C NTACT THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP BANGKOK
January 2022
BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP The aim of the Group is to enable its members to meet socially, to welcome its new members and associate members to Bangkok and to establish a programme of social, welfare and cultural activities.
Contents
Directory Page 2
Chairman’s message Page 3
Diary Page 4
Book Club Pages 6-7
January Coffee Pages 12-13
BWG Christmas Lunch Pages 16-20
Birthdays Page 22
Mercy House Pages 24-25
Place of Grace Pages 26-27
Happy New Year from THEP Page 28
Editor
becky.adderley@btinternet.com
British Women’s Group.
bwgbangkok@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE : Contact is published as a service to our members to keep them informed of news and events within BWG. The accuracy of other information cannot be guaranteed and is not an endorsement by the group. This also applies to advertisements that are included in Contact in order to cover some of the production costs. Every effort is made to produce Contact in good time to reach members before the first scheduled meeting, but the editor cannot be held responsible for unavoidable delays caused by circumstance beyond their control. It is the members’ own responsibility to know when meetings are scheduled and to contact someone to check if any changes have been made. Members are also asked to bear in mind when booking actives that most venues are not deemed suitable for children over six months of age and to make appropriate child minding arrangements.
Chairman’s Message
Happy New Year Everyone! Again, we’re hoping for better things as we seem to have hit a hiccup, or a variant! I hope you managed to celebrate as you wished in some form or maybe, like me, delayed a bit. Our committee are half away again, but others are returning. We will soldier on and we will organise events that get us together. Book Club will meet, mahjong is running and we’ll have a coffee morning and a lunch at least. I hope to see some of you at these things. Liz 4th January. Book Club will meet at Trattoria Delina in Soi Ruam Rudee at 10.30am to discuss “A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles”. We are starting on “The House by the Sea by Louise Douglas” for next month. Join us for lunch after our meeting. 13th January. Coffee Morning at Steps, The Commons, Thong Lo Soi 17. 10am 20th January. Lunch at Indigo, 6 Convent Road, Silom. 12 noon
Hi Ladies and I hope that you are all well wherever you are in the world. If you have any articles to share for the magazine, maybe related to what you all have been up to over the past few months (holidays, baking, new hobbies etc), then please email your contributions to me at becky.adderley@btinternet.com All contributions will be be very gratefully received and these will really help to preserve and strengthen our links as a BWG community.
www.bwgbangkok.org
info@bwgbangkok.org
British Women’s Group Bangkok
Contact April 2021
January Diary SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3 Mahjong
4 Book Club Bridge Golf
5 Mah-jong Art Group
6
7
8
9
10 Mah-jong
11 Bridge Golf
12 Mah-jong Art Group
13 January Coffee
14
15
Jackie Reynold’s games afternoon at Bistro 33 16
17 Mah-jong
18 Bridge Golf
19 Mah-jong Art Group
20
21
22
23
24 Mah-jong
25 Bridge Golf
26
27
28
29
30
31
Weekly/Monthly Activities You are invited to join these groups, but final approval is at the discretion of individual group leaders Monday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (10am - 1pm) Contact Jane Rogers Tuesday Bridge - Audrie Sill Golf - (morning) Ami 0971851834 Book Club - 1st Tuesday (10am) Lynne Smith 0957024638 Scottish Dancing - 1st Tuesday (7:30pm) Karen Burr Wednesday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (10am - 1pm) Contact Elizabeth Bryans Art Group - Bistro 33 Sukhumvit Soi 33 (10am -12:30pm) Julie. juliehedge4@gmail.com
nspiring ndividuals At KIS International School all students can shine. The midsize, caring community allows KIS students to be confident and to be appreciated as an individual, with unique dreams and strengths. The school is a full IB school, offering the International Baccalaureate Programmes for all age groups (IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma), ensuring an academically rigorous curriculum that not only prepares students to be successful at university, but also teaches important life skills. KIS, it’s all about Knowledge, Inspiration and Spirit. Check out the students’ videos to learn more about their passion www.kis.ac.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2274 3444 Email: admissions@kis.ac.th
“With the power of imagination, characters can actually fly off the page” Jun, Grade 11.
