Spotlight News Bulletin by British Society São Paulo

SPOTLIGHT NEWS BULLETIN

Autumn view of the Lake District / Visit Britain / Joe Cornish

Nยบ 116 SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2017

EDITORIAL

spotlight news bulletin edition

As promised in our last edition we are happy to publish a selection of photos taken at a most successful celebration of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth´s Birthday sponsored by the British Society. The British Society team, led by Charlotte Cowell, and duly assisted by her hard-working team coordinated the event. The British Society would like to thank all the sponsors for their generous donations and prizes which greatly added to the success of the evening.

400 copies A publication directed to members of the Fundação Britânica de Beneficência Editor Derrick Marcus dmarcus@osite.com.br Graphic design project Eólica

It was a pleasure seeing so many members of our community and we hope you will continue to support our events and projects and remember it is one of the important activities which help keep our community united. Once again we have a full Spotlight and, as you can see from our calendar, lots of activities in future months. Advise us of your events and just watch the deadline dates for inclusion. Derrick Marcus

Graphic design Casamarela Arquitetura e Design Printing Gráfica Ogra Proof Reading Alison Steel British Society São Paulo Fundação Britânica de Beneficência Rua Ferreira de Araújo, 741 1st Floor, Brazilian British Centre, Pinheiros 05428-002 São Paulo SP Tel.: +55 (11) 3813 7080 contact@britishsociety.org.br

NEXT ISSUES OF THE BULLETIN

Nº 117 Nov/Dec 2017 Deadline Oct 7th Nº 118 Jan/Feb 2018 Deadline Dec 7th

Michael Betenson

SASPD – ST.ANDREW SOCIETY PIPES & DRUMS

The Pipe Band continues to be very active and was present at the following Events: 1) The 7th SHAMROCK CUP - held in Montevideo on 20th May. Four of the band went down to this Individual Piping competition. There were seven competitors and our Pipe Major , Thiago Scavazini obtained third place, competing against stiff competition from the Sapa Pipe band of Buenos Aires. 2) 22nd FESTA DO IMIGRANTE , held on 4th June at the “Museu do Imigrante“ in S.Paulo. The full band was again invited to perform at this traditional event. We played on Sunday morning to a full house after the Ukranians !! 3) SPYC - SÃO PAULO YACHT CLUB - “Scottish Evening & Whisky Tasting “. The full pipe band performed at this special Scottish evening, as part of the 100 years celebration of the Yacht Club.

Great fun and lots of good Scottish Malts and Blends. We have the following on our Agenda 1) WINTER CEILIDH - at SPAC Town Club on 11th August 2) FESTIVAL DAS NAÇÕES - Campo Lindo Paulista - 20th August. 3) CALEDONIAN BALL - on SATURDAY 23rd.SEPTEMBER at Clube Transatlantico – 20,00 This is of course, the St. Andrew SocietY Mega Event for 2017 We continue to teach piping , drumming and highland dancing at our band practices held on Sundays- 10.00 untill 14.00. Colin Pritchard – D/M – SASPD www.facebook.com/saspd Banda de Gaitas de Fole Escocesa.

BRITISH SOCIETY

Photos takem at the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday Celebration

Sergio Massa, Roberto Suga, Edith Suga, Michael Betenson, Marcos Versteeg and Robert Filshill

Eduardo Szazi, Marcos Versteeg and Luciana Betenson

Rachel Govier, Grace Downey and Aerona Davies

Board and members of British Society

BRITISH SOCIETY

Matthew Govier, Ricardo Bdayou and Susan Gasparian

Gertrude Vigar and family

General view

Andrea Feiffer, Nicholas McCarthy, Jenifer and Anthony Oldfielp

Lynden Bohlen, Beatrice Dupon-Liot, Marianita Cowell and Carolina

SÃO PAULO YACHT CLUB

SCOTTISH NIGHT WITH WHISKY TASTING & TALK AT THE SAO PAULO YACHT CLUB Saturday 1st July, 2017 As part of the Centenary celebration, SPYC held a Whisky Tasting night where members and friends had the chance to learn a little more about Whisky but, most important of all, enjoy tasting Single Malts, straight Grain and variations of Johnnie Walker. All this together with a competitive auction of special bottles of whisky where participants had the chance of taking home bottles of the whiskies tasted for extremely good prices !

and dancing !

