Official Magazine of the British Association - SUMMER EDITION - JULY-AUGUST 2019
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Official Magazine of the British Association
JULY-AUGUST 2019
SUMMER EDITION
Something new for you?
SPORTS • TOURS
CHARITY • HANDICRAFTS
EVENTS • PHOTOGRAPHY
MARKETING • SOCIAL MEDIA
EDITORIAL • CULINARY
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...
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Editorial Team Editor's Memo
Editor Jemima Barton
Features Rosalind Arwas, Ishra Giblett, I can’t believe the summer season is upon us again!
Mandy Greenslade, Iqra Kazee,
Helen Woodhall and Susie Harris
It is always a somewhat bittersweet time, the lure of the long
Cover image: Frangipanis at the Tanglin holidays is great, but this is often marred with leaving parties
Club by Jemima Barton and sad farewells to friends. Singapore is a transient place for
most expats, and despite being overseas since 2001, I never
Advertising enquiries email: find it gets any easier to say goodbye.
marketing@britishassociation.org.sg
Tel: 67169773
And so to another farewell; this is the last BEAM I will oversee as editor. Having
enjoyed the role since 2015, it is high time the magazine had a new voice, and
Designed and printed by
Xpress Print Pte Ltd I couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new editor Iqra Kazee. To find out
61 Tai Seng Avenue, more about her turn to page 30. We also have a new BEAM team member Helen
Print Media Hub @ Paya Lebar iPark
#03-03, Singapore 534167 Woodhall who previously edited the British Association’s newsletter in Paris and
Email: sales@xpress.sg has recently moved to Singapore from the USA. I still hope to contribute the odd
Tel: 6880 2828 Fax: 6880 2998
feature, and we’d love to hear from you – our readers! Do feel free to drop the
editorial team a line at beam@britishassociation.org.sg with any article, review or
MCI (P) 092/11/2018 feature you feel might appeal to other BA members.
Our summer BEAM is chockablock with summer reading ideas, inspirational
activities both in Singapore and the UK, recipes both healthy and sublime and
much, much more.
British Association of Singapore
Suite 31
Have a fantastic couple of months whatever you are up to and I look forward to
15 Scotts Road
#04-08 Thong Teck Building
seeing you at a British Association event soon.
Singapore 228218
Tel: 67169773 Jemima Barton
Email: info@britishassociation.org.sg Editor
www.britishassocaiation.org.sg Contact the editorial team at: beam@britishassociation.org.sg
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm
MEMBERS NOTICE: By allowing your photograph to be taken by an activity leader or our social
Please call before you visit! photographer at a BA meeting or event you are giving permission for it to be used in The Beam Magazine or
on our website and social media. If you do not wish to be featured please do not take part in group photos.
Be assured that our team will use extreme discretion when selecting photographs for use.
Contents
9 12 14
7 National Day 12 Singapore Staycation 19 The BA Bunch
The BEAM Meets…
8 Hari Raya Haji 14 Summer in the UK 22 Donal Skehan
BEAM Travel: Healthy Snacks
9 Exploring the Caley
17 Summer Reading Ideas 38 for the Summer
July-August 2019 3
View From The Chair YOUR BA TEAM
We are in a transitional, but
exciting period in our history. Council Members
Sadly, we say goodbye to Chairman Edith Blyth
Jemima who has edited The Vice Chairman Carole Jenkins
BEAM for four years with Hon Secretary Diane Price
dedication and creativity. The Hon Treasurer Miles Murphy
BEAM is not only enjoyed BEAM Editor Jemima Barton
by our members, but by a Membership Secretary Carole Jenkins
wider audience in Singapore. Events Coordinator Jules Murphy
A special thanks goes to Charities Coordinator Philippa Goodger
Jemima for staying on for Social Activities Coordinator Carol Allen
an extra issue while we searched for a new editor and Marketing Coordinator Sharon McGinn
leading her team to produce a magazine of which we Council Member Cathy Birch
can all be proud.
We said goodbye to Lekshmi, our Office Manager, in Support Teams
May. Lekshmi was a great asset to the Association but Marketing Team
Sharon McGinn, Rosalind Lui
her real interest was in HR work and she has gone to marketing@britishassociation.org.sg
pursue this. We wish her every success in her new job. Events Team
Jules Murphy, Suzanne Bloor,
Claire Abassi, Lorraine Dhillon,
I now extend a warm welcome to Dr. Rosalind Lui, our Michelle Dawson and
new Office Manager. Rosalind will be working full time, Lindsay Clements
however part of her role will be seeking new advertisers events@britishassociation.org.sg
and sponsors and consequently she will occasionally be
out of the office so please phone before you visit.
Social Activities Leaders
During April, the Council came to the sad conclusion
that the website we had invested in was not up to Afternoon Teas Sam Blundell and Claire Abbasi
the standard promised and members were still having Book Groups Jane Walker
trouble booking events and renewing. The decision was Cinema Club Sian Brook-Gillies
made to look for a new website provider. This step was Drop-In Coffee Kerry Harrison, Jane McDermott
not taken lightly, and several companies were reviewed. and Joanne Bull
We are now in the process of moving and to ensure Golf Edith Blyth
that our members receive their choice of service, all
Golf (Beginners) Carol Allen
our members were contacted and asked to verify their
Handicrafts Jane Mcdermott and Anne Kuehn
information. The Council would like to express their
appreciation to Carole Jenkins for undertaking this Joggers Anne Brangan
labour intensive task. Thanks to many members for Ladies' Night Out Claire Abbasi
their quick responses. If we have not heard from you Mahjong Jane McDermott
yet, please respond as soon as possible. May I? Jules Murphy
Newcomers Carole Jenkins
It is an unfortunate part of expat life that members move BA Night Out Geoff and June Pearson
on to pastures new, and sadly, we must say goodbye. Photography John McGinn
Some members have been in Singapore over twenty
Sketchers Joanne Bull
years and some less than two. We wish them every
Tennis Davina Borton-Sutherland &
success in settling into their new homes. At the same
time, we welcome our new members and wish them an Jane Mands
enjoyable and active life in Singapore. Do come and join Tours Janet Topping, Sue Rose
us in the variety of activities on offer. I look forward to Walkie Talkies Miranda Thomas (Botanics),
seeing you there. Julie Avery (East Coast),
Tara Codling (Bay)
Edith Blyth
bachair@britishassociation.org.sg
The editor reserves the right to change copy for
reasons of space, style or accuracy.
4 July-August 2019
BA July-August Diary and Tours
BA JULY-AUGUST DIARY
Owing to the summer exodus over the months of July and August, our BA diary will not be published in The BEAM.
Instead, please check your weekly E-news for up-to-date information on British Association events and activities.
RACE NIGHT Feel like a little flutter on the gee-gees?
BA Blue sponsors GFC have kindly invited BA members to share in
their Race Night on July 19th.
