Muthaiga Country Club Magazine July - September 2019

The M u tha i g a Country Club M agazi n e

July – September 2019

The M u t hai ga C oun t ry C l u b M ag az i n e

Front Cover Photo by Samuel Vicker After 106 years MCC hosts its first ever Music Festival. (see Page 17)

C o nte nts

July – September 2019

page 14

page 6

page 1

Letter from the Chairman

page 2

Letter from the Secretary

page 3

Membership Matters

page 4

Balloting & Finance Report

page 5

Roving Eye

page 6 House Wines & Messing page 7

page 16

Staff News

page 8 Events page 10 Forthcoming Events Chart page 11

Bird Quiz

page 12 Muthaiga Sports Round-Up page 16 Members’ Achievements page 18

page 13

page 17 Muthaiga Fest page 20 Opera & Ballet page 21 Library Book Reviews page 22 A Life in the Day of... page 24 Hatches & Matches page 25 Reciprocal Clubs Reviews page 27 Obituaries page 17

page 19

The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine is published by MCC for Members Editor - Yoyo Volak Magazine Production - Matthew Rudd, Lucy Muregi, Mercy Wanyeri, Diana Waithaka, Eunice Mulwa, Yvonne Magambo.

Vincent Ford, Martin Musyoka Contributors - Stephen Mills, Julia Lawrence, Peter Usher, Edita Camm, Jagdesh Sondhi, Ciera Mullen, Kiran Ahluwalia, Christian Vater.

Design & Layout by Shelleys the Printers page 22

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

Printed by Graphite Lounge page 24

www.mcc.co.ke

From the Chairman Dear Members Greetings to you all.

The Club continues to hum with activity, although we do need to see more usage in the main dining area of the Club. Please remember that it serves the finest fayre and the private dining rooms are exemplary venues to host a dinner or to hold meetings.

For those Members lucky enough to have been part of the Muthaiga Fest, I hope you all enjoyed watching the wonderfully eclectic group of all-Kenyan musicians perform, from Jua Cali, Nameless to our very own ‘Samaki Mkuu’ Jason Dunford performing with Romantico. This was a ground-breaking event for the Club and a lot of energy was put into making it such a success. For those that missed it, don't worry too much, I have been assured it will become an annual fixture in the Club calendar.

I hope you all enjoy the entertainment that is being laid on for you, whether talks, piano recitals or Samaki Mkuu – we have an exciting range of events throughout the holiday months.

I haven’t given up on setting up MAD (Muthaiga Amateur Dramatics) by the way. In the words of Baldric I have a cunning plan, which I am working on at the moment. Watch this space.

I am delighted that we held a successful Club Night recently and I was honoured to be able to thank Ngugi Kiuna publically for his tenure as Chairman of the Club and to unveil his portrait. It was also a pleasure to have Nigel Hunter talk to us about his extraordinary family and their links with the Club and also to unveil a portrait of his father who served on the Committee between 1952 and 1957.

This edition features some outstanding sporting talent by our Young Members and some spectacular artistic and musical achievements. Our new feature ‘A Life in the Day of……’ has generated lots of interest - amazing what a wonderfully varied and talented Membership we have – please take a look at pages 22 & 23 and if you would like to be featured, or if you feel that you have an article to contribute on your own family or relating to something interesting that you may have done, I repeat my plea made in my last Chairman’s letter, and ask you to contact Yoyo Volak through the Club office. We want to hear from you.

Enjoy the Club Magazine and keep using your Club.

My best wishes,

Philip Coulson, MCC Chairman

www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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From the Secretary Today’s quote:

“These new water bottles need opening instructions…”

Thank you so much for the support you have shown for our new water bottling plant; now that we have finally been granted permission to produce it for you.

We are now plastic-free in terms of bottles and continue to look for a sensible alternative to plastic Turns out From thestraws.

Secreta r ythat drinks are drinkable without the use of a straw – so that is a relief.

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Rupert Elliott as the new As the financial year drawsClub to aSecretary close we lookover to from the skies taking our in the hope of a trouble free 2019/20. The city’s hospitality trade really suffered in the ofRupert's the January attack, which meant fewer overseas interim secretary Fritzwake Walchli. permit has finally been approved andtremendous he visitors for us. Nevertheless, we have recently received support, especially from our will take up his post with immediate effect. upcountry Members, and hope that this has been encouraged by the significant reductions in room In welcoming Rupert to the Club I would rates across the board. Forlike those whoFritz missed we done nowininclude full breakfast for all those staying as to thank for allit, he has his interim role where his steady hand guided well as use of the gym. We have also created a new rate for friends and family. These rates are naturally an excellent performance with both cash higher than those we charge Members but less than we charge our reciprocal guests.

Please Out-going Secretary Fritz Walchli with some of the do get and quality above budget.

MCC Staff at his leaving party. The staff presented him in touch with us before even contemplating a hotel or an Air BNB. You might be interested, nay with a splendid cake and a carved wooden elephant.

Rupert Elliot has moved to us from the Capital Club and prior created to that wasarunning a large 4-Star Room where we now offer relaxing delighted, to know we haveNairobi also recently lovely Treatment Hotel in Botswana.

He has an excellent track record –inwell worth taking an hour or two massage therapies and pedicures. Please ask for more information delivering quality and financial results and was formally out of your day for a pamper. trained in London’s 5-Star market with international experience in France, Bahrain and Africa. His commercial experience includes UK country houses of excellence.

Security, unless I am imagining it, seems to be causing fewer and fewer issues for you. We do still Rupert is joined by his fiancée Heidi. make the occasional blunder as is human, but we have greased another wheel in that your guests, after It is an exciting time with many new challenges and projects and I hope their first registration, willyou not to have their scanned willhave join me in wishing ourID new Secretaryagain. the very They best of will good still have to carry ID to prove they are who they sayfortune. they are, but no more scanning. This is really speeding things up.

I am very grateful to those of you who email, telephone or come to see me with feedback. It is not always happy reading or listening but complaints are an inevitable part of this business. Hearing them Bimb Theobald, Chairman of Committees from the ‘horse’s mouth’ really helps and you know we are committed to pleasing you.

Finally, and very importantly, Committee is looking into the rules telephones I am thrilled to take over as Secretary of reviewing Muthaiga Country Club, governing and delighted to join a team of like-minded professionals and enthusiasts and other devices in the Main Club House. This will not shatter any peace nor disturb your dining who, together, strive to ensure Members can take pride in their Club. experience - for some of you (you know who you are) this is a merely a formalisation of something My last job was with an excellent club in Nairobi and before that I ran a you already do. prestigious hotel in Botswana. I firmly believe that Muthaiga is one of the brightest stars across Africa in the hospitality sector, and I look forward to exploring waysJan to keep enhancing this historic place for theChef benefit all Michelin-starred Please support our next visiting chef Klein, founder and Executive ofofthe Members, whether they joined long ago or more recently. restaurant ‘Hermitage’ in the Netherlands. He will be here from 22nd – 28th July.

I am very grateful to Members and Staff alike who have already made me feel so welcome. My door is always open and I will welcome your feedback suggestions. am excited to get to work on the next stage of the Club's Apologies as usual to thoseand who find theI mag too long! evolution, while ensuring that we preserve the values and traditions that make this Club such a great one.

With the of an opi issues, ex your min

at P

RECENTLY, OF F ER B RE

Breakfast at P the chafing d to be. TP

Appalled by p disappointed an overseas M Club, not to

While I agree only one ven the argument dispensing w child-free en

No waiters, t no logic to la table not clea disgusting.A

Until the next time.

Rupert Elliot, Club Secretary

Rupert Elliott, Club Secretary

2 Muthaiga Country Club April–June 2017

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

www.mcc.co.ke

www.mcc.co.ke

www.mcc.co.ke

Latest Addition to the Rogues’ Gallery When, in 1962, Alan Hunter was quite suddenly transferred by his company Dalgetys from Nairobi to London, his resignation from the MCC Committee was so hasty that commissioning a portrait of him got overlooked and so he has remained absent from the MCC Chairman’s Gallery - until now.

Young Member and portrait artist Katie Simpson recently set the record straight with a charcoal portrait of Alan, which she worked on from an old photograph supplied by Alan’s son Nigel Hunter.

Katie Simpson Portrait Artist

He now hangs proudly amongst his fellow Chairmen in the Rogues’ Gallery… …and while Alan Hunter made his tardy appearance in the ranks of Chairmen past, our most recently retired MCC Chairman Ngugi Kiuna also made his way into the select company, in recognition of his service to the Club between 2013 and 2018. He is pictured here with his portrait, which was created by Gikonyo Maina.

MEMBERSHIP M AT T E R S In the last edition Agony Aunt Beryl caused Lady Bracknell to hurl her handbag with a howl of protest. Auntie With the winding down of a communications committee, this page is devoted to being more B has to the boondocks in her place comes Uncle Anodyne. of therefore an opinionbeen page,banished where prevailing moods andand sentiments of Members on current Club issues, expressed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, we want to know what’s on

Meanwhile, the Editor’s postbag reveals the customary collection of kudos and criticism. In the interests of your mind, and will always welcome your feedback. offence-diminution, these have been edited for content and redacted where necessary. Ed

I was pleased to stay at the Club recently as a reciprocating member. I was looked after very well and the service was good. AB

at Pinks

My wife and I made a rare trip from up-country and stayed at the Club. We like the improvements to the military wing and were pleased with our breakfast. WS

RECENTLY, A D EC I SIO N WAS MADE TO O … my abcxyz, OFFER BR EA FA ST ONLY PINKS… I was sitting byK the abcxyz lastAT month with

somewhat late at night, while an all-abcxyz

Breakfast at Pinks is athe mistake.

Do away dinner was goingonly on in Ballroom.

It with the chafing dishes and cook to order as it used was clear that some of them appeared to be. TP

quite abcxyz and went swimming in the bollock. by It people’s was extremely abcxyz to watch Appalled behaviour at Pinks, and and we thought thattothey abcxyz. disappointed to have havewere breakfast there… I am an overseasitMember and comeand to the Honestly, was very abcxyz weClub werefor the Club, not to come to an average hotel. abcxyz. We found ourselves abcxyz, FP and While I agree with the economic reasons for having only one venue for breakfast, I do not agree with www.mcc.co.ke the argument that economy alone justifies

wondered if the Secretary was abcxyz. We poured ourselves a large abcxyz and thought the whole thing was abcxyz. LK I am disappointed to see that some of the running machines in the gym are not working correctly. GO I hosted a dinner in the main dining room last night and my guests all agreed that the service and the food was extremely good. DS

M O R E G E N E R ALLY

There is a tap in the middle shower Your German sausage has not seenatGermany of the changing room Pinks that and the saurecraut [sic] was not cooked.

It it. keeps coming off when you lift tasted ok as I was very hungry.

PE NFI Why is it that there are never any ice-creams in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk. RH

"I see you've fixed the drip!"

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

Not the place it used to be. WR

3

balloting c ommittee one easy answer springs to mind: reduce the length of the waiting list, allow people in, let more Members use the Club, and live happily ever after.