All this backed up by the very special participation of the SASPD who not only presented and played, but brightened the night with their charm, pipes and drums

Don’t miss the next events, keep an eye on our calendar: www.spyc.com.br

The night also included a delicious Shepherd’s Pie and the traditional Apple Crumble prepared by the SPYC Restaurant chef, Ciça Bennett. Well done by all; it was an enjoyable night by the fireplace, with friends, good drinking, food and music !

CULTURAL SYNOPSIS The Instituto Biológico, built in 1928 by Mario Whately in Art Déco style was on the São Paulo, V. Mariana, Sto. Amaro train line. Yes, São Paulo then meant ‘the city centre’! The building was taken over by the National Trust in 2002. In 1924, the coffee plantations in São Paulo, vital at the time ,were hit by a serious plague (1300 farms were suffered of the attack of the broca parasite). A commission was formed to research and fight the pest, and that was the beginning of the Institute. Nowadays, there is a coffee plantation on the plot of land (10.000m2 ) belonging to the Institute with 12 thousand Café Especial Arábica de Montanha ‘Campo Místico’ (www.campomistico.com.br) coffee trees from Bueno Brandão, a region south of Minas Gerais. On May 27th was celebrated the coffee harvest and people met there to pick coffee. In a short opening speech it was said that Brazil produces the best coffee blends in the world. Colombia may produce the best coffee of one kind in one climate but Brazil offers a huge variety due to its different climates. The Instituto Biológico is on Rua Cons. Rodrigues Alves, 1252. www.biologico. sp.gov.br T. 50871703 / 55729933. The Museum is on Rua Dr. Amâncio de Carvalho 546 T. 2613-9500 (same area). It displays a variety of insects (butterflies, cockroaches, stick insect, bees, silk worm), and is most interesting for school children, as some handling is per-

mitted. There is a large parking area. Margaret Atwood (77) Canadian writer and poet, Booker Prize winner of the 2000, also writes science fiction and science speculation. For her, the difference is that science fiction is imaginary; speculative science, on the other hand, is based on something that is already there. In her book ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (1985 – a film soon to be seen on Fox Premium), most women become infertile after a biological disaster and the government captures those few who still are fertile and makes them produce children for powerful families whose women cannot have children. The story takes place in a totalitarian government in the country of Gilead. We may well be heading that way. Rivers. Every 300m you cross an underground river in the city of São Paulo. Geographer Luiz de Campos Jr and Architect José Bueno are mapping the rivers in São Paulo in a paper called Coletivo; Rios e Ruas. (Revista labverde – rioseruas.wordpress.com/) This vast river network is fed by continuous heavy rains in the city, yet, one never sees them or gets the benefit of so many springs underneath! We only get the floods during the rainy season and wonder why! ChristinaThornton

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ST ANDREW SOCIETY

The St Andrews Society Golf Team participates annually in a

An assembled 60 odd players including members of the

series of golf tournaments in Brazil that include the Munro

British Royal Legion Team teed off in the early morning

Cup, the Mackenzie Trophy, the Sexta Nobre Match, the Sas-

hours of 9 June for a match that would be still in play in late

sanach Medal, the St Andrews Medal, and most importantly

afternoon. The Sexta Nobre won the match 6x4. The 2016

the Quaich.

Sassanach Medal was won by Mr. Carlos “Caca” Cruz with 38 points and the 2016 Quaich by Mr. Graham Wallis with

The Munro Cup was held this year in late May at the São

28 points.

Fernando Golf Club (“SFGC”) located in Cotia, SP. This annual “four ball” match against the American Society Golf Team

The Sexta Nobre Team also kept up the fine tradition of

was first inaugurated in 1991 and originally involved several

filling the Sexta Nobre Challenge Cup to the brim with

other sporting events including tennis, tug of war, volleyball

single malt whisky and offering it around to the St Andrew

and football. This year the American Society won the match

Society team members (who must drink it with them to the

10x 6. The sponsor of the event Mr. Doug Munro presented

dregs).

the Munro Cup to Captain John Kennedy for safe keeping until the next match to be held in 2018.

