A Great Blog

Other Dates for your Diary

2010-07-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

Saturday 10th July - Open Garden Event

Saturday 9th October - Cabaret Evening & Grand Draw

Saturday 13th November - Quiz Evening.

For more details of all these events see the Chairman's Letter.

LATEST PRESS RELEASE

2010-07-11T01:37:00.001-07:00

Eric Dias has agreed to become our Financial Scrutineer. May we thank you Eric and Welcome.

A note from your Secretary

2010-07-11T01:37:00.000-07:00

Well, yes I did have my arm twisted by Mike which is how I have come to be involved in this very worthy organisation. I am amazed by what has been achieved in such a short time and would like to think that I can contribute in some way.
Because of other commitments I have asked Mike to keep looking for a Secretary but I will attempt to do the best I can while I am in post. I hope at some time to meet all the
members and be able to put names to faces.
In order that the Committee can work for the Association however, new members are essential. Please, please try and recruit. Maybe organise a small fund-raising event and encourage potential new members to come along.
Good Luck in the coming years.
Lynda Emberson.

Congratulations! And Thanks!

2010-07-11T01:36:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the following members who, on the 6th May, stood as candidates in either the General Eelction or in the Borough Council Election; Colin Bothwell, Alan Bullion, Greg Clark, Peter Crawford, Dianne Hill, Trevor Poile and Jackie Prance. Thanks to all of them for their community spirit and endeavour.

Also well done Elaine Lawrence who received a Civic Award at the Town Meeting on 13th April. A long over-due recognition of her splendid community work. Remember to call in and see her at the Bliss Cafe opposite the Library.

Thanks to Colin Bothwell who has been a splendid President for us for two years and grateful thanks to Peter Crawford who has agreed to become our new President. We wish both Peter and Colin well in the years ahead.

Do you have an idea for a fundraising event?

2010-07-11T01:36:00.000-07:00

We are always open to new ideas. In order that the organisation can continue, and able to help with future projects we are in need of further funds. We would love to hear from you.

Coffee Morning – Thursday 2nd September (come rain or shine)

2010-07-11T01:35:00.000-07:00

Time 10.00-12.00. Refreshments. Raffle.
£3.00. Members and Friends only
Venue: , St. Marks Road, Broadwater Down, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5LT

Why I went to Ukraine in March by Mike Handcock

2010-07-11T01:31:00.000-07:00

This Summer Southborough should be hosting the Euro Youth Project but instead our youngsters will be involved in EuroCamp 2010 at Swattenden, near Cranbrook, a project organized by the Kent Youth Service of K.C.C. Also taking part will be eight young people from Kaniv provided they can get their visas and their parents can afford the air-fares.
At the A.G.M. it was agreed that one of our projects this year would be to support the Ukranian group by providing funds to help the payment of their visas. So armed with official invitations and all we could afford to help them I paid a short but well worth-while visit as ever enjoying kind hospitality and consideration from friends in Kaniv.

Group of youngsters with their two leaders, who are coming for the EuroCamp 2010 in July. (Taken on my last visit)

Some of you may recognise Oleksandra Kucha and Viktoria Voyutska, the girls who danced for us at the Open Gardens event last year. (They are third and sixth from the left in the group photo.) and of course Iryna Datsenko (far right), who will be paying her third visit to Kent as one of the group leaders

Vladimir and Vitaly Klichko

2010-07-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

As reported some time ago the Klichko brothers, who between them hold four of the five versions of the world heavyweight boxing title, donated to SAKA two pairs of signed sparring gloves. We have decided to sell these to the highest bidder, rather than use them as prizes in our Grand Draw, because we can find another prize for the draw, resulting in the proceeds for the gloves raising extra revenue.
We did try E-Bay, though unsuccessfully. In hindsight we did place too high a reserve price on them. We have contacted all the companies selling memorabilia and one of the company directors wants the gloves for his own private collection. He has offered us £150 for two pairs. Before we agree to a sale, we want to advise all members of the situation and to the boxing fans amongst us, giving them the first opportunity to purchase the gloves.
If anyone is interested, would they please notify Mike Handcock by 7th June 2010.
Brian Dobson, Publicity Officer

Our School is 25! by Alina Kharchenko

2010-07-11T01:17:00.000-07:00

In 1984, on the picturesque bank of the Dnipro, on Shevchenko Street, leading to Taras Hill and the Museum of the Great Kobzar, a new building appeared - The Kaniv Secondary School named after the great Georgian poet, A Tsereteli. In 1997 this educational establishment got a status of the School Specializing in Learning Foreign Languages (English, German and French). 25 years have passed since that time and 2009 was a jubilee year for our alma mater. Our pupils and teachers are our pride. Almost 1500 school-leavers left our school for this period of time, 83 of them got gold medals, 38 silver ones, 37 former pupils became teachers, giving knowledge to students, bringing them up, taking care of them. The pupils of our school take part in Olympiads in different subjects, contests and sport competitions, they attend numerous clubs - dancing, singing, sporting, drama ones.

9 teachers of foreign languages work in our school. They help pupils understand themselves, teach them moral values, about our country and the world around us. At the lessons of the English and American literature our pupils get acquainted with the world of W. Shakespeare and Defoe, Ch. Dickens and G. Byron, J. London and Hemingway, R. Burns and W. Scott. Teaching languages, my colleagues and I use communicative fluency activities/questioning, discussion games, role plays, problem-solving activities. At the town English Olympiads the pupils of our school are mainly the winners, and it brings our teachers pleasure and pride.
Extra-curricular activities are an inseparable part of our work. Strengthening ties with the sister cities, and with Southborough in particular, encourages pupils to learn foreign languages, increases their outlook and urges them to work. Senior students worked at the projects – “Many People, One Heart”, “English in My Life”, “Our Friends All Over the World”. They also willingly put into practice the ecological project embarked by SAKA, planting trees and flowers, watering young seedlings, weeding flowerbeds round our school and in the neighbouring area.
Annually the English teachers arrange the English language week in our school. It includes contests for the best composition or poem, the best wall newspaper, reciting poems, preparation of concerts devoted to Christmas and New Year, St. Valentine's Day, Easter, and Halloween.
A very memorable period was the one devoted to the 25th birthday of our school. Our senior students prepared the film about our school, they acted in the play by Bernard Shaw “Pygmalion”, in the scene from Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet”, recited the sonnets of the great playwright, sang songs of the famous Group The Beetles and modern English songs about love and friendship. The choir solemnly sang “The Anthem of the European Youth”. The atmosphere of the party was very exciting, and the pupils were so proud of their performance.

