The 70^th Jubilee year came within my tenure as Chairman of the BWC… how very special!

The long awaited party finally came to fruition on 18^th June, 2016 organised by the joint chairladies Jayne and Heike.  Andrew Gardiner was our Master of Ceremonies.

The framed notice in the centre of the photo is the announcement of the Annual General Meeting in 1947.  This notice was sent to me by an absolute stranger who ‘rescued’ the notice from a house clearance in Halifax UK.  He thought it should be returned to its rightful owners!  How timely!  I framed the notice immediately and this, along with a large amount of memorabilia researched and sent in by past members, was on show during the evening of the party.

Jayne and Heike set up a team to help them with the organisation:  Margot, Joanna, Pat, Desiré  and Catherine who, over several months, gave a lot of their time and multi-talents to the success of the party as well as organising various events leading up to the big night.

I was very fortunate to have the pleasure of the company of bishop Dr Gerhard Meyer at the top table who, once all were assembled at the tables, said the Grace.  He was accompanied by the Reverend James Crofts of the Anglican Mission of Saint Thomas.

With her usual aplomb, Honorary Member Joyce gave a delightful presentation on the ‘Great Dames’ of the BWC.  This, together with other speeches will be incorporated in the special 70^th edition magazine planned to be produced by the end of 2016.

The evening meal was a buffet comprising lamb, chicken and fish with accompanying vegetables, rice and potatoes.  Preceding the buffet was a starter of many small dishes of tasty dips and bread rolls.

One of the highlights was undoubtedly the presentation of Seven Decades of Dance which Catherine choreographed so beautifully.

Of course, who really stole the limelight was Andreas Frege – better known as Campino, singer of the rock band the ‘Toten Hosen’ and son of Jennie Frege, a highly respected and loved past chairman of the BWC.

He and his sister Elisabeth held very moving tributes to their late mother and her strong connection with our club.

Towards the end of the proceedings a large ice cream birthday cake made by a relatively new member of the club, Margaret, was wheeled in ablaze with cascade sparklers

and ceremoniously cut accompanied by a musical rendition of ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪…