C
NTACT
THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP BANGKOK
June 2019
freeimages.com/Justine FG
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 and Editor’s message Page 3
Diary Page 4
May Coffee review Page 6
Queen’s Birthday Coffee Page 8
Book Club Report Page 10
BWG Social Evening Page 12
June activity and lunch trip to Maeklong Railway Page 14
Welfare Report Pages 16, 17 and 18
Joan’s Story Page 20
Editor contact@bwgbangkok.org Advertising advertising@bwgbangkok.org Please note that the deadline for advertisements is the 5th of the month prior to issue. Please contact advertising@bwgbangkok for more information. 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 Well May has come to an end on a high. Not only
did we have a very enjoyable Coffee Morning at Jamie’s Italian, we hosted a wonderful Combined Women’s Lunch to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, entertaining many ladies and gentlemen from the other societies. It was lovely to see so many happy faces and we thank you for your support. I would like to also thank our ever committed committee and sub committee who helped to make the event so memorable. However, on we go to the next event, which is scheduled for 13th June between 11am and 1.30 pm at The British Club to celebrate the Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Don your glad rags of red, white and blue and join us for the Royal Quiz, bingo, fizz and fun. Don’t forget to sign up!
Check out the magazine for an exciting joint lunch and activity, which is designed to give us a real adventure. Lastly I would like to wish anyone who is leaving us to start a new adventure, good luck and every happiness in your new life, and thank you for your friendship and support to the BWG whilst you have been here. We will miss you.
Ailsa Kneath
Ailsa.
“A happy marriage doesn’t mean you have a perfect spouse or a perfect marriage. It simply means you’ve chosen to look beyond the imperfections in both.”
Fawn Weaver.
Welcome to the June issue of Contact. Many exciting things have happened this month, not least the Combined Women’s Lunch, which was such an amazing celebration in such a wonderful venue. There were so many comments on the quality of the venue and food, the excellent organisation by the committee and the wide array of gifts which could be bought from the vendors who were invited to attend. I had a wonderful time and I think it was a very fitting celebration for the 50th anniversary of the British Women’s group in Bangkok. A special edition of Contact Magazine will be dedicated purely to the 50th Anniversary Combined Women’s Lunch and this will be made available towards the end of June. This will enable everyone to look back on a very memorable afternoon or to see the celebrations which took place if you were unable to attend.
www.bwgbangkok.org
info@bwgbangkok.org
British Women’s Group Bangkok
Contact June 2019
June Diary SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT 1
2
3 Mah-jong
4 Bridge Golf
5 Mah-jong Art Group
6
7
BWG Social Evening
9
10 Mah-jong
11 Bridge Golf
12 Mah-jong Art Group
16
17 Mah-jong
18 Bridge Golf
19 Mah-jong Art Group
23
24 Mah-jong
25 Bridge Golf
26
8 Flower Power Fundraiser SIB
13
14
15
20
21
22
27
28
29
Queen’s Birthday Coffee
Visit to Maeklong Railway Market
30
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) Tuesday Bridge - Audrie Sill Beginners/Intermediate Golf - (morning) Ann McKinnon Golf - (morning) Sheona Jackson Bookworms - 1st Tuesday (10am) Jane Upperton Scottish Dancing - 1st Tuesday (7:30pm) Karen Burr Wednesday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (1pm - 4pm) Art Group - Bistro 33 Sukhumvit Soi 33 (10am -12:30pm) Melissa Preston
April Coffee at Jamie’s Italian By Liz Khan
May’s Coffee Morning was held at a new venue for the BWG . Jamie’s Italian in the Siam Discovery shopping mall was the venue as we hadn’t had the event there before and Sarah the manager had offered us complimentary pastries to seal the deal ! Needless to say the morning was well attended with 32 ladies arriving to sample the delicious warm pastries straight from the oven , with their coffee. Sarah was very generous with many members managing more than one pastry each ! Good skills ladies! As usual we were a noisy group with new and old members chatting the time away. Amelia arrived early with her shopping trolley of raffle prizes which raised THB 6,500 ! Thank you everyone who bought tickets. Welfare has already donated it to a charity on your behalf. Sarah was keen to make sure we all enjoyed the morning and has also kindly sponsored our 50th Anniversary Lunch. I am sure we will be returning to Jamie’s in the future.
