C NTACT THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP BANGKOK
May 2020
NHS
Care Workers
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
Book Club Page 6
The Odyssey (part 1) Pages 10-12
Welfare Pages 14-15 and 22
Poetry Pages 16 and 21
Crumpet Recipe 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 What a strange and surreal month we have just completed. I am sure like me it has been weeks of getting up each morning and saying “I can do this” and discovering that discipline is doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t want to do it!
Although we have been unable to meet, there has still been plenty of chat through Book Club and Crackers WhatsApp. Even if you are not part of the book club why not take this opportunity to read along with us, details of the next few books are in the magazine.
The committee had our first ever Zoom meeting, which was organised by Sue Williams and her wonderful technological assistant, her son Harry. We were able to talk through what we could do for some of our charities and organise monies for them at this unprecedented time of desperate financial crisis. It was also great to see everyone again, and to know that we could be of real practical help to our charities. Which of course could not have Ailsa Kneath been done without your endless and generous support. Thank you.
Looking forward, we will emerge from this challenge. All of us will have had our own experiences, but in three months time we will thank ourselves for our continued motivation and the strength with which we dealt with our low desire and weak days, when friends lifted our spirits. At the end of the day, what really matters is that our loved ones are well, we’ve done our best and that we are thankful for all we have.
I cannot wait until we all meet again ( after a visit to the hairdresser and manicurist), stay safe, fit, well and keep smiling.! " Thought for the month:-
Attitudes are contagious, make yours worth catching. Anon.
Welcome to the May issue of Contact Magazine and I hope you are still all safe and well during these very difficult and challenging times. It is hard being separated from family and friends who we rely on for love and support, certainly when we have no clear idea when we will be able to meet up in person again. It seems almost normal now to keep in contact through media such as Zoom and Houseparty and we’ve even shared a few ‘virtual’ family meals which is a rather novel experience. If any of you would like to contribute photos and anecdotes about how you are spending your time when most of our usual avenues of entertainment are closed please do send them to me for the June issue. Thank you in anticipation of your contributions. Please send to becky.adderley@btinternet.com www.bwgbangkok.org
info@bwgbangkok.org
British Women’s Group Bangkok
Contact May 2020
May Diary SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
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4 MAHJONG
5 Bridge Golf
6 Mah-jong Art Group
7 Monthly coffee
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11 Mah-jong
12 Bridge Golf
13 Mah-jong Art Group
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18 Mah-jong
19 Bridge Golf
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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) Karin Worthington
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
ALL THAT REMAINS - Sue Black Well this was unexpectedly a COVID-19 bookclub which meant that we didn’t meet up but members sent in their remarks. Sue Black is a Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology and her work focuses on mortal remains in her lab, at burial sites, at scenes of violence, murder, accident, criminal dismemberment and investigating mass fatalities due to war, (Kosovo war crimes) accident and natural disaster (she identified many of the dead after the Tsunami in Thailand) The book is an unsentimental exploration of the many faces of death and has at its heart the conviction that we should not fear death but accept it. Sue Black states that her job is one that gives experiences that she wouldn’t trade for the world but describes it as a job that no one in their right mind would ever do. This is not a book that is sad or macabre. There is tragedy but there is also humour in stories as gripping as the best crime novel. This was not a book for everyone , not everyone wants to read or think about death. I picked it up twice but then read it and am pleased that I did. Gale started it but stopped at 10% but when a few people said they enjoyed it she picked it up again. Her father was an undertaker so she ‘was brought up with death and ‘often was taken to school in a hearse if dad had managed to call in between funerals for a cuppa’ As was commented in a review - ‘our own death will remain the great unknown’ but as an expert witness from the final frontier, Sue Black is the wisest, most reassuring and most compelling of guides.
Scores- 6 - 1, 8 - 3, 9 - 1
Next picks: 5th May 2020 The Taxidermist’s Daughter by Kate Moss 2nd June 2020 Father of Lions by Louise Callaghan - one mans remarkable quest to save the Mosul Zoo from ISIS. 7th July 2020 Lady in Waiting by Ann Glenconner- an extraordinary life in the shadow of the crown . This can now be downloaded on Kindle. We don’t yet know the situation on 5th May. If it’s back to normal we can meet at my place- Urbana, 55 Lang Suan, apartment 28/06. Pathumwan. Nearest BTS Chitlom Otherwise does anyone know anything about Zoom? Alternatively we can you just send remarks and scores.
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.