We are grateful to Members who help to ensure the Club’s ethos, values and traditions are maintained, by keeping a close eye on potential Candidates. A reminder once more about objections Your Balloting Committee is less – which are received in strictest b al l o t i ngconvinced. c o m m i ttee What’s wrong with having confidence and treated with utmost a long waiting list? Why should it seriousness. If you do have misgivings become quick or easy toyears, joinand thisherClub? involved with balloting – there are no many terrific diligence about a short Candidate, you are strongly cuts. probably what has We will continue toisbe inclusive in made the encouraged to find someone to support chairmanship look so easy.

The rest of terms of gender, race and tribe, but Finally, crucially, we urge Members to the committee have enjoyed andyou, are by writing separately to the Club this is a private Members’ Club and take the time to examine the names of grateful for her friendly, forthright At the last balloting meeting, we came Secretary or Chairman of Balloting Candidates when they are posted on a long waiting list isleadership testament to its – we’ll miss her. across the first Candidate to have been and describing the Board the and,nature if there isof thethe slightest reputation and desirability. So, unless on the waiting list for 24 months. objection(s).

Onetheir letter is insufficient, doubt about ‘clubbability’, to So now it’s me, and I’d like to begin enough Members feel differently and voice any concerns to the with a few words about the waiting Imagine, two years between proposal twolistis more compelling.

AllSecretary. letters All are strongly, we recommend that the objections are treated with the strictest for prospective Members. It is long. forms being handed to the Secretary’s gratefully and respectfully received, waiting list remainsCandidates long. can expect to wait at least and are followed up office and meeting the Balloting and dulyconfidence, acted upon diligently. We really do want to ensure 18 months between being proposed Meanwhile, the first handful of Committee. the selection bar for prospective and being invited to attend a balloting Members has comemeeting through our Members is maintained at a very high – and willnew then wait a further Interestingly, Candidates always affect balloting system. Off the waiting list,names are level. two months while their not to mind. Once they’ve made it It’s important, when handing over the formade onto the Board two known months, meet to Members. to the finishing post, so to speak, reins it of any committee, to assure your the Balloting Committee, use a pink wide-eyed successor that “It’s a doddle: The second point to note is that there appears they feel that those behind thecuts.

Club are no short Members are huge Their fun, doesn’t Candidate’s take much time,card all around them can take their turn in line. for a few months.

New Members strongly advised notwill to use their pretty straightforward really”. time will come. Perish the thought that influence to have Candidates move up have paid their dues, been friendly to Yeah, Candidates might be pulling up theright. thepolite list more Members, remained toquickly. staff. However All friendly drawbridge behind them.

Gail Paul has done an outstanding job Matthew Rudd your relationship might be with the boxes ticked and confirmations given, overseeing the Balloting committee for Secretary – or with anyone else Chairman Balloting Committee they have at last been invited to become While bean-counters fret about the low Matthew Rudd Members. Phew! That was easy then. usage by Members of Club facilities, Chairman Balloting Committee

house & financ e

finance various initiatives that we hope will appeal to, and attract a better turnout from these sectors.

In terms of projects, we are making – our most profit accretive revenue to improve the manner in which we reasonable headway on our security stream. We had projected significant promote and improve the quality of in early growth in this area, project whichand hasexpect to completeour events. All in all, significant work May….on budget! The library project not materialised. The financial in progress!

We would welcome any has been revitalised and we hope to performance is obviously great present of a plan at the next AGMideas later itfrom our Members – please feel he consuming year. concern – apart from free to contact our Secretary. cash, this restricts our ability to make Finally, we expect to complete the We have much broader plans in the Mukutano Room this quarter, which necessary investments to remain medium term including our Library will offer Members a state-of-the-art relevant.

The Club continues to make good “ I can We complete the and Main Clubhouse. will need Meeting Room. progress in our key strategic initiatives. project under budget Going forward, a turnaround in to improve our current performance So we have plenty of work in progress Revenues are on budget and our cash and ahead of these schedule, but defining position is ‘safe’. We do however is critical. performance Therethe is desires and in order to go forward with Dear Members, but you’ll need requirements of our diverse operate on very thin at three nomargins question that competition has plans. Fortunately, we have great to allocate additional time Membership remains paramount and per cent profit on turnover.

We have now come to the end of the increased significantly.

Whether infrastructure in place to do this. our success will lie in our ability to and money fo that.”

Our challenge remains how to increase 2018/2019 financial year – it has in accommodation (new hotels, satisfy these. utilisation of the Club, particularly the certainly been a challenging one. airand BNB) or entertainment, our Main Dining Room the sports Operational revenues including Members today have a wide variety of facilities. subscription income (but before In order We have identifiedchoice. certain sectors of theto remain relevant, Gidoomal VVijay ij Gid Membership that we do not useneed the Club Membership entrance fees) were may to relook at how we do Chairman House & Finance frequently, are working on regard, we have already largely flat year on year. Expenses wereand wethings.

In this six percent up so this equation has relaxed rules regarding dress code obviously resulted in a deterioration in the Main Clubhouse, and we are 4 Muthaiga Country Club April–June 2017 Vijaywww.mcc.co.ke Gidoomal of financial performance. The biggest looking at changing the rules for the Chairman Finance miss on budget was accommodation use of mobile phones. We will need

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

www.mcc.co.ke

roving eye

Colonel Blimp may have been created as a buffoonish cartoon character, full of bluster, twisted syntax and redfaced outrage – but he had things to say. In this issue, Eye allows him to speak for a certain group of Members – one that is more populous than might be imagined.

“Oh, don’t worry,” the argument goes, “It’s only a glimpse of one’s phone. Just a brief glance, to read a short text. Just a quick little tap, to send a reply. No one will even notice.”

Yeah, right (as Colonel Blimp probably didn’t say).

Mens sana in men’s sauna It’s as well Colonel Blimp removed his monocle before entering the sauna, because it would surely have popped out of his astonished eye and been trodden under sodden heel.

Harrumph!

Word going round that sweaty room says there’s a mounting crusade to enable the use of mobile telephone devices in all areas of the Club. The theory goes that not having access to an electronic comforter is the reason why so few Members use the Main Dining Room.

Waddaloadacobblers (as he definitely didn’t). Poppycock (indeed). Eye senses a slippery slope to the bottom, where the Main Dining Room provides a students’ refectory buffet service, while muzak blares over the noise of ring tones and shouted conversations into cupped hands. Eye can’t wait.

Harrumph!

Does anyone seriously believe that the reason they don’t use the Dining Room is because they can’t use their phone?

Incredibly, the rationale is that the Club should somehow keep up with the times. Well of course it should. That’s why there’s a business centre in the Mail Room. That’s why Wifi speeds around the Club are good. That’s why people chatter on their phones at Pinks. And read their iPads, online.

That’s why we can pay our bills electronically and why this magazine is produced.

Has anyone considered that Members using their phones in the Dining Room might deter, rather than attract others?

It’s one thing to be in a paroxysm of indecision over jackets being required (or is it no jacket required?) in the dining room (but not the bar?), jeans (perhaps, but not if they’re frayed?), socks (naturally, but not necessarily with smart shoes?). But phones?!

Harrumph!

And let’s not get our beloved Blimp started on the subject of security, and trying to gain access to the Club…

PHOTO CAPTION COMPETITION Someone, somehow, forgot their baby buggy. Happily not the contents. We are looking for a prize-winning caption for this hapless, childless buggy – and, if possible, the owner.

www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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wines & mes sing

Visiting Chef Jan Klein Chef Jan Klein, founder and Executive Chef of the Michelin-starred Hermitage Restaurant near Rotterdam in the Netherlands will be visiting the Club to prepare some of his celebrated cuisine for Members, and to share some of his culinary knowledge with the MCC Chefs and catering staff.

Chef Jan’s passion for cooking began as a teenager when he helped his parents who ran a guesthouse in Holland. He went on to work in a Michelin-star restaurant for 15 years before setting up his own.

By then he had four sons and two of them followed him into the restaurant business training with him.

His son Roeland visited the Club in 2015 as guest Chef and delighted Members with his sumptuous menus.

Jan will be visiting MCC from 22 – 28 July 2019 and indulging us with some of his most popular dishes specialising in French cuisine for both lunches and dinners.

Contact reservations@mcc.co.ke to reserve a table.

MCC Wine & Cheese Extravaganza Week During MCC’s Wine & Cheese Extravaganza Week Members were offered a different wine experience every night. Hosted by multi award-winning Jimmy Smith, Chief Wine Taster at the West London Wine School, Members were invited to join the ‘Grape Debate’ in which the merits of Old World wine (French) and New World wine (South African) were sampled, discussed and compared (incidentally, French vintages won by a good nose.) In addition, Members enjoyed a Blind Tasting Evening, a multi-course Winepairing Dinner and the Extravaganza culminated in a Cheese & Wine Fair.

At the recent MCC Cheese & Wine Fair Members were able to sample and buy from a wonderful selection of delicious local cheeses from Brown’s Cheeses and excellent imported wines from over ten different countries around the world.

Wines & Messing Bulletin NEW SNACKS MENU – ALL DAY An all-day Dining Menu has been introduced in the Main Clubhouse and may be taken anywhere, including the Dining Room, between 10am and 10pm. The Menu includes a fabulous selection of exciting sweet and savoury treats to boost your flagging energy, or simply to indulge in.

MCC WATER BOTTLED AT SOURCE Driven and strongly supported by our eco-conscious Membership we have finally succeeded in acquiring all the necessary permits and met all the required standards to bottle our drinking water on site in glass bottles. This means MCC is largely plastic-free and one of the leaders in making a positive move towards eliminating single-use plastic waste.

MAGICAL MUSICAL MOVIES RE-INSTATED You will be delighted to know that, by popular demand the Club’s Magical Movie Show has been re-instated on the first Saturday of each month. To kick off the new season of song and dance we will be showing ‘The Sound of Music’, so come along to the Garden Room for free popcorn and sing-along with Dame Julie and the other nuns.

DINNER DANCES RETURN Again, by popular demand, Dinner Dances have returned to the social calendar and The Pressmen Band and the Club Chefs are scheming to put together a fabulous evening, every quarter, for Members and friends.

FREE WINE EVERY MONDAY! Enjoy a free glass of red or white wine with your lunch and/or dinner every Monday in the Club Dining Room.

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

CHAIRMAN’S OUTREACH LUNCHEON Save the Date – the Chairman’s Outreach Luncheon will be held in Karen this year on 5 October 2019.

www.mcc.co.ke

staff news

EMPLOYEES of the MONTH FEBRUARY, MARCH & APRIL 2019

From left: February 2019 Mwanapili Mohammed – Mixologist, Pinks Bar; David Kariuki – Plumber, Maintenance. March 2019 Anthony Murigi – Gardener, Grounds. April 2019 Alexander Mbusya - Barman, F&B Bar; Alex Karani - Room Steward, Housekeeping Department.

New Employees Joachim Okemwa Momanyi Senior Food & Beverage Supervisor With four years experience in F&B Supervision having previously worked at the Norfolk, Fairmont and Nairobi Serena Hotels, Joachim’s assignment is to supervise service operations in the Club’s Restaurants.