St Andrew´s Day Medal The St Andrew´s Day Medal, an individual 18 hole stroke

The MacKenzie Trophy play event, is expected to be held in November of this year The Mackenzie Trophy is an annual Ladies Golf Competition

ideally on St Andrew´s Day which falls on 30 November.

sponsored by Adrian and Debbie Mackenzie. The actual tro-

Normally this event also coincides with the St Andrew´s Day

phy, an elegant silver salver, is engraved with the names of

celebrations and includes an evening of dining and dancing

winners and the year of the event. As with the Munro Cup

with the St Andrew Society Pipes and Drum Band and tra-

the winner keeps the trophy until the next match. The 2016

ditional Highland music.

Mackenzie Trophy was won by Susan Pallin with a score of 29 points. The runner up, Elizbeth Buny, had also been the

2017 Quaich

winner of the 2014 Mackenzie Trophy with 38 points (shown

The origin of the Quaich in Scotland is traced to the High-

here in the picture receiving the silver salver from Mr. Julio

lands and in the 19th Century Sir Walter Scott dispensed

Cruz Lima past president of SFGC). The 2017 Mackenzie

drams in silver quaichs. In keeping with this fine Scottish

Trophy will be held together with the St Andrew´s Day Medal

practice the St Andrews Society Golf Team organizes an

in November of this year for eligible Lady Golfers from the

annual Quaich which in unbroken tradition has been played

St Andrews Society, Royal British Legion and from the various

since 1934.

accredited golf clubs in and around Greater São Paulo. The 2017 Quaich will be played this year in conjunction with Sexta Nobre v St Andrews Society the Royal British Legion schedule of monthly games and The Sexta Nobre are habitual Friday afternoon golfers from

should probably take place in September or October of this

São Fernando Golf Club. Every year they engage in a highly

year. Together with the 2017 Sassanach Medal, the event

contended four ball match play against the St Andrews So-

should prove to be another marvelous opportunity to reaf-

ciety. Exceptionally in 2016 the annual game was not held

firm the St Andrew´s Society Golf Team´s core values which

so it was decided that for this year the match would be held

include the promotion of golf amongst the British commu-

in early June and would include the 2016 Quaich and 2016

nity members and Scottish values amongst the golfing com-

Sassanach Medal (also not held that year) to be stableford

munity in general. To this end all those interested in joining

events.

the St Andrew´s Society Golf Team are cordially invited to do so.

CARAJÁS JUBIREE – 92 YEARS CELEBRATION

(Written by Grace Downey)

ing days, creating a superb campsite. Last but not least, the Old Scouts Ubatuba Campsite brought together The Carajás Scout Group got together in July to cele- several generations, from the youngest (2 years) to the brate its 92 Years Jubilee, in Alumínio/SP. oldest (82 years) joining everyone in a perfect atmosphere, with high spirits, everyone reliving memories and The name “Jubiree” is a mixture of Jamboree and Ju- making history! bilee and was originally created to celebrate of the Carajás’s 60th anniversary in 1987. From there, Carajás The weather could not have been better - gorgeous adopted “Jubiree” for its great celebrations. It is a great days of sunshine with fantastic full moon nights. Diverse Group Camp when we bring together the whole Cara- activities, testing different talents and abilities, as well jás Family for a special celebration. as challenges amongst friends. On Saturday night, nothing better than a warm gathering by the fire, laughing It all started at the beginning of the week, with the Boy with the sketches and singing campfire songs. Scouts and Girl Scouts July Camps where they built and prepared their campsites in order to receive the Cara- To end our celebration, on Sunday the 9th, after a trajás Family during the Jubiree weekend. Later in the ditional Treasure Hunt, followed by the exciting Chalweek, the Cubs arrived full of energy and set up their lenge Valley, we all got together for a delicious lunch “round” campsite in great style. and special birthday cake! The Rovers and Old Scouts Itararé came together to We are a big family and I feel very proud to be a part exchange memories and relive some of their own camp- of it! Cheers for another 92 . . . and more!

SÃO PAULO GARDEN CLUB SÃO PAULO GARDEN CLUB, International Affiliate of National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC), NAFAS and the Royal Horticultural Society UK, presents their 78th Annual Flower Show “Folclore Brasileiro” at the Brazilian British Centre – Rua Ferreira de Araujo, 741 – Pinheiros, Sao Paulo, SP by kind permission of the Cultura Inglesa. Opening Ceremony on Saturday 30th September, 2017 at 10.30 a.m.

