News
A Farewell to the Sunday Socials
The last London Sunday social event was on 8th October 2006. The 'Stammering Socials' (www.stammeringsocials.org) start in April 2007.
The Bonnington Hotel in Holborn saw the final meeting of the London Sunday Socials, ably organised as ever by Rachel Albert and her team.
It's been five years since Rachel started to fill a gap in our services - a place where people who stammer, their friends and families could meet. Many telephone calls, hotel venues, lunchtime receptions, Sunday meals, teas and coffees, trips to the sea side, birthday cakes and Happy Birthday singalongs later, Rachel felt it became time for her to step down from this demanding role.
The final Social saw the highest number of guests, including BSA's president and former Chair, Brian Dodsworth, BSA's first director Peter Cartwright, BSA patron Jon Smith, trustees and former trustees and, most importantly, 150 BSA members as well as guests from as far abroad as France, Sweden and Israel.
There were many speeches, and BSA Trustee Vic Bowden gave the 'official' laudation to Rachel for all her hard work over the years.
After an excellent meal, the fun started with the lights being dimmed and DJ Rob Day heating up the turntable (or whatever it is DJs do these days!). Those not into this kind of raucous fun in the afternoon, or just too full from the meal to contemplate a session on the dance floor, repaired to the coffee bar for a period of quiet contemplation, chat and digestion.
It's been amazing over the years to see the fun these events create, the importance they hold for people who stammer and the joy they give to literally hundreds of people. And it all germinated from one person's view that there should be space for us to meet, to have a nice meal and to get together and have a good time. Rachel has been amazing and it will be hard for the Stammering Social team to follow in her footsteps - but they will try their hardest and you can find their website at www.stammeringsocials.org.
Many thanks to Rachel - you have been, and still are, amazing. I hope the affection shown to you will buoy you for any future undertakings either for this charity or for your work in other areas. It should, as it is hard-earned and well deserved!
Norbert Lieckfeldt
BSA Chief Executive
Articles about previous Sunday Socials:
Hyde Park picnic - June 2005
Trip to Stockhom conference - May 2005
Hull weekend - October 2004
"Euston, we have lift off" - report of our 2002 Christmas party
Photo album:
August 2004 - in front of Brighton pier.
Photo: David Morris
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July 2003 - on the seafront at Southend.
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10 members with birthdays cut a large celebration cake at our June 2003 Social.
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May 2003 Sunday Social. Two members brought their seven week old baby boy.
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The March 2003 Sunday Social at a Moroccan restaurant included a cabaret act.
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More from the March 2003 Sunday Social.
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The August 2002 social in Brighton.
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On the beach at Southend, July 2002...
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...and in front of Southend pier
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BSA members at a Garfunkels restaurant in central London enjoy the "Sunday Socials" event in May 2002.
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14 BSA members at a Thai restaurant in Swiss Cottage, London, for the "Sunday Socials" event in February 2002. Rachel is front left.
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