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Queen’s Birthday Coffee - June
Celebrating 60 Years A proud tradition of learning excellence
We oer a British-style education for an international community, from Nursery through to Graduation. Find out how our approach to learning and outstanding teaching sta 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
Bookworms - May Just three of us met this with various members unable to attend for a number of reasons, hospital appts, immigration appts, sickness and the nicest one - traveling. However we managed a good discussion of the two scheduled books. 1. The Single ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanne Nell This is the story of widowed Peggy and other residents of Jacaranda village including widowed Brian who is the man Peggy lusts after and avidly watches -as it seems so do other female residents. The story does end up with Peggy and Brian sitting in their dressing gowns having breakfast in Peggy’s kitchen and taking their pills from the pharmacy provided blister packs. It’s a book described as moving, funny, heart warming but also incredibly sad as it describes the hurdles the residents face as they age, the fears of becoming dependent and their children intervening and making decisions on their behalf. My mother lived in a retirement village and I easily recognised the lives and almost the characters of this book. It captures the essence of retirement villages. Having visited relatives as residents in such villages I have to say they offer many advantages for retaining independence and having a social life rather more than if they were living in a suburban street. This wasn’t a popular book with comments -‘I found it hard to read and put it down at every opportunity’ would not recommend it’ ‘ not a complete waste of time but not great’ Scores: 5/10- 2, 6/10 -1. 2. Educated by Tara Westover This is a coming of age memoir that chronicles a young women’s efforts to study her way out of a tough childhood in Idaho and find herself through books and education. Tara was born to Mormon fundamentalist parents in Idaho. - the youngest of seven. Her father was the prophet of their small family convinced that the world was going to end. She and most of her siblings were born at home and had no birth certificates and no social security numbers. The government did not know they existed. Tara’s father was sadistic and domineering and her older brother Shawn assaulted her repeatedly , choking her into unconsciousness , dragging her by the hair and jamming her head into the toilet. The book is about growing up in a violent , chaotic home and then breaking away from it. At age 16 - inspired by an elder brother she buys textbooks and studies enough to get herself to college. With support from professors and her own steely will she graduated from Brigham Young University and went on from there to attend the University of Cambridge in England and eventually earned a doctorate at Harvard University. This was not a pleasant book to read with a theme of her violent and abusive background being ever present as she wants love and care from her family who unable to give it. However her determination and immersion in education was truly her saving and remains a light shining through and the reader is left humbled by this girls achievements against all odds. Scores: 5/10- 3
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.
BWG SOCIAL EVENING - WEDNESDAY 5TH JUNE Before we break for the summer, the BWG is holding a social evening for members and partners with Newcomers especially welcome. If you know of any ladies who might be interested in joining the BWG please do invite them to join us and learn a bit about all the activities we are involved in. Come and enjoy 5 cocktails for 555 baht (net) Ha Ha Ha! (or a mixture of cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and small plates for the same price) Date: Wednesday 5th June Time: From 6pm-9pm Venue: BarSu, downstairs at the Sheraton Grande Hotel Sukhumvit. BTS Asoke RSVP : membership@bwgbangkok.org by Tuesday 4th June We look forward to seeing you there. Ann & Laura
BCTFN British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (Under the auspices of the British Embassy, Bangkok)
SAVE THE DATE
PLOENCHIT FAIR 2019 Saturday 30th November 2019 At
Bangkok Patana School
643 La Salle Road (Sukhumvit 105), Bangna, Bangkok 10260
We hope to see you at the Fair to help us raise funds for Thai Charities Raffle, Rides, Games, Shopping, International Food & Drink Plus Live Bands and Entertainment
591/17 Sukhumvit Road Soi Villa Bangkok 10110 Tel: 02 2041587 bctfn@loxinfo.co.th www.ploenchitfair.org
www.facebook.com/ploenchitfairbkk
JUNE ACTIVITY AND LUNCH Visit to Maeklong Railway Market Date: -
27th June 2019
Time: -
08:00 am at Emporium.
