| Article Index |
|---|
| BCTFN Origins & History |
| After World War 2 |
| The early 1950s |
| The late 1950s |
| The early 1960s |
| The late 1960s |
| The 1970s |
| All Pages |
1967
Lady Pritchard, wife of Sir Neil Pritchard took over Lady Rumbold's place as President, with Mrs Ronald Scrivener as Chairman.
The U.K. ladies working hard. as usual throughout the year for the "Y" stall, made a profit of Baht 77000.
This was the last year that the UK participated in YWCA activity. Since the YWCA. had decided to hold the "Y" Bazaar in the Lumpini Hall instead of in their own grounds, conditions had deteriorated greatly. The space allotted to stallholders was too small and cramped and this added to the danger of fire and safety to the public.
1968
The U.K. Ladies decided at a meeting held the Embassy in January l968, with Lady Pritchard in the chair, when complaints about the conditions were brought forth and aired, to withdraw from the 'Y' Bazaar altogether. It was felt that the UK community in Bangkok was large enough to hold its own annual Fair. This would be held in the grounds of the British Embassy with the permission of the Ambassador and would bear in mind the need to cater for children.
It was decided to adopt Mrs. Madar's proposal that the Fair Fair would be in aid of Thai Charities; that it would be an opportunity to "show the flag" and to make known the charitable efforts of the UK Community.
In May 1968 when the UK Ladies turned over the Accounts to the new Joint committee, Mr. C H Loat, Honorary Treasurer of the newly formed Committee, acknowledged receiving:-
(Page 7)
On fixed deposit in the
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Baht 119,213.11
Current Account - cash totalling Baht 31,410.29
Lady Pritchard was the first President of this Committee comprising men and women from the Embassy and Business community. One or two of the ladies were original YMCA stall committee members.
A meeting was called and the Reverend Dermot Bowers of Christ Church elected Chairman to hold the balance between the Embassy and the Business world. It was decided at this meeting to name this charitable organisation the UNITED KINGDOM CHARITIES COMMITTEE under the auspices of the British Embassy, as this would be distinct from the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian
Communities who had their own particular charities and were still taking part in the Y.W.C.A. Bazaar.
At this meeting, held at the Ambassador's Residence, arrangements were made for the first Fair to be held on 7th December, in the Embassy Grounds.
As the previous PLOENCHIT FAIR in 1956 had been so successful and the name was not unknown to the public, it was decided to carry on with the same name.
The 1968 Fair was an enjoyable one, for like its predecessor, it was a fun Fair where children could enjoy the Ferris wheel, round -about rides and motor boat rides on the lake, while parents participated at the food and drinks stalls, spending their cash at the Handicraft, Toys, and China Stalls, or at the games of chance. There was so much to buy, so much to do.
The fair opened at 10.50 a.m. on Saturday 7th December and closed at 6.00 p.m. A profit of Baht 97,900.- was made. It proved an attractive event to the public, and was a great success.
1969
WINDSOR BALL
On 7th February the Committee organised a large Ball in grounds of the Embassy with the permission of the Ambassador, Sir Neil Pritchard.
This event was the talk of the town. Over 500 guests attended. The beautiful grounds were decorated by coloured whole area a fairyland. A British Royal Marine Band was flown in from Singapore specially for the occasion taking turns with a local band. There were also stage shows in between the dances.
A car, a T.V. set and other valuable prizes supplied by British firms, were raffled.
Sir Neil and Lady Pritchard greeted the guests at the entrance of the residence, and a Gurkha guard piped in the guests as they arrived. Although the profit (B20,452) from the WINDSOR BALL was not large, it was however, an event greatly enjoyed by everyone present.
(Page 8)
It was the only one of its kind to be held in the Embassy grounds.
...1969
With the success of the PLOENCHIT FAIR in 1968 the Committee, meeting in March 1969, voted to carry on holding a Pair each year. The Committee thought that the Fair should be continued because of its contribution to the image of the U.K. Community in Bangkok and because it was useful in promoting the social well-being of the U.K. Community. It also thought that it was an effective means of raising money for charitable purposes.
1969/71
A meeting of the United Kingdom Charities Committee decided that when contributing towards Thai Charities to observe the following priorities: Health, Education of the Handicapped and Disaster relief.
In each succeeding year since 1968 the PLOENCHIT FAIR under the guidance of the United Kingdom Charities Committee has been held in the British Embassy grounds.
