Summer Picnic 2016 – UK Konkans

The annual picnic of UK Konkans was held on Sunday 29th May 2016 with great enthusiasm and merriment. This year the venue was the historic Richmond park. Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park and Natural Reserve in London and has changed little over the centuries with, the varied landscape of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands set among ancient trees abound in wild life.

There was overwhelming response from the members and their families and friends who attended the picnic with a huge turnout. The event was started with a prayer followed by breakfast.Breakfast was a fantastic spread of tasty traditional phow, Mumbai poha and sojjige.
The people were split into two teams named “The Green Tigers” and “Mayflowers” very aptly for the woodland surroundings.

The first game was dodge ball which warmed up the participants for a competitive day. Melwyn organised a team relay consisting of balloon race, sack race, bean bag race and three legged race. There was great competitive spirit between the teams and it was always close finish.

Tom conducted games for the kids while Kevin did a brain teaser game for adults. Eric conducted a competitive game of passing the stick and ball. These games were a fun-loving and thrilling to watch and the onlookers supported their respective teams. Congratulations to all participants!

And thanks to the many volunteers who helped out. Food consisting of yummy biryani and raita was served to all. Many thanks to the contributors of Chicken sukka, liver masala, yummy chocolate cake. As always there was an overwhelming variety of food. A special thank you goes out to all who contributed towards the expenses in monitory terms. Your help is very much appreciated and we are very grateful to you.

Tug of war got the energy flowing. This being the most exciting game and the teams were very competitive. There was the women’s tug of war followed by the men’s. Each team brought their best, skilled and strongest members forward to win the tug of war.

It was so exciting that the kids wanted to have a go and we had a kids tug of war which was well pulled by all the kids. Each and every one took active participation in the games.

There was English cricket organised on the green and Indian lagori being enjoyed by the members. Others enjoyed a lovely chat and catch-up with fellow mangaloreans. Birthdays of the week were celebrated and the UK Konkans picnic cake was enjoyed by all.

Many people contributed their time, knowledge, enthusiasm and cooking expertise to make this event successful and we would like to thank each one of them.

All we can say Oh, the weather! Oh, the food! Oh, the fun…!