Spread the word! The BWG monthly Coffee Morning from now on will be held at The Living Room, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, every second Thursday of the month! We hope this venue is convenient being accessible from Sukhumvit Road or directly from Asoke BTS. The cost is THB 200 net/person for your choice of hot coffee and a piece of house cake. Additional discount of 30% on additional drink. Please RSVP as the hotel requires an idea of numbers attending each month. Everyone welcome!
The Odyssey (Part 1) By A Special Correspondent This is what has happened since I got to the UK on Thursday, 19th March. It just gets better and better… I was quite looking forward to this trip to the UK. Doing some business, seeing some friends and helping Thailand by promoting the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to potential investors. Everything had been meticulously planned and I was ready for my first presentation in Liverpool on Friday, 20th March. Then I landed to see that everything to do with the local chambers of commerce had been cancelled due to COVID-19. Still, I had my own business to do and so set off for a quick journey around the UK. First of all it was Liverpool then Harrogate. After West Yorkshire came Birmingham for three days but then things really did go pear-shaped. The hotel in Lymington cancelled my booking but I got the email three days beforehand so could not complain. Stupidly, I did nothing about it until the day before I left Birmingham but then reserved a room at the Holiday Inn in Reading. This is when things really did start to go tits up. I arrived in Reading the next day to find that IHG (InterCon, Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza et al) had cancelled all my bookings without telling me. How I love the UK and it reaffirms my decision to leave there 25 years ago. I had rocked up in the afternoon having driven down from Birmingham only to be told Holiday Inns nationwide had cancelled all reservations except for those of Key Service Personnel. Whilst this was very admirable, no bugger told me and there is no evidence of any attempted communication and this was within 24 hours of taking the bloody booking! So Holiday Inn made me, technically, homeless at 15.00hrs on Thursday, 26th March. Fortunately, there was a hotel next door who were more accommodating – literally! The next day I went to the Crown Plaza in Reading where I had booked in for two more nights. This was just plain shut with a notice in the window saying closed till further notice as they were obeying government instructions – er, what instructions? As for getting home? Singapore Airlines had cancelled all transit passengers 24 hours before I was meant to come home - on Tuesday, 31st March, so I had to get an alternative. Just as I thought I had got something then that particular airline announced it was curtailing most of their flights including all of the ones to Bangkok. Also, I had to find somewhere to stay. Fortunately, a friend of mine, Ian Chance, has a spare flat in Reading so I went there. I finally found a flight that was looking promising – Lufthansa! Danke!
So, there I was, happy as Larry as I got on the Lufthansa flight from London Heathrow to Frankfurt on Friday afternoon. The last time I had flown to Frankfurt was in 1994, again with Lufthansa, and I believe the previous time any member of my family flew over there was my uncle Ian in 1943…….. I had passed all the relevant medical tests and had, officially, been declared germ free and so got all the required paperwork. Lufthansa assured me there would be no problems with the onward flight to Bangkok. We landed and then transferred to the lounge waiting for the second flight. Then it happened. I got an email from Lufthansa saying the Frankfurt – Bangkok flight was cancelled. Apparently this had happened when I was somewhere above the Belgian-German border. It was then followed by a friend sending me this – URGENT: Following an incident at Suvarnabhumi this evening (Friday, 3rd April) when incoming passengers refused to do quarantine, the director of CAAT has just signed this order prohibiting any more aircraft to fly to #Thailand for three days from midnight tonight to 11:59pm on Monday. Exemptions include state or military aircraft, emergency landing, humanitarian aid, medical & relief flights, repatriation & cargo aircraft. Also passengers already inbound. Source: ด่วน คนไทยนับร้อยฝ่าฝืนกลับประเทศแหกสุวรรณภูมิกักตัวโควิด-19: คมชัดลึกออนไลน์ https://www.komchadluek.net/news/regional/426121
The poor old Lufthansa folk did not know what had hit them (but I bet their bosses were happy as there were only 29 people booked on the flight!) as all of us passengers toddled off to the Service Centre wondering what fate held for us next. Not a great start. All the Lufthansa flights were full from Monday, 6th April to Tuesday, 14th April. Whilst all the Thais were subdued and crying and the Americans and French shouting and complaining, I went to the other end of the service desks and asked politely what to do. A very helpful lady then organised the following for me – all at no extra cost: - Free hotel in Frankfurt airport tonight - Flight back to London the next morning - Flight with Qatar on Monday, 6th April which was meant to arrive on Tuesday, 7th April Asininely, I thought to myself, “let’s hope the Director of CAAT will have put his toys back in his pram by then”… Thankfully, I had kept the keys to Ian’s flat in Reading and returned there till Monday, 6th April. So the saga continued. There I was, all packed up. I had just cleaned Ian’s flat (again!) and was in the car heading to Heathrow when I had a phone call from my wife saying she had heard something on the news about Thailand closing the airports again. We agreed I should carry on to Heathrow to find out. Optimistically (a.k.a. stupidly), I dropped