If you have not been before, it is a fun night.
Date: Friday 19thJuly More details will be published in the e-news.
Time: 6pm to 10.30pm
Venue: Singapore Turf Club, Casuarina Room Please contact Edith on bachair@britishassociation.org.sg to
Dress code: Smart attire register your interest.
Cost: $55
EVENING TOUR TO VISIT THE HUNGRY GHOST CELEBRATIONS
The gates of hell are thrown open during the seventh month The tour cost
of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and shut again on the 30th includes services
day after the last ghost is hauled home! The Hungry Ghost of local guide
Festival or Zhongyuan Jie is a traditional festival held during Diana Chua,
this period. Throughout the month, home prayers and street audio headset,
events are organized to commemorate and serve dead coach travel and
ancestors. To appease wandering spirits, the Chinese offer a Chinese meal
prayers, hold banquets filled with sumptuous food and (drinks at own
make offerings of joss sticks, paper money, paper gifts and expense).
even provide entertainments which include getai (staged
shows) and Chinese street operas to entertain these spirits DRESS CODE: Suitable casual dressing for visiting
and to keep them out of mischief. religious sites: No bare shoulders, low necklines and
shorts please. Photography is welcome.
Join our guide Diana Chua to learn about the legends, the
rituals as well as the symbolism, associated with this lively
festival. We start with the Buddhist version of the event
then we will visit other areas in Chinatown as well as the THURSDAY 15TH AUGUST 2019
heartlands to check out the Taoist, and other local ways the Time: Approx 6pm -1030pm
festival is carried out. Meet: See website
Cost: $105 members $120 non members
We are running this tour on the night of the full moon so Closing: Wednesday 7th August
we, together with the Dutch network, can witness the
extraordinary local celebrations.
A WARM WELCOME
TO OUR MOST RECENT NEW MEMBERS
Mark Putt and Tatiana Naumovets Abdul R. Harun and Nora Ismail
Rory and Josephine Barclay Shang Bai Huang and Irene Huang
Matthew and Bernadette Barclay Harry Landman and Marlene Bos
Reuben and Polina Collins Paul and Lorraine McBride
Sonia Ng
July-August 2019 5
Important information:
If you are about to leave Singapore, please let us know so we can keep our records up to date:
membership@britishassociaion.org.sg
If you are not receiving the E-news please contact info@britishassociation.org.sg
If you have the time to spare or the inclination, do come and volunteer for the BA. We need your help. Whether you feel
like writing for The BEAM, helping with our accounts, organising events or aiding with marketing, you will be welcomed
with open arms. No previous experience is necessary, this could be your chance to try something new!
Don’t forget to tell your friends about the British Association and encourage them to join. All are welcome!
The British Association needs
YOU!
We are looking for volunteers to join our fun and upbeat team, you do
not need experience, just a positive outlook and willingness to learn.
Treasurer Feature Writers
Please contact bachair@britishassociation.org.sg for further details
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
IS PROUD TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS
FOR THEIR LOYALTY AND SUPPORT
White Corporate Sponsors
Blue Corporate Partners
Other Supporters
SINGAPORE NATIONAL DAY
Happy Birthday Singapore!
By Mandy Greenslade
The National Day of Singapore is celebrated on 12 Interesting Facts about Singapore
9th August every year. It is a commemoration of
Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. It is 1) If you are lucky enough to hold a $1000 Singapore
a National holiday and features a parade, an address banknote in your hand, look on the back. Here you
by the Prime Minister of Singapore and fireworks in the will find the lyrics to the Singapore National Anthem in
evening. microprint.
2) All other banknotes only have the words ‘Majulah
The parade is held on the Padang this year. During the Singapura’ which is the title to Singapore’s national
ceremony the audience will enjoy military parades, anthem which is written in Malay and translates as
multicultural singing and dancing, a flyover by the ‘Onward Singapore’.
Singapore Air Force and a breathtaking firework display. 3) Buildings in
Tickets are available online. Singapore cannot be
over 280m due to the
Pack a picnic and sit back with many others to watch nearby Paya Lebar
the fireworks in Gardens by the Bay East or on the Airbase.
barrage or stand and observe with thousands along the 4) The Tanjong Pagar
Esplanade or The Promontory. Center, built in 2016,
is the tallest building
Many people do not know the following secret…avoid in Singapore. At 290m it is the first building to surpass
the crowds and watch one of the two rehearsals for the the height limit imposed within the city.
fireworks! 5) Other than Singapore, the only other city-states in the
world are Monaco and Vatican City.
6) The Tembusu tree on the back of
Important dates the $5 Singapore banknote is 150
years old and still exists. It is near
27th July: the Tanglin entrance of the Botanic
National Day Preview 1, Gardens.
fireworks start at approximately 7) There is a ghost town called
8pm Singapore in Michigan, USA. Due
3rd August: to deforestation it is now buried
National Day Preview 2, under the sand dunes of Lake
fireworks start at approximately Michigan.
8pm 8) Originally Singapore was seven and a half hours ahead
9th August: of GMT. This changed in 1982 to eight hours to bring it in
Singapore National Day, line with its neighbours.
fireworks start at approximately 8pm 9) The fine for not flushing the toilet after you have used it is
$150 in Singapore.
(Dates correct at time of going to press)
10) Singapore Botanic Gardens hosts the largest tropical
orchid garden in the world.
Good Views for the National Day Fireworks (free) 11) Sang Nila Utama, a Sumatran Prince, thought he saw a
lion on the island we know as Singapore and originally
Esplanade Waterfront
named it Singapura, meaning ‘Lion City’ in Sanskrit. (It is
City Hall
thought by many to have been a tiger).
Esplanade Merlion Park
12) Lyrics of the Singapore National Anthem:
Marina Barrage
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
The Promontory
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Bay East @ Gardens by the Bay
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Marina Bay Sands
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Good Views for the National Day Fireworks (ticketed)
Dengan semangat yang baru
Sands Skypark Observation Deck Semua kita berseru
Faber Peak Majulah Singapura
Singapore Flyer Majulah Singapura
July-August 2019 7
Hari Raya Haji
By Iqra Kazee
This year Hari Raya Haji (HRH) falls on Sunday the 11th A cultural day at the Malay heritage Centre
August giving us Monday off, adding National Day the week The Centre holds varying exhibitions throughout the year:
before on Friday the 9th equals a great four-day weekend full This HRH there is an exhibition which delves into the
of fireworks, food and festivities. Although both HRH and Hari significance of Kampong Gelam as an important port town
raya Pausa (HRP) are Islamic holidays they are celebrated for where Muslims from all over the Malay Archipelago would
distinctively different reasons. congregate to prepare for the onward steamship passage
to Makkah in the late 19th century into the early 1970s.
