The Valentine's Day Dinner Dance organised by the Colombo Shepherdians in the UK (CSUK) has now become its main fund-raising event. The 13th Dinner Dance this year was a successful and fitting precursor to CSUK’s forthcoming 21st “birthday” in June.

The tradition of this Dinner Dance can be traced back to a fashion show initiated by Sonia Vitarana at the C&L Club in Ruislip during the Presidency of Freda de Silva in 1999. Since that time CSUK's Valentine's Day Dinner Dance has gone from strength to strength.

This year, as usual, President Margie Sivathondan opened the well-attended event. She was supported by CSUK’s Executive Committee and, as we have come to expect, her talented daughter Dr. Pam Sivathondan (MC for the evening) and Madam President's husband Siva who, as usual, was the ‘real manager’ behind the scenes.

We were reminded that over the years of its existence CSUK had raised over £40,000 for the Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena, and the Orphanage – thanks to all the loyal supporters and well wishers of CSUK.

Over 100 members, guests and well-wishers came to the Clay Oven at Alperton to be wined, dined, entertained, provided with an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones whilst engaging in reminiscences, conversations and dancing into the early hours. It was evident that a very good time was had by all.

A Silver Service Asian Menu Dinner was provided by hosts, The Clay Oven - the starters were almost a complete meal in their own right! - with dance music provided by the band Colombo 4. For me, the band’s female Clarinet and Saxaphone player - who also performed some of the vocals - was an interesting and welcome difference to “all electronic” based bands that tend to perform at most events connected with people of Sri Lankan origin.

The many fund-raising Raffles and 'Baila' sessions made the event comfortingly traditional.

Click link here to view for all the photographs taken and presented by Neil de la Harpe.

The Executive Committee who made it all happen
President Margie and Siva	Photographer Neil and Zounie

The Valentine's Day Dinner Dance for which the Colombo Shepherdians in the UK have, deservedly, become well known is, once again, imminent.
    This year's dance is to be held on Saturday, 11th February at the Clay Oven in Ealing Road, Wembley.
    The Dance Committee need to be congratulated on making the costs of this event reflect the current economic situation in the UK and, perhaps, as importantly keeping the menu and "dress code" in conformity with the cultural values of the "Old School".
    Unfortunately the music for this year's dance will NOT be provided by the the band previously advertised and the Dance Committee is currently negotiating with an even better band to provide the music: as usual, there are raffles, competitions and other attractions to keep the event alive.

 Webmaster

Members will have received the December 2011 Edition of the Newsletter in A5 booklet format by post this week.

In order to save costs the posted version is in black and white but a full colour version is avaialble on this web site (click on image to see the Newsletter).

Members who have not received a hardcopy version of the Newsletter are requested to contact the Membership Secretsry or the PRO/Editor the email addresses given below as soon as possible.

membership@shepherdians.org or pro@shepherdians.org.

 Webmaster

By any standards the 12th Valentine's Day Dinner Dance hosted by the Colombo Shepherdians in the UK on 12th February 2011 at the C & L Club at Ruislip was a resounding success.

The 180 ticket event was a sell out and many new and old Shepherdians and their friends had a great evening dancng to the music of Colombo4 late into the night and the early hours of the next day.

In her welcoming speech President Margie Sivathondan thanked the guests and supporters and referred to the useful work that was being carried out at the school in Kotahena through the funds raised by this annual event.

The continual buzz of conversations, the laughter and the crowded dance floor, particularly when that familiar music with colonial origins and an irrestible beat from more than 500 years ago - and now a defining dance of all people of Sri Lankan origin - the 'Baila', was being played and the 'Asian' menu was ample confirmation that everyone was enjoying themselves.

The absence of 'penguin suits', which I have always felt are more appropriate to formal dinners in professional and academic circles, and the eye-watering price of a ticket made this a very relaxed and enjoyable evening. And judging by the rush to buy tickets - I am told - many others, thought so too.

This short report will not be complete without reference to the Committee who made all this possible (see photograph below) and, of course, MC Dr. Pam Sivathondan, the attractive and very smart daughter of the President.

Click here to see photographs taken on the night by Neil de la Harpe
Click here to see souvenir.