Abdelhamid Mousa Spa and Recreation Manager Mousa has over 13 years’ experience in the Spa and Wellness field having previously worked both in Kenya and Egypt at Villa Rosa Kempinski, Helnan Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Resorts, and Sunrise Hotels Group. He will coordinate and oversee day-to-day activities and the general operations of all the sports sections.

Frankline Orovon Mugambi Painter/Polisher Frankline has over 14 years in the hospitality industry as a painter and polisher.

He has previously worked at the Tamarind Tree Hotel, Nairobi Safari Club and Silver Springs Hotel. He joins our Maintenance team to ensure that all the Club’s painting, polishing and decorative work is maintained. www.mcc.co.ke

Long Serving Employee Awards Ezekiel Musumbi, Barman - 25 years; Stephen Mbuthia, Senior Laundry Attendant - 10 years; Dinah Waithaka, Membership Administrator - 15 years; Benjamin Rono, Assistant Barman - 5 years; Andrew Barasa, Chef de Partie - 5 years; Jemima Maingi, Waitress - 5 years; Paul Okoth, Electrician - 10 years and Joseph Mwangi, Accounts Clerk¬ - 10 years.

Annual Jonas User Group Conference 2019 The MCC Management team attended the Annual Jonas User Group Conference held at Karen Country Club in June. IT staff members were trained in the new up-grades of Jonas, the IT system the Club uses to manage Members accounts. The ICT team members are now competent to use the newly upgraded system, which will streamline the operating processes.

Award winning Team Leader and MCC ICT Manager Eunice Mulwa is pictured fourth from left.

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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events

Muthaiga Goes to Bollywood The recent MCC Bollywood Ball was a spectacular success, made more so by the tremendous effort made by Members and guests to be suitably attired with lots of Bollywood Bling, glamour and colours.

The Desit Soul Dancers (pictured) entertained guests with their fancy footwork, belly dancing and fabulous costumes and sincere thanks go to the generous donors of the Raffle prizes Kiran Ahluwalia, David Stogdale and top sponsor Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines Yilma Goshu, who donated two First Class and two Economy Class Tickets on Ethiopian Airways.

Austrian Pianist

Anna Magdalena Kokits Brilliant Austrian concert pianist Anna Magdalena Kokits recently gave a dazzling performance at the Club to a spellbound audience. Anna Magdalena is pictured here with Michael Kassal Austrian Embassy Nairobi Counsellor - who so kindly initiated the invitation for Anna Magdalena to perform at the Club.

Farewell Inès Before leaving Kenya for good, Argentinian singer Inès Basombrio gave one last performance at the Club. Not so much a formal recital, more an intimate final soirée. Coupled with winsome Argentinian charm, two guitars, dreadlocks aplenty, a pianist of note, and a bass player who simultaneously played the drums – progressive Argentinian music, pretty funky.

Disappearances…

Departures…

After several years and many live concerts with Ghetto Classics, musical virtuosi Doreen Ziegler and Cody Thomas gave their final performance at the Club with a lively repertoire of Musicals & Operetta. They are pictured here with key coordinator of Ghetto Classics Elizabeth Njoroge (far left), MCC Club Chairman Philip Coulson (centre) departing Ambassador Eunice Brookman-Amissah, who was presented with a copy of ‘The History of Muthaiga Club’ as a leaving present and Edita Camm founder of OPERAtion Classics.

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

After disappearing flowers, bending forks and generally blowing minds, Magician, Illusionist & Mentalist Larry Soffer captivated Members with a breathtaking performance of magic, mystery and comedy.

He is pictured here after his highly original show with his cousin MCC Member Moshe Noiman (left).

Larry will be returning for two nights in October. www.mcc.co.ke

events Life Member of Muthaiga Country Club and recipient of the prestigious Chief of the Burning Spear (CBS) in 2018, Mary Epsom has written her first book for children.

“The Chameleon who went to the North Pole…almost!” is based on a true story about Mary’s son Paul when he was a little boy. Paul died in a road accident in 2014 and “The Chameleon who went to the North Pole…almost” is dedicated to him.

Mary will be launching her book at the Club on 28 September.

Let’s Dance

NIKON PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP The Nikon Photography Workshop that was designed to engage kids during the Easter holiday was a huge success – but for adults! Air-brushing kids aside eager wannabe photographers signed up for the 5-day course with professional Nikon photographer Caitlin Nordahl of MOD Photography. Learning from basics to advanced techniques, the course covered Framing & Composition, Exposure & Focus, Shutter speed, Aperture and Getting the Shot!

Junior Members’

Chamber Music & Two Violins Show Thursday 18 July 2019 6.30pm Violinists Paul Chege & Ken Mwiti and Pianists Gicigi Kunga & Cynthis Mungai will be playing a fabulous repertoire of Chamber Music from different periods in history, from Baroque to the twentieth Century, including works by Bach, Elgar and Fauré.

Sports Camp

The MCC Junior Members’ school summer holidays Sports Camp will be held from 8 July until 21 July 2019. Sports Camp offers a great range of fun activities including swimming, football, painting, beadwork and pottery.

The Fitness Centre is offering a season of Dance Classes including Salsa, Tango, Bollywood & Kizomba. Find your own crazy rhythm and make the world your dance floor.

Every Friday in the Fitness Centre.

Hendrick’s

Cocktail Banquet Thursday 1 August 7.00pm Sponsored by Hendrick’s Brand Ambassador and hosted by MCC, this most intriguing soirée, strictly for Gin lovers, promises to be nothing if not spirited.

Guests will be treated to a four-course dinner delicately paired with Hendrick’s cocktails… and a few words of wisdom!

www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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forthcoming events

HIP HOP - A CLASSICAL TALE Orchestra Meets Opera Coloured by Jazz 9 August 2019 Making its debut performance at MCC, the cast of Maad Orchestra, present a concert that weaves seamlessly through Classical Opera, Hip Hop and Jazz.

This daring fusion of modern and classical music, created

by East Africa's foremost Jazz guitarist Eddie Grey and led by one of Kenya's most celebrated conductors, Levi Wataka, is an exhilarating audio experience pushing the limits of all three genres of music into groovy, high energy beats, its influences

journeying from its origins in Africa, across Europe to the Bronx.

‘HIP HOP - A Classical Tale’ features special appearances by leading tenor Caleb Wachira, The Eddie Grey Jazz Trio and The Maad Orchestra & Special Guests...all on one stage.

This promises to be a spectacular musical evening suitable for all ages, so book early with events@mcc.co.ke

Fo r t h c o m i ng E v e n t s JULY 2019 Junior Members’ Sports Camp

8 July – 21 July, Tennis Pavillion, 9.00am – 1.00pm.

Film Night – ‘The Sound of Music’

6 July, Garden Room, 6.00pm.

Ballet Night – ‘Swan Lake’

11 July, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Tennis Tournament – Wimbledon (Mixed Doubles)

14 July, 9.00am, Tennis Courts.

Remy Martin Dinner - Remy Martin Old Fashioned, VSOP & XO

17 July, Muthaiga Room, 7.00pm.

Live Concert – Chamber Music

18 July, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Visiting Chef - Jan Klein from Holland

22 – 28 July, Lunch & Dinner, CDR & Terrace.

Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks)

26 July, Popsy Bar, 5.30 – 7.30pm.

AUGUST 2019 Hendrick’s Soirée – Cocktail Banquet

1 August, Yellow Room, 7.00pm.

Film Night – ‘Mrs Doubtfire’

3 August, Garden Room, 6.30pm.

MCC Book Club Meet – ‘Pachinko’ by Min Jin Lin

6 August, Blue Room, 7.00pm.

Opera Night – ‘Romeo & Juliet’

8 August, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Music & Drama – ‘Hip Hop – A Classical Tale’

9 August, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Whisky Tasting Evening – Diageo

16 August, Pinks Bush Bar, 6.30pm.

SEPTEMBER 2019 Opera Night -‘L’Elisir d’Amore’

5 September, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Dinner Dance

6 September, CDR & Terrace, 7.00pm.

Tennis Tournament – U.S. Open (Mixed Doubles)

8 September, Tennis Courts, 9.00am.

Squash Tournament – MCC Challenge Cup

9-13 September, Squash Courts.

Speaker’s Evening - “Museveni and the Guerillas” by William Pike

13 September, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Paintball Session – ‘Daddy & Me’

14 September, Pinks Lawn, 12.30pm.

Tennis Tournament – Herring Cup (Inter-Club Competition)

14-15 September, 9.00am.

Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks)

27 September, Popsy Bar, 5.30 – 7.30pm.

Book Launch – by Mary Epsom

28 September, Garden Room, 6.30pm.

Hootenanny - Live Concert

28 September, Ballroom, 7.30pm.

Pop-Up Market

29 September, Centenary Lawn, 11.00 – 6.00pm.

Dates and times of events were correct at the time of going to Press. They may change post printing so please check with the Events Office events@mcc.co.ke when making your bookings.

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

www.mcc.co.ke

bird quiz

Bird’s Eye View You are sure to guess the theme of this editions quiz, especially if I tell you that the next quiz might be a white Christmas edition!

Now, identify the bird species. Very, very difficult. Get them all right and you are an expert.

Answers to Bird Quiz.

Top Row: Viellot’s Black Weaver; Southern Black Flycatcher; Black Crake.

Middle Row: Black Cuckoo-shrike; Black Cuckoo; African Black Duck.

Bottom Row: Black Egret; Northern Black Flycatcher; Black Stork.

www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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bow ls & squash

Bowls Report During the second quarter of the year bowling has progressed both socially and competitively, despite the recent wet spell thanks, as always, to Willie Watson and his team of green keepers.

Annual Club Pairs - Ian Stamp (Bowls Captain) and Marion Weston (sponsor for annual Club Pairs) are pictured here (centre) presenting prizes to Maureen Lilygreen (far left) and Sheila Barker.

In April we hosted the Caledonian Society of Kenya for a fun day of bowling and friendship. There were over 30 bowlers on the green for the morning games with a very hearty atmosphere. MCC retained the trophy and, as a result, will have to adjust the handicap system next year. We are most grateful to the Caledonian Society and to Alex Duncanson who aided in the organisation of this annual event, not least for their generosity and sharing of the Single Malt!

June started with the annual Club Pairs kindly sponsored by Marion and Gordon Weston. Seven pairs competed over the two days for the ‘Quaich’ and the eventual winners were Ian Stamp and Alan Collis with runners-up Peter Scholes and Marion Weston. This enjoyable weekend culminated in a splendid lunch in the Main Clubhouse, all wonderfully supported by the Club staff.

We are very open to new bowlers and extend a warm and welcoming invitation to any interested Members to come and try out the bowling green with our many willing members to offer coaching and support.

Ian Stamp Bowls Captain

Forthcoming Bowls Events Annual Club Pairs - Ian Stamp (Bowls Captain) and Marion Weston (sponsor for annual Club Pairs) are pictured here (left) presenting ‘spider prizes’ to Oliver Fowler and Maureen Burns.

28 APR

4/5 MAY

MCC vs. KCC (Mackenzie Shield) Saturday at KCC, Sunday at MCC

8/9 JUN

Club Pairs - Sponsored by Marion and Gordon Weston

MCC vs. Caledonian Society

2019 Easter Squash Tournament The 2019 MCC closed Easter Squash Tournament had an entry of 14 Club players. The matches were played in a K.O. system the best of five games.