Really, teachers' job is difficult, but how honourable is to be an adviser, a supporter, a creator, a leader and a friend! How nice it is to discover the world of Knowledge and teach children to be kind and merciful, loving and helpful! This is a Teachers' task. And we, teachers, give our pupils our Heart full of Faith and Love.
Alina Kharchenko, Kaniv

Obituary

2010-07-11T01:16:00.000-07:00

Jancis Margaret Wilson, 18.7.38 - 27.2.10
Most of you know by now of the sad death of Jancis aged 71. This followed an operation which she was confident would restore her to full health and enable her to resume the active life she had enjoyed during the time since her retirement from full-time employment. Sadly that was not to be.

Jancis was the first Hon.Secretary of our Association and a founder member.
She visited Kaniv in September 2004 and had several friends there with whom
she kept in regular contact. She was a loyal and generous member of S.A.K.A.
and a good friend, sorely missed not only by us but by those connected with St.John’s Methodist Church, her Morris Dancing friends and of course her family.

A New President for Ukraine

2010-07-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

So, much as expected, Ukraine’s new President is Viktor Yanukovych who narrowly beat one of the heroes of the Orange Revolution, Yulia Tymoshenko, in the final round of the election. So now we must wait to see how things develop there before we can answer the question posed by Professor Alan Mayhew at our A.G.M.
Will it be a brighter future for Ukraine? Certainly the President has many problems to address. The World economic crisis has hit Ukraine particularly hard and the population is finding just everyday life very difficult. They cope because sadly they, over the years, have become accustomed to hardship.
The most important decision Yanukovych seems to have taken is to agree to a 25 year extension of a lease which will allow the Russian Black Sea fleet at Sevastopol to stay there until 2042. In return the Russians have reduced by 30% the cost of Ukraine’s gas bill. Whether that is a one-off reduction or an annual discount for a similar 25 years I have no knowledge, but it will certainly help the immediate situation whilst making Russia’s hold over Ukraine very much stronger. It certainly stirred opposition M.P’s to anger in Parliament and Yulia Tymoshenko described the decision as a ‘black day in the history of Ukraine’. The bill agreeing to the extension of the lease was approved by ten votes but it may have united a divided opposition which ultimately may be a good thing.

The Memorial to the victims of the 1932-33 Famine in Ukraine. It is somehow such a meaningful memorial. The black and light blue reflection is clever and I was pleased to capture that and the wording on the side of the stone itself, erected just two years after Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet State.

A further move towards Russia was the President’s denial that an act of genocide was perpetrated against Ukraine in 1932-33 by the Soviets under the rule of Joseph Stalin. Former President Viktor Yushchenko campaigned strongly for world- wide recognition of this induced famine to be recognized as genocide. Many countries support that view, but the U.K. government does not. One wonders what will happen now to the memorial outside the St.Michael’s Cathedral in Kiev, which members of our Association have seen.
It is hoped that we can organise a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon next year to see the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Natalia Vorozhbit’s play “The Grain Store”, which is based on the famine. This play was first brought to my attention by Jancis Wilson a few weeks before her death.
On my short visit to Kaniv in March I was told that the President had visited the town, appointed a new Director of the Taras Shevchenko Memorial Museum and decreed that work should recommence on the extension of the building in the near future. As work had been stopped for a six year period due to financial restraints this is good news for Kaniv although, obviously not good news for the former Director who appears to have lost his job through no fault of his own.
So the jury remains out on the question of a brighter future for Ukraine. Certainly the new President appears to have given away his major bargaining power to his powerful neighbour - perhaps a five year extension of lease might have been acceptable but uniting the opposition Parties in Parliament may become a telling factor in the years to come.
Mike Handcock Chairman

