-Shalom, Bricklyn Jct., Vermont.
To the Editor: No offense to Nando’s chicken peri-peri, but why should a top Bricklyn official (albeit an Outlander) advocate for bringing a large chain restaurant to Bricklyn? We should, instead, be supporting and cultivating our own locally owned and operated businesses. If Mr. Brown/Brownbrick is into chicken, why not try The Bricklyn Diner‘s zesty barbecued chicken wings, or the amazing coq au vin served at L’Étoile du Nord. We welcome you to visit our Bricklyn establishments and will raise a glass to toast your appointment then. — Dougie Truebrick, Owner/Chef, The Bricklyn Diner, and Christophe Plater Poulin, Executive Chef, L’Étoile du Nord.
To the Editor: Congrats to David Brown/Brownbrick! Such a wonderful choice for the job! I’m impressed with the governing body of Bricklyn and the civic participation of its citizens. — Pat D., Vermont