New Consul General for Houston

HOUSTON HAS a new HM Consul General – Mr Paul Lynch. Mr Lynch, who took over his new position at the end of August, is a graduate of The Hatfield Polytechnic, where he received a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, and also the London School of Economics (University of London), where he received an MSc in Social Psychology. He comes to Texas from Tokyo, where Mr Lynch held various positions at the British Embassy in Tokyo and the British Consulate General, Osaka. I hope to meet with him in the next few weeks to get a more ‘down-to-earth’ view of our new Consul General.

New HM Consul General – Mr Paul Lynch.

Dame Julie Andrews

Houston will welcome Dame Julie Andrews on December 3rd, as part of the ongoing The Brilliant Lecture Series – Conversations With Brilliance. The series was founded by Scott Brogan, a political consultant, in 2005, and ‘aims to foster individual and collective involvement in the local community as a result of exposure to featured speakers.’ Miss Andrews has been described as ‘a whirling, dazzling constellation’ and ‘a phenomenon.’ In addition to her notable stage and screen career, she is a noted children’s book author, including her best selling fantasy The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. Sidney Poitier, and Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan have both been previous speakers in this series. For more information, or to buy tickets, call (713) 974-1335.

Britannia Social Club Swinging Success

The Britannia Social Club’s first annual ‘Bash,’ which celebrated the Swinging Sixties, turned out to be a Swinging Success! The enthusiastic patrons were treated to a very tasty buffet spread which features prime rib, bangers and mash, and even a variety of curry dishes. Dancing was to the music of The Fab 5, who played 60s favourites from both sides of the pond. They even delved into the 70s with some of their tunes! Really progressive. Local KHJZ-FM radio personality Donna McKenzie was the honourary MC, decked out in a bright and cheery mini-dress and white go-go boots. The attendees really got into the swing of things (pun intended). Supplies of tie-dyed T shirts and black hippie wigs for the men must have been hard tested, as they were in abundance, and the ladies were absolute knock-outs in their mini-skirts and mini dresses. I’m told that some were 60’s originals! Jeri Mann, wife of local businessman and erstwhile Thursday Soccer Club player George Mann, even had the audacity to borrow an outfit from her daughter – and she looked marvelous!

Westhaven Golf & Sailing Club Making Waves!

The Westhaven Golf and Sailing Club, founded by Brit Frank Henshall about 10 years ago, has been certainly making waves this year. A few years back, a handful of people got together to play competitive golf on the weekend in Houston, Texas. Driven by a common love of the game of golf, they expanded into a USGA licensed golf club, one of only 13 in the Houston area, and began fielding tournament level numbers of golfers every weekend throughout the year. Frank and friend and Club associate Garfield Rees have been co-directors of a number of recent golf tournaments held to raise funds for ALS research. The driving force behind this was the desire to help fellow club member, Jim MacKinnon, who has been diagnosed with the disease. Over a hundred golfers were on hand at each event. As recognition of their fund-raising abilities, the Club was invited to take part in the MDA Telethon over Labor Day weekend, were they presented a $20,000 cheque to MDA/ALS on KPRC Channel 2 Houston for continued research into a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Congratulations to the Westhaven Golf and Sailing Club.

Members of the Westhaven Golf & Sailing Club
at the MDA Telethon.

Farewell Michael Jackson – The Beer Hunter

The Ginger Man Pub, in Houston’s Rice University Village, has been in mourning for the last few weeks due to the recent death of famed Beer Hunter and Scotch Whisky expert, Michael Jackson. Michael had been a good friend of The Ginger Man since hosting his first beer tasting at the Houston pub in 1986, and over the years said many good things about The Ginger Man, which is an institution to local beer fans. Watching videos from his television series and reading his books have been an important part of the training for new bartenders and managers at the pub for many years. The pub has lost a good friend, and the world has lost an expert who fervently searched out quality beer and shared his findings. Michael lived a good life (how many of us would love to have a profession that required travelling the world trying every beer he could find?), but we are sad that he is gone. Cheers, Michael! You will be missed. Thanks to The Ginger Man newsletter for this contribution.

Serious Burns!

I have to report a case of serious Burns; Robert Burns that is! I’ve heard of Jazz Cruises and Rock Cruises, and just your common garden cruises, but lovers of the Immortal Bard are embarking on a five-night cruise aboard the Carnival Ecstasy from the Port of Galveston, Texas. The cruise is being organised from March 3-8, 2008, by The Heather and Thistle Society of Houston, as hosts of the Robert Burns Association of North America 2008 Conference. If you would like to find out further information, please go to www.heatherandthistle.org, or contact Jack Hume at  johnhume2@peoplepc.com.