Venue: -
Maeklong Railway Market
Details: - Mae Klong Railway Market (Hoop Rom Market) is a local market in Samut Songkhram Province, commonly called Siang Tai (life-risking) Market. It is considered one of the Amazing-Thailand attractions in the province. The market is called ‘life-risking’ market because its stalls are attached to the Mae Klong-Ban Laem railway, which is a short railway line running from and to Mahachai and Mae Klong. Vendors at the market put out parasols or canvas to protect themselves against the sun. The shelters stick into the railway where visitors walk and do their shopping. When each signal of the arriving train rings, chaos happens: vendors will rush to close their parasols and canvas, along with clearing all goods that will obstruct the coming train at a great speed. Once the train passes, parasols and canvas will be reopened as goods are again put into their usual place next to the railroad. Directions: The train leaves at 10:10 a.m. from Ban Laem Station. This is actually around 55 km away from Bangkok. Usually it is a 1:15 hour trip from Bangkok. But with all the construction areas etc I would calculate at least 2 hours for going there. Cost: -
To be advised
Lunch is not included in the price, but we will visit a local restaurant and you ‘pay as you go’. At Ban Laem Station you can buy drinks. I do not recommend buying food there…. Maybe you can take something to eat if you feel you may get hungry. Deadline (to book): -
13th June 2019
Contact: - activities@bwgbangkok.org
Greetings from Soroptimist International Bangkok! At the Inter Women's Club meeting our President Niru announced our fundraising event FLOWER POWER, which will be held Saturday June 8th at the Sheraton Grande Hotel. Please see the advertising flyer below. Don't miss out on this fun event of Beatles, BeeGee's and Elvis music performed by the Cora Band and Khun Chatri! It will bring back the Flower Power era! We will have a delicious buffet will all choices of food and there will be great wines for sale at discounted prizes. Put some flowers in your hair and dance into the night! We have lots of lucky draw prizes too! And this is all for a great cause! The proceeds of our Fundraiser will go to our Sustainable Projects: 1. Prayao Nursing Scholarship – educating student nurses 2. Tree Planting & Plastic Free SIB A Climate Change Initiative 3. Funding Nannies @ Pakkred Baan Fueng Fah Orphanage 4. Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Advocacy and Education 5. Give Women a Second Chance, Prison Project - teaching skills towards making a living Ticket prize is 2200 THB. For ticket orders or table reservations you can contact Cecilia Weber (contact details are on the flyer). Please support us by joining our event!
June Welfare News
By   Gale Bailey MBE
The report and photographs below were sent from the Thanksgiving Home Haven Foundation to say thank you for the donation from the BWG which covered the cost of transport to take a group to the sea.
June Welfare News   By Gale Bailey MBE
The letter below is from a student that the BWG sponsor in Chiang Mai.
June Welfare News By Gale Bailey MBE
Don’t forget to let Laura or Ann(membership@bwgbangkok.org) know if any of your details change, or you leave us, so that they can keep the database and, of course members up to date with the latest information. If you use Facebook you can join the group : BWG Bangkok Women’s Group MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Please note Membership renewals are due by the 30th September. We will be kicking off the renewal process at the Queen’s Birthday Coffee on Thursday, 13th June at the British Club where you are welcome to renew until the end of September 2020. The renewal fee is 1000 baht. Thank you everyone for all being such fantastic supporters of the BWG. Your membership is very much appreciated. Laura (membership@bwgbangkok.org)
Joan’s Story Last month it was lovely to speak with Joan Bartlett and hear her talk about a very worthwhile hobby that brought three ladies in the BWG together as friends. Joan Bartlett, Jane Rodgers and Sue Steel have been friends for a number of years and this friendship began over a love of crocheting squares. Joan has been crocheting squares, to be made into blankets, for about 10 years now. She started this hobby initially as part of the BNH Hospital’s ‘Let’s Knit for the Needy’ project which was launched at Central World in September 2009. The target was to donate 111 knitted blankets to a mountain school in the north of Thailand to celebrate the BNH’s 111th anniversary. By December of that same year, Sister Louise and the ladies at the Fatima Centre had enough knitted squares (including a box full from the Royal Household and the British cast of the touring musical Mama Mia) to sew together 450 blankets for all the children at the school! Now Joan continues this hobby for the BWG Welfare team.
A few years ago, Joan made the decision to move back to England to be close to one of her sons in Hessle (a town close to Hull and also close to where her friend Sue is now living). Joan found a ‘Knitters and Natters’ group who met in Hessle library and so was able to continue the hobby that she loved whilst back in the UK. The people that she met in Hessle were fascinated with her always making squares and bringing them back to Bangkok on her twice yearly visits. Over time though, Joan realised that she very much missed Bangkok and wished to return but was unable to find room in her luggage for all of the squares that she had made so she asked her friend Sue to look after them. Luckily whilst Jane was on holiday in England recently Sue was able to post the squares to her and Jane kindly brought them back to Bangkok for Joan.
All the squares that Joan makes are donated to the Fatima Shop where they are made into blankets by the nuns of The Convent of the Good Shepards. Each blanket is made up of about 30 squares and is then lined before being sent to the north of Thailand to be distributed to people and families who require them. It makes Joan very happy to be able to make this contribution to the BWG Welfare team.
Joan has lost count of the number of squares that she has crocheted over the years but said that she is generally able to complete 1- 1 and a half in a day. In order to continue her hobby she sources remnants of wool from people willing to donate, from charity shops and from shops selling off old balls of wool.
Finally Joan mentioned that she would be very happy to meet with anyone who would like to learn to crochet these squares - all you need is a ball of double knitting wool and a crochet hook (size 3 and a half). Happy crocheting!!
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