After four closely contested games Kunal took home the 2019 Easter Squash Tournament trophy after a 3:1 victory over Jonathan.

After some fiercely challenged games in the knock-out stages the semis were played between Kunal Bid against Dirk Sickmueller and Jonathan Somen against Squash Captain Walter Kuoni. The final match was fought between Kunal (left) and Jonathan (right) having each won their Semi-final in straight games 3:0.

The 2019 Final was predicted to be a very close and interesting match between the Club top player Kunal and Jonathan, who had made a tremendous comeback after a long absence from the Squash courts.

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

From left: Squash Captain Walter Kuoni, the Easter Cup Champion Kunal Bid, Joseph, Dirk Sickmueller & runner-up Jonathan Somen.

Walter Kuoni Squash Captain

Forthcoming Squash Events

9 - 13 SEP

DATE TBC

MCC Challenge Cup 2019 Team Racquet Cup (MCC closed Team Mix Squash, Tennis, Table-Tennis and Badminton)

www.mcc.co.ke

tennis

TENNIS REPORT “Les Grands Chats” This Mixed doubles tournament, for players over the age of 55, attracted a number of pairs who competed against each other in a round-robin event. As usual, points were fiercely fought out by these highly experienced players. By the end of the morning, John Ponsonby and Tessa McLellan emerged as the overall winners with Harold Zagunis and Philippe Dongier as creditable runners-up.

the outright winners in Pool ‘A’, while Pool ‘B’ was dominated by a very strong Toulouse team (David Bromham and Tom Tilson).

Congratulations Marseilles and the Toulouse players.

Vous-avez bien joués!

Wilson Cup 2019 Winners of Pool ‘A’ in the King and Queen of Clay Tournament from left Hans Shrader and Katarina Karanja representing Marseilles.

Wilson Cup Teams – MCC players on left, victorious Karen Club players on right.

Our annual event held at Karen Club this year involved a team of the Club’s very best six Mixed Doubles pairs competing in two Pools against the opposition.

Unfortunately, the MCC team was short of some of our key players nevertheless, it was as usual, a great morning of tennis with Karen Club coming out as overall winners with 24 sets to Muthaiga’s 12. Well done, Karen Club!

King and Queen of Clay 2019

Winners of Pool ‘B’ in the King and Queen of Clay Tournament from left David Bromham and Tom Tilson representing Toulouse.

John Goodwin Tennis Captain Despite the inclement weather, Omega and his crew managed to have all six courts ready for this popular annual Mixed Doubles tournament. Ten pairs competed in two pools of five pairs. With pairs representing various French cities, the Marseilles team (Hans Shrader and Katarina Karanja) were www.mcc.co.ke

Forthcoming Tennis Events

14 JULY Wimbledon (Mixed Doubles) 8 SEPTEMBER

14-15 SEPTEMBER

U.S. Open (Mixed Doubles) Herring Cup (Inter-Club Competition)

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

13

MCC at the

MCC backed a winning day o sponsored by Silv

Odds-on favourite in the hospital day at the Derby by kind inv Kenya and Racecou

The Club catering team did no popular annual event and prod the Ngong Racecourse for Clu

Flutterers, long-shots, also-ra all treated to a spectacular da hospitality of MCC and t

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

www.mcc.co.ke

e Races 2019

out at the Kenya Derby 2019 verstone Airlines.

lity stakes MCC hosted a fabulous vitation of the Jockey Club of urse Management.

ot disappoint the punters at this duced a sumptuous Luncheon at ub Members and their friends.

ans and hardened tipsters were ay of racing with the unbeaten the Jockey Club of Kenya.

www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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members’ ac hievements

Young MCC Members

Ruckin’ All Over the World Three young MCC Members will be playing for Kenya in the World Rugby Under 20s Trophy 2019, in Jose dos Campos in Brazil in July.

Dominic Coulson, Michele Brighetti and George Kyriazi (all old Pembrokians) now playing in the Under-20s Kenya team - popularly known as Chipu (Imps) - helped take their team to victory against reigning champions Namibia 21-18 in the fiercely contested Barthes Trophy Pool ‘A’ Final in Nairobi in April, to secure their place in the World Rugby Trophy in Brazil.

The U20 Trophy is for second tier teams playing in two pools - Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, Kenya, Uruguay, Portugal and a North American team.

From left – Young Members George Kyriazi, Dominic Coulson and Michele Brighetti are pictured here with their first ever Rugby coach Mike Aung (back row) from Pembroke House.

They are all three now proudly playing for the Kenya U20s team and will be representing their country for the first time at the World Rugby Under 20s Trophy 2019, in Brazil in July.

Kenya Rugby 7s Young MCC Member Oscar Dennis saw off strong competition to represent Kenya in the World Rugby Sevens Series, playing in both Singapore and Hong Kong.

The annual World Rugby Sevens Series consists of ten tournaments held across ten countries - UAE, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, France and England - each hosting one event. Each tournament has 16 international teams drawn into four pools of four teams.

Each team plays all the others in their pool and the top two teams from each pool advance to the Cup quarter-finals.

Unfortunately Oscar was injured in his last match in Singapore, but he hopes to be fit for the Qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics in Japan, which will be held in Oscar Dennis running in his try November in SA. against Wales in Singapore.

We wish both teams Kenya 19 - Wales 14. the very best of luck.

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

Oscar with his Kenya Rugby 7s team mates relaxing after the 2018/2019 Hong Kong Sevens Series.

It was such a great honour to represent my country in the Singapore and Hong Kong Sevens World Series this year. I really enjoyed the experience and I’m looking forward to the Olympic qualifiers in November in SA. I’m very excited to see where we go next.

Oscar Dennis Kenya Rugby 7s Team Member 2019 Series

www.mcc.co.ke

muthaiga fest

Photos by Samuel Vicker

Muthaiga Fest As Europe rocks into the season of summer music festivals, MCC more than matched the buzz this year with the spectacular Muthaiga Fest.

MCC Chairman Philip Coulson and Club Member Jason Dunford, came up with the idea of hosting a Music Festival at the Club to create an event to motivate young MCC Members yet still appeal to the wider Membership. They envisaged creating not just a concert but an experience that is as unique, special and appealing as MCC - an original event that had not been held in the 106-year history of Muthaiga Country Club.

Jason “Samaki Mkuu” Dunford with his band Romatico.

With tremendous help and support from Members Kush Bhardwaj and Christian Vater, they decided that a Music Festival would be the perfect event to bring everybody together – and so The Muthaiga Fest was conceived.

With an exclusively all-Kenyan musical line-up which included legends such as Nameless and Jua Cali, established contemporary artists such as Nazizi and Sanaipei “Sana” Tande, as well as up-and-coming Gengeton innovators Romantico, the spectacular evening detonated with Happy Hour followed by Festival headliner, MCC’s own Jason “Samaki Mkuu” Dunford, who had the audience out of their seats never to return to them until dawn - with his band Romantico.

It was a very special night that, together with seven all-Kenyan music acts, DJ Foozak and the wonderful MC Alisha, kept the audience rocking until dawn, bringing together three generations of MCC Members, dancing to the music and the magic.

The Club Events Manager Yvonne Magambo and the entire MCC team did an outstanding job transforming the tennis courts and Pavilion into a stunning festival setting and the chefs and waiters worked double shifts, manning six different food stations including Burgers, Wraps, a Choma Zone, an Ice Cream Station and two bars, with ever-present smiles.

Over 450 Members attended the inaugural, Muthaiga Fest and such was its success it is hoped to become a regular annual fixture in the Club calendar. www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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members’ ac hievements

Kenya Through the Diplomat’s Lens MCC Members Lisa Christoffersen and Anish Harania have recently played a major part in the organisation of an exciting new Private Public Partnership that seeks to create social impact through the sharing of artistic talents and cultural influences.

‘Kenya Through the Diplomat’s Lens’ (KTDL) is a storytelling initiative that brings together Kenya’s diverse cultural influences and showcases them through the camera lens of participating Diplomats.

The idea came about when H. E. The Ambassador of Iraq to Kenya Ambassador Burhan realised an opportunity where he could create social discourse with Kenya using his love of photography as a medium. The camera offers both the freedom of expression in the composition of images but also an insight into the documenting of diplomats’ day-to-day activities.

Other diplomats were approached and encouraged to tell their story of Kenya through photographs.

The final result was that 29 Embassies participated in the

initiative, submitting over 600 images capturing Kenyan stories as seen through the lenses of diplomats.

The photographs were judged by a panel of international and local photographers, and the top images have been curated into a spectacular exhibition showcasing Kenya’s diverse cultural influences. At a glittering gala evening held recently at the Museums of Kenya, the Exhibition was officially opened

by H.E. The First Lady Ms. Margaret Kenyatta.

H.E. The First Lady Ms. Margaret Kenyatta enjoying the opening ceremony of the ‘Kenya Through the Diplomat’s Lens’ Photographic Exhibition launched recently. Event Organiser and MCC Member Lisa Christoffersen pictured left.

Money raised from the sale of the photographic prints and a live auction and Raffle, held during the VIP Cocktail evening, will go to three communitybased organisations supported

by KTDL – Destiny’s Children’s Home, Karika CBO and Kibera Town Centre (Nikon Photo School Partnership.)

The KTDL Exhibition is now on display at The Lord Errol Restaurant in Runda.

COMPETITION

H.E. The First Lady Ms. Margaret Kenyatta admires the photographs on display at the launch of the ‘Kenya Through the Diplomat’s Lens’ Photography Exhibition.

Question: Name this person in the photo bottom left and what he was famous for in Kenya?

Prize: The first correct entry that we receive will win dinner for two with a bottle of House Wine in either Pinks or the

Club Dining Room. Please send your answers to communications@mcc.co.ke Answer to our January March 2019 Competition QUESTION: This is the brother of a famous person – name him.

ANSWER: Quentin Grogan – younger brother of the more famous Ewart.

WINNER: There were no correct entries to this competition question.

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Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

DID YOU KNOW? Quentin Oliver Grogan (1883–1962) was the younger brother of Ewart Grogan. Born in England, he moved to Kenya in 1905 to assist with Ewart’s businesses, but he took to hunting elephant instead. In 1909 Grogan guided Theodore Roosevelt’s safari hunting for white rhinoceros. In 1915 he settled on a farm in Turi and remained there until 1933 when he sold up and moved to South Africa.

www.mcc.co.ke

members’ honours

Marathon Man Jack Harber

Keeps on Running to help Cancer Hospice Keep on Running Young Member Jack Harber took his place behind the start line of the iconic London Marathon, running to raise money for the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice where his father, Dave Harber, died last year.

London 2019 was Jack’s third marathon. He has also completed a 40-mile obstacle course, the Amsterdam Marathon in October 2017 and the Southampton Marathon in April 2018.

Jack finished the London Marathon 2019 in 3 hours 18 minutes– his PB to date.

But not satisfied with 42km around London, Jack then took up the daunting London to Brighton 100km Ultra Marathon Challenge just one month later, also in aid of Sue Ryder. An epic achievement so soon after the London Marathon, yet he finished in 13 hours 17

minutes. It’s the furthest Jack has ever run.

