EXCERPTS FROM NEWSLETTER NO. 28 – MAY 2014

FLYING THE FLAG ON 10TH MAY

It might have been a cold Spring Saturday morning, but members felt it was important to show their support to those in Ukraine, who are presently suffering and may be on the verge of civil war. We stood outside The Victoria Theatre in Southborough and waved banners. “Well done!” and “Thank You” to those who gave up their time to support us. A letter of support was sent to Kaniv by our Chairman.

THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF TARAS SHEVCHENKO

This article was sent to us by Alina Khurchenko in Kaniv.

Today is the 9th March. Today is the most important day in the life of my country. The Ukrainian people mark the 200th Anniversary of Shevchenko’s birthday. Taras Shevchenko is our Poet, Thinker, Philosopher and Artist. He is buried in Kaniv on Chernecha Hill, or Taras’ Hill, which has become a sacred place, not only for the residents of my native town, but for millions of people all over the world. My husband and I have just come from Taras’ Hill. Thousands of people have gathered there; hundreds of people were coming and coming to the tomb to pay homage to the Great Bard and lay flowers. Two choirs sang songs written on Shevcheko’s poems. The Museum was crowded. Everybody wanted to see a new exhibition devoted to the Poet. It is really impressive – potters’ crafts, embroideries, carvings, sculptures, Shevchenko portraits made of straw, poppy seeds, wheat, sheep’s fur and millet. Embroidered towels with Shevchenko’s poems and numerous presents to the Museum from the people of Ukraine are also here. The visitors are interested in the slides about the history of the monuments to the Poet erected on the grave since 1923. The majority of people were dressed in Ukrainian national costumes, wreaths, embroidered shirts and blouses. The spirit of Kobzar was everywhere. (”Kobzar” is the name of the first book written by Shevchenko. Kobzar is a singer, who plays the Kobza, an ancient Ukrainian musical instrument.) I noticed a young singer with a guitar. She was singing the songs about my Motherland, folk songs and ballads in a circle of listeners.
I think only a genius could write about such sacred things as freedom and dignity almost two hundred years ago; only a genius could expose those who oppressed the ordinary people who could believe in the new Ukraine. The more we read Shevchenko’s works, the more we understand how actual they are nowadays, as if he was able to foresee the events through centuries. And this awareness gives people Hope, Awareness and Desire to change their lives.

OBITUARY – COUNCILLOR COLIN BOTHWELL

It was with much sadness that we learned of the death of Councillor Colin Bothwell, a former President of the Association. He died on Thursday 27th February following a lengthy illness, bravely fought. Despite being very unwell and in and out of hospital quite a lot, he still attended Council meetings in Southborough whenever he could. He was actually due to become Mayor of Tunbridge Wells in May and, of course, had been Mayor of Southborough for two years from May 2008.
Thanks to Colin we were able to take several large boxes of good second-hand books to Lambersart for onward journeys by coach – firstly to Viersen in Germany and then by lorry to their twin town of Kaniv, where the English-language books are now well-used at School Number Six.
This led to us being invited by the Mayor of Kaniv to visit them in September 2003 to help them celebrate the 950th anniversary of the founding of the town. So Colin and Sue Bothwell, together with my wife Rhona and myself, duly accepted their kind invitation and had a most enjoyable and interesting visit. Very hospitable, delightful and welcoming people! This venture was in reality the first step towards the strong link we now have with Kaniv.
In December 2010 Iryna Datsenko came to England with her son Ievgenii and Kosta Chyzh, who had missed out on a Euro Youth Camp visit held at Swattenden in the Summer. The highlight of their visit was a trip to London with Colin, who made sure they saw the Changing of the Guards at both Whitehall and Buckingham Palace amongst other memorable things Colin had planned for them. It was a generous gesture on his part, so very typical of Colin, who always wanted to ensure people had an enjoyable time.
We send our sincere commiserations to dear Sue and the members of his family on the loss of Colin, who contributed so much of his life to helping the community and the several organisations of which he was a lively, active member.
Mike Handcock, Chairman.

SAKA LOTTO CLUB 2013

This year’s Lotto Club was off to a good early start with 24 members signed up by the end of March, meaning that we were already two fifths of the way to my target of a sixty plus membership, which would enable us to pay the winner of the December prize £100, provided of course that we can keep our expenses to a minimum. The other monthly prizes would mean that the winners would enjoy a return on their £10 stake of more than double that amount.
The monthly prize is drawn for all ten months (March to December). Remember, whilst half of the money paid into the Club goes out in prizes, the other half, the other half helps support our projects in Kaniv.
All our projects are very worthwhile and are much appreciated by our friends in Ukraine, most of whom are members of KASA (Kaniv & Southborough Association). Obviously it is these people who actually do the work. – i.e. creating the Environmental Garden at School No. 6 and looking after elederly people during the cold winter months; providing them with food, warm clothing, blankets and most importantly friendship. With the situation in Ukraine so unpredictable at the present time, I believe that our commitment to them is just so important.
Mike Handcock, Chairman

CELEBRATING OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY

At a well-attended meeting a new committee was formed and we were able to thank Jacquie Jedrzewski for acting as our President for the past two years. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, she is unable to continue in this post, but continues to be a member and will attend events when able. Our thanks go to retiring members Website Editor Brian Dobson, Treasurer Angela Trowell and original committee member Bob Marsh for all their hard work over the past year.
The Committee Members for 2014 are:
President – Andrey Kotlarczyk
Chairman – Mike Handcock
Treasurer – Philip Stanford
Secretary/Newsletter Editor – Lynda Emberson
Minute Secretary – Marian Attwood
Membership Secreary – Trevor Poile
As a non-committee member, Brian Dobson volunteered to continue editing the website.
Mike Handcock did the honours of blowing out the candles on a celebratory cake.
Our guest speaker, Brenda, talked about Hope Now and showed slides. This was her second talk as the Committee felt a follow-up to the progress that had been made over the past year would be of interest to members.