to car off at Europcar and toddled off to Terminal 4 which is where Qatar Airways is based. As soon as I walked in I could see there was a problem as there were a load of Thai women wailing and weeping whilst their male counterparts were gnashing and flashing their teeth at anyone who was brave enough to go near them. I avoided this ovine dentists’ waiting room and went to the enquiry desk where I was told that the government had caused a more than a wee bit of inconvenience for the international airlines for the second time in three days. As you may have guessed, I am being a tad polite here. There was the odd query as to whether or not the politicians in power were actually capable of any form of planning and so able to make a decision more than four hours before bringing it into effect. I kept a discrete silence. So, I jumped back on the Car Hire Bus, said hello to Geoff who was the driver. (yes, we were on first name terms by this time and I hope his granny in Abergavenny is feeling better) and he took me back to Europcar. They were fantastic and I am now driving round in a Fiat 500. Whilst this does not exactly have Ferrari like tendencies, it is more than adequate for popping down to the local off-licence to stock up. Anyway, the long and short of it is that I can now announce the following: 1.The safest place to be in England at the moment is Heathrow Airport – see attached 2.I can vouch for the fact that the M4 roadworks around Reading will not be finished this year 3.The car knows the way back to Ian’s flat better than I do I am now about to find out whether Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s or Waitrose sells the cheapest Scotch in Reading and repair to Ian’s flat – again! Honestly, you could not write this stuff. I will keep you up to date with the next instalment. Ulysses
Message from Sister Louise after the BWG donated money to help during the emergency.
Greetings from Good Shepherd, Bangkok ! I would like to sincerely thank you all for your generous donation towards our work with disadvantaged women and children in the Fatima Centre a special thank you to. Jina. You will be happy to know that with contributions received we are able to make hundreds of food packs and face masks for the most needy families in our programs from the Din Deang – Makkason area. Today we went to a Refugee Camp in Nonthaburi distributing 233 food packs and face masks to the Refugee children who are unable to come to our center due to Covid –19 and lockdown. Without your help and the help of Sr. Pat’s society, Irish Women Group, B.W.G. and other individual friends this would not be possible. Each one’s contribution was much appreciated. May God bless and reward you all as only He knows best. These days are doom and gloom for many people rich and poor all over the world so my prayer is that the good Lord will Protect and Heal the world of Covid-19. I am sending you a few photos of the food packs and distributions. Thanks again for your support, Ever grateful. Sr. Louise and Good Shepherd Family.
COVID-19 POEM By Jackie Reynolds
HAVE YOU MANAGED YOUR SELF ISOLATION WELL THAT'S CAUSE FOR CONGRATULATION THERE'S THINGS TO STILL BE GRATEFUL FOR EVEN BEHIND OUR LOCKED AND CLOSED DOORS HUMAN SPIRIT RISES TO THE OCCASION EVEN AS WE WAIT OUT THIS INVASION AS OUR LIVES SLOW THEIR PACE WE SEE THE BEST IN THE HUMAN RACE ONCE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY NOW WE ARE LOOKING AROUND FOR THINGS TO PLAY THE KITCHEN HAS BECOME A BIG FOCAL POINT I REALLY NEED A RECIPE ON HOW TO COOK A JOINT WILL IT BE BEEF, CHICKEN OR LAMB MAYBE AFTER I'LL EVEN HAVE A WEE DRAM PERHAPS I COULD EVEN MAKE MY OWN ARTISAN BREAD OH THIS COOKING FEVER IS GOING TO MY HEAD SPRING CLEANING IS HIGH ON MY LIST WELL I HAVE TO SAY THAT'S A NEW TWIST WIPING THE WINDOWS & SCRUBBING THE FLOORS I HAVE EVEN BEEN WASHING THE DOORS!! STAY SAFE EVERYONE. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS, THIS TO SHALL PASS, STAY POSITIVE. LOVE JACKIE
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CRUMPET RECIPE By Clare Nevin Recipe 400ml Milk 1 tablespoon dried yeast (I use local yeast called Perfect, see photo) 1 teaspoon caster sugar 300g strong white flour 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (I use McGarrett Baking Soda, see photo) vegetable oil for greasing
Method 1. Gently warm the milk. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm milk and 100ml of tepid water. Leave in a warm place for 15 minutes, or until frothy. 2. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture. 3. Whisk from the centre outwards until the consistency of double cream – this will take a few minutes. Add a splash more water, if needed. 4. Cover with a damp tea towel and set aside for 45 minutes or until little bubbles form on the surface. 5.Grease four 10cm egg rings with vegetable oil. Wipe a little oil around a large frying pan or iron skillet and place over a mediumhigh heat. 6. Arrange the rings in the frying pan and, once hot, spoon 4 tablespoons of the batter into each ring. Cook for 5 minutes, or until little bubbles appear on the surface. 7. Once the bubbles have burst, leaving little holes, use tongs to carefully lift off the rings and flip over the crumpets, then cook for 1 minute on the other side. Re-grease and reheat the rings and pan before cooking the next batch.