Between the two events Jack has raised over £5,000 to help the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, Gloucestershire’s only inpatient palliative care service.

“It would have meant the world to Dad that I ran in his memory for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. I ran both marathons in gratitude for the unstinting care my father was given and the wonderful support me and my family received after Dad passed away. For that I will always be extremely grateful.”

Jack Harber

Jack Harber running the London Marathon 2019

Kenyan Artist Guy Combes is Awarded Top Honour Internationally acclaimed Kenyan artist Guy Combes, has been recognised for his conservation leadership and artistic achievement, by receiving the highest honour bestowed to an artist member

by Artists for Conservation (AFC).

Founded in 1997, AFC has a membership of 500 of the world's most gifted nature artists. Guy was awarded the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award, which was established in 2006 in memory of his father, who was himself a world-renowned wildlife artist and prominent conservationist.

AFC bestows the award annually to individuals who have achieved distinction with their work and contributions to conservation.

Serengeti and the destructive trade in ivory and rhino horn worldwide. He has raised over $50,000 in the last three years for various conservation causes including the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Soysambu Conservancy Lion Boma project.

Guy has also pioneered an effective way of fundraising on social media with live Guy receiving the world's most prestigious conservation award for auction painting sessions. visual artists - The Simon Combes Conservation Award 2018 from Richard Whiting, President of Artists For Conservation.

It is an enormous honour to receive the Simon Combes Conservation Award, and all the more so as it was established in memory of my father.

Guy joins an illustrious group of Kenyan artists who have won this globally prestigious award for their artistic excellence and dedicated support for nature conservation, which include the late David Shepherd, Robert Glen and Karen LaurenceRowe.

Aside from his career as a wildlife artist, Guy has been involved in activism to stop environmentally insensitive development in the www.mcc.co.ke

Guy is pictured here at a Quickdraw Event raising money for the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

He is painting a red-tailed hawk from life.

Guy Combes – Winner of the Simon Combes Conservation Award 2018.

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edita’s ballet and opera programme In May we said goodbye to Doreen Ziegler and Cody Thomas with their last appearance in a bubbly concert of Musicals and Operetta.

Cody - usually behind the piano as music director of OPERAtion Classics – finally had his chance to be on stage for once and reveal his lovely tenor voice to us. We are pictured here at the “Finale” inviting the audience to sing along to the Brindisi of Verdi’s ‘La Traviata.’

‘Swan Lake’

Having recently shown ‘MARGOT,’ the definitive documentary about the great ballerina Margot Fonteyn, whose life was closely and extraordinarily entwined with Russian ballet superstar Rudolf Nureyev, twenty years her junior, this seems a perfect opportunity to show the only available recording of the full length ballet ‘Swan Lake’, with the two great stars performing together. This production, filmed at the Wiener Staatsoper, has been lavished with the most opulent settings, special effects and costumes, making this arguably the best performance of ‘Swan Lake’ available on film.

‘Swan Lake’ will be screened on Thursday 11 July in the Ballroom at 06.30pm.

‘Romeo & Juliet’ needs no introduction, it is the most famous love story in the world. Its operatic version is set to music

by Charles Gounod, adding another dimension to the romantic tragedy, performed here by two of the most beloved stars of the moment - Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna. Their glorious voices, acting ability and good looks together with a traditional but inventive production makes this Romeo and Juliet the best produced, in my opinion, so far.

‘Romeo & Juliet’ will be screened on Thursday 8 August in the Ballroom at 06.30pm.

is definitly ‘L’Elisir d’Amore.’ It was the most frequently performed opera in Italy between 1838 and 1848 and has remained continuously in the international opera repertory right up until the present day.

This production from 2005 was the first opera that saw Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon performing together.

At the time they were young and relatively unknown, but this performance launched them to stardom overnight as the dream operatic couple, and they have been cast together in practically every opera ever since. ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’ contains the popular tenor aria ‘Una Furtiva Lagrima,’ a famous romanza in the concert halls.

‘L’Elisir d’Amore’ will be screened on Thursday 5 September in the Ballroom at 06.30pm.

‘L’Elisir d’Amore’ ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Some people reminded me that I have been neglecting operas recently in my programme so I have chosen two operas for the rest of this quarter. The story of 20

Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

It is the general belief that you can always trust a Donizetti opera for being tuneful through out. Donizetti is the most prolific composer having written over 75 operas in his short life of only 51 years. Most of them were successful and some are real masterpieces. One such www.mcc.co.ke

book reviews

New Arrivals ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT by Erich Maria Remarque Although not a new book, there is a new copy in our library. This outstanding story, by a German author, is unsettling as it could just as easily have been written by a British soldier in the war that was to ‘end all wars.’ The story is told by one of a group of young German schoolmates, who enlist together. They share hardships, which apart from the fighting, include hunger, lice and the thoroughly pointless misery of trench warfare. There are amusing moments describing how they occasionally obtained luxury food items, but we are not spared the horrors of the war’s mass killings. The story’s stark simplicity emphasises what terrible tragedy war brings in its wake.

I WISH I COULD SAY I WAS SORRY… by Susie Kelly Kelly’s personal memoir provokes the thought that surely others should be saying sorry to her: why did she have to apologise? As a child, leaving depressed post-war Britain with her parents, it seemed they were sailing to a brighter future in Kenya, which indeed they were, until her parents split up. Nothing was explained to her, and when her father remarried, matters grew immeasurably worse. Possibly Susie was a difficult teenager, but nothing unusual in that, but when, without warning, she was ‘flung out’ of her home, she did take one step very definitely in the wrong direction.

A compelling account, with interesting glimpses of pre- and post-colonial Kenya, and many names that some readers will remember.

NIGHT RUNNERS by Richard Crompton Kenyans will welcome another Detective Mollel book, this time involving the mysterious night runners. A young girl, Fatuma, suddenly disappears. Her worried sister manages to gain Mollel’s assistance in trying to find her. In so doing he discovers a great deal more than anticipated. Mollel takes his search to some strange and unexpected places including Fatuma’s boarding school, a seedy nightclub, a visit to a witch doctor and to the ever-smouldering Nairobi town rubbish dump. It turns out that Fatuma is not the only one to have ‘disappeared’. Having been a Nairobi-based BBC correspondent for many years, Crompton captures perfectly the atmosphere of the city slums and their sordid nightlife, often ruled by tyrants.

Although readable, his third novel lacks the electrifying action of the others. It speeds up towards the end but one remains disappointingly unclear as to whom these ‘night runners’ actually are.

LIBRARY CHARGES The Library Committee has decided to change the way Members are charged for borrowing books from the Library.

The purpose of this change is to encourage more family members to use the Library by scrapping the need for each member of the family to have individual membership. There will be one number for each family and this will be used by any member to use when borrowing a book.

For this family membership, the charge will be Ksh 3,000/- per annum or pro rata for those families who join sometime later in the FY. Members who wish to keep to a single Membership will be charged Ksh 2,000/- per annum and for visitors the charge for single book will be Ksh 200/-.

It would be very helpful to Daniel in the Library if you could tell him what your family choice is. He will then draw up a list of Family and Single Memberships.

THE MAN BETWEEN by Charles Cummings Successful crime writer Kit Carradine is bored. ‘What you need is an adventure’, his father tells him. Kit, due to attend a Book Festival in Morocco, certainly finds one. After witnessing the kidnap of a right-wing journalist by the Russian terror group, ‘Resurrection’ who later kills her, Kit meets an elusive British Intelligence agent and is instructed to make his visit to Marrakech a cover-up to seek the whereabouts of one Lisa Bartok, who is connected to the terror group, and to deliver various items to her. He identifies her in Marrakech, but despite his own successful spy novels, Kit seems not a very adept undercover agent himself. He helps Lisa leave Morocco, only to have her unaccountably disappear. The plot, though atmospheric in a Bergman-Bogart way, lacks excitement until its final chapters and it is an exercise just to keep apace with who are the ‘goodies’ and who are the ‘baddies’. Nonetheless, this is a book that Le Carré fans may relish.

www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

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a day in the life of...

Interview

A Life in the Day of …

Michael Bell – Ski Instructor & White Water Rafting Guide.

Young MCC Member Michael Bell divides his time between his three passions – in winter he works as a ski instructor, in the summer he is a White Water Raft Guide and, when he is not working, he spends his time kayaking down the most technically difficult rivers he can find in the world. He is based in Interlaken in Switzerland. He is currently on his way to Japan for the ski season there.

What does your work entail?

In the winter I work as a ski instructor at Wengen ski resort in Interlaken in Switzerland. There are four levels of qualification as an instructor. Level 1 covers the basics and takes only beginner groups on the gentle slopes. Level 4 qualifies instructors to ski all over the mountain with advanced skiers. I have reached Level 3 and although I work mostly with children, I also take individuals of different abilities.

In the summer I am a White Water Raft Guide and I steer tourists down the Alpine river Lutchina in inflatable rafts for an exhilarating white water experience. The rafts hold eight people and my responsibility is to ‘read’ the white water and, using different paddle strokes, steer the raft safely through the rapids and falls. When we capsize, which is not uncommon, I have to right the raft and get everybody safely back on board.

How did you come to do this?

When I started my degree in Computer Science at Glasgow University I took on a weekend job teaching skiing to earn some extra money at the nearby ski resort Glenshee. I very soon realised that I much preferred being a ski instructor to studying Computer Science, and my weekends on the slopes soon turned into weeks until eventually I didn’t go back to Uni at all.

When the summer came I went to Canada to do a course in White Water Raft Guiding. This was really to fund my other passion, which is White Water Kayaking, which I first experienced at home in Kenya at Savage Wilderness on the Sagana River. I found I really enjoyed sharing my enjoyment of white water with my clients and I have been doing it every summer since, on rivers in Canada, Iceland, Kenya and now in Switzerland.

Your typical day starts at…?

After a cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant, I start my skiing day at about 9am when the pistes and ski lifts open. I work a lot with children and I usually have a group of between four and seven youngsters in the mornings. If they are beginners we will learn the basics and stick to the gentle ski runs, but very often they are kids wanting to learn to ski better and then we go to higher pistes and learn more technical moves. My morning sessions finish at noon and I will grab a sandwich for lunch. In the afternoons I take private lessons for individuals of all abilities. We finish at about 22

Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

4pm. Sometimes at the weekends I go Night Sledging with clients. We go up the mountain and sledge down through the forests in the dark following the forest trails by lamp light and hope nobody goes in to the trees! It’s very popular.

My rafting days are less intensive and we start at about 8am with the first trip of three in a day in high season. We have to get all the clients into wetsuits - the rivers are high and fast with melt waters from the Alps and it is very cold!

I will give them a safety briefing and then set off down the River Lutchina for 16km, which takes about two hours. The run ends in a lovely little alpine lake and from there the clients are bussed back to base and I set off with the next group. The last run finishes between 7pm and 8pm and once the clients have all gone we have to clear up and wash and dry the wet suits ready for the next day. But in the summer the evenings are long and warm, and I just love messing about on the river.

What is your most memorable occasion?

