ACTIVITIES
The programme includes occasional talks, coffee mornings, luncheons, receptions, concerts and other cross-cultural activities designed to promote friendship and understanding between women of member countries and likeminded organisations. Some events are purely social; most are organised to raise funds for the Scholarship and Training Scheme. They are held in a variety of interesting locations, from private homes and clubs to Embassies and High Commissions. All are of interest and many are great fun. Accounts of several of these appear below.
The major fund raising event is the ASIAN FEAST held annually at one of the Asian Embassies or High Commissions, where member countries provide dishes for which they are famous. The wonderful selection of food is always appreciated and enjoyed by members and their guests.
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FUND RAISING AND OTHER EVENTS IN 2006/2007
The Asian Feast 2007
Despite very unpromising English summer weather, the Asian Feast 2007, held on 28th May, was a smashing success. The venue was the attractive setting of the Residence and garden of the Embassy of the Philippines, thanks the generous hospitality of HE the Ambassador, Mr Edgardo Espiritu and Mrs Lydia Espiritu. Not only was Mrs Espiritu a wonderful hostess for the day, but was very hands-on in the setting-up, while His Excellency took time out of his very busy schedule to open the event and meet the guests. Their kindness is much appreciated.
Every year we rely on the enduring support of the member countries for the Feast and this year, eleven of our member states took part, again offering a wonderful spread of exotic cuisine from their home countries. Warm and grateful thanks go to the patrons and representatives from India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Vietnam for their hard work and wonderful food and also to China for the donation of wine. To add a finishing touch to this banquet, English desserts were provided by the British committee members.
The Asian Feast 2007
The record turnout of members, guests and friends not only enjoyed the food, but were able to shop at the Bring & Buy stall, which included a selection of home-made jams, as well as some very attractive bric-a-brac. The Abbassi Foundation stall with its beautiful hand-made shawls made by a Pakistani women's cooperative was a great draw, as were the equally attractive embroideries from Palestine and jewellery and handicrafts from the Philippines. Rounding off the event was the Grand Raffle, making for a very enjoyable and satisfactory day from which the Women's Council Scholarship Fund benefited by £4,500.
We now look forward to next year.
Early in the year Patron Mrs Sasin Monvoisin, wife of the Thai Ambassador gave a luncheon for supporters at The Royal Thai Embassy in Central London where national dishes were served to great approval from an audience who also wondered at the skill of fruit and vegetable carvers who produced exquisite examples of their craft. This was the second luncheon Mrs Monvoisin (who has recently left London) had hosted for the Women's Council and her generous support was very much appreciated.
A continual programe of fund raising events is necessary to fund the Scholarship and Training Courses, some large scale and some rather smaller. All are of interest and many are great fun, especially when they offer something rather different, such as our two luncheons at the Japanese restaurant in Swiss Cottage.
EXHIBITION OF THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL’S ARCHIVES AT THE NEHRU CENTRE
In early March 2007 the Women's Council was granted the privilege of holding a week long exhibition of its archives and work by women artists from member countries at the NEHRU CENTRE in Central London. This culminated in a special evening marking International Women's Day attended by the Indian High Commissioner HE Mr Kamalesh Sharma and his wife Mrs Babli Sharma, the Nehru Centre’s Director, Mrs Monika Kapil Mohta, and by several of the Council's Patrons.
The exhibition was well attended and grateful thanks were given to the staff of the Nehru Centre for all their help and advice throughout the week. JKN
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Thursday 19th April 2007
This year's AGM was held at the Ismaili Centre and was chaired by the President, Mrs Douglas Montagu-Douglas-Scott who welcomed over 50 members and representatives from other organisations including the Pakistani Association, Welcome to London and Corona Worldwide.
Following elections Dr Frances Moore showed two short films which illustrated the importance of inclusive education and gave an absorbing account of her most recent visit to the Centre in Mumbai together with her evaluation of the course and its usefulness.
This was followed by tea which provided a good opportunity for members and guests to meet and chat. A full report of this friendly and informative meeting will be circulated to members in due course. The 2007 course has now ended; photographs of the participants and their reports are expected very soon. Below is a photograph of Mrs Prue Chalker, a course tutor, assessing the presentations of an earlier group of participants.
A FASHION SHOW
The first of two fashion shows was arranged as a fund raising event for the Women's Council.
Members of the Women's Council and their friends were entertained to a fashion show and luncheon at the Knightsbridge home of Mrs Salwa Mayassi, in aid of the Scholarship Fund. Wonderful colourful traditional Arab dresses from Salwa's private collection were modelled by her daughter and young friends much to the delight and great interest of everyone present. The luncheon of eastern fare was marvelled at and much enjoyed.
COFFEE MORNING FOR PATRONS AT ST. JAMES'S PALACE
On 7th September a Coffee Morning was held at St. James' Palace through the kind offices of Sir Anthony Figgis. The purpose of this event is to provide an opportunity for Trustees and Committee Members to thank the Patrons and others for their support during the year. It is also an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss present and future plans for fundraising events. There was a wonderfully friendly atmosphere and Sir Anthony's potted history of the Palace was greatly enjoyed. Committee Members and Trustees mingled happily and there was much animated conversation and discussion.
On behalf of Dr. Frances Moore (our Hon. Training Officer), Miss Antonia Derry gave a report on the course which had been held in Mumbai at the beginning of the year, progress on the one planned for 2008 and the Committee's hopes that a Pan Arab Course would be held during the year. This was followed by a short update on the state of the website and an encouragement to members to make full use of it. Lady Kings Norton then wound up the meeting with thanks to Sir Anthony, to our Patrons for their continued interest and support, and to all others who had given assistance to the Council during the year.