Garden Club 2018 Calendar You will be surprised by the novelties you will find in our 2018 calendar. Now the cover and contents are printed in four colours on recycled paper. The theme is “The Seasons and their Colours” and the calendar indicates what to plant in order to have flowers all year round inside our homes and outside in the garden. We also include gardening tips and delicious and practical recipes for every day, with emphasis on fruit and vegetables. Avoid the year end rush and order your calendar now. How about a present for a friend as well?

Exhibition open to the general public (free admission) Saturday, 30th September 10.00 a.m. -- 6.30 p.m. Sunday, 1st October 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Beeby’s Gourmet will be serving afternoon tea on Saturday starting at 3.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. on The Deck by the garden downstairs and, on Sunday, they will be serving lunch from 12:30 p.m. onwards.

Price: R$40,00 (includes ordinary rate posting to anywhere in the country) Access our site: www.calendariodojardim.com.br and place your order. The Sao Paulo Garden Club calendar 2018 will also be available during our Annual Flower Show.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

The Royal British Legion helps

Ted is wearing his

out with WW II Medals - ER-

Burma Star medal

NEST HAIG FORSTER

whilst the other medals

Ted Forster was born in Recife

are on display beside

on 9th November 1917. His fa-

him along with his ser-

ther, Joseph, born in Alnwick,

vice records which the

Northumberland, met his Brazilian wife Belmira, when he

family have compiled

came to work for the Bank of London and South America in

into an album.

Pernambuco. The couple settled in Brazil and, following tradition, their children were educated in England. Fund Raising Churrasco – Sunday 7th October Ted enlisted in the British Army, Royal Artillery, in the begin-

Our next Churrasco will take place on Sunday 7th October

ning of 1940, a few months after WW II broke out, and com-

and not on the 30th of September as was published in the

pleted his service as a Captain by the time of his discharge

last edition of Spotlight. We look forward to bringing together

in August 1946. He was posted to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India

as many people as possible at this event so please make a

and Burma (Myanmar) for most of the war years. He took part

note of the date – 7th October 2017.

in the 2nd Chindit Expedition and entered Burma with the 16th Brigade, under the command of Brigadier Fergusson.

Remembrance Service – 12th November 2017 – St Pauls

When the war ended, he served in Germany and Belgium

Cathedral

with the BAOR (British Army Of the Rhine) forces.

Our remembrance service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday 12th November 2017. We are presently remem-

Upon learning that Ted Forster never claimed any awards,

bering the period of the First World War (1914 -1918). We

Paul McMahon, President of the Royal British Legion, São

are all connected to the First World War, either through our

Paulo Branch, assisted Ted’s family to obtain his army service

own family history, the heritage of our community or because

records and apply for his medal entitlement. At the end of

of its long-term impact on society and the world we live in

this process, the Ministry of Defence issued four well-earned

today.

medals: the ‘1939-45 Star’; the ‘Defence Medal’; the ‘War Medal’; and, the’ Burma Star’. Ted was very moved when the

In my case, my Great Uncle, James Ford died in Belgium on

medals finally arrived. “This is not only a great surprise but

the 30th November 1917 from the wounds he received at

a great honour”, he told his granddaughter, Rebecca.

the 2nd battle of Passchendaele, the centenary of which took place recently. For information about Passchendaele please

After the war, Ted Forster returned to Brazil and married

see the link: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/

Christina Crocker. They raised two daughters, Susan and

ww1-centenary/passchendaele-100/

Margaret and have five grandchildren. He worked for over twenty years for Refinações de Milho – CPC in São Paulo,

Around the world, nations, communities and individuals of

Buenos Aires and New York.

all ages have and are coming together during this centenary period to mark, commemorate and remember the lives of

The photograph below shows Ted with his wife Christina,

those who lived, fought and died in the First World War.

daughter Susan, Paul McMahon and, of course, the medals. We will also especially remember this period during our service this year and we hope you can support us at this very important event.

Paul Mc Mahon

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

LEGION GOLF Our second tournament was held at Itu this week under blue

being recorded. However, Ed Freeman stood up to the plate

sky and amidst the wonderful scenery of Sao Jose Golf Club.

and outdrove the Master with a monster drive. Congratula-

We were again deeply indebted to Chris Pontifex for not only

tions to one and all.

organising the event with the Club, but also hosting a lovely lunch at his house. Many thanks Chris.