A recent 14-day kayaking trip through Nepal. Four of us set off down the massive Humla Karnali River from the border of Tibet at 2500m and kayaked the length of river, a total of 385 km, dropping to an altitude of 195m. The trip finished in Chisapani, close to the India border. This particular route has only been done a few times and is not well charted, but the Humla runs through very remote but stunning scenery and we went through a lot of hazardous water! It was bitterly cold to start with at the top but by the time we got down to Chisapani it was quite warm. On average we kayaked seven hours a day – it was exhausting but I am very proud to have finished.

www.mcc.co.ke

a day in the lifeInterview of...

What is the worst part of your job?

Ironically, working outside in the snow or on the river all day can also be the worst part of the job if the weather is bad. White-outs and blizzard conditions in the mountains can be very bleak, likewise, on a rainy miserable day, the cold waters of the river can also be very uninviting. It’s always a bit of a scrabble getting people back into the raft after it has capsized and sometimes people panic which can be exhausting – but it’s all part of the job.

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime after work?

I am also very proud to have started up the Tana River Festival with my friend from Peponi School, Peter Tyrell. It’s an annual white water kayaking event down the Tana River, which takes place during the long rains, when the river is high, so the date is slightly unpredictable. It’s a three-day event with a series of white water races. It’s a great spectator sport and this year we will offer them the chance to raft down the racecourse with a guide so that spectators can feel even more involved.

In the winter when I’m not teaching I go off in the mountains skiing for pleasure. I enjoy Ski Touring, which is when you walk up mountains on special skis with skins on the base and a hinged boot attachment and then ski back down off piste. It’s more demanding and requires more endurance than downhill skiing.

In the summer I spend all my free time and days off kayaking. Otherwise I enjoy going to the pub and hanging out with my girlfriend and friends. Working with people can be quite demanding and there’s an element of danger in the activities we do, we have a lot of responsibility, so it’s nice just to relax with mates. I’m also keen on photography and enjoy making videos from my kayak.

What ambitions/future plans do you have for your work?

What is the best part of your job?

I don’t have any admin or desk work! I also love working in the mountains outside in the snow all day and I can ski as much as I want in my free time and days off. I really enjoy meeting so many different people from many different places and working with children. I get great satisfaction seeing them gain confidence and improve their technique.

In the summer I love being out on the river all day, wearing board shorts and flip-flops to work - I really have no regrets about giving up Computer Science! I can also indulge my passion for kayaking in my free time.

I would like to pass Level 4 in ski instruction so that I can ski in more locations on the mountain, coach people with a higher level of ability and earn more money!

I’d like to do some more big kayaking expeditions to Mexico, for example, or Pakistan - I’d love to tackle the Indus in my kayak! And in Africa, I’d like to go kayaking in the Congo and Rwanda. It’s dangerous, not because of hippos and crocs, but because the water is big and fast and flows through very remote country. If you have a problem you are a long way from help. But’s that’s part of the challenge.

I’d also like to get more into photography and film-making, creating action content for social media.

If you weren’t a Ski Instructor and White Water Raft Guide what would you like to do?

I love my two jobs! I wouldn’t want to do anything else, not least because I can kayak all around the world as well.

And as a child, what did you want to grow up to be?

I have always been drawn towards fast and dangerous activities and as a child I wanted to be a Rally Driver.

www.mcc.co.ke

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

23

h at c h e s

&

m at c h e s

er of

Nico Charles Giancarlo Bonanno Born 22 January 2019, Nairobi, to Robi and Victoria (Mouse) Bonanno er of (nĂŠe Campbell Clause) of Hardy, Nairobi. Little brother to Luca fo re and fourth grandchild to Charles & Juliet Campbell Clause of Karen, Nairobi and fourth grandchild to Gianki & Libba Bonanno of Vipingo.

Kieran Avery & Sarah Davies Kieran Avery, youngest son of Sean and Carol Avery Karen, married Sarah Davies eldest daughter of Simon and Robin Davies of Nandi (and grand daughter to the late Paddy and Anne Cliff of Muthaiga.) The wedding ceremony was held on 13th April 2019 at All Saints Church, Limuru and the Reception was also held in Limuru.

Orla Elizabeth McCorkell Born 19th February 2019, Nairobi, to Lydia (nee Craig) and George McCorkell of Karen. First grandchild to Will and Emma Craig of Lewa and third grandchild to Barry and Lucy McCorkell of Lanarkshire, Scotland.

All newly-weds who send in their wedding photo for publication will be offered a romantic dinner for two with a bottle of House wine, either at Pinks or in the Club Dining Room. Send your photos and details to secretariat@mcc.co.ke and please send high-resolution images.

24

Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

www.mcc.co.ke

reciprocal clubs

Reciprocating Clubs in Zimbabwe The 150-metre, dual-carriage queue of cars is not waiting to enter the Harare Club. Drivers wait patiently by the road around the square leading to the petrol station. Memories of rationing, 40 years earlier, come to mind.

There may be no more sanctions, but now there’s no foreign currency. Harare is depressed and Harare Club is even sadder.

It’s a town Club, located close to the National Art Gallery, Harare Gardens and African Unity Square, where movers and shakers have met for weekday lunches since 1893. They still do, apparently, but at the weekend it’s deserted. Cecil Rhodes, askew in his chipped portrait, glares across the banquet room, over battered chairs scattered round tatty, cloth-covered trestle tables to a flipchart at the far end. The carpet in the empty bar, bereft of drinks or people, is frayed and discoloured, and the dining room looks exhausted.

The clean double bedroom costs fifty dollars. The light socket by the bed is clean too, without so much as a bulb to sully it, while tiles above the bed peel precariously from the ceiling, urgently needing glue. The en suite bathroom is fine, a six-foot bath to wallow in, but the hot tap dribbles tepid and the shower doesn’t work.

The Club is a down-market hotel in all but name. At the edge of the square, away from the petrol queue, the Meikles Hotel is more up-market than ever and a bed there costs ten times as much as the Club. There’s been a recent clean-up of street vendors in the city centre, yet the detritus left behind is not a good advertisement. You’re better off heading for the ’burbs… …or to Bulawayo! Which, if you can find an excuse to do so, is a treat. Immaculate wide roads, the same small bungalows in the same small town, unchanged for half a century. The

www.mcc.co.ke

Matabele people may be more depressed than the Shona in Harare, but they are friendly and welcoming. There are reasonable hotels in town and a glowing beacon amongst them is the Bulawayo Club, one of the gems on Muthaiga’s list of reciprocal memberships. Overlooking the gleaming, polished wooden floor, the reception team is alert, anxious to ensure your stay is a good one. The central atrium is a cool courtyard, fountain splashing in the middle, cold Zambezi beers a perfect complement to excellent burgers and meat dishes. There may be no bread in the shops and not much of anything else, but they are making an effort here and somehow managing to keep costs reasonable. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and breakfast is included in the cost of your room.

A double costs $80 (10% off for reciprocating members) and is in good order: a sparkling bathroom (same six-foot bath with hot water to boot), a hanging tree, kettle, full length mirrors and the comfiest of double beds, immaculatelypressed cotton sheets.

The Club could be a museum, with artefacts and memorabilia collected over 120-odd years of its existence. There is no shying away from imperial or colonial history, and Lobengula and Jairos Jiri are commemorated as much as Rhodes or Gibbs. The dining tables sag with solid silver candlesticks, portraits of the Queen and a newly-wed Duke look fresh, and the jockey’s weighing scale in the entrance hall is as serviceable as it was a century ago. Sadly, surprisingly, the Club is as quiet as a museum. Occasional parties revive raucous memories of the past, but so few people visit Bulawayo that (even though you might find an itinerant traveller’s review on Tripadvisor – yes, the place does allow some non-members to stay there) it is mostly empty. Yet somehow, between the legacy of Thomas Baines’ art and the munificence of remaining loyal Members, this is a shining jewel; a treat for any Member who might wander off the beaten track.

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

25

reciprocal clubs

The Garrick Club

15 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9AY.

This venerable old Club was founded in 1831 by a group of literary gentlemen who declared that the Club would be a place where ‘actors and men of refinement and education might meet on equal terms’.

Named after the great eighteenth century actor David Garrick, the first members were a sophisticated and cosmopolitan group that included twenty-four peers of the realm as well as the most influential writers, actors and musicians of the time. Literary personalities included Charles Dickens, William Thackeray and Anthony Trollope and later JM Barrie, H.G. Wells, A.A. Milne (who bequeathed the Club a quarter of the royalties from his Winnie the Pooh books) and Kingsley Amis.

Theatre greats such as Sir Lawrence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud, composers Elgar and Sullivan and artists John Millais, Lord Leighton and Dante Rossetti, were all members of the Garrick.

Today the Club has around 1,300 members including many of the most distinguished actors and writers in England. The original assurance of the committee, “that it would be better that ten unobjectionable men should be excluded than one terrible bore should be admitted”, ensures that the lively atmosphere for which the Club was so well-known in the nineteenth century continues to invigorate members of the Club today.

When we visited the Garrick Club, despite the imposing entrance and grand staircase hung with oils of famous British Thespians, we found it warm and welcoming. The Club’s most distinguishing feature is its flamboyantly colourful décor and antique furniture, reminiscent of an earlier period of British splendour.

The Club holds a remarkable collection of art works representing the history of the British theatre. With over 1000 paintings and drawings, a selection of theatrical memorabilia, and thousands of photographs, it is much the largest and most comprehensive in existence.

The Garrick has seventeen en-suite bedrooms all fully airconditioned, with Wi-Fi, TV and tea & coffee making facilities.

There are several reception rooms, two bars, and a dining room and the Coffee Room is open for pre-theatre dinner. We found both the service and food was excellent.

The Club has a very convivial ambiance and we chatted with some members who welcomed meeting and talking to us, but it is expensive, so be prepared to pay for the quality of food, service and the name of the establishment.

The Garrick Club is conveniently situated in the heart of London’s West End and Theatre-land, in Old Covent Garden.

The nearest underground stations are Leicester Square and Covent Garden (Piccadilly/Northern lines).

Jagdish Sondhi

The Tollygunge Club

Kolkata, India

I had the great pleasure of spending an afternoon at The Tollygunge Club, Kolkata with Deputy CEO Colonel Gautam Nandy. The Club has a rich store of legends and anecdotes, which the Colonel was kind enough to share with me.

Located 9km from Kolkata city centre, it has a traditional, yet contemporary feel. Sitting on the veranda overlooking the 18hole golf course, it was a peaceful contrast from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets just beyond the gated complex.

The Tollygunge Club, popularly called Tolly, is ranked amongst the top 20 Clubs of the world. A Scottish banker, William Cruickshank, established the club in 1895, in the neighbourhood of Kolkata, then called Calcutta, as a meeting place for British merchants and bankers, who sought refuge from the sweltering city.

It began as an equestrian sports facility offering its members all the usual privileges of a residential and Gymkhana Club. It is spread over 100 acres with a Clubhouse that is over two centuries old and today offers facilities for golf, tennis, squash, swimming and equestrian sports.

There is also a well-equipped gym, Bridge Room, Billiards Room, Cyber Cafe, Hair Salon and Ayurvedic Centre.

