Year 2001 Events

Henley-On-Thames Picnic, AGM and Cricket

Web reporting by: Sunil Kodical

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Following a successful Picnic of last year, once again Saraswat Samaj chose the lawns of Henley-on-Thames to be the venue to hold the AGM, Picnic and 'Anil Bhat Trophy' cricket match on Saturday, 4th of August.

Earlier in the week the typical British Summer weather forecast brought the threat of showers and doubts in some Aamchi's minds as to whether this Picnic would take place as planned. But the previous night's forecast was 'sunny at first and showers later'. The weatherman was right. There was fresh air and beautiful sunshine on this day. Around 11.30 a.m. there were only 4 to 5 families who had arrived and had come prepared with umbrellas. They had chosen a nice sheltered place on the lawns and spread the sheets and reserved a convenient spot for the picnic.

By 12.30 p.m. there were sufficient organising committee members and a few more families. AGM was conducted with an introduction from the Chairperson, followed by the reports from Secretary, Social Secretary and the Editor of the Saraswat Samaj. A number of topics were discussed including, the web site, charity status/funding, Vantiga, forthcoming events and Samyukta Samachar (Details will be notified to all the members in the next Newsletter).

Around 1.45 p.m. more families turned up and it was time for the picnic lunch. Dahi-sheeth, Pav-Bhaji, Vegetable-Biriyani, Vadas, Samosas, Vegetable rolls, Puri-Bhaji and many other delicious preparations were brought, shared and consumed.

The North and the South Cricket teams were formed. The North team won the toss and started batting. The excellent batting of the North team had piled a score of 105 runs with Sanjay Kulkarni scoring 40 runs and Ramesh Haldipur scoring 17 runs. The North team showed an exemplary winning spirit. After the North team completed the batting, there was a short break and on behalf of the Samaj, Dhokala-chutni, Jilebi and light driks were served. The play resumed and the South team started batting. Early 7 wickets fell for only 14 runs. Jonathan Clarke started batting and deligted the crowd with boundaries and sixers. He scored 43 runs but ran out of partners at the other end.

The total of South Team was not sufficient and so, once again the North team retained the 'Anil Bhat Trophy'. It was commented that some of the South's other good batsmen were absent at this match and had they been there to play, it would have been a different story and not such an easy ride for the North team. Any way, perhaps next year the South team will come back with force, show up its strength and win the Trophy!

There were games arranged for little children such as Marble and Spoon race, Musical Statues and Dropping the ball in the bucket. Just about the time for prize distribution, the weatherman's prediction came true. It started raining and all the Bhanaps hurriedly gathered their belongings and made their way to the car park.

All in all it was a nice day out for about 20 families and the consolation was that the showers came after all the planned activities finished.