The abacaxi prize (consisting of oranges and bananas) changed hands several times, but again ended up back with

Nine good men and true fought out a tight competition. The

the Captain for his persistent poor behaviour.

champion and recipient of the Pontifex Cup was Brian Fulford, with runners up Frans Labuschagne and Alastair Steel. The

It was lovely that Debbie (the Royal Photographer) and Adrian

latter managed an impressive 23 Stableford points on the

joined us for Chris’ splendid lunch and Alison graced us with

first nine, with witnesses confirming that it could have been

her presence too.

even better but for some strange putting; (Alastair could not quite repeat such heights on his second nine). Brian also

It was an excellent day and I know several Legionnaires re-

managed to win the ‘nearest the pin’ prize on the 12th hole

gretted that they could not be there to enjoy it. Next time.

and very nearly snaffled the ‘grand slam’ with an excellent drive on the following hole where the ‘longest drive’ was

Crispin Rowe RBL Golf Captain

ENGLISH MASONRY IN BRAZIL UGLE – United Grand Lodge of England is celebrating its Tercentenial Anniversary. English held Craft, Chapter, Mark and other Lodges in São Paulo. If you are a Mason or interested in and curious about Masonry, contact us. Raphael Behar 98593-6847 or Andy Beeby 97152-1988

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

READING FOR PLEASURE AND STIMULATION A good book can be excellent therapy. It is also a cheap and entertaining way of escaping the routine or stress of daily life. Anyone wanting up-to-date advice about what to read next would benefit from Will Schwalbe’s “Books for Living” (2016), in which he weaves personal stories around the important books in his life in a way that is delightfully witty and easy to read. He covers a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres, so there is plenty of choice for all tastes.

choice and individuality. He is also deeply concerned with the ethical treatment of animals and the environment. Although “Homo Deus” is not easy reading, it will interest educated readers who are excited (or worried) about the possibility that new technologies will fundamentally transform human experience and values. Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and others also agree that we are living through a Major Cultural Revolution (capital letters intended).

Another thought provoking book, too recent to have been included in Schwalbe’s collection, is “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow” (2017) by Yuval Noah Harari. Harari is an Israeli professor of History at the University of Jerusalem who has written numerous books including “Sapiens: A brief History of Humankind”. In “Sapiens” (2014), Harari briefly covered the vast period of history from the start of humanity, through the Agricultural, Industrial and Scientific Revolutions, to the end of the 20th Century.

Harari tends to make sweeping statements about the nature of humanity, without discussing complex nuances, such as terrorism and radical extremism. However, perhaps the “open-endedness” of the book is deliberate as it concludes with a series of questions intended to inspire discussion between the generations and across diverse cultures.

In “Homo Deus”, Harari looks towards the future, arguing that human beings are now at another great turning point in history, for better or worse. After observing that more people die today from eating too much than from eating too little, and that more people die from old age than from infectious diseases, he discusses the challenges of over-population. He also foresees the advantages (and dangers) of computer programs outperforming human beings in numerous tasks, devaluing human

Those of us living in a dual-cultural environment should find these questions especially stimulating, so please share your thoughts; and feel free to make suggestions of your own! Penny Freeland is a British qualified counsellor and coach. For further information please contact PenelopeFreeland@gmail.com Feedback and suggestions for future topics are always welcome. All communication will remain confidential.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

RUSTY JOINTS As the years accrue, moving around gets ever more painful, flexing your joints becomes more and more taxing.

full range of motion. There may also be a grating sensation, which can be heard or felt when moving the joint.