LUNCHEON AT THE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S CLUB
Enjoying luncheon at The University Women's Club
Abigail Kirby-Harris, who organised this event, writes: "The Autumn Luncheon was again held at the University Women's Club and this year's speaker was Jane Bennett-Powell who spoke on her career as a journalist with the BBC. In the aftermath of the Tsunami she visited Tamil Nadu to make a documentary on how well the region, and its people was recovering from this catastrophe and she spoke with humour and compassion on what she saw and filmed. She now works as a freelance and has travelled extensively and there was a lively question and answer session on some of her experiences - some quite hair-raising! There was a good attendance of members and their guests and the new mobile display, illustrating the activities of the Women's Council, assembled by Fatimah Gamage and Jane Krenz helped to introduce our work to the newcomers. A delicious meal, interesting speaker and good company - what more could we want?"
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON AT THE NATIONAL LIBERAL CLUB
The Christmas luncheon was held, once again, in the splendid dining room of the National Liberal Club on 12th December. As a change from ' turkey and all the trimmings' there was choice of a delicious venison casserole, a fish dish and a vegetarian option; the three delicious desserts were also all equally tempting. The raffle had some excellent prizes - and several lucky ladies took home with them one of the poinsettias which decorated each table.
Although this is primarily a social event, it nevertheless raised £500 for the Scholarship and Training Fund, mainly through generous support of the raffle, all the prizes for which had been donated.
Christmas Luncheon 2007 at the National Liberal Club
FUNDRAISING CONCERT
Distinguished pianist Gail Chan who is, perhaps, better known to Women's Council members as Hon. Vice President Gail Molesworth, gave a Piano Recital at the Policy Embassy to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of The City and Shoreditch Rotary Club in aid of Children at Risk and the Women's Council. Lady Kings Norton told the Committee that it had been a splendid evening, beginning with a champagne reception. Gail Chan's accomplished performance was followed by a buffet dinner and the evening concluded with an auction and raffle. The Council is most grateful to Gail Chan for her magnificent support. It is not yet known how much was raised for The Scholarship and Training Fund.
WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Members of the Executive Committee are often invited to represent the Council at functions hosted by Patrons of the Council; functions organised by member associations are frequently open to members of the Women's Council.
FIWAL (Federation of International Women's Associations in London) held a Spring fashion show and luncheon and, as one of its 35 member clubs, The Women's Council was well represented. Held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, Knightsbridge, it featured the unique contemporary designs of Linda Wrigglesworth based on original examples of the classic dress worn by China's elite mandarin class during the imperial Manchu dynasty. The beautiful sophisticated flowing gowns, coats and jackets were modelled showing timeless beauty firmly rooted in the past, and the audience were spellbound as parasols whirled and peacock coloured silks rustled and created an alluring sense of mystery.
PERWAKILAN-LONDON
Our Chairman, Joan Lady Kings Norton, was a guest at a luncheon organised by Perwakilan-London, an organisation of Malaysian ladies led by their President, Datin Munah Abdul Razak, wife of HE the High Commissioner of Malaysia. Although quite small in size, with a membership of 45, Perwakilan is large in its enthusiastic fund raising for charities back home. Their target on this occasion was to raise RM10,000 from the proceeds of the Luncheon (organised in partnership with the Malaysia: Truly Asian Kitchen programme), the sale of cookery books and a raffle. A highlight of the event was a talk on Malaysia's palace cuisine and a cooking demonstration by celebrity Chef Wan, flown in for the occasion. Chef Wan is a man of many talents and he entertained his audience with amusing stories while he demonstrated his culinary skills.
In her speech, Lady Kings Norton said how good it was to see people of all races, religions and cultures joining together to enjoy Malaysian food. She also commended Perwakilan-London for the support it has given to the Women's Council.
COFFEE WITH LADIES FROM THE JAPANESE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
Vice President Ruth Whitehouse represented the Women's Council at a coffee morning last autumn and her report follows;
"I was very privileged to attend the Japanese Women's Association Coffee morning held at Japan House on the outskirts of Regents Park on a beautiful autumnal day, Thursday 4th October on behalf of the W.C.
The Ladies of the Association were most welcoming and the Patron for Japan - Mrs Geraldine Nogami (told me amongst other things that she realised she had to learn to read the language as well as speak it, when her children brought forms home from school for her to sign!
An American lawyer/artist gave an illustrated talk on the different book covers used world-wide on the Harry Potter books and how the Japanese version which he produced was chosen - this was in fluent Japanese as he had studied it at University but was interpreted for me by my English speaking neighbour. I found it most interesting as I had no idea that each Country had it's own cover on the editions and thoroughly enjoyed my morning."
DIARY OF EVENTS 2008
including those of affiliated organisations to which Women's Council members are welcome
PLEASE REMEMBER TO ENCLOSE A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE WITH CHEQUE MADE PAYABLE TO THE APPROPRIATE ORGANISATION!!
FIWAL PRESIDENTS' LUNCH - Monday 24th November 2008, 11.45am - 2.30pm.
The Lansdowne Club
WOMENS COUNCIL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON - Wednesday 10th December 2008
at the National Liberal Club. With pianist.
A PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR 2009 WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY
OTHER EVENTS Garden parties, concerts, luncheons and dinners, cultural displays and visits plus tea parties and coffee mornings will also form part of the fund raising programme.
Members of the Women's Council receive full details of forthcoming events as soon as the dates are finalized. To make sure you receive these, BECOME A MEMBER. Annual membership is £15. Life Membership, £150.
POSSIBLE MEMBERS EVENTS
Please select the events you may be interested in and send this form to the Membership Secretary