HRH marks the end of Hajj, which is a mandatory religious Undangan ke Baitullah adds a Southeast Asian perspective
pilgrimage to Mecca, only compulsory to those that are able to this annual global movement of Muslims, which for many
bodied, have no outstanding debt, financial ties, obligations pilgrims, would be a once-in-a-lifetime journey of faith.
and can truly afford it. HRP on the other hand marks the end
of Ramadan the month of fasting when the Holy Quran was
revealed.
Religious significance
HRH commemorates the story of prophet Ibraheem
(Abraham) and his submission to sacrifice his son as a test
of faith. Unknown to him the boy was replaced by a ram.
It is because of his utter obedience that Muslims sacrifice
livestock such as cows, sheep and lambs and donate this to
friends, extended family and the needy.
How is it celebrated 13 Oct 2018 - 23 Jun 2019
A typical HRH would start with dressing in the finest Galleries 1, 2 and Finale
traditional garments and congregating at a mosque to hear 10.00am - 6.00pm (Last admission: 5.30pm)
the imam’s religious sermon. After which a “Qurban” i.e. the Free
sacrifice of livestock takes place, luckily for the squeamish
it is no longer a public event in Singapore. Many Muslims Visit Sultan Mosque in Arab Street
will donate all the meat to those that are needy, however The Iconic house
traditionally 1/3 goes to the person who paid for the meat, of worship situated
another 1/3 to friends and family and the last 1/3 to the in Arab street
needy. The day continues with social visits and gatherings welcomes people
held at the homes of friends and family with, you guessed it, from different races
more food. and all ages. Sermons
are conducted in
How to spend your Hari Raya Haji in Singapore English and Malay and
Why not try some information is at hand
festive local dishes. to learn more about
Each culture will have Islam.
special dishes they
prepare for Eid, the
usual suspects include
traditional dum biryani,
roasted Chicken,
ketupat and beef
Happy Hari Raya Haji
from the BA
rendang. To get a taste of these delightful delicacies, the best
places can be found in Arab street, Little India and Geylang
Serai; all great hot spots for Authentic Malay, Mediterranean,
Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisine.
8 July-August 2019
Exploring
Caley
the
By Susie Harris
The Caledonian Canal known boats sailing around Tomnahurick near the trip resulted in a large increase in
affectionately as The Caley, runs in a Inverness. The Highlands clearances visitors.
south westerly direction from Inverness resulted in a depression so, deprived
on the Scottish North East coast to of their homes and jobs, many people By 1990, the canal was in need of
Corpach near Fort William in the west. emigrated to Canada or elsewhere. restoration with lock walls bulging.
It is some 60 miles long but only a Thomas Telford was asked to investigate It was estimated that repairs would
third is actually man-made, the rest the problem in 1801 and realising that cost £60 million. With no prospect of
is made up of four lochs, the best- direct government action to tackle the government funding, British Waterways
known being Loch Ness. The whole issue might be considered interference, devised a repair plan; between 1995
occupies a geological fault known as he suggested a programme of public and 2005, sections of the canal were
the Great Glen. The scenery can only works, involving roads, bridges and drained each winter. Stainless steel
be described as spectacular, a never- canals, would provide jobs and rods tied the double-skinned lock
ending view of lowland fields and a stimulate the economy. walls together and over 25,000 tonnes
scattering of pretty villages against a of grout were injected into the lock
backdrop of mountains albeit often with Acts of Parliament then granted funding. structures. All the lock gates were
cloud-capped tops. We (my husband The remoteness of the construction site replaced. The result was a canal whose
Kevin and myself) had always wanted to combined with seasonal absenteeism structures were probably in a better
make the journey by our own boat and and geological difficulties meant that condition than they had ever been.
in the summer of 2013 spent a week or the Caley finally opened 12 years late The Caley is now a Scheduled Ancient
so making the transit. in 1822 at a cost of just under a million Monument run by Scottish Canals and
pounds, well over the original budget. attracts over half a million visitors each
Possibly the greatest achievement of Commercially, the venture was not a year.
engineer Thomas Telford, the Caley success, however the dramatic scenery
was completed in the early nineteenth led to it becoming a tourist attraction. You don’t need to sail your own boat to
century though its history goes back Queen Victoria took a trip along it in Scotland to make this beautiful voyage.
much further to a 1620 prophecy about 1873, and the publicity surrounding The Scottish Canals website is a great
July-August 2019 9
starting point for seeing what is on offer. At Fort Augustus the keepers drank a hook so he could control it from the
Several companies offer day trips along their morning tea whilst the locks were boat. As the boat rose we’d shorten the
the Caley, Fort William, Fort Augustus filling. They chat cheerily over the radio lines to prevent her drifting off sideways
and Inverness are popular starting to the bridges and locks ahead about and ensure she roughly stayed parallel
points. Alternatively splash out on a few the traffic heading their way. Yachts to the wall.
nights on the luxurious Lord of the Glens and larger cruisers require bridges to
especially designed for the Caley whose open whilst smaller hire boats pass In between were “bottomless” lochs
locks measure 150 ft long, 34 ft wide freely under them. We’d call as we and man-made canal sections, all very
with a maximum depth of 12 ft. Her approached only to be told we were scenic especially when the cloud lifted
interior is fitted out with lovingly restored expected and the lock was ready for us, enough to see the mountain tops.
furniture and fittings from the grand enter on the starboard side and they’d Beguiled by Loch Ness we anchored
liners of yesteryear. take our lines. Temptress shared one in a quiet bay near Castle Urquhart.
lock with the Jacobite Highlander, a Most days we managed ten or so miles,
Aboard our boat Temptress from the large and very purple, passenger boat one day only four! In Fort Augustus,
moment we arrived at Clacknaharry offering trips from Inverness to Loch very busy with Nessy, rib rides and gift
Sealock at the Inverness end of the Ness. shops, we met a lovely lady working as
Caley we knew we were in for a a glassblower and enjoyed watching the
treat. The welcome was warm and The flights at Muir Town, Fort Augustus tourists taking pictures of us moored
full of advice. All the lock keepers and the enormous Neptune Staircase below the road bridge. At Loch Oich we
we met further on were the same at Corpach were operated by a team took a walk on the “historic Bridge of
despite their difficult job juggling locks, of keepers. Once up the first lock at Oich”, a little alarmed by signs warning
bridge openings, maintenance work, Muir Town and Fort Augustus I stepped the maximum number of pedestrians
hire cruisers and a small amount of ashore with a line and controlled the on this ancient suspension bridge over
commercial traffic. bow from the lockside. Smaller boats the river was fifty, fortunately there was
were hauled through from chamber only one other person around that
to chamber however Temptress’ size evening. The bridge itself goes nowhere
needed the engine to move her forward nowadays.
each time. A keeper would take the
sternline from Kevin and loop it round The last stretch of the Caledonian is
the most strenuous, first the Neptune
Staircase – a succession of locks, the
10 July-August 2019bottom gate of one forming the top gate journey down started soon after 11am on the lock walls, the wind was whistling
of the next. No warm up to this exercise and took almost two hours. Having in our rigging once more and salt was
just straight off your mooring and failed to count the number of gates or definitely in the air. It A great few days
straight into it, throwing lines, catching chambers marked on the chart and, as on the Caley.
lines, hauling lines, snubbing then you can’t see the bottom from the top,
easing lines. It was raining further down it was something of a surprise after lock
the valley, the low-level cloud reached six to realise there were still two more
us before we completed the flight. The to go! By the end arms and shoulders
ached, fingers were wet and sore from
the lines whilst we were very damp from
the drizzling rain. The final road and rail
swing bridges opened, Temptress could
glimpse the sea once more off to the left
through the trees lining the last stretch
of canal. There was still another flight
of two locks as well as the sealock to
negotiate.