Annual General Meeting-5th February 2010

2010-07-11T01:07:00.000-07:00

Twenty members attended the A.G.M.including two new members. Iris Veness and
Jean Jenkins, who joined prior to the start of the Meeting.
The Chairman reported that four events, plus the Grand Draw had been held during the year. TheAnnual Dinner in March was much enjoyed and well attended. Our four Ukranian guests arrived on the 12th June and so were able to take part in the Open Gardens event held on the following day. We were particularly grateful to John Cooper and Tom Rusbridge, who are not members, but opened their delightful gardens for us and, of course, to Val and Bert Alldis and Jackie and Robert Prance, who are members and who made their lovely gardens available for visitors.
A new venture was the Quiz held in July and Mike Bailey was particularly involved in getting that successful event underway. Tickets for the Grand Draw were sold throughout the Summer and a full list of winners appeared in Newsletter No.15. This was our main fund-raiser and the Draw itself was made at the Cabaret Evening, held in October. As usual, that event was great fun and Colette Marsh had assembled a splendid cast, mostly family members, who, together with a group of youngsters from the Cannon School of Irish Dance, provided great entertainment during the evening. Once again the Fish and Chip Supper was much appreciated.
The Mayor of Southborough, Councillor Colin Bothwell, presided over the election of the
Committee for the next 12 months and with the exception of Jackie Prance and Ann Nolan, who were not continuing, all the other Committee Members were re-elected. Paddy Moran also joined the committee and Lynda Emberson was later co-opted as Hon. Secretary in place of Jackie, to whom tribute was paid for her sterling efforts in this crucial role. Lynda has taken over on a temporary basis until such time as someone else can be found to take over permanently. Thanks were also expressed to Ann for her efforts and to David Coward who has moved from the area and can no longer be our Financial Scrutineer. We are therefore looking for someone willing to take on this task.
Projects: The £900 we were able to send to Kaniv is being used to help with aid and welfare for a few elderly Residents and for the environmental garden being established at
School Number Six. Both are very worthwhile projects chosen in conjunction with K.A.S.A, our Friendship Organisation in Kaniv. So we supply the funding and they deliver the projects in the community.
The Chairman and Hon. Treasurer's Reports were both accepted.
Our guest speaker Professor Alan Mayhew gave a most interesting talk entitled: After the Presidential Election a brighter future for Ukraine?
The first round of the Election had taken place and the two candidates to contest the second round to determine who would be President of Ukraine would-be Viktor YANUKOVYCH, who received 35% of the votes in the first round, and Yulia TYMOSHENKO, who had 25%. So this decider would be held on Sunday 7th February. A higher percentage of people voted in the West and Central Ukraine, where Tymoshenko’s support is but her opponent’s support, mainly in the Eastern part and in the South around the Black Sea, appeared to be well ahead. People's displeasure with the constant bickering between the President Viktor YUSHCHENKO and his Prime Minister TYMOSHENKO seem likely to reverse the result of the Orange Revolution of 5 years ago. Ukraine has very serious financial problems, continues to suffer severely from corruption and whoever wins, massive problems remain, especially with their powerful northern neighbour Russia with whom both candidates want better relations. A question and answer session followed and Professor Mayhew was warmly thanked for his contribution to the Meeting.
After the break a couple of minor amendments were made to the Constitution and it was agreed to raise the membership subscription to £4.00 p.a. or £7.00 p.a. for a family membership.
It was also agreed to continue to support the 2 projects referred to above from 2009 and to give financial help to the group coming to England in July for the Youth Project in respect of the high cost of Visas.
A membership target of 55 was set for the year ahead.

SAKA newsletter 15

2009-12-03T01:19:00.000-08:00

The latest SAKA newsletter is now available to download or read in your browser as .pdf file.

You can read or download it here

It features articles on October's Grand Charity Cabaret, the Euroforum 2009 in Kaniv and much more.

Grand Charity Cabaret

2009-09-08T02:45:00.001-07:00

SOUTHBOROUGH AND KANIV ASSOCIATION
President: Colin Bothwell, Southborough Town Mayor

NEWSLETTER NO. 14
September 2009

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday, 3rd October 2009

Starting at 7.30pm

Grand Charity Cabaret.

At Christchurch Hall, Southborough
At the modest price of £6.50
Which includes fish and chip supper and entertainment
(B.Y.O. drinks)
The Grand Draw will be drawn at this event.

Please contact Colette Marsh for more information and tickets

This Year’s Project

School Number 6 in Kaniv is situated alongside an important road running from the town centre towards the Taras Shevchenko Museum and Memorial (see Tanya’s article in Newsletter 13) which during the year attracts thousands of visitors to the town as well as many residents of the locality. The school is celebrating a special anniversary this year and has embarked upon an ambitious
environmental project to create an attractive garden including an outdoor classroom, at the front of the school. One aim is to encourage those passing along the road and the parents of the pupils to be inspired by the idea of creating something of beauty in their home environment, having seen what the school has achieved.

Those attending the A.G.M. agreed that this project was one we should support and so our fundraising this year is largely aimed at helping fund this though we are mindful also of continuing to help the elderly people needing welfare assistance to see them through the winter months. Members of the Kaniv and Southborough Association (K.A.S.A.) are working to help deliver these two projects.

Cabaret Evening

Our 40 minutes of entertainment will include dancing by a group from the Cannon School of Irish Dance and a variety of other acts for your pleasure and amusement. Please complete the return slip with your supper choice and return it to Colette by 30th September. With Christmas in mind we will have items for sale and the Grand Draw will be made to conclude the evening.

Grand Draw

The Promoter is very grateful to those who have already sent in money and counterfoils. If you haven’t done so yet please please remember that all ticket counterfoils need to be returned by September 30th. It will be possible to buy tickets at the Cabaret Evening.

The Quiznite

This was a new venture for us and made for an enjoyable evening. Special thanks to Mike Bailey for the idea and for all he did to ensure the evening was a success. We have some lessons to learn from this occasion and we will put those lessons into effect next time.

Visits to Kaniv

Sadly there were no responses to the article in the last Newsletter on this subject. However now is the time to be thinking about 2010 because airfares are cheaper the earlier bookings are made. May and September are the favoured months for visiting Kaniv so if you might be interested in going then phone Mike Handcock on 01892 528495 to discuss possible dates and other details.

To develop the friendship visits between us are of vital importance. It has been a great pleasure in the last few years to welcome visitors from Kaniv and it is to be hoped that several of our members will experience for themselves the pleasure of a visit to Kaniv during 2010 – a warm welcome awaits you there.

Membership Matters

At the end of 2008 S.A.K.A. has 51 paid up members. At present we have 43 members with we hope another 5 who have not yet renewed their £3.00 annual subscription but may do so as a result of this gentle reminder.

We welcome as new members Paddy Moran, Greg Clark and Audrey and Bob Constable and feel sure they will gain pleasure and satisfaction from belonging to an organisation that seeks to develop friendship between the people of Southborough and its surrounding area and Kaniv in Ukraine.

Announcements

Congratulations to Anya Shafor who spent a fortnight as a visitor from Kaniv last year. She will marry Slava on Saturday 12th September. We wish Anya and Slava much happiness in the future and a lovely day for their wedding.

Our best wishes go to Jancis Wilson and Dorothy Clements and we hope they will continue to recover well.

Jackie Prance will be retiring as Secretary as from January 2010 and we are now in need of a replacement, are there any typists with just a little time to spare who could help?

Comments, suggestions and contributions to these Newsletters gratefully received.
.
Autumn Soiree

Name……………………………………………………………Number of tickets ………………….

Supper Choices

Cod and Chips………………………

Sausage and Chips…………………..

