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by Richard Parslow

This week Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK and Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK continued to deliver the Isle of Man Governments engagement programme with a series of meetings in London.

They pursued a varied programme, meeting with Ambassadors from Russia and South Korea; the Chairman and members of the British-Manx All Party Parliamentary Group; political leaders from the Northwest, where the Isle of Man has considerable commercial links, and a Member of the Commons influential Treasury Committee. They also attended a dinner with the British Chambers of Commerce, which attracted business leaders from across the UK as well as Europe. Chief Minister said, In our meetings with Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko and Ambassador Choo Kyo-ho of South Korea, we were able to follow-up discussions which began during their previous visits to the Isle of Man. In both cases we explored possible opportunities where we might work together for the economic benefit of our countries. The many members of the All-Party Group are helpful and interested friends of the Isle of Man, and it is always useful to hear their views on issues that may affect us. We also discussed with the Groups Chairman Andrew Rosindell MP how we might drive forward the Group and recruit new members. As I have said before, it is essential that we continue to strengthen our relationships with politicians and businesses in the Northwest of England, where we have longstanding historical, cultural and business links. Our successful aerospace cluster works very closely with related enterprises in the area, and in this weeks meetings with Andy Burnham MP and Lord Bach, former Minister with responsibility for the Crown Dependencies, we explored how we might strengthen those links and develop greater opportunities for economic development. The Chief Minister concluded that both he and Minister Teare found the visit had been hugely informative and helpful, saying: I look forward to continuing with our programme of focussed engagement with political and business leaders, raising awareness of the Island and seeking out opportunities for the benefit of the Island. The delegation included Chief Secretary Will Greenhow and Director of External Relations Della Fletcher MBE, who also met with colleagues at the UK Ministry of Justice.

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we explored possible opportunities where we might work together for the economic benefit of our countries."

Allan Bell MHK, Chief Minister

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Manx Telecom Ltd 2012

Manx Telecom Ltd, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan, Isle of Man IM99 1HX Registered in the Isle of Man Reg no.5629V Vat Reg no GB 003-2919-12

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Isle of Man’s engagement programme in high gear

by Richard Parslow

As part of the Diamond Jubilee Tour, to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majestys accession, members of the Royal Family are travelling to all Commonwealth countries and today (Thursday, April 26) The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were welcomed to the Isle of Man.

During their visit The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall undertook a number of engagements focused around experiencing some of the unique heritage and sporting attractions the Isle of Man has to offer, as well as tasting some Isle of Man culinary delights.

Cycling is an important and extremely popular sport on the Isle of Man not least because both Mark Cavendish, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and road race World Champion, and World Champion team pursuit cyclist, Peter Kennaugh were born on the Island. With this in mind, the first stop for Their Royal Highnesses was the National Sports Centre were they met the Team Royal London 360 Isle of Man Cycling Club and watched young people take part in an outdoor cycle race, before meeting World Champion cyclist Peter Kennaugh.

They then went on to meet local food producers at the House of Manannan heritage centre including the Apple Orphanage Co, Isle of Man Creamery and the Manx Loaghtan Producers, as well as attending the launch of the Isle of Man Food Park, touring a sustainable scallop processing facility. The royal party were also taken to see the crew of Vital Spark, a replica Viking longship which will take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The Island has a strong Viking heritage and its parliament, Tynwald, was founded by Norse settlers more than one thousand years ago.

Commenting on the royal visit, the Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK said: It was a great honour to welcome The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the Isle of Man. This was The Prince of Wales third official visit to the Isle of Man. His Royal Highnesss last visit was for the Tynwald Day Ceremony in 2000 and the first time The Duchess of Cornwall has visited the Island. The Island has a distinctive heritage, a growing sporting elite and outstanding credentials in food production and it is good to see that the days schedule gave them the opportunity to experience this first hand.

Given the Princes interest in food sustainability I am particularly pleased that he had a tour of the sustainable scallop processing facility. This is an area we are passionate about on the Isle of Man and The International Sustainability Unit (ISU), established by The Prince of Wales, has been working with the Isle of Man Scallop Fishery to highlight the benefits of a more sustainable approach to fishing. We very much hope they enjoyed their visit and look forward to watching the Vital Spark in the Queens Jubilee flotilla on Sunday 3rd June.

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It was a great honour to welcome The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the Isle of Man."