We stopped briefly for diesel in the
bottom pound then at the sealock we
handed over our British Waterways
key which had given us access to loos
and more during our eight days in the
canal, paid for our fuel and waited
for the final drop down to salt water.
Seaweed joined the stringy pondweed
THINGS TO DO
AROUND THE AREA
Scottish Canals
www.scottishcanals.co.uk
Forest Trails and more
www.abriachan.org.uk
Glass blowing demonstrations
www.icebergglass.com
Walking Loch Ness
http://enjoylochness.com
Kayaking the Caley
http://greatglencanoetrail.info
Lord of the Glens
lordoftheglens.co.uk
Scottish Canals
www.scottishcanals.co.uk
July-August 2019 11Singapore Staycation By Rosalind Arwas
Back in the UK, commuters are gazing up at drizzly summer skies and daydreaming about the perfect holiday.
Turquoise pools, sandy beaches and sparkling seas are high on their wish lists, along with delicious food,
rooftop bars, nature, culture and retail therapy. And what about helpful, friendly locals who all speak English?
Here in Singapore we have all that and more, pretty much 365 days a year. So if you don’t have the inclination,
time or money to travel this summer, why bother? Opt for an amazing staycation instead.
Here are some BEAM suggestions for the perfect Singaporean Useful websites:
summer: www.goglampingsg.com
www.glampingsociety.com
CAMP OR GLAMP: www.wildwildwet.com
You definitely don’t need a four season sleeping bag in this
country. In fact, you don’t even need your own tent because CHARTER A BOAT:
several companies now offer luxury tenting opportunities at You can choose between half day, full day or an overnight
East Coast Park. Fans and fairy lights are included as are island hopping cruise. The most popular option is a four hour
picnics and barbecue facilities and proximity to the beach and morning or afternoon cruise around the Southern Islands (St
water-sport activities. Showers, however, are not. John’s, Lazarus etc.) including snorkeling, jet skis and other
water related fun.
If you already have your own equipment and prefer You can arrange
somewhere a bit quieter, pitch your tent at either Pasir Ris to stop off and
Park (handy for a day trip to Wild Wild Wet Water Park), sample fresh
West Coast Park (packed with seafood at Smith
playgrounds for the kids) or Pulau Marine, a floating
Ubin (to really get away from it restaurant
all). Even further off the beaten between Pulau
track is St. John’s Island, which Ubin and Changi
reopened to the public on June point, or cruise
1st, with upgraded campsite into the One15
and bungalow facilities. For the marina to check
intrepid traveler try Pulau Hantu out the range
Besar, which is not served by of waterfront
regular commercial ferry service eateries, which
so you need to offer everything
charter a boat to from freshly
get there. caught fish to
New York style
Do note that most bagels. St. John’s Island
camping facilities
are only available For a longer trip, consider a mini cruise to Penang or Phuket
to Singapore although these usually don’t run during the peak summer
residents, PRs season.
and work permit
holders, due to Useful websites:
National Park http://www.one15luxuryyachting.com
regulations and that https://www.yachtly.com.sg
you may need to https://www.facebook.com/poholdings/
apply for a permit Camping images courtesy of GoGlampingSG
in advance.
12 July-August 2019CHALETS AND RESORTS
Singapore isn’t only about high end hotels in the CBD. When Capella Hotel pools
the locals want to organise a family get together or a student
reunion, they rent chalet or bungalow style accommodation.
With pools, golf courses, restaurants and family entertainment
like onsite bowling alleys, these “resorts” are largely situated
away from the tourist/expat hotspots, in places like Yishun,
Pasir Ris or Bukit Batok giving you a chance to experience
a different side to the island. A handy list of this type of
accommodation can be found at: https://www.timeout.com/
singapore/hotels/the-best-chalets-and-resorts-in-singapore
BLOW THE BUDGET:
Everyone wants a photo of themselves in that iconic infinity
pool on the roof of the Marina Bay Sands hotel (although
apparently it’s quite tricky to get one without being photo
bombed by other hopeful Instagrammers). The views up
there are simply incredible, especially at night, as the city
skyscrapers begin to shimmer and the SuperTrees of Gardens
by the Bay glow indigo and violet. You can pose by one of FURTHER AFIELD,
the Lamborghinis or Ferraris parked outside and pretend you BUT STILL
are a Crazy Rich Asian or spend the money you didn’t use WITHOUT GETTING
flying to another holiday destination to eat in one of the hotel ON A PLANE:
restaurants.
For affordable
pampering try a half
day or an overnight
trip to Tempat Senang
Spa in Batam. You’ll
even get a stamp in your
passport too. The fast
ferry from Harbourfront
takes about an hour,
a resort shuttle bus
will pick you up from
the ferry terminal and
deposit you in an oasis
of calm and greenery
where you can indulge
in an extensive menu
of spa treatments and
Skyline with MBS delicious dining. Other
spa options to consider
If MBS isn’t your thing, Singapore has no shortage of other in Batam are the Holiday Tempat Senang Spa
shiny, funky and luxurious hotels, many of which can boost the Inn and Turi Beach Hotels and KTM resort
holiday feeling with an extravagant free flow Sunday brunch.
Get the Trump/Kim experience at either the Capella Hotel on The Indonesian islands of Bintan, Nikoi, Cempedak, Joyo and
Sentosa, the St. Regis close to Orchard or the Shangri-La. Telunas are all easily accessible by boat from Singapore. They
Get the alternative infinity pool fix with Hotel Indigo’s 25m long are not cheap and tend to book out early but all offer holiday
version, with views over the classic, colourful shophouses brochure style slices of paradise which our vitamin D starved
of Joo Chiat. If brunch did not completely fill you up, move friends in the British Isles can only dream of, as they pull on
seamlessly on to a free flow high tea, with mini cakes, their waterproofs and gamely down another flask of tea, eyes
delectable sandwiches and melt in the mouth macaroons. straining through the mist for a glimpse of the heaving, stone
The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers a good one, with the city skyline grey sea.
included.