Veggie Burger and Chips……………

Please reply to Colette Marsh

Grand Charity Cabaret

2009-09-08T02:45:00.000-07:00

SOUTHBOROUGH AND KANIV ASSOCIATION
President: Colin Bothwell, Southborough Town Mayor

NEWSLETTER NO. 14
September 2009

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday, 3rd October 2009

Starting at 7.30pm

Grand Charity Cabaret.

Grand Charity Cabaret

2009-08-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Southborough & Kaniv Association is proud to present a Grand Charity Cabaret (with a traditional Fish and Chip Supper)

Saturday, 3rd October at 7.30pm

The Day Centre Hall, Christ Church, Broomhill Park Road, Southborough.

At the old-fashioned price of £6.50. Included in this price will be various artists to entertain you, your Fish and Chip Supper, drawing of prizes for our Grand Draw. All proceeds will support our initiatives to help needy pensioners and support educational projects in Kaniv. We look forward to seeing you there. Tickets from Colette Marsh on 01892 525042.

GRAND DRAW
Star Prize
Return Channel Crossing DOVER-CALAIS
for a car and 5 persons with SEAFRANCE

OTHER PRIZES INCLUDE: A Family ticket – donated by Pantomime Productions – for “Dick Whittington” at the Royal Victoria Hall, Southborough and
a signed shirt donated by tennis star Elena Baltacha

MANY OTHER PRIZES TICKETS £1

Draw to be made on October 3rd 2009
Order your draw tickets in advance from Mike Handcock on 01892 528495
SAKA Promoting friendship between Southborough and Kaniv in Ukraine

SAKA Newsletter 13

2009-08-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

The new SAKA newsletter is now available to download or read on line by clicking here.

The newsletter is in .PDF and will be available directly in most modern web browsers and downloadable by clicking or right clicking here.

SAKA newsletter number 13

The SAKA Quiznite

2009-06-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

Southborough & Kaniv Association

?????????????

The SAKA Quiznite

An evening of fun with a blended mixture of trivia and skill!

?????????????

Saturday, 18th July 2009 at 7.30pm
Day Centre Hall, Christ Church,
Broomhill Park Rd., Southborough

Tickets £5 each, includes light refreshments.
Order now from Mike Handcock on 01892 528495

SAKA Promoting friendship between Southborough and Kaniv in Ukraine
Southborough & Kaniv Association

Notes from the AGM

2009-03-26T09:17:00.001-07:00

Annual General Meeting – 20

February 2009

The following are extracts from the Annual General meeting, held on

Friday, 20

February 2009 at The Ark, Gallards Close, Southborough.

Chairman’s Report – Mike Handcock

Membership

– during the year our membership increased to 51 from 46.

Communications

– One way of doing so is to keep in touch with members and this I believe we have done through the medium of our Members Newsletters. During the year we have produced 4 editions and I’m very grateful to those who contributed articles, to those who delivered them locally. There were also a couple of Chairman’s letters, so we kept in touch. Moreover we now have a website, so we are reaching out beyond our membership and hopefully, in due course, this will bring us more members.

Activities

We are a working organisation and it is good to provide a variety of activities to raise money for our Projects to help people in Kaniv and this is what we’ve tried to do. Our policy is to give good value for money and I believe this is much appreciated by those who attend our events. We started the year with our Dinner on the 11

January and this was a very pleasant occasion attended by 30 people. This event is not a fundraiser, but the raffle we held did help towards our expenses. That was followed by a Beetle Drive in April, which was great fun. A new venture was the Open Gardens event held in mid-June and we were very grateful to those who opened their gardens, four in all, to members and friends – a great deal of preparation work goes on for an event like this, but it made for a very enjoyable afternoon and the weather being fine was an added bonus. The cream-teas at the Prances, the final garden of the tour, was what most especially made this a financial success and we hope to get other volunteers to offer their gardens this year.

The BBQ and Fete was less successful last year and the Committee will consider how such an event can be bettered this year. It certainly wasn’t a failure, but we clashed with the Olympic Game's day when Britain won a fist full of medals so perhaps some who might have come were glued to their television screens. We will give some more thought to this event to try and make it more irresistible to the general public.
There were some splendid prizes in the Grand-draw and I’m grateful to those who sought and secured some of the prizes. Financially it didn’t do quite as well as in 2007, but it was still our single most successful activity and thanks to everyone who bought or sold tickets. The draw itself brought our Summer Soiree to a close. Again we needed to be grateful to members of the Bidborough Dramatic Society and the Magpies from Paddock Wood who supported the event and to the church community at Christchurch which enabled us to use their hall for this popular event. In September we shared a stall with SHDOFA, a the Southborough Society Exhibition.

Project 2008

– So all this activity enabled us to send £1,500.00 to Kaniv for the aid and welfare of elderly, poor people. I will talk more about this after the interval, but in this report I need to confirm to you that it was a most worthwhile and much appreciated Project and one of which we can feel quite proud. It has changed lives and may well have saved lives so that is very satisfying.

Visits

– In August, Anya Shafar, a 20-year-old University Student, spent a fortnight here, living with Colette and Bob Marsh and being taken on various visits by them and other SAKA members. She enjoyed her stay and was a very welcome visitor – we hope she will come again. The day following her return to Ukraine I set off for my first visit to Kaniv since 2004. ( reported earlier on this website)

Committee

– Lastly I want to say a big thank you to the Members of your Committee who work so hard, have been an excellent team and who are the inspiration of all that has been achieved. Thankfully they are all prepared to stand again and I hope you will support their nominations. Two disappointments I must mention applied to our failure to find anyone willing to take on the mantle of Honorary Treasurer; and neither were we able to find anyone willing to take over the role of Youth Representative so we didn’t have a young person’s contribution to our deliberations. So I’ve mentioned a few disappointments in what was actually a pretty good year, we’ve worked hard, we’ve had fun and in doing so we’ve raised £1,500.00 for some elderly folk who have suffered greatly in the past. That sum represents far more in goodwill and caring than in actual monetary terms so thanks to everyone for your efforts. That concludes my report.