Book Club by Lynne Smith The book we read this month was Exit by Belinda Bauer In Bauer's darkly comic thriller, an elderly widower discovers no good deed goes unpunished when his act of charity goes horribly wrong. As a member of the Exiteers, an anonymous, secret group in Devon that supports the right to die, 75year-old widower Felix Pink witnesses the suicides of terminally ill patients. Afterward he disposes of the evidence to ensure that the deaths appear natural. But on an outing with new partner Amanda, a normally smooth operation quickly turns disastrous when the duo accidentally helps the wrong patient to die. Was it an accident or a setup for murder? After urging Amanda to leave so he can take the blame, Felix awaits the police before remembering his dog at home. "But he couldn't be arrested. Not yet. Not until he had made sure Mabel would be alright." The septuagenarian flees over a garden fence just as PC Calvin Bridge and his partner arrive to investigate. The unambitious Calvin is happy to be back in uniform after a brief stint as a plainclothes detective, despite DCI Kirsty King’s belief in his investigative talent. But this odd case forces him to leave his comfort zone. Bauer’s lively and amusing comedy-of-errors narrative alternates between Felix's and Calvin’s perspectives as both men seek answers. In the process, the endearing, gentlemanly Felix, who has stocked his own
nitrous oxide cylinders for the day he joins his wife and son in the cemetery, gains a new interest in life, and Calvin, long ashamed of his family’s criminal history, develops confidence in his abilities. A supporting cast of well-drawn, oddball characters adds interest. Right up until the end the theme of the story stayed true when Skipper sailed away in an unseaworthy boat that Felix had had cheaply refurbished, in order to fulfil his wish of dying at sea! i Four of us met on 7th December to discuss the book in person (delicious mince pies!!) and other members sent in their comments for discussion too. Felix was particularly popular with readers who found him ‘a hoot’ and ‘loved him’ with his endearing ways. All thought that the characters were well described and life like and there was a good story line. What could have been a depressing story was full of comedy moments and interest, with a plot that was clever and believable. ‘Brilliant, enjoyable and funny’ were words used to describe this book which was completely different, an unusual story, with a gentle crime thriller pace. However, as you can imagine the more serious side of euthanasia was discussed also. Is there a place for it in modern society? Should individuals be allowed to choose? Should someone else be allowed to choose if the person is incapacitated? Religious implications of ‘taking a life’. If you purposefully take your life it is suicide so policies won’t pay out!!!
It was interesting and lively discussion on a topical subject and it was agreed that what could have been a dark subject was a light read.
This book was positively received by the group with scores from 7-9 and an average score of 8/10. Next book for discussion on January 4th is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.
Fast
t
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www.bumrungrad.com Contact Center: 0 2066 8888
nsive
e Compreh
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January Coffee by Petra Gordon Starting from January 2022 the monthly coffee ‘get together’ will have a slightly different format. I’m hoping to change it up every month, including venue (and area of town), time of day, set menu or “buy as you like”, everything from a simple coffee in a members home to a full on afternoon tea at one of the top local hotels. We’ll have some speakers at some of the events as well, which may tie in with whatever activity is planned later in the month. Any and all suggestions for locations and/or ideas are welcome! This month, I have chosen Steps as our venue: What: January’s coffee for Steps Community Where: Steps, the Commons in Thonglor When: January 13th at 10:30 a.m. Cost: 300 baht, which includes: Coffee (hot/ iced) - americano, latte, cappuccino Tea (hot/ iced) 1 free refill The price includes an assortment of baked goods such as Banana bread or fudge brownie
Why Steps? (This information has been taken from the Steps website) “Steps is more than a training centre or coffee shop. It is a safe community space for all which promotes individuality” (Max Simpson, Steps co-founder). We’re a passionate team of specialists, therapists and trainees. We run vocational training centres and a range of social businesses such as coffee shops in Bangkok and Phuket for young adults (some who have learning differences), to gain the skills they need to access a fulfilling career. Our therapists work in the wider community to support
children and young adults. Our ultimate aim is to help all people lead purposeful, dignified lives.