July-August 2019 13Compiled by Jemima Barton
The BEAM TEAM have some varied recommendations for places and activities to pass the time
in the summer in the UK. Whether it’s a scorcher or drizzly one, the summer is jam-packed with
concerts, festivals, not to mention berry picking and sporting events.
Another of my favourite hikes is to the highest point ‘Will’s
Hiking around the Quantock Neck’. The historic name means ‘ridge of the Welshmen’
which is believed to have come from when the hills were
Hills, Somerset. the border between the Saxon kingdom of Wessex and the
Mandy Welsh to the West.
If you are in the South West of England you will not be
disappointed if you pop to the Quantock Hills for some
fresh air, exercise and don’t forget the lovely scrumpy cider
available at the many pubs along the way!
Visit Stratford upon Avon and
see a performance at the Royal
Shakespeare Theatre.
Although I have lived in many countries and travelled many Ishra
more, my favourite place in the world has to be the beautiful
Quantock Hills in my home county of Somerset. In 1956
they were England’s first designated ‘Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty’. Every season shows a large variation of
colourful plants and trees through the heathlands, agricultural
fields, deciduous and coniferous woodlands and parklands.
The Quantocks has many villages with amazing places of
interest to visit when hiking the various routes including
Coleridge Cottage in Nether Stowey, Halsway Manor in
Halsway (mentioned in the Domesday Book) and Fyne Court
in Broomfield. My favourite walk is the one I have shared with
my father and friends to Cothelstone Hill. I have walked the
hill in every type of weather and it never fails to excite me. At
the top there is a breathtaking 360 degree view which looks This is one up from the Globe, which in itself is a wonderful
out over the Blackdown Hills, Somerset Levels, Brendon way to spend an evening if you’re a Shakespeare or theatre
Hills and over to Exmoor National Park. As you walk you can fan. What could be better than catching a performance of a
occasionally hear the steam train from the West Somerset Shakespeare play than watching it in the Bard’s hometown?
Railway and if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of the The theatre is in a beautiful setting on the river’s edge, where
herd of Exmoor ponies wandering and grazing. You might a stroll after the show is the perfect end to a perfect evening.
spot foxes, badgers and the occasional deer too.
14 July-August 2019Bath Kings Cross
Ishra Rosalind
Bath’s thermal waters have been a major attraction for What goes through your mind when you hear the words
hundreds of years. The Roman baths use naturally heated Kings Cross? Most likely Harry Potter and Platform 9 and 3/4
springs, and the architecture is magnificent. If you want a and, of course, if you’re passing through the station and have
spa, however, you have to head to the Thermal Bath Spa time to queue, you can pose with an iconic luggage trolley
where you can soak in mineral rich springs whilst taking in disappearing through a wall and visit the extensive Potter
the stunning views of the Unesco World Heritage city. gift shop. But don’t spend too much time or money here
because Kings Cross, once a wasteland of weeds sprouting
amongst abandoned gasworks and rail depots, has been
Harry Potter Studio quietly undergoing a £3bn transformation. Street cafes and
Ishra open air food markets, splash fountains, funky designer
shops, canal side walks, green open spaces and a constantly
evolving programme of art, culture and fun make this a
fascinating place to explore.
www.kingscross.co.uk/whats-on#art-and-culture
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Rosalind
For a family outing
involving close
encounters with zoo
animals, a miniature
train, awesome
playgrounds and
If you want something a little more active and adventurous, a beautiful flowers,
tour of the Harry Potter Studio might be a little more up your set within a typically
alley (Diagon alley that is!). You can visit the actual Great Hall British landed estate,
from the film set, see the costumes that were worn by the add Cotswold
characters, get to see how many of the special effects were Wildlife Park to
created and even try a pint of ‘Butterbeer’. your home-for-the-
holidays travel list.
If you haven’t yet visited the Harry Potter Studio, it is a The park is situated
definite must do for Potterfiles, be warned you need to book between Oxford and
tickets in advance online, don’t just turn up on the day and Cheltenham and is
expect to get in or you’ll be in for major disappointment. open from 10am to 6pm.
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
July-August 2019 15Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Jemima
the tour allows you a behind-the-scenes tour of the grounds.
Once you’ve had your fill, head up into Wimbledon village for
a bite to eat at one of the lovely restaurants.
The museum is open from 10am – 5.30pm daily, and it is
advised to book your tour in advance. N.B: the museum is
open to Championship ticket holders only during the first two
weeks of July.
www.wimbledon.com
This annual event is the world’s largest arts festival and runs
Luxury staycations
through most of August. There are shows to suit every taste,
last year we booked several child-friendly musicals and
at The Pig Hotels
comedies which had us adults laughing our heads off. We Jemima
also saw some interactive, Whose Line is it Anyway – type
performances which were fantastic.
The picturesque city comes alive with free shows and
buskers wherever you walk so you don’t have to have
booked up ahead of time to be entertained.
www.edfringe.com
Wimbledon Lawn
Tennis Museum
Calling themselves,
Jemima
kitchens with rooms,
The Pig group of hotels
are the perfect British
retreat, conjuring up
the epitome of English
countryside, from
the green and pleasant lands to rolling waves. The idea is
simple: their kitchen gardens provide nearly all the food for
the restaurants and what they can’t provide themselves
comes from a 25 mile radius of the hotel. The group are hot
on reusing and recyling, and run apprentice schemes and
support local childnren’s charities. This has to help you relax!
Each hotel has a different feel: a cosy farmhouse ambiance
at Bath, the grand resplendence at Honiton, the higgledy
Being SW19 born and bred, I love getting back to
piggledy (forgive the pun) character of the New Forest
Wimbledon in time for the tennis. If you haven’t got tickets
in Hampshire. Started in 2011, there are now six hotels
and don’t want to queue to watch the Championships
spread over the South of England. We have stayed with and
themselves, I thoroughly recommend the Lawn Tennis
without the children, at four of the Pigs and can thoroughly
Museum. It is the largest tennis museum in the world,
recommend every aspect of them!
displaying tennis garb from as long ago as the Victorian
period as well as documenting how ‘The Fortnight’ has
www.thepighotel.com
changed since 1877. You can enjoy a Centre Court visit and
16 July-August 2019Summer Reads
Compiled by Jemima Barton
There is nothing better than sitting back and enjoying a
good read on your summer holiday. The BEAM Team has
put together a list of books which we hope will appeal to
everyone.
Monsoon Books have four new
titles out this season and we
have some copies to give away!
Monsoon Books is a BA Benefit,
see page 32 to see how you can
claim your free e-book when you
buy any of their titles.
Simply e-mail editor.beam@gmail.com to stand a
chance of winning a copy.