Written in 2010 by Jackie Reynolds
"THE CHOICE"
I LOOK AT MY BODY LIKE A CAR WITHOUT THE OIL YOU WONT GO FAR SO I DRINK AS MUCH WATER AS I OUGHTER WELL KIND OF SORTER
I EAT MY FRUIT AND VEG TO GIVE MYSELF THAT EDGE IT'S SORT OF LIKE A PLEDGE I TRY TO STAY LEAN BECAUSE OF WHAT I'VE SEEN SO CHICKEN AND FISH ARE ON MY DISH
I DON'T DRINK BECAUSE IT CAN PUT YOU OVER THE BRINK AND THAT WOULD TRULY STINK HOW I LOOK TODAY IS HOW I'D LIKE TO STAY WELL AS CLOSE TO IT AS I MAY
MY AIM IN LIFE IS TO AVOID STRIFE THAT IS MUCH EASIER NOW I'M NOT A WIFE!! LIVING WITH STRESS CAN MAKE YOU A MESS SO I LOOK TO HAVE LESS
I GET PLENTY OF SLEEP & IT'S GOOD & DEEP IF I HAD A DAUGHTER I'D MAKE SURE THAT'S WHAT I TAUGHT HER.
Please see the letter from Milos Bang who organises the milk/baby run one Friday and the food packages the following week together with the letter of thanks from Sister Lucy. Report of Presentation Slum Mission Rung Moo Community, Klong Toey
Milos Bang - 4 April 2020
Thank you so much for BWG (British Women's Group) continuous support of Sister Joan's Mission work. I am sharing this message with Sister Cecilia who has access to the bank account and can provide a written receipt for this Thai baht donation. CCed are also Sister Lucy, the head of Presentation Sisters of Western Australia and Digby Claydon, the financial officer. We are continuing Sister Joan's work in these challenging times as more people are losing jobs and being forced to isolate at home. Yesterday, we gave out 85 packages of rice, fish sauce, sardines, cooking oil and hand sanitizer and we even provided reusable face masks for people who came without protection. As usual, we had more people come to volunteer that we had to have - the impact of Sister Joan's work and the inspiration she provided runs deeper than I ever thought – BWG are showing that too and we are so very grateful to be a part of it. Message from Sister Lucy, head of Presentation Slum Mission Dear Gale and Others Thank you so much for your donation for the mission. It will be used to provide many elderly people with the rice and fish needed to survive in these tough times. We really appreciate the generosity of the British Women in Thailand and pray that you all stay safe and well. We also pray that you are able to find ways to celebrate Easter that are life giving, creative and joyful. Blessings and prayers, Sr Lucy.
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What are you doing during lockdown? By Becky Adderley
I thought that it would be interesting to share what activities members of the BWG are engaging in during the period of lockdown. With the extra time on our hands many of you might be learning new skills, starting new hobbies or returning to activities that you haven’t done for years. I’ve included two examples of new things that I have started since the lockdown in March in the UK. I’ve invested in some jigsaws and I particularly like the quirky designs of the illustrator Colin Thompson. They are quite challenging and keep me occupied on and off for quite a few days, adding pieces here and there.
I’ve also started a handwritten and illustrated poetry book as a keepsake for my granddaughter. I’ve chosen narrative poems and shorter poems and nursery rhymes that I really enjoyed as a child. Its been fun compiling the list of ones to include and then planning the illustrations around the text. It would be lovely to include other examples from the BWG over the coming months so please do send contributions to becky.adderley@btinternet.com