All these symptoms may be caused by osteoarthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time. It can occur in any joint, most often in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Joint pain and stiffness may become so severe as to make daily tasks difficult. Some people are no longer able to work. Diagnosis is made from several methods, including a medical history and physical examination, x-rays, and sometimes blood tests, and exams of fluid in the joints.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over each other, also helping to absorb the shock of movement. In osteoarthritis, the top layer of cartilage wears away. The bones under the cartilage then rub together causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Bone spurs may grow on the edges of the joint, and bits of bone and cartilage can break off and float in the joint space. Osteoarthritis occurs mostly in older people, although younger people sometimes get osteoarthritis, usually from joint injuries. This is a condition that usually happens gradually over time, but there are some risk factors that might lead to it, including being overweight, having a joint injury, stresses on the joints from certain jobs or playing sports, bone deformities (some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage), genetics (people inheriting a tendency to develop the condition), and sex (women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis). Symptoms include pain, when the joint hurts during or after movement, tenderness when pressure is applied to the joint, joint stiffness, especially when waking up in the morning or after a period of inactivity, and loss of flexibility, an inability to move the joint through its

Treatment has four main goals: to improve joint function, keeping a healthy body weight, controlling pain, and achieving a healthy lifestyle. Besides medications, patients can also benefit from physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the joint, increase the range of motion and reduce pain. Occupational therapy can help by discovering ways to do everyday tasks without putting extra stress on painful joints. Research also suggests that tai chi and yoga may reduce osteoarthritis pain and improve movement. In extreme cases, surgery may be an option, either by realigning bones or replacing joints with plastic or metal parts. These artificial joints can also wear out or come loose, and may eventually have to be replaced. The future promises tools to identify osteoarthritis earlier, gene therapy, and tissue engineering, developing ways to grow cartilage to replace one that has been damaged. Michael Ray Smith M.D. MOBILE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY Phone: 99183-2093 E-mail: mrsmith@terra.com.br

ROUND TABLE NO 1 DO BRASIL/CLUB 41 Round Table Nr. 1 do Brasil/ Club 41 Brasil The Brains of Sao Paulo Quiz WAS HELD on the 27th May.

We would like to thank those for taking part in Round Table Nr. 1 do Brasil´s main fundraising event, and hope that you all had a great evening (and even picked up some additional useless information!). Your team and personal contributions were essential in making this a pleasant competition. As promised, all money raised has been directed to provide this year´s chosen charity, Fundação Dorina Nowill para Cegos, with equipment to help improve conditions for visually impaired people. In case you wish to contact them directly, please reach out to Mrs. Jocilene Ribeiro dos Santos - jocilene@fundacaodorina. org.br - phone nr. 11-5087-0978 - who will be very happy to show you their great projects and everyday work. Please also see attached a photograph showing the presentation to Fundação Dorina Nowill para Cegos of the urgent equipment they needed. Round Table Nr. 1 do Brasil has been organizing the event “Brains of São Paulo” for more than 15 years, enabling us to help various charities and people in need, while also bringing the English-speaking community closer. We are currently in the midst of organising our next event for this year which will be the curry night - watch this space for further details. If you are interested in joining us please contact us at the email address/facebook page below: http://www.rtbrazil.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RT41Brazil/

The RT Brazil dedicates itself to community service through aid and assistance to charitable organizations.

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL

World Challenge As the first group ever from St. Paul’s School to undertake the World Challenge expedition, it is fair to say a lot of us were nervous. A few of us did think about not going but, with encouragement, twelve of us left St. Paul’s on 17th June and started our 27-hour journey to Dar Es Salaam. First impressions of the city? Humid. Polluted. Smelly. Crowded. Our job in the city was to buy food, utensils and practical matters such as getting a SIM card to keep our Instagram followers up to date. A day later and we were back on the road with a 10hour journey to Hondo Hondo campsite in the Udzungwa mountains. Three days of trekking was easily the most physically challenging aspect of the expedition. The first day was the Prince Bernard trail and Nijukamoni trail. The second day was the Hidden Valley trail; we can all agree that this was the hardest day – a 17km trail that ascended and descended one of the mountains in the park. Despite some of the gruelling physical aspects of the treks, we all survived for the final and best trail: the Sanje Circuit. This 15 km trail took us up three levels of the Sanje Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Africa. We were even able to swim there, which was a satisfying experience. After trekking, we travelled a further seven hours to Tagamenda, set up our tents on a local farm and began our four-day project. We were based at Tagamenda school, a village primary school. Our days began at 5.30a m and included a 45-minute walk to the project. Over the course of four days we collected water from the river, mixed cement, plastered four school buildings and painted one classroom and the outside of one of the buildings. We also played games with the children and got to know them. The final day included a football match between St. Paul’s and Tagamenda School. One of the best things was being able to look back on the last day and see how different the school was. For most of us, interacting with the kids was the best part; we picked up some words in Swahili and learned how to carry buckets of water on our heads! One amazing part