Secretary’s Report – Jackie Prance

The secretary commented that much of what she had planned to say was covered in the chairman's report. She continued - I can’t say often enough that we are and will be very grateful for any contributions of information, articles or adverts for future Newsletters and of course for our now fully operational website. Hopefully these will look even more professional as improvements such as more photos and better graphics are added and we all get more expert and practised. Any ideas for improvements to the website or any of our other communications would be very welcome.

Treasurer’s Report – Mike Handcock

Copies of the balance sheet and statement of income and outgoings were distributed.

Election of Committee.

We had received the following nominations for officers and committee members:-
Chairman – Mike Handcock
Vice Chairman – Bob Marsh
Secretary – Jackie Prance
Events Organiser – Colette Marsh
Membership Secretary – Mike Bailey
Publicity Officer – Brian Dobson
Committee Members – Trevor Poile and Ann Nolan.
No other nominations had been received. All were approved unanimously

Financial Scrutineer

. It was unanimously agreed that David Coward should continue to be our Financial Scrutineer.

Subscriptions. It was

unanimously agreed that the subscription for 2009 to be retained at £3.00 for an adult, family membership to be £6.00 and young persons in full-time education to be entitled to free membership provided written permission to belong is given by their parent(s) or guardian(s).

Constitution It was

unanimously agreed that Item 2 of the Finance Section of the Constitution should be amended to read “The Funds of the Association will be maintained by the Hon. Treasurer and examined at the end of each financial year by an Authorised Independent Scrutineer appointed at the AGM”.

Future Programme and Targets for 2009.

Mike Handcock gave a talk on his trip to Kaniv in 2008 and his meetings with various people there. After discussion with the Mayor of Kaniv and representatives of KASA, Mike Handcock suggested that a good project for 2009 would be to give money for seeds, plants and tools to the Children of School No. 6 in order that they could make a garden on land between their school and the main road to Kaniv, close to the river Dneiper. This would improve the appearance of the approach to Kaniv and hopefully seed the idea of flower gardens.

Proposed date of next AGM - 10

February 2010

Febuary 09 Newsletter

2009-02-15T05:41:00.000-08:00

SOUTHBOROUGH AND KANIV ASSOCIATION

President: Colin Bothwell, Southborough Town Mayor

NEWSLETTER NO. 12

February 2009

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Friday 20

February 2009

Annual General Meeting at the Ark, Gallards Close

Please let Jackie Prance have any nominations forms before 18

February

Saturday 21st March 2009

Start of Year Dinner at The Ark, Gallards Close

Please let us know your menu choices for this event before the 15

March as Direct Catering need this information

Annual General Meeting

Please do try to come to the A.G.M. at The Ark, Gallards Close, starting at 7.30pm on Friday, 20

February 2009. A nomination form for the committee is attached.

An alteration to Item 2 of the Finance Section of the Constitution will be proposed, so that it reads:- “The Funds of the Association will be maintained by the Hon. Treasurer and examined at the end of each financial year by an Authorised Independent Scrutineer appointed at the A.G.M.”.

Start of Year Dinner

This very popular occasion is not a fund raising event so the cost of £11.50 per person may be paid at the Dinner to Direct Catering Services who will, once again, provide the meal for us. Vegetarian options are available for both courses. The price includes a glass of wine or soft drink as requested as well as a dessert, tea or coffee and mints. A booking form is attached. Start time 6.30 for 7.00pm.

If you came last year you will certainly want to come again and if not do try to come to this one so that you can meet some of your fellow members and have an enjoyable evening.

Membership Subscriptions 2009.

These are now due and we would be grateful if your subscription (which remains at £3.00) could be sent to Mike Bailey at 8 Gallards Close, Southborough, TN4 0NB, cheques made out to S.A.K.A. A form for your use is attached to the end of this Newsletter. Thank you very much.

Anniversary of the Tragic Date

By Alina Kharchenko (Chairman of Kaniv and Southborough Association) K.A.S.A.

On the 22

of November the people of Ukraine marked the 75

Anniversary of the most tragic date in the history of our country – Holodomor. It was the genocide of the Ukrainian people, provoked by the communist regime when millions of people died of hunger. Meetings and requiems were held all over the country, at School No. 6 specialising in learning foreign languages in particular.

… lighting candles, stands which tell the people the truth about Holodomor, created a special atmosphere – the atmosphere of sorrow, Profound Respect and Memory, with bated breath and tears in eyes the pupils, teachers and guests listened to the reminiscences of the survivors who were lucky to get over those hard days. A special bus brought 9 old ladies to school. Many of them could hardly walk, but they came because they knew they were remembered and not forgotten.

96 years-old Katherine Shuets got over the tragedy. The woman told the people about horrors of famine provoked in Ukraine in the years when the harvest was not so bad. She recalls that the daily food for her in those days was the edge of stale bread, ears of wheat and rye, sprouts of grass and weeds.

Valentina Pojivailo, one more survivor, told everybody about famine in Cherkasy region which took three hundred thousand lives. The woman admitted that she never throws away crumbs of bread for her dream in 1932-33 was to have at least a slice of bread.

The minute of silence … We are mourning the victims of Holodomor. We pay homage to those who survived. We must remember the tragedy because we must remember the past for the sake of future.

The meeting was organized at the initiative of K.A.S.A., the Town Council and the local centre of the social service of invalids, disabled and lonely people.

My Trip to Kaniv in August/September 2008

By Mike Handcock

It was a great pleasure for me to re-visit Ukraine in August after a three and a half year absence and discover a country that appears to me to have made considerable progress since 2004. We tend to hear and read downbeat things about Ukraine, but I found optimism and much greater confidence amongst the friends I saw whilst in Kaniv. The hospitality, generosity and enjoyment of having a good time are still as obvious as ever and that is a most endearing feature of the people we now have such firm links with. Certainly they have had a really hard period to endure recently but as ever they will come through it with their natural good humour having seen it all before.