Allan Bell MHK, Chief Minister

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Isle of Man highlights its distinctive heritage to visiting Royal Family

26-04-2012 20:06 I gave this talk at Pecha Kucha Boston about the funny expat bubble I grew up in, and why I founded DenizenMag.com, an online magazine for international school kids. This is the first time I've ever presented to an audience!

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The expat world I grew up in, and why I founded DenizenMag.com - Video

2012-04-26 22:12

Johannesburg - Biltong, drowors and boerewors are the foods most missed by South Africans living in London, according to a survey released on Thursday.

"It's not surprising that three of the foods that came up in our top ten list were of Dutch origin - biltong, drowors and boerewors," said Ryan Mackie from SA Hotels, which conducted the research.

"It's interesting to see the long-term impact the Dutch have had on South Africa's current-day culture."

These three high-protein favourites were followed by Sparletta Creme Soda, Simba Nik Naks and Mrs Balls Chutney.

The other four foods making the top 10 were Peppermint Crisp, Ouma Rusks, maize meal (pap) and Tennis biscuits.

The research was done in London, where about half of the estimated 140 000 South Africans living in the UK are found.

Researchers interviewed the owners of South African food stores in the UK to find out what foods they sold most, and consulted expatriates through e-mail, phone and Facebook.

- SAPA

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SA expats miss biltong the most

It was a traditional Songkran celebration at the Pattaya City Expats Club meeting on April 15. Pettipont, in traditional Thai costume (a friend of club member Sermsakdi, who made the arrangements for the celebration) greeted members and guests as they entered the Amaris Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Restaurant Manager Tok and member Marjorie Bassett were also on hand to extend greetings. They offered those entering an opportunity to pour water over the golden Buddha while it was resting on the Taverns front desk, and to perform a ceremonial wai.

When the meeting opened, master of ceremonies, Richard Silverberg, after a few introductory comments, turned the meeting over to Noi Nongkoonoi, manager and chief guide for the Sanctuary of Truth. Noi explained the unique history of the Songkran celebration - its origin as the Thai celebration of the New Year according to the lunar calendar, and the importance of the ceremony that all were about to participate in. Noi explained that the ancient ceremony was performed as a showing of respect for the familys elders, monks, and others of significance to the family or the village. The water, having been cleansed by being poured over the shoulder of the Buddha is considered Lustral Water, and is poured over the hands of the elders and others selected by the family as a gesture of respect and hope for the New Year.

Noi of Pattayas famous Sanctuary of Truth shares with PCEC members and guests the traditional origin and practice of Songkran - slightly different to the common practice of today.

The Club was honored to have a very special guest in attendance, Satil Kunplome. She is the mother of five children. They all have achieved important elective or appointive positions in Thai government including the mayor of Pattaya and the mayor of Bang Saen. She is also a noteworthy member of the Thailand Womens Development Group. At the clubs invitation, she graciously joined other elders of the club at the front table to be honored in this very important Thai traditional Songkran ceremony. To add to the occasion Satil was dressed in a traditional Thai ladies costume of the time. She was accompanied by two friends and her driver who also participated in the ceremony.

Following the pouring of the Lustral Water, Noi talked very knowingly about the ceremony that everyone had just experienced and its importance to the Thai people. Those in attendance felt that they had participated in a lovely and moving traditional celebration from Thai history. The club prides itself on having had continuous meetings since its founding eleven years ago. Rather than suspending its meetings during the hectic water throwing exuberance of Pattayas Songkran Festival, during the past few years the club has fostered the true meaning of Songkran to their fellow expats by holding a traditional Songkran celebration.

Following the ceremony, all posed for a group photo.

MC Richard Silverberg then updated everyone on upcoming events. This was followed by the always informative and sometime humorous Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand, Pattaya in particular. The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday. Read more about the Clubs activities on their website at http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com.

Arriving at the Pattaya City Expats Clubs annual Songkran celebration, member Marjorie performs the washing of the Buddha.

A tender moment as member Richard LeCavalier receives Songkran blessing from his lovely Thai wife, Phap.

Guest of Honor Madame Satil Kunplome receives the traditional Songkran blessing from PCEC member Janet Smith, while her husband Richard Smith receives the same from Pattaya Blatts editor, Elfi Seitz.

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Pattaya Mail