Annual BBQ Event Report: A Day of Fun and Festivity

As planned and confirmed at the last AGM on Sunday, 7 January 2024, the annual BBQ took place on Saturday, 27 July, at B Ground next to the Athletics track at Abbeyfield. Despite some scheduling clashes that moved the initial planning meeting to Wednesday, 12 June, everything came together smoothly. This event has become routine for us, so a lengthy meeting wasn't necessary; details and tasks were efficiently communicated via Zoom.

On the morning of Saturday, 27 July, the preparations went like clockwork. Some members fetched keys, tables, chairs, a bouncy castle, a marquee, and 12x12 tents, while others collected drinks for the day. By 11:50, everything was set up as planned. Saroj Sherpa provided freshly prepared food, and members began to arrive at 12 PM, enjoying the BBQ alongside their children. Suman Chaudhari and Beg Thapa served cool iced drinks provided by Sagar Shrestha, while Rupa Shrestha served drinks to our esteemed guests.

From 2:30 pm onwards, guests began arriving, including the Mayor of Colchester, Lesley Scott-Boutell, the Mayoress Jessica Scott-Boutell, Garrison Commander, Colin Bennet and his daughter Valerie, from Tudwick Foundation, Sarah and Anthony Knee, from Nepali class, Valentine and his daughter and Tony and his family and Benny and his partner from First Bus. 

Unfortunately, the new MP, Pam Cox, and her husband could not attend despite confirming.

After the initial BBQ, the program featured a musical chair competition for the ladies, with Shova Rai emerging as the winner and Raj Kumari Limbu as the runner-up. A fierce Tug of War followed, with St Michael and Gurdon Road facing off against New Town and Highwoods. St Michael and Gurdon Road triumphed in the third pull. The Thelo competition was won by Dhan Kumar Limbu, who threw a 5kg medicine ball the farthest. The Mayor of Colchester presented prizes to the winners and runners-up. 

An evening meal, freshly cooked by Saroj Sherpa on firewood, was enjoyed by all. Additionally, Rupa Shrestha and Devi Chand Thakuri sold raffle draw tickets to members, and nearly 120 tickets were sold. The raffle draw took place after the food, with the fourth prize won by Rupa, the third prize by Amar Limbu, the second prize by Usha Khatri, and the first prize, a gold ring kindly sponsored by Ramesh Rai of New Laxmi Jewellers from Aldershot, won by Mrs Mala Rai Limbu; my congratulations to all the winners. I had the honour of presenting a Khukuri to the Mayor on behalf of the Cultural Coordinator from Mitra Gurung. Three cheers were given to the Mayor, who expressed her gratitude for the invitation.

I extended my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the event's success: Mitra Gurung for organizing the program; Sagar, Suman, Rupa, and Beg Bahadur Thapa for managing and serving drinks; those who set up and dismantled the event; Tara Shris for providing transportation; and Saroj Sherpa for the excellent food. The chair congratulated everyone who stayed late to help close the event and looked forward to seeing everyone at the 2025 BBQ.

Udai B Gurung MBE

Chair/Trustee

CNS