of this life-changing and eye-opening experience was that, despite these children not having much, not a day went by where we didn’t see smiles on their faces or hear laughter. The final part of the trip was spent at Ruaha National Park. We had our first trip around the outskirts of the park in the early evening, seeing giraffes and elephants. However, this was nothing compared to the second day. We saw water buffalo, hyenas, impalas and zebras; however, after getting a call, the guides drove us frantically across the park to get incredibly close to a lion who was sat on a hill, overlooking a river. The highlight of the day though was, as we were leaving the park, driving by a leopard who walked across the path of our jeeps. During this trip we learned a lot about ourselves and each other – before leaving, not all of us were close friends but, by the end, we could see how hardworking, caring and helpful we all were throughout this expedition. We were also exposed to the world in a way we hadn’t been before; we all learned a huge amount about Tanzania, each other and ourselves. To anyone considering doing this trip: do it! It is a completely life changing experience.

SPOTLIGHT HUMOUR

When Insults Had Class... (some old, some new)

(about Ernest Hemingway)

These glorious insults are from an era “before” the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.”-Moses Hadas

A member of Parliament to Disraeli: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.”

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.”-Mark Twain

“That depends, Sir, “ said Disraeli, “whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.”-Oscar Wilde

“He had delusions of adequacy .” -Walter Kerr

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one.”-George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”- Winston Churchill “I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”-Clarence Darrow “He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”-William Faulkner

“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one.”-Winston Churchill, in response “I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.”-Stephen Bishop

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SHORT STORY

TWO OF MY BELOVED GHOSTS William Moffitt Harris -Rubbish!

I said, crawling out of my bed at three in the

morning. In spite of it being bitterly cold, I was sweating a lot and had to change my pyjamas. The dream kept on coming up in my thoughts and I wondered what that really meant. I believe there was some relief when I dozed off a couple of hours later. I didn’t wake my wife up but over breakfast, although somewhat abashed, I spun out the whole story. -Well, that is what you get for keeping up until late at night typing away on that blinking computer of yours. It is time you went earlier to bed after so much work and so little exercise throughout the day. I think it would be better for you to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist. I thought that she wasn’t being too fair as often enough I sit in my wheelchair by her side in the sitting-room watching the day’s soap opera whilst she is knitting away on another bonnet or trousers and dresses for our great-grandchildren.The call came at about nine in the morning. The lady was very nervous indeed for as she said to me on the phone: “Someone kicked a can or knocked a bottle over in the haunted house you used to live in, here in the Southern part of the town, before moving up country. People in the neighbourhood dare not walk on the pavement in front when going to work. They cross over almost a block away or go down another street.” She utterly lost control of herself and was seriously outraged and offended by the way a policeman, on a bike, grabbed her by an arm with one hand while pushing his bicycle with the other and took her down to the nearest police-station. The neighbours on the other side

of the street were alarmed at her screaming. She was a middle aged pensioned off schoolteacher widow with no children to look after and lived alone in a small house about fifty metres away. She calmed down a bit as the officer convinced her that they were going to get protection at the station and soon let go of her arm as they walked gently down the half mile while chatting. Her full story was most unconvincing and as the District Attorney was in the building he also listened to her version of the facts. A couple of days before ringing me up, the lady mustered up some courage and went over to the haunted house and rang the bell. In a leather bag she took along with her one of her very sharp kitchen knives, just in case…No one answered even her second ringing. The garden was in perfect ruin with grass a foot high. The house needed plastering and painting badly. It looked completely abandoned. The gate was unlocked, so in she went so as to peep through the drawn curtains in the dining room and kitchen. The sitting-room in front facing the street had its windows with stuck on papers of different colours. She could hear movement inside so she lowered her head and shoulders so as not be seen through the window and went round to the back to see if there was some open door but everything was locked. While there, round the back, a street dog came in wagging its tail. It sniffed and barked at the kitchen door. It sure smelt something right there. All of a sudden there was a terrific bang with the noise of shattering glassware and crockery and pots and pans which lasted for a couple of minutes. More out of curiosity than because of the fright, she peeped though the window and saw two images of human skeletons covered in a transparent tissue. They both still had hair on their heads and seemed to be speaking to each other. From there on you can guess what happened. To be continued.