Chasing the Dragon Not a Virgin
by John D Greenwood by Nuril Basri
A Monsoon Books title A Monsoon Books title
Chasing the Dragon is volume two in the In this coming-of-age novel, four Indonesian
Singapore Saga, a series of historical fiction high-school students seek to dis- cover
that spans the first 100 years of Singapore, what their future will bring and look for
and follows Forbidden Hill. Set against the answers to their questions about sexuality.
expansion of Singapore in the years 1834- With characters ranging from cross-dressing
1854, the book continues to vividly portray the lives of the hairdressers, drag queens and rent boys to fanatic Muslims
early pioneers of the expanding port city. As the troop ships and low-life security personnel, the action of this tragicomedy
of the British Expeditionary Force assemble in Singapore in moves between an Islamic boarding school and a gay bar
preparation for the First Opium War, Hong Xiuquan has a in Jakarta, and in so doing illuminates the mindset and
dream that will launch the Taiping Rebellion in China, taking yearnings of a new generation of Indonesians.
the lives of twenty million and powerfully impacting the
fortunes of the new citizens of Singapore. Harvesting the Storm
by John Waromi
A Monsoon Books title
Verity
by Colleen Hoover The first ever novel by a Papuan author,
Verity will have you on the edge of your this tale of generosity, greed, and resilience
seat, or your sun lounger this summer! follows the friendship of three underwater
creatures. In this ecological parable, author
It is one of those books you don’t want to John Waromi, a member of the Ambai
put down because you constantly want to tribe, sheds light on not only the ecology
know what is going to happen next. The of the southern Papuan coast but also the struggle of the
story follows a writer who is hired to be a indigenous Papuan people to survive the environmental
ghost-writer for an author (Verity Crawford) who is unable to destruction that is inflicted upon them.
write due to an injury. Summoned to Crawford’s house to do
some research, the writer finds some old paperwork, which
contains a manuscript. The pages of the manuscript contain
material that is dark and disturbing…
July-August 2019 17Circumstance The Glass Castle
by Rosie Milne by Jeannette Walls
A Monsoon Books title
The Glass Castle details the story
What happens when an adoring young bride of Jeannette Walls and her family.
is met on the doorstep of her new home by Constantly short on cash and food, the
her husband’s former mistress? family frequently moves around the USA
and tries to re-settle. The book recounts the
It is 1924 and the British rule Malaya. Frank unconventional, poverty-stricken upbringing
is a colonial administrator in a remote district deep in the Walls and her siblings had at the hands of their deeply
jungle. Rose is the innocent young bride he’s just brought dysfunctional parents yet the memoir communicates itself
out from England. Nony is the native mistress he’d previously without condemning either of the Walls parents.
abandoned, along with their four children. Frank, Rose and
Nony soon become entangled in vines of secrecy and lying, The title refers to her father’s long held intention of building his
they are snagged by thorns of bribery and blackmail, and dream house, a glass castle.
caught in sticky webs of bluff and counter-bluff. Something
must give between them: but what?
The Thirteenth Tale
by Diane Setterfield
Kopi Thiam The Thirteenth Tale is a gothic-style mystery
by James Suresh and Adam Lee
told in a story-within-a-story format. The
Popular as a comic series in Singapore’s framing device revolves around Margaret,
New Paper and in The Star, Malaysia, ‘Kopi a bibliophile and occasional biographer
Thiam’ was created by Suresh and Lee 22 who works in a bookstore. Margaret is
years ago. While the creative pair have been summoned to Yorkshire by a prolific writer,
busy with other aspects of their respective Vida Winter, who asks her to write her biography. Although
careers since, they recently got together she is initially hesitant, Margaret gradually becomes fascinated
and decided to bring ‘Kopi Thiam’ back to life in published by the details of Vida’s disturbing childhood.
comic book form. Suresh explains: “On the spur of the
moment, we decided that we should compile our old comic
strips, update some of the stories and add new strips to
The Widow’s War: A Novel
by Sally Gunning
reach a new audience who may not have heard about ‘Kopi
Thiam’. So we’ve launched a new book that took more than Set in eighteenth-century Massachusetts,
twenty years to conceive!” this is the story of Lyddie, a tough, self-
sufficient inhabitant of Cape Cod whose
world is turned upside down by the death
The Most Fun We Ever Had of her husband in a whaling accident. Her
by Claire Lombardo
determination to make her own decisions
The story is set in 2016. It is about a couple, and live how she pleases upsets her wider family and
Marilyn and David and their four daughters. community and the prevailing ideas of race, sex and class.
Through flashbacks we find out about Lyddie’s unwillingness to settle for the easy path and her
Marilyn’s and David’s perfect relationship. instinctive fight against her relegation to irrelevant chattel finds
We also find out though that their four, an echo in the ideas of rebellion and the fundamental liberties
very different daughters, whilst looking and of man (and woman) that were to be the foundation of the
hoping for a love as good as their parents coming Revolution. The result is a book that is absorbing and
they find lives full of unrest. informative in equal measure.
18 July-August 2019Hi everyone,
BA BUNCH
I hope you are looking forward to your summer holidays?
Are you staying in Singapore? enjoying a staycation here? travelling overseas or even going back
to Britain to see family and friends? Whatever you do I hope you have a fantastic time. After
your long term at school, all your studying and early morning starts I am sure you are
looking forward to a summer of rest with lots and lots of fun and laughter.
It was recently my third birthday which I enjoyed so much with my brother, Griffin.
His owner made this beautiful cake and even made and cooked these amazing dog
heads out of edible dough that look exactly like us. We loved eating it up!
Have a brilliant summer, don’t forget to email me your photos of fun in the
sun so we can publish them in the next BEAM!
Huffle the dog
c/o editor.beam@gmail.com
Compiled by Mandy Greenslade
and Huffle the Dog
Beautiful British
R H Y D R A N G E A P T P A B
W E J L P H L O X Y S Z V L H
Summer Plants
S D T R A A I S H C U F W L E
M U S S Q V H Q P I X L N E B
T L T L A R E R C K J M G B E
D R I S D E I N C M F U E A S
F G O D I M N O D O P I R D N
ABELLA HOLLYHOCK S P C S R C H O X E U N A P O
CISTUS HYDRANGEA L Q A O E Y S W T Y R I N M L
COTONEASTER LAVENDER U B S U L S Q Z Q O V H I L C
DELPHINIUM PEONY V E Y L F Y N O G I C P U M B
FUCHSIA PHLOX S I O O N U T N E N A L M P P
GERANIUM PRIMROSE O H I O Q Z K A D W O E K V T
HEBES ROSES P O E X Z M I L Y F R D G J N
Z P N C D D L U Z E E H Q W C
July-August 2019 19Summer Jokes:
Why do fish eat worms? What do you call a British snowman in July?
Because they get hooked on them! A puddle!
Why do bananas use sunscreen? What’s black and white and red all over?
Because they peel! A sunburnt penguin!
Why are fish never good tennis players? What do you get if you cross an elephant with a
Because they don’t get close to the net! fish?