On my first morning I had a meeting with the Town Mayor, Vasyl Kolomeitz, at 8.30a.m. and we spent an hour and a half discussing various projects like our help for elderly, poor people living in the area.
I was pleased to know that the Council would be providing aid for 90 elderly folk during the four winter months by bringing them into properties in the town where they would be looked after by 15 staff. Our own scheme is providing for 20 people outside the Council scheme and the delivery of this project is being undertaken by members of the Kaniv and Southborough Association (K.A.S.A.) which, like us, is a working organisation growing in strength and influence.

We also discussed Kaniv’s hosting of the 2009 Euro-youth Project and the Mayor is confident that they will not require the financial help that we were able to give them in 2005. Sadly there seems little or nothing they can do to rescue the boxes of books and woollen goods which were stopped on the Poland/Ukraine border, we believe, last February having been taken there from Viersen with other goods from their German twin town and, for all we know, still remain there.

Later that day I walked into town with friends along the towpath of the River Dnieper and another Project came to mind. The new green benches are obviously appreciated by the general public as many of them were occupied, but the weed and litter between bench and water just begged for an environmental clean-up, as did the flowerbeds, so promising, so neglected. However a similar, but more obtainable Project involving School Number Six is what I now feel we should undertake with further co-operation from members of K.A.S.A. I will give more details about this at the A.G.M.

I was so pleased to meet two elderly ladies, survivors of the Great Famine of 1932-33, known as Holodomor by the Ukrainians, the Patriotic War of 1942-45 and Chernobyl. One lady of 85 lives way up a hillside with her son and she is very immobile and a near by neighbour of 92 lives alone in her neat little cottage.

She was working in her garden though it was nearly dark and insisted on presenting me with a bag of walnuts gathered from her garden. A typical act of generosity and I understand these two survivors of so much unhappiness and deprivation in their lives are now receiving welfare funded by S.A.K.A.’s endeavours during 2008.

Obviously a highlight for me was attending “First Bell” at School Number Six. This happens on the first day of the new school year, I believe in all Ukrainian schools, and the experience will live long in my memory. New entrants, aged six, come to school dressed in their best outfits, most carry bouquets of flowers and many parents are also present for this occasion. Lined up outside on three sides of the square they face the Director (Head Teacher) and senior members of staff, plus guests such as myself on the raised area in front of the school entrance.

Speeches are made, older pupils perform dances, or sing and several new entrants come up and take the microphone and say how pleased they are to be at school and vow to study hard – their confidence was just amazing. Then the little ones cross the square, mount the steps and present their flowers. Imagine having a beautiful little girl with big brown eyes, her first day at school, standing in front of you offering you a lovely bouquet of flowers – that indeed was my unforgettable experience. The climax of the event was when one of the older boys hoisted a little new entrant girl on his shoulder and they paraded around the square ringing “first bell” to great acclaim and the new school year had begun.

I was delighted to visit both the classrooms that had been re-furbished with money provided by S.A.K.A. You will be able to see the thank-you letter and photographs from the children at the A.G.M.

It was good to see very real improvement in the Children’s Ward at the Town’s Hospital built way back in 1922. Yes there is much to do and the people are aware of that, but a real start has been made, they are by no means complacent and only the lack of funding and the opportunity to do more is making progress slow.

There is much more I could write about the work aspects of my nine-day visit and I have not even mentioned the wonderful hospitality and kindness I experienced every single day I was in Kaniv. Members of S.A.K.A. are assured of a warm welcome by our many friends in Kaniv and we will have the opportunity to extend the hand of friendship to four of those who did so much to make my visit so worthwhile provided they get the Visas they are applying for, supported by an Official Invitation from our President, the Town Mayor of Southborough and myself as your Chairman.

“Grand Charity Cabaret” - 27

September

Once again SAKA found an alternative use for Christ Church Day Care Centre when it hosted its second annual evening of fun and frivolity to raise funds to help support the victims of the great famine of 1932-33 many of whom are still living in poverty in Ukraine.

Don Buckland, dressed as a cockney rebel, started us off with a rendition of “Brahn Boots” by Weston & Lee describing some rather unusual attire at Aunt Hanna's funeral. Don is chairman of the Bidborough Dramatic Society. Gina Franks, another BDS member, raised the tone exponentially when she sang beautifully “Tell Me Fair Lady” from Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”. Unfortunately the MC’s joke afterwards about Figaro being a fertilizer popular in Vienna in the 18

century didn’t go down too well.

Next up was David Ward, a very talented member of SAKA, who demonstrated not only his magical abilities but also his virtuosity on the accordion. He didn’t make it disappear but at least one of his balloon dogs did just that with a bang before a successful creation was presented to a young member of the audience. He didn’t try to saw any ladies in half but apparently David does have two half sisters!

Terry Langford, from the Paddock Wood Magpies, entertained with his splendid singing. As we discovered last year Terry is keen on Elvis and his performance of “Girls! Girls! Girls!” this time was legendary. It was then Mike Handcock’s turn to be all at sea when his advances to the lovely Gina Franks were rudely interrupted by the cleaning lady, alias Colette Marsh, in a sketch entitled “You’re Just in Love”. It seems he changed allegiance in the end – it must be an age thing!

Undiscouraged by performing in front of a SAKA audience earlier in the evening Don Buckland made another appearance with “A Pale Young Curate” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Sorcerer”. The musical interlude was followed by Anne Holford, another BDS member, performing a Joyce Grenfell sketch entitled “The Committee”. It seemed all too familiar and yes we’ve all been to meetings like that!

It was about this time when we were beginning to receive news about the impact of the credit crisis on the Japanese banks. To mention just a few of those affected, we heard that the Origami Bank had just folded and that the Sumo Bank had gone belly up. Investigators have realised something fishy was going on at the Sushi Bank because customers were now getting a raw deal.