26

Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

As I chatted with Col Nandy I sampled some Indian delicacies including Idli (savoury rice cakes) and a sweet treat of Jalebis (deep fried batter soaked in syrup.)

We rode a golf cart around the beautiful grounds, which were originally an indigo plantation. The Club boasts an exceptional collection of tropical plants, brought into India from around the world by the many travellers passing through during the days of the Empire. These provide a sanctuary for a dazzling variety of exotic birds.

On this Sunday afternoon there were many golfers out on the fairways, no doubt burning off the calories from the Club’s delicious, traditional Sunday curry lunch.

Sports apart, Tolly offers members a range of entertainment from open-air theatre to music and dancing. Excellent cuisine is available in its restaurants, pavilions and well-stocked bars. There is also a pastry hut and an ice-cream parlour. I spent time in the stables meeting the horses, some of which have been rescued by the Club, and I also visited the large library that has an extensive selection of books, with a bookcase dedicated to Club members who have written books themselves.

Tolly has 67 newly furbished, airconditioned suites and residential ensuite rooms, with separate conference and banqueting facilities.

Tolly was a great introduction to India for me.

Ciera Mullan www.mcc.co.ke

obituaries

Maeve (Chou Chou) Upson Most people knew Chou Chou as an exceptional horse and stock woman.

Her knowledge of both sheep and horses was immense and she was Chairman of both Scotland and Ireland’s Charolais Sheep Societies.

Born in 1930, to Royal Navy Lt Commander Robert Dring and Louise, a red-headed beauty, socialite and golfing pro, Chou Chou grew up in County Cork, Ireland with her two older sisters. She went to school locally where she met her life-long friend Liza Burrell (nee Dawson) who shared her passion for horses. The two girls enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with gymkhanas, hunting and competing.

After school, Chou Chou went to London to the Monkey Club - a Finishing School - but her heart was really with horses and she and Liza took on jobs working for racing and polo stables. Liza married young and moved to Kenya with her new husband.

The story goes that Chou Chou soon received a telegram from Mrs Liza Burrell saying - “Sell the pony” STOP “Come to Kenya” STOP “Lots of horses” STOP “Lots of lovely men” STOP.

Ian Fox

November 1930 - August 2018

Needing no further encouragement, Chou Chou embarked for Kenya in 1956. From Mombasa she took a train to Kipkabus and met Peter Upson three weeks later. They were married in Kipkabus Church in 1957 and four children followed in the next four years.

At Kipkabus Peter and Chou Chou ran a mixed farm, and enjoyed a carefree life of parties, polo weekends and safaris, but after independence they left Kenya and bought a farm in Spain where Chou took up breeding pure Ile de France sheep. In 1982 they moved to farm in Scotland where Chou started breeding Charolais sheep with great success winning at dozens of shows.

When they moved to farm in County Wexford in Ireland Chou excelled in the sheep world of breeding and showing, particularly her Charolais.

Peter died of kidney cancer in 2004 and soon after Chou Chou returned to live in Laikipia.

the belief that a woman could do anything a man could do (like pullstarting a 40HP engine!) She was a woman of principle, manners and tradition and her views were held with the stubborn belief of her Irish heritage.

Chou Chou was an immensely proud woman who never forgot her upbringing. A strong woman, who did not suffer fools and who championed

She is survived by her four children Jasper, twins Bimbi (Dyer) and Delulu and Alex, and seven grand children.

She was a Member of MCC for 15 years.

September 1933 - March 2019 married Shirley and had two daughters, Sharon (Gent) and Janine (Angell.)

In 1970 he joined the insurance brokers, Minets, which later became AON Minet, and became Managing Director. He married Christine in 1972 and they had a son, Andrew, in 1973. Christine had two children, Netty (Munn) and Tony Davies.

He loved boating and they spent most weekends in Naivasha where they kept their boat and were members of the Marina Club.

Ian Fox was born in Southport, in Lancashire, UK. After finishing school and completing National Service he moved to Kenya and joined the police.

Visiting the UK on leave, he met and www.mcc.co.ke

In 1979 he and the family moved to England where he became Managing Director of Minet International. This involved travelling to many countries, which he enjoyed. Christine joined him whenever she could and together they saw a lot of the world.

Ian retired aged 58 and he enjoyed playing golf for several years. He and Christine returned to Kenya regularly for holidays with their three daughters still living there. Ian always enjoyed his music and when they lived in Kenya they were invited to many parties as the "music man," as he was one of the first to have a cassette player!

Sadly ill health began with heart and vascular problems, which went on for several years. Christine cared for him unstintingly until he died.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He is sadly missed by his family and friends.

He was a Life Member of MCC having joined the Club in 1975.

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

27

obituaries

Jonathan Björn Seex

Jonathan was born in Mombasa but grew up in Sweden with his mother Britt-Marie and sister Joanna. As the son of Chris Seex, the founder of Tamarind Restaurant in Mombasa, Jonathan knew at an early age that he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. After completing school and Military Service in Sweden, Jonathan joined his father's old hotel school in Glion, Switzerland, and it was there he met Nadege, who he later married.

Straight from hotel school in 1999 he and Nadege went to work at Boca Raton Resort in Florida; Jonathan as Assistant Director of Finance and Financial

Rajinder Kapila Rajinder Kapila was born in Nairobi on 23 April 1927 and passed away on Saturday 5 January 2019 aged 91.

He completed his initial education in Nairobi and from 1947 to 1954 taught maths at City Primary School. Between 1954 and 1957 he lived in London and was called to the Bar at Lincolns Inn. Thereafter he practised Law in Nairobi, initially at the City Council and then in private practice.

He met and married Saroj Kapila in 1960 in Delhi, India and she accompanied him by ship to Kenya, where they lived first in Kabete, then Lavington and finally Runda.

Rajinder’s true passion was always competitive sport. He was a great athlete and excelled at volleyball, middle distance running, cricket, soccer and hockey.

Later in life he was a keen Club tennis player and a single handicap golfer playing golf well into his 80s. He was the Captain of Muthaiga Golf Club in 1984 and subsequently the Chairman in 1985.

As well as being a physical athlete 28

Muthaiga Country Club July–September 2019

August 1973 – March 2019 Analyst. In 2005 they moved to North Carolina where Jonathan worked as General Manager and Vice President at the lakefront Ridges Resort.

Jonathan returned to Kenya with Nadege in 2007 and, following a beautiful wedding at Tamarind Mombasa with the wedding dinner on the Tamarind Dhow, Jonathan joined Tamarind Management as Director of Business Development.

In March 2018 Jonathan fulfilled an ambition and opened the Tamarind Tree Hotel, close to the Carnivore Restaurant.

He was hands-on in every aspect during the setting up of the hotel to ensure that his vision was executed perfectly.

He wanted the hotel to suit the modern traveller and provided a facility that is youthful, vibrant and full of energy.

Jonathan became CEO of the Tamarind Group in 2018, 40 years after his father started the company, and just a year before we received the terrible news on 10 March, that the Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi that Jonathan was on, had crashed.

In business Jonathan was an inspiring leader who guided and supported his

staff, he was an excellent communicator, and a visionary who turned ideas into action.

Jonathan enjoyed keeping fit and, with his Swedish heritage, he also cared strongly about our environment. He had recently taken up cycling and before the tragic accident, he was co-organising a seven-day charity cycling challenge from Nairobi to the Coast. The inaugural event will now be held in Jonathan's honour.

His spirit, determination and passion for this event will be carried forward.

The proceeds will go towards projects such as protecting water catchments and collecting plastic waste for conversion into usable energy.

Jonathan was caring, generous and funny and he loved his family dearly. He is survived by his mother Britt-Marie, his wife Nadege and his three children Alexandre, Antoine and Adeline.

Jonathan will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends in Kenya, France and Sweden.

He was a Member of MCC for eight years.

Britt-Marie Seex

April 1927 – January 2019 he was an accomplished and extremely competitive Bridge player - a game that kept him mentally sharp and something he enjoyed with Saroj, his life-long Bridge partner, right until his last weeks.

His mental alertness was truly a marvel. He could recall birthdays and telephone numbers with ease and didn’t need to resort to a mobile phone.

What many friends and family remember about him was his kind, jovial and confident personality. There are numerous instances where friends recall how he helped and assisted them in their businesses or careers without any hesitation.

He was a loving husband to Saroj and a mentor to his two sons Anuj and Rahul.

He is a grandfather to Anika and Anjali, both of whom are also active Members of MCC, and he served as a wonderful role model to all the younger generation of a large and widespread Kapila clan.

Rajinder absolutely loved spending time at MCC and visited it almost daily in his later years, often just to have a coffee.

He frequently met friends and relatives there, which gave him great pleasure; he particularly loved the grilled Fish & Chips at Pinks!

A determined, self-made man, husband, father and grandfather, Rajinder remained physically fit and mentally alert until the end. We celebrate and remember, with great affection, a life well lived. Rajinder was a dedicated Member of MCC for 33 years.

Anuj Kapila www.mcc.co.ke

candidates being considered for membership CANDIDATES BEING CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP 1 JUNE TO 31 JULY 2019

CANDIDATES BEING CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP 1 JULY TO 31 AUGUST 2019

Proposer Candidate Category

Proposer Candidate Category

Toby Dunn

Mairo Dunn

FC

Chandan Gidoomal

Shalini Gidoomal

FT

Robert Mbugua

Joseph Eshun - Nina Pendaeli - Kobena Eshun - Akosua Eshun

ST ST JFST JFST

Dana Tilson

Harold Zagunis - Tamara Krautkramer

ST ST

Kihara Kariuki

Anthony Mbogua

FT

Julia Matthewman

Ankit Sanghrajka - Sneha Mehta - Aleya Sanghrajka

FT FT U7

Judy Macharia

Jonathan Ojany

FT

Charles Ogalo

Edward Oyugi

FT

Christopher Evans

Anuj Mediratta - Savir Mediratta

FT JFT

Eric Kimani

John Kashangaki - Byera Kashangaki - Daria Kashangaki

FT JFT JFT

James Gacoka

John Masaba - Linda Waiganjo - Deborah Masaba - Donnel Masaba - Geovanni Masaba - Myles Masaba