What do Steps do? Since we started in 2016 our mission to give our trainees a great future has inspired businesses, schools, organisations and individuals across Thailand to get involved. We’ve grown so much it’s hard to cover everything, but here is what we do in a (large) nutshell: 1) Run UK-accredited vocational training centres in central Bangkok and Phuket for young adults. Many of our trainees have learning differences, but we welcome anyone who fits our admission criteria. 2) Work with schools to help them create bespoke educational plans for their learners. 3) Run a number of coffee shops, some of which are attached to our vocational training centres. The coffee shops serve as a safe space for our trainees to apply their new-found work skills. We serve wholesome, allergen free food and pride ourselves on our coffee. 4) Run a Business Service Centre which allows companies to outsource digital and admin work for our trainees and graduates to complete on site at our centre, which in turn offers them training and employment opportunities. 5) Build links with businesses and other organisations to arrange employment for our trainees once they’ve completed our vocational programme. 100% of our graduates are in employment with amazing partners doing Thailand proud. 6) Provide therapy to children aged three years plus. Our friendly team of professional therapists can run private sessions at Steps or in your home. We offer speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and play therapy. 7) Hold training workshops for schools to help educational staff support children with learning differences such as speech and language difficulties. 8) Our trainees run food and drink stands at external events, serving delicious baked goodies, smoothies and other delights. As a social organisation committed to our mission, we reinvest 100% of our profit to achieve sustainability and growth so that the community we work alongside reach the opportunities they deserve. Please see this link for more info. https://stepscommunity.com/about-us/
Celebrating 60 Years A proud tradition of learning excellence
We offer a British-style education for an international community, from Nursery through to Graduation. Find out how our approach to learning and outstanding teaching staff develop global citizens who shape their world through independence, empathy, creativity and critical thinking. Contact us at admissions@patana.ac.th www.patana.ac.th | +66 (0) 2785 2200 | 643 Lasalle Road, Bangkok 10260
Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit, IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC
BWG Christmas Lunch
A super time was had by all at the BWG Christmas lunch. Thomas outdid himself with the most delicious Christmas fare and everything was so tasty. Everyone’s feedback was exceptionally positive and the meal and the atmosphere was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We would like to wish a really happy birthday to:
Kay McKinnon - 1st January
Tina Boonyai - 16th January
Justine Rea - 21st January
Laurie Adulayavichitr - 27th January
Sheila Dixon - 28th January
Maria Cuckson - 29th January
Have a wonderful day and we are all thinking of you.
Greetings from Mercy House Mercy House wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mercy House Blessing 1 https://youtu.be/KKswOFJf4Ow<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=h ttps%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FKKswOFJf4Ow&data=04%7C01%7C%7C0efa3fa7f5b84f 01fcbd08d9c6afa40f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637759 279948106645%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2l uMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=h8ecVu%2FqNXf6Xr9wq 43e%2FvLHYRNbMU3hUvFmVJpmzHc%3D&reserved=0
Mercy House Blessing 2 https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FQgBHxh YRu7w&data=04%7C01%7C%7C0efa3fa7f5b84f01fcbd08d9c6afa40f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb 435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637759279948136528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8ey JWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata =3KOOnj9QtaUm%2FTnovzz0H1jd01vtOnrUZ2hkehZ1kW8%3D&reserved=0
Mercy House Blessing 3 https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FHA8sL3K MBhE&data=04%7C01%7C%7C0efa3fa7f5b84f01fcbd08d9c6afa40f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb4 35aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637759279948136528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJ WIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata =huGadF1h333%2Fw8IojoaQs57FHX2f9Me8Qw3aPymlvQs%3D&reserved=0
Place of Grace by Gale Bailey MBE Place of Grace held several Christmas parties for the different ages of children that they support in the community. Well done to John Robinson and his wife Gwen for their hard work to give Christmas cheer.
Thailand Hilltribe Education Projects
Wishing you Peace, Good Health and Happiness this Coming Year Thank you for believing in us and supporting our cause. This past year we have been able to accomplish so much through our scholarship program and education projects. Your support and donations have funded our students’ education and internships. Thanks to you, we continue to uplift these rural communities in Thailand through education.