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ST PAUL’S ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

How to Avoid Arguments, Deal with Disputes and Stop Fighting.

decisions’ (verse 18). In the Old Testament, ‘casting the lot’ was a way of settling disputes. However, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit there are better ways of The 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership of the receiving God’s guidance over disputes. EU resulted in a 52:48 split in favour of leaving. The campaign was acrimonious, the nation was divided, and Avoid unnecessary offence the main political parties soon descended into infighting Do everything you possibly can to avoid offending peoand division. This is one example of what we see across ple: someone close to you who’s been offended can be the globe. Every news update seems to include stories ‘… more unyielding than a fortified city’ (verse 19). Seof arguments, disputes and fighting. rious disputes create barriers among friends. These walls are easy to erect and extremely hard to pull down. When sin entered the world, arguments, disputes and fighting began. Adam blamed Eve. Cain murdered his Choose your words carefully brother. The history of the world ever since has been Your words can be a life-giving force, bring great satisone of conflict of all kinds. faction and heal division: ‘Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifyWhen people turn away from God, they start fighting ing as a good harvest’ (verse 20). one another. We see the breakdown of relationships wherever we look: broken marriages, broken homes, Yet words can also be a destructive force: ‘Words kill, broken relationships at work, civil wars and wars be- words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you tween nations. Sadly, the church is not immune. Right choose’ (verse 21). You can do great good or great from the start there have been arguments, disputes and damage by what you say. in-fighting. Choose your companions carefully How should we handle conflict? The writer says, ‘Find a good spouse, you find a good NICKY GUMBEL, the leader of the ALPHA COURSE life – and even more: the favour of God!’ (verse 22). It available throughout the world and offered by many is certainly true in my experience that my wife’s wisdom, different denominations of the Christian Church, gives advice and involvement have often helped me to avoid us some very practical advice on how to avoid argu- getting into trouble in this area. A good husband or ments based on the Book of Proverbs chapter 18 verse wife will be a peacemaker. 17 to chapter 19 verse 2. Whether we are married or not, what we need are really Listen to both sides close friends. The second part of this proverb reminds There are usually two sides to an argument, and it is us that while friends come and go, ‘There is a friend always worth hearing both parties. The right of cross-ex- who sticks closer than a brother or sister’ (verse 24). amination is an important one, with a vital place in any These are the sorts of friends we need in our lives. If legal system. ‘The first speech in a court case is always you have friends like that, never stop thanking God for convincing – until the cross-examination starts!’ (verse them. 17) Ultimately, of course, Jesus is the friend who sticks closer Ask for the help of the Holy Spirit than a brother or sister. Bishop Roger We need God’s guidance especially when facing ‘tough

GENERAL COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Event

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Start 26th Alpha Course

Sept 03

15.30

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral

English 5o Tea

Sept 17

17:00

São Paulo Yacht Club

Carajas Dinner 92 Years

Sept 23

to be decided

Carajás Scouts

Caledonian Ball

Sept 23

Espaço Transatlântico

St. Andrew Society

Legion Churrasco

Sept 30

SPAC Santo Amaro

Royal British Legion

Annual Flower Show

Sept 30/ Oct 01

Brazilian British Centre

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Legion Churrasco

Oct 7

12.00

SPAC Santo Amaro

Royal British Legion

Children’s Day Olympics

Oct 8

10.00

São Paulo Yacht Club

Beer Tasting and Talk

Oct 13

18.00

São Paulo Yacht Club

Halloween Rock Party

Oct 21

21.00

São Paulo Yacht Club

Carajás Bingo

Oct 22

SPAC Sto Amaro

Carajás Scouts

White Elephant Bazaar

Oct 28

11 - 16.00

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral

Remembrance Sunday Service Nov 12

10.00

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral

Royal British Legion

Christmas Bazaar

Dec 02

11 - 16.00

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral

Carajás Campfire

Dec 02

SPAC

Carajás Scouts

Year-End Dinner

Dec 02

20.00

São Paulo Yacht Club

Christingle Service

Dec 17

18.30

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral

Papai Noel

Dec 17

16.00

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Christmas Day Service

Dec 25

10.00

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral

12.00

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