FT FT JFT JFT U7 U7

Arnold Lustman

Young Choi

FT

Gideon Moi

Christopher Obure

FT

Paul Owora

William Ouko - Joy Ouko

FT JFT

Mugo Kibati

Paul Wariithi - Flora Mutahi

FT FT

Evans Githua

Joseph Mbugua - Linda Kabugi - Ethan Mbai - Moshe Mbai

FT FT JFT U7

Eric Mungai

Andrew Dawson

FT

Eric Kimani

Bipinchandra Sanghrajka - Bharati Sanghrajka

FT FT

Eric Kimani

Ami Sanghrajka

FT

Kibuga Kariithi

Isaac Wandere - Adrian Wandere - Denzel Wandere - Leo Wandere

FT JFT U7 U7

Daniel Ndonye - - -

Doreen Mbogho Neema Karanja Rehema Karanja Zawadi Karanja

FT U7 U7 U7

Charles Njonjo

Jeni Kenyatta-Gecaga

FT

Edward Meaby

Adam Chapman

FT

C.P.V. Walker

Michael Spencer

NR

Alfred Lenana

Winnie Nyambura - Njeru Gachuba - Thuku Gachuba - Nyakio Gachuba

FT FT JFT U7

Philip Odera

Charles Mudiwa - Susan Mudiwa - Mutsa Mudiwa

FT FT JFT

William Coulson

Edward Morrison - Victoria Morrison

Ian Craig

Adrian Paul

FC

Nisheel Shah - Jasal Patel

FT FT

Transition from Short Term to Full

Nicolas Stokes

Victor Gitobu

Robert Muchoki

Susan Kirima

FT

Andrew Musangi

Fredrick Ngari - Anne Murimi - Isaac Murimi - Jacob Murimi

FT FT JFT JFT

DEATHS

The Club regrets to announce the deaths of the following Members IAN FOX on 6 March 2019 JOHN POULTON on 23 March 2019 JUDITH THAM on 25 April 2019 LYNDA BURNETT on 30 April 2019 JEREMIAH KIEREINI on 13 May 2019 ALEXANDER KYRIAZI on 19 May 2019 PEGGY BARKAS on 6 June 2019 MICHAEL KLASS on 29 May 2019 BEULAH ZANETTI ATKINSON on 7 June 2019 If anyone would like to publish an obituary for a Member who has died recently, please send a tribute and photograph of the deceased to the secretariat@mcc.co.ke

www.mcc.co.ke

FT F(18-9R) FT

SWEEPSTAKES MAY 2019 Prize

Member Name

Amount

1st

Kuldip Kaur Guram

71,638.00

2nd

Charles Karani Nyamu

35,819.00

3rd

Robert William Harte

20,468.00

4th

Peter J. Ruysenaars

20,468.00

5th

David Arnold Neville Hopkins

15,351.00

6th

Sally J. Share

10,234.00

7th

Philip McLellan

10,234.00

8th

Geoffrey Lukale Okang’a

10,234.00

9th

Robert Dewar

10,234.00

SWEEPSTAKES JUNE 2019 Prize

Member Name

Amount

1st

John Ngumi

71,638.00

2nd

Simon N. C. Herd

35,819.00

3rd

Geoffrey Lukale Okang’a

20,468.00

4th

Frank Kamunde Mwongera

20,468.00

5th

Vijoo Rattansi

15,351.00

6th

Alastair M. Addison

10,234.00

7th

Hosea Kiplagat

10,234.00

8th

Charles Harris Bryant

10,234.00

9th

Peter Mburu Burugu

10,234.00

July–September 2019 Muthaiga Country Club

29

MCC reciprocates with 114 Clubs in 24 countries around the world. The Reciprocity Committee invests a great deal of time ensuring that these Clubs are worthy of our association and Members are encouraged to submit brief reports if they visit or stay at any one of them. These reports will be published for the benefit and interest of other Members who may be planning to travel overseas.

For more information and contact details of reciprocating Clubs please contact the Secretary’s office.

MCC reciprocates with 114 Clubs in 24 countries around the world. The Reciprocity Committee invests a great IRELAND UK AUSTRALIA deal of time ensuring that these Clubs are worthy of our association and Members are encouraged to submit Kildare Street and University Club Dublin Army & Navy Club London Adelaide Club Adelaide brief reports if they visit or stay at any one of them.

These reports will be published for the benefit and interest The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club Dublin Buck’s Club London Athenaeum Club Melbourne of other Members who may be planning to travel overseas.

Cardiff & County Club Cardiff Australian Club Melbourne Melbourne JAPAN Carlton Club London Commonwealth Club Canberra For more information and contact details of reciprocating Clubs please contact the Secretary’s office.

City of London Club London Melbourne Club Melbourne Queensland Club AUSTRAL IA Club of Australia Royal Automobile

Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Adelaide Brisbane Melbourne Hobart Melbourne Sydney Canberra Melbourne Perth Melbourne

Royal Automobile Club of Victoria Adelaide Club Tattersall’s AthenaeumClub Club Tasmanian Club Melbourne Australian Club Union, University & Schools Club Commonwealth Club Melbourne Weld Club Club Melbourne Savage Club Naval Military and Airforce AUSTRIA of South Australia Adelaide St. Johanns Club Club of Australia Vienna Royal Automobile Sydney Royal Automobile Club of Victoria Melbourne BOLIVIA Tattersall’s Club Brisbane Tasmanian Club Hobart Circulo de La Union La Paz Union, University & Schools Club Sydney United Service Club Brisbane BELGIUM Weld Club Perth Western Australian Perth International Club Club Chateau Sainte-Anne Brussels AUSTRIA CANADA St. Johanns Club Vienna Granite Club Toronto B OLIVIA Rideau Club Ottawa The Hamilton Club Hamilton Circulo de La Union La Paz The National Club Toronto B ELGIUM The Ranchmen’s Club Calgary International Chateau Sainte-Anne Brussels Union Club ofClub British Columbia Victoria University Club of Montreal Montreal CAN ADA University Club of Toronto Toronto Cypress Club Medicine Hat Vancouver Club Vancouver Granite Club Toronto The Hamilton Club Hamilton CARIBBEAN The National Club Toronto West Indies YachtClub Club Caribbean The Ranchmen’s Calgary Terminal City Club Vancouver CHILE Union Club of British Columbia Victoria University Club of Montreal Montreal Club De La Union Santiago University Club of Toronto Toronto Vancouver Club Vancouver FRANCE CH ILE Cercle de l’Union Interalliee Paris ClubTravellers De La Union Santiago The Club Paris F RANCE GERMANY Cercle de l’Union Interalliee Anglo-German Club E.V The Travellers Club Union International Club GERMANY Anglo-German HONG KONG Club E.V Union International Club The Hong Kong Club HONG KONG INDIA The Hong Kong Club

Paris Hamburg Paris Frankfurt Hamburg Frankfurt Hong Kong Hong Kong

Tollygunge Kolkata IN DIA Club Ltd Umed Club Jodhpur Tollygunge Club Ltd Kolkata Ootacamund Club Ooty, Tamil Nadu Umed Club Club Jodhpur Secunderabad Secunderabad Ootacamund Club Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu Bangalore Club Bangalore

Tokyo American Club

Tokyo

ILUXEMBOURG NDI A continued Secunderabad Club Secunderabad Cercle Munster Luxembourg Bangalore Club Bangalore MALAYSIA I RE L AND The Royal Lake Club Kuala Lumpur Kildare Street and University Club Dublin NETHERLANDS The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club Dublin The Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte The Hague JAPAN Royal Industrieele Groote Club Amsterdam Tokyo American Club Tokyo NEW ZEALAND LUXE M BOU RG Christchurch Club Cercle Munster The Canterbury Club Inc. M AL AWBay I Club Hawke’s The Northern Club Mulika The Wellington Club

Christchurch Luxembourg Christchurch Napier Auckland Blantyre Wellington

NE THE RL A N D S PAKISTAN The Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De WitteThe Sind Club Karachi Hague SINGAPORE N E W Z E AL A N D Tanglin Club Christchurch Club The Canterbury SOUTH AFRICAClub Inc. Hawke’s Bay Club Cape Town Club

The ClubJohannesburg The Northern Country Club The Wellington Durban Club Club Inanda Club SKelvin I NG APO E GroveR Club Port Elizabeth Tanglin Club St. Georges Club The Pretoria Country Club SRand OUTH Club AF R IC A Cape SPAINTown Club The Country Club Johannesburg Circulo Ecuestre Durban Club Real Gran Peña Inanda Club SRI LANKA Kelvin Grove Club Port Elizabeth The Hill Club St. Georges Club The Pretoria Country Club SWEDEN Rand Club

Singapore Christchurch Christchurch CapeNapier Town Auckland Johannesburg Wellington Durban Johannesburg Cape Town PortSingapore Elizabeth Pretoria Johannesburg Cape Town Johannesburg Barcelona Durban Madrid Johannesburg Cape Town Port Elizabeth Nuwara Eliya Pretoria Johannesburg

Club Sällskapet S PAI N

Stockholm

THAILAND Circulo Ecuestre

Barcelona

Real Gran Peña The British Club, Bangkok

Madrid Bangkok

STURKEY RI L ANKA The Hill ClubCercle d’Orient Buyuk Kulup

Nuwara Eliya Istanbul

T HAI L AND The British Club, Bangkok

Bangkok

Farmer’s Club London U K Garrick Club London Hurlingham London Army & Navy Club Club London Lansdowne Club London Boodle’s London Leander Club Henley-on-Thames, Buck’s London Naval Club London Cardiff & County Club Cardiff Norfolk Club Club Norwich Carlton London Northern Counties Newcastle City of London ClubClub London Oriental Club Club Farmer’s London Hurlingham Club London Oxford & Cambridge Club Ipswich & Suffolk Club Ipswich Phyllis Court Club Henley-on-Thames, Lansdowne Club London Reform Club London Leander Henley-on-Thames, Royal Air Force Club London Naval London Royal Club Automobile Club Northern Counties Club Newcastle Royal Over-Seas League London Nottingham Savile Club & Notts United Services Nottingham London The London The Oriental Athenaeum Liverpool Oxford & Cambridge Club London The Boodle’s London Phyllis Court Club Henley-on-Thames, The Caledonian Club London The London The Reform Cavalry Club & Guards Club London Royal Air Force Club London The Clifton Club Bristol Royal Automobile Club London The East India Club London Royal Over-Seas League London The In & Out Naval & Military Club London Savile Club London The New Club Cheltenham The Athenaeum Liverpool The New Club Edinburgh The Caledonian Club London The Norfolk Club Norwich The Cavalry & Guards London The Royal Northern & University Club Aberdeen The Clifton Club Bristol The Royal Scots Club Edinburgh The East India Club London The New Sloane Club London The Club Cheltenham The New St. James Manchester The ClubClub Edinburgh The Norfolk Western Club Club Glasgow The Norwich Travellers London The Royal Club Northern & University Club Aberdeen TurfRoyal Club Scots Club London The Edinburgh Ulster Reform Club Belfast The Sloane Club London The St James Club Manchester USATravellers Club The London The Glasgow The Western Army & Club Navy Club Washington DC The TurfClub Club London Cosmos Washington DC Ulster Reform Club Belfast Harvard Club of New York City New York Vincent’s Club Oxford The Explorers Club New York The New York U S APrinceton Club The Saturn Club Buffalo City, NY State The Army & Navy Club Washington DC The Standard Club Chicago Colony Club New York Union Club of Boston Boston Cosmos Club Washington DC University Club of Cincinnati Cincinnati The Princeton Club New York The Saturn University Club DC The Club BuffaloWashington City, NY State The Standard Yale ClubClub of New York City New York The Chicago Union Club of Boston Boston ZIMBABWE The University Club of Washington Washington DC Bulawayo Bulawayo The Yale Club of New York City New York Harare Club Harare ZI MB A B W E Bulawayo Harare Club

Bulawayo Harare

MU THA IGA C OUNTRY CLUB P.O.Box 16526, Nairobi 00620, Kenya Email secretary@mcc.co.ke, accounts@mcc.co.ke, reservations@mcc.co.ke,exec.chef@mcc.co.ke, events@mcc.co.ke

www.mcc.co.ke