Swimming trunks!
What do sheep do on sunny days?
Have a baa baa cue! Why are gulls named seagulls?
Because if they lived by the bay they would be called bagels!
Cool Summer Recipe:
Strawberry Cheesecake
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Try making these delicious sandwiches for your parents this summer. You
can substitute the strawberries for any of your favourite summer fruits.
Ingredients Instructions 5) Line a large baking dish with tinfoil.
Diced strawberries Cover the base of the dish with half
1) Wash and cut strawberries. Place
of the digestive biscuits.
14 digestive biscuits on a cooking tray and place in a
8oz cream cheese freezer for at least two hours. Place 6) Pour the strawberry yogurt mixture
the digestive biscuits onto another onto the biscuits.
24oz plain Greek yogurt
baking tray and also place in the 7) Place a layer of the digestives onto
I tablespoon lemon juice freezer. the top of the mixture.
I tsp vanilla
2) Mix together the cream cheese, 8) Place the dish into the freezer and
3-4 tablespoons honey Greek yogurt, vanilla and lemon leave for four hours.
juice in a large bowl.
9) When everyone is ready to eat their
3) Once mixed add the honey. ice cream sandwich remove from
4) Gently mix in the frozen the dish and cut into sandwiches
strawberries into the mixture. with a sharp knife.
10) Serve and enjoy!
20 July-August 2019BOOKS. SUMMER READS FOR KIDS.
David Walliams: The World’s Worst Teachers. David Walliams: Fing.
This is a brand-new book out for the summer. Another number one best seller from Britain’s
When interviewed David Walliams stated, ‘I think this is my talented and favourite author. This story is about
funniest book yet, and I hope will be enjoyed by even the a rude and spoilt child that always wants more!
most reluctant reader’. Many children cannot wait to get Very popular for primary aged children.
their hands on this book especially after the success of The
Worlds Worst Children 1, 2 and 3. Rochelle Humes: The Mega Magic Hair Swap.
A delightful story about 2 young girls with very different hair.
Gennifer Choldenko: One Third Nerd. One has dark curly hair the other blonde and straight, but
A highly recommended book for primary aged students. they don’t like their own hair! They get granted a wish to
It’s about a boy, Liam, his mum, two sisters and their dog change their hair but soon realise maybe they do like their
Cupcake who keeps weeing in the apartment. His dad lives own hair after all! A story that reflects so many young children
nearby. Liam’s parents have stated if the dog doesn’t stop today and possibly many adults. (I know I have always
weeing he will have to go. A lovely, funny story about family, wanted curly hair!)
friendship and not giving up.
16 Quick ideas to keep children entertained in transit
(without using an iPad or phone)
There is usually a film or two to watch or some video game to play but it’s always a good idea to have some exciting
‘hands on’ games to play with and keep fidgeting children happy.
1) To carry and have their very own 6) Take colourful picture postcards and 11) Memory game cards.
back-pack with lots of pockets to get the children to write about their
12) To become ‘David Walliams’ and
keep small things of interest and their trip to grandparents, friends or their
write and illustrate their own story in a
games to play. teacher.
new lined exercise book.
2) At the airport buy them a ‘Colour your 7) For younger children bring a ‘lift the
13) Pipe cleaners can be great fun to
own carry-on backpack’ with fabric flap’ book. Most children love these
make a large assortment of 3D
markers and a canvas bag. and can look at them and enjoy for
objects from animals to people to
quite a while.
3) Take along this exciting book, decorations and can be used to re tell
Odd One Out by Buster Books. 8) Bring along stamps, a stamp pad and stories.
Recommended to keep children paper to create scenes or to put on
14) Learn to fold origami animals.
occupied for quite a while. It includes messages.
Take along sheets of paper and an
many puzzles to solve including
9) Learning to use chopsticks is always instruction booklet.
matching pairs, finding the odd one
fun. Pick up cotton balls, pencils,
out or colour matching. 15) Travel Scrabble is also good for
rubbers (any small objects that are in
competitive children and is a great
4) Magnetic games are always good your bag).
spelling lesson on the way.
because the pieces stick to the board
10) Play and learn new card games.
and should not get lost if the game 16) Carry Lego sets (with their completed
(Always good for competitive
falls to the floor. picture and instructions) in an easy to
children). Trumps and Rummy are
carry zip lock bag.
5) Colouring books with pencils are great old-fashioned games but easy
always a lovely way to pass the time. to learn and keep children entertained
for a long time.
July-August 2019 21BEAM MEETS…
Celebrity Chef and TV personality
Donal Skehan By Jemima Barton
What Donal Skehan has packed into his thirty odd years
makes me feel positively exhausted! Donal is a well-
known Irish food writer and presenter, food photographer,
successful musician and has published eight cookbooks.
He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and toddler
son. He has appeared on television programmes such
as BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, Junior Masterchef and The
Food Network’s UK/US Cooking Channel among
many others. He is also very active on Instagram and
has a YouTube channel where he shares some of his
scrumptious recipes.
Growing up in County Dublin, Donal was inspired by his
family of passionate food lovers who have successfully
worked in the food industry for over 60 years. While
other children were out playing sports, Donal was on the
bus every Saturday, hunting out the ingredients to make
dishes from the Encyclopaedia of Chinese Cookery, a gift
from his grandmother. Years later, and a detour singing in
bands Streetwize and Industry, he realised food was his
true calling and started his popular food blog, “The Good
Mood Food Blog”. This chronicled quick cooking dishes
and the cheap meals he prepared when he first moved
out of home. The blog received the award for Best Irish now and it feels like home. As time moves on, and with
Food Blog in 2009. the advent of a child, there is a bit more of a draw to be
near family as we both have a great support system back
Since his last series (Donal’s Asian Baking Adventure), home which we don’t have in L.A. But for the time being
Donal’s life has changed greatly. Not only has he upped it’s working and we are enjoying the weather and lifestyle.
sticks and moved to California, he has also become a
father for the first time to a son, Noah. This new adventure BEAM: How are you enjoying your Asian stay?
has taught Donal the importance of quick and tasty meals
on the go, and he wants to share this knowledge with his Donal: I’m having a great time. I love Asian cookery full
viewers. stop so it’s always a source of inspiration and I often come
away from these trips with new ideas for dishes. A lot of
BEAM: Why the move to LA? my recipes are more simplified versions of traditional ones
making them a little more accessible to home cooks.
Donal: It was a career choice but a lifestyle choice too, Asian cuisines tend to be what I am drawn to, being more
we needed a change and my wife and I both jumped in punchy in flavour and quick to prepare which is the big
feet first. We are loving it! We’ve been there three years attraction for me at the moment.