Terry Langford stepped up to the podium for a second session. He was to be accompanied this time by Pat Jay but he was unfortunately still stuck on the M25. Nevertheless Terry carried on manfully. The finale was provided by Gina Franks with “I’m Just the Girl who Can’t Say No” from Oklahoma. Gina’s piece, and indeed all the singing, except for Terry who had his own equipment, was accompanied by Erica Counsell on the piano. Erica did a tremendous job and in recognition of her stoicism the SAKA committee may want to consider the services of a piano tuner before next year’s event!

Wei Lin’s Fish Bar in Western Road once again produced a welcome fish and chip supper. Rhona Handcock and granddaughter Sally Andrew had prepared an excellent choice of desserts, so no one went home hungry. The Mayor of Southborough, Cllr. Colin Bothwell, presided over the Grand Draw for which tickets had been on sale throughout the summer. Thanks to all those who sold tickets, those who bought them and those who provided the prizes, we were able to raise £393.00 and a further £120.00 was made as a result of the Social Event, which made good publicity for S.A.K.A. as well as producing a lot of laughter and enjoyment. Congratulations to the hard-working committee and those who participated in the cabaret.

This event is now a firm fixture in S.A.K.A.’s calendar so make sure you don’t miss out next year. You won’t find a better value evening anywhere!

The Grand Draw –

full list of prizewinners.

Prize

Seafrance Channel crossing for 5 plus car –Andrej Kotlarcyzk, Bidborough

Prize

Family ticket Cinderella Pantomime –Brian Dobson, Tunbridge Wells

Prize

Family ticket Cinderella Pantomime –Colin Bothwell, Southborough

Prize

Ticket 4 person “Tons of Money” by Bidborough Dramatic Society – Peter Johnson, Crowborough

Prize

Fold-up Luggage Set – Anne Holford, Bidborough

Prize

Framed Print of St. Peter’s Church overlooking cricket on Southborough Common – Daisy Fletcher, Southborough

Prize

Picnic Hamper –Mandy Dier, Crowborough

Prize

Southborough Butcher’s Voucher –David Coward, Southborough

Prize

“Jack the Ripper” Book – Debbie Cole, Bidborough

Prize

Fold-up Case – Elizabeth Calladine, Tonbridge

Prize

Swiss Chocolates – Rowena Morris, Southborough

Prize

Chartwell Table Mats –Michael Holman, Tunbridge Wells

Prize

Leather Handbag –Audrey Constable, Pembury

Prize

Condiments Set –Robert Prance, Southborough.

Please support our supporters!

Without the support of those commercial and other organisations that donated prizes, we would not have been able to have staged such a successful Grand Draw. When making purchases, always keep these names in mind:

SEAFRANCE –

Channel Ferry Services

Southborough Butchers,

who supported us for the second year running.

Pantomime Productions

at the Royal Victoria Hall at Christmas every year.

Bidborough Dramatic Society

The comedy “Haul for the Shore” at the Bidborough Village Hall directed by Colette Marsh, April 23

, 24

and 25

2009.

Robert Prance.

S.A.K.A. Dinner Booking Form

Name (s)………………………………………………………………………………

Number of people coming………………………………………………………..

Menu Choices

Starter(s)

Prawn and Smoked Salmon………………………………………

Stilton and Broccoli Soup…………………………………………

Main Course(s)

Roast Beef etc……………………………………………………..

Penne Pasta ……………………………………………………….

Desserts

Apple Pie and Custard ……………………………………………

Fruit Pavlova and ice cream ……………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Nomination Form

A.G.M. 2009

– Please return to Jackie Prance, Hon. Sec. by first post 18th February 2009.

I wish to nominate..

for the position of…………………………………….

to serve on the Committee for one year. He/She will be seconded at the meeting by

……………………………………….. and has agreed to stand.

NAME…………………………………………SIGNATURE…………………………………

Please feel free to send in other nominations, suggested Constitution amendments, or Motions for
Consideration on other sheets of paper.

SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL FORM

Please send to Mr. M. Bailey, 8 Gallards Close, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0NB

I/We wish to renew my/our membership of S.A.K.A. for 2009.

Please find enclosed a cheque for £3.00/£6.00 (2 members) made out to S.A.K.A.

Name …………………………………………………..

Address ………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………

Signed …………………………………………………

Spring Dinner

2009-01-16T01:06:00.000-08:00

Spring Dinner.

To be held at the Ark, Gallards Close, Southborough on the 21

March 2009, 6.30pm for 7.00. Not quite so early in the year as usual, but this very popular occasion always contributes to a good start. It is not a fund raising event so the cost of £11.50 per person may be paid at the Dinner to Direct Catering Services who will, once again, provide the meal for us. Vegetarian options will be available for both courses. The price includes a glass of wine or soft drink as requested as well as a dessert, tea or coffee and mints.

If you came last year you will certainly want to come again and, if not, do try to come to this one so that you can meet some of your fellow members and have a very enjoyable evening.

For menu details, other information and booking please ring Mike Handcock on 01892 528495.

Annual General Meeting.

2009-01-07T01:29:00.000-08:00

Annual General Meeting

We look forward to meeting all members at the Annual General Meeting to be held on
Friday 20

February 2009 at 7.30pm at The Ark, Gallards Close, Southborough.

Subscriptions are now due and may be paid on the night. Cheques should be made payable to ‘S.A.K.A.’.

Klichko Brothers support SAKA

2008-10-20T00:18:00.001-07:00

Ukraine’s world champion boxing brothers Vitaly and Vladimir Klichko are supporting SAKA in its efforts to bring extra comfort to the elderly and provide educational support for students in Kaniv. They have donated two pairs of signed training gloves, which will be the prizes in a promotion, which we have yet to organise, to raise funds.

Of the five versions of the world heavyweight championship title, between them the two brothers hold four. The younger Vladimir holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts. On Saturday, 11

October Vitaly returned to the ring after a four-year absence through injury to win back his WBC title from Nigerian Samuel Peter.

Ukrainian sportsmen and women have been generous in the support of our organisation. In 2007 a signed Discovery Channel team cycling shirt was donated by ‘super-domestique’ Yaroslav Popovych, following the Kentish stage of the Tour de France, which passed through Southborough; and Ukrainian-born Great Britain tennis star, Elena Baltacha, donated four signed tennis shirts.

SAKA exhibits at the “Southborough Past and Present Exhibition

2008-10-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

The Southborough and Kaniv Association played its part in the well-attended exhibition “Southborough Past and Present”, staged on 12

September by the Southborough Society as one of the events to support “Heritage Open Days in Tunbridge Wells”. The exhibition created a pictorial history of the past century in our town and was supported by local non-commercial organisations creating awareness of their activities.

SAKA and its sister twinning organisation SHDOFA (Southborough High Brooms District Overseas Friendship Association), which is twinned with Lambersart in France, combined forces to promote the international friendship links of our town. Representatives of both organisations were on hand to chat with a steady stream of interested visitors. There still exists an air of mystery about Ukraine and we were able to enlighten these guests on life in Ukraine, and in particular Kaniv, and spread the word on our activities to bring extra comfort to the elderly and provide educational support for students in Kaniv.

Grand Charity Cabaret

2008-10-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

“Grand Charity Cabaret” - 27

September

Once again SAKA found an alternative use for Christ Church Day Care Centre when it hosted its second annual evening of fun and frivolity to raise funds to help support the victims of the great famine of 1932-33, many of whom are still living in poverty in Ukraine.

Don Buckland, dressed as a cockney rebel, started us off with a rendition of “Brahn Boots” by Weston & Lee describing some rather unusual attire at Aunt Hanna's funeral. Don is chairman of the Bidborough Dramatic Society. Gina Franks, another BDS member, raised the tone exponentially when she sang beautifully “Tell Me Fair Lady” from Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”. Unfortunately the MC’s joke afterwards about Figaro being a fertilizer popular in Vienna in the 18

century didn’t go down too well.

Next up was David Ward, a very talented member of SAKA, who demonstrated not only his magical abilities but also his virtuosity on the accordion. He didn’t make it disappear but at least one of his balloon dogs did just that and with a bang, before a successful creation was presented to a young member of the audience. He didn’t try to saw any ladies in half but apparently David does have two half sisters!

Terry Langford, from the Paddock Wood Magpies, entertained with his splendid singing. As we discovered last year, Terry is keen on Elvis and his performance of “Girls! Girls! Girls!” this time was legendary. It was then Mike Handcock’s turn to be all at sea when his advances to the lovely Gina Franks were rudely interrupted by the cleaning lady, alias Colette Marsh, in a sketch entitled “You’re Just in Love”. It seems he changed allegiance in the end – it must be an age thing!

Undiscouraged by performing in front of a SAKA audience earlier in the evening Don Buckland made another appearance with “A Pale Young Curate” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Sorcerer”. The musical interlude was followed by Anne Holford, another BDS member, performing a Joyce Grenfell sketch entitled “The Committee”. It seemed all too familiar and yes we’ve all been to meetings like that!

It was about this time that we were beginning to receive news about the impact of the credit crisis on the Japanese banks. To mention just a few of those affected, we learned that the Origami Bank had just folded, Sumo Bank had gone belly up and apparently Investigators have realised that something fishy is going on at the Sushi Bank because customers have reported getting a raw deal.

Terry Langford stepped up to the podium for a second session. He was to be accompanied this time by Pat Jay but he was unfortunately still stuck on the M25. Nevertheless Terry carried on manfully. The finale was provided by Gina Franks with “I’m Just the Girl who Can’t Say No” from Oklahoma. Gina’s piece, and indeed all the singing, except for Terry who had his own equipment, was accompanied by Erica Counsell on the piano. Erica did a tremendous job and in recognition of her stoicism the SAKA committee may want to consider the services of a piano tuner before next year’s event!

A welcome fish and chip supper was once again produced by the Wei Lin’s Fish Bar in Western Road. Rhona Handcock and granddaughter Sally Andrew had prepared an excellent choice of desserts, so no one went home hungry. The Mayor of Southborough, Cllr. Colin Bothwell, presided over the Grand Draw for which tickets had been on sale throughout the summer. Thanks to all those who sold tickets, those who bought them and those who provided prizes, we were able to raise £393 and a further £120 was made as a result of the social event, which made good publicity for SAKA as well as producing a lot of laughter and enjoyment. Congratulations to the hard-working committee and those who participated in the cabaret.

This event is now a firm and successful fixture in SAKA’s calendar so make sure you don’t miss out next year. You won’t find a better value evening anywhere!

Robert Prance.

Support our supporters!

Without the support of those commercial organisations who donated prizes, we would not have been able to have staged such a successful Grand Draw. When making purchases, always keep these names in mind:

SEAFRANCE – Channel ferry services

Pantomime Productions – “Cinderella” at the Royal Victoria Hall this Christmas
Bidborough Dramatic Society – The comedy “Tons of Money” at the Bidborough Village Hall November 13

– 15th.

Southborough Butchers

The Grand Draw

Full list of prizewinners:

prize Seafrance Channel crossing for 5 plus car. Andrej Kotlarcyzk, Bidborough
2

prize Family ticket Cinderella Pantomime Brian Dobson, Tunbridge Wells
3

prize Family ticket Cinderella Pantomime Colin Bothwell, Southborough
4

Prize Ticket 4 persons “Tons of Money” by Peter Johnson, Crowborough
Bidborough Dramatic Society
5

prize Fold-up luggage set Anne Holford, Bidborough
6

prize Framed Print– St. Peter’s church overlooking Daisy Fletcher, Southborough
cricket on Southborough Common
7

prize Picnic hamper Mandy Dier, Crowborough
8

prize Southborough Butchers’ voucher David Coward, Southborough
9

prize “Jack the Ripper” book Debbie Cole, Bidborough
10

prize Fold-up case Elizabeth Calladine, Tonbridge
11

prize Swiss chocolates Rowena Morris, Southborough
12

prize Chartwell table mats Michael Holman, Tunbridge Wells
13

prize Leather handbag Audrey Constable, Pembury
14

prize Condiments set Robert Prance, Southborough