22 July-August 2019BEAM: Have you had time on your whistle-stop tour to Minutes, so there’s a little more of a healthy slant to the
enjoy any Singaporean food? book but it’s in the same vein. I will be shooting the series
for that in June and July in Ireland. I also have a large
Donal: Yes, we have tried the Old Airport Road and East YouTube following and have a whole series of new videos
Lagoon Hawker centres. I just loved the sambal stingray! on there called Click Plate where I decode the internet’s
Hawker style is my favourite way to eat, I’m definitely not most popular recipes, and one called Sweet Tooth about
here for high end restaurants and want to try the ‘real baking, and also one called Weeknight Pasta. I am also
food’. about to launch a food range of foods called Cali Cali,
which focuses on Californian inspired cuisine.
BEAM: Has having a child altered your outlook on
cooking at all? BEAM: Tell us a little bit about the food scene in Los
Angeles? Do you have any favourite restaurants?
Donal: I always feel that my books are somewhat
autobiographical in the way the recipes fill a need in my Donal: The food scene in LA is my obsession! Something
life. Meals in Minutes came about because we’d moved exciting opens up there all the time. We live in a hip
out of our home of ten years that had had a kitchen filled and happening area near Highland Park. We love Joy, a
with kitchen equipment, was full of ingredients then all of fantastic Taiwanese restaurant, Mason’s Dumplings, Triple
a sudden we were living in Air B&B’s and had one pot, Beam Pizza, Hippo, all headed by well respected chefs,
one pan and sometimes not even an oven. For about six I could do a whole piece on the restaurants in that one
months we were more or less nomads so I devised simple area!
recipes that we could use. Then we had the baby and I
saw the real urgency for meals in literal minutes: A hungry BEAM: Would you ever consider opening your own
wife and a crying child! restaurant?
BEAM: What is your next project? Donal: I would love to do something more food event
based rather than a regular restaurant. We have always
Donal: I’m writing the next book as a follow on from dreamed of having a Swedish summer house and
Meals in Minutes. Now we are past the urgent phase hosting one off projects there - creating food styling
of parenthood and so I’m concentrating on what we workshops – almost like retreats.
are actually putting in our diets. It’s called, Superfood in
We have copies Watch Donal’s Meals in Minutes,
of Donal’s new
Series One and Two, as well as
cookbook to give
his Asian Baking Adventure on
away to three
lucky BA members. BBC Lifestyle (Starhub ch.432)
Simply email info@ as well as BBC Player.
britishassociation.
org.sg to stand a
chance of winning.
July-August 2019 23Donal has kindly shared one of his favourite
summertime recipes with the British Association.
Griddled Steak
with Baby Gem and
Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients: Method
3 tbsp olive oil 1. In a large bowl whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic, rosemary
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and season generously with salt and pepper.
2 large garlic cloves, finely pulped 2. Place a large griddle pan over a high heat. Add the
3 rosemary sprigs, leaves finely chopped prepared baby gems and spring onions to the dressing
6 baby gem lettuces, washed, trimmed and halved and toss to coat them. Shake off the excess and place
lengthways the vegetables on the hot griddle pan, leaving space in
8 small spring onions, trimmed the centre of the pan for the steak. Using the back of
2 x 250g striploin steaks (about 4cm thick) a spatula press the vegetables against the grooves of
240g jar sun blush tomatoes, drained the pan.
75g pecorino cheese, to serve 3. Add the steaks to the remaining dressing and turn to
Sea salt and black pepper coat completely. Place the steaks in the centre of the
hot griddle and cook for 4-5 minutes on either side for
Chimichurri Sauce Ingredients: medium rare, more for better done, depending on the
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped thickness of the steak.
2 handfuls flat leafed parsley, finely chopped 4. Turn the vegetables and as soon as they are tender,
1 tsp fresh oregano, finely chopped remove them from the pan, cover and leave warm.
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil When the steak is cooked allow to rest for 5 minutes
3 tbsp red wine vinegar covered before cutting into generous slices.
Pinch of cayenne pepper 5. Arrange the warm steak slivers with the vegetables,
Pinch of sea salt drizzle with chimichurri and garnish with the sun
blushed tomatoes and pecorino.
Blitz all the ingredients for the Chimichurri sauce in a
blender or whisk to combine. Set aside. (This will keep in *As an alternative for us in sunny Singapore, Donal
the fridge with a slick of olive oil for a week or more). suggests trying this recipe outside on the BBQ.
24 July-August 2019Charity in Singapore:
Riding for
the Disabled,
Singapore
Sian Brook Gillies talks to BEAM about volunteering at RDA
Singapore for over six years.
I arrived in Singapore in July 2012, looking for something
different to do before finding a job as a Montessori teacher. I
love the outdoors and being around horses, so as soon as I
found RDA I signed up.
RDA offers free weekly therapy riding or hippotherapy
sessions to people with special needs, aged between six
years old to sixty. Normally they will attend a block of 10
sessions of 45 minutes each.
The therapy benefits people physically, mentally and staff instructors plan and manage the sessions. I love doing
emotionally. The physical movement of the horse can help this as you get involved in all the different parts and it is very
relax tight leg muscles, eg. from conditions such as cerebral satisfying when your lesson plans help the riders progress so
palsy and from sitting in a wheelchair. It also helps build much.
core strength from learning to maintain a good posture and
balance. Cognitive skills are developed by participating in The riding therapy requires about 20 volunteers – six
various activities set up in the arena, appropriate to the leaders, twelve sidewalkers, one coordinator to organise the
groups needs and abilities. Interacting with volunteers volunteers and one to two AIs. Each session has a different
and horses help develop the riders emotional and social set of volunteers, so it is great to get to know so many
skills. They build relationships and learn to cope with new people from all different backgrounds and create a team
situations, often out of their comfort zone. As well as activities working together. No experience with horses or children is
in the arena, we often go on a short trail ride (“jungle walk”) or required as training is given. At the end of every session we
around the polo club stables. have a debrief to give feedback on every horse and rider and
to discuss progress. The riders are set one or two goals to
I started as a ‘sidewalker’, walking alongside the rider, work towards and then we plan the next lesson accordingly.
supporting when necessary while encouraging participation
in activities and independence in all areas. This is very Families report back that their child seems more confident,
rewarding as you get to know your rider over the weeks interacts more at home, can walk better or even speak
and it is fantastic to see how much they achieve. After a for the first time, so not only do the riders benefit but also
few terms, I trained as a leader. The leader looks after the the family unit. For many people with special needs, the
horse: preparing (tacking up), leading during the session riding therapy is liberating as they feel more in control of
and then taking care afterwards before taking the horse themselves and their situation. This gives them a huge boost
back to the stable. This is also very enjoyable, getting to to confidence, self-esteem and independence. I have found it
know the different horses and how to handle them. I was so rewarding and have seen some amazing improvements in
then invited to train as an AI (Assistant Instructor) to help the short spans of time. I would recommend it to anyone!
July-August 2019 25You can also read
