Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2006-36. Sep. 07, 2006

Goan Voice UK Donations
If you wish to contribute please make the cheque payable to Goan Voice UK and post it to 1 Onslow Gardens, London N10 3JT. Other payment options are detailed at http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/donations/2006/ The same page also lists the contributions so far received. Donations above £20 received by 30 Sep. 2006 will also be listed here.
£25: Sal & Sue Rodrigues; Terry Soares

Mombasa: Robin Pereira
1 Sep: Coastweek (Mombasa). Cahil Marduf writes: Pity my friend, Robin Pereira who was a warden at the then Ivory Room near Treasury Square is no longer around. Robin used to auction hundreds of elephant tusks for more than a decade and could tell by merely looking at an elephant tusk, its weight, grain quality and whether the tusk came from an elephant along the Tana River, the N.F.D. or anywhere else in Kenya … Text and photo at http://www.coastweek.com/2935-32.htm

UK: Win VIPs to Billy Talent's London in-store
1 Sep: Billy Talent recorded their second album at the end of last year with production duties overseen by Gavin Brown and guitarist Ian D’Sa ... who wants to win passes for the band's exclusive live performance and signing session at HMV, Oxford Circus on Mon 11 Sept at 6.00pm? For full details click here.
For the Billy Talent website click here.
For tickets click here.
Ian D’Sa was born in London in 1976 though he has lived in Ontario since he was a youth.

UK: Cricket: Robin d’Souza hits Bridgwater for six
4 Sep: Weston Mercury … d'Souza almost single-handedly advanced Weston's cause as he hit seven fours and eight sixes and having passed his half century off 44 deliveries his century took only another 23 deliveries. There was no question that d'Souza dominated the game in more ways than one … Photo of d’Souza and text click here.

Nairobi: World Goa Day Celebrations. By Dr. Joyce Shamshudin
5 Sep: GoaNet. We had a great Goa Day at the Goan Institute that was attended by close to 350 adult and children … This Goa Day celebration may be the beginning of our resolve to survive – being organized and hosted by the 3 Goan associations in Nairobi for the first time. For full text click here.

New York: Floyd Cardoz.
6 Sep: The New York Times. Floyd Cardoz, the chef at Tabla, always has chutneys on his menu. Now he has bottled them and is selling them to home cooks. There are three vibrant flavors that can top hamburgers, seafood, sandwiches and even scrambled eggs … tamarind, mango and tomato. The chutneys come in seven-ounce jars and are sold at the restaurant's Bread Bar, 11 Madison Avenue (25th Street) and at Sur La Table stores for $9.99. For the GVUK Floyd Cardoz supplement, click here.

India’s U19 cricket team – UK visit
The Goan Association played host to Mr. Vinod Phadke, the Cricket Manager of India’s U19 team, at the recent Goan Festival held in Croydon on 23rd July 2006. Mr. Phadke, a Goan, took the stage and spoke about the achievements of the young Indian team beating England in the 3 test series. He was delighted to see so many fellow Goans at the Festival.
During their stay In the UK, the Association’s Sports Director Mr. Fidelis D’Mello, cordially invited the young team and Mr. Phadke to his home, where they enjoyed a good Goan lunch, prepared by Vicky, Fidelis’s wife, Ilona Fernandes (wife of the Finance Director) and Savio Fernandes. Report by Mafalda- Anne de’Sa (Goan Assoc. PR Director). For photographs click here.

4 Sep: Nairobi, Kenya. Mrs. SALVACAO DE'SA. (aged 76). Wife of late Inacio De'sa. Mother to Antonetta, Philomena, Lidwina, Josfina, Felix and Christo. Mother-in-Law to Louie, Steve, Myrtle and Jenet. Grandmother to Danielle, Gabriella, Adam, Nicole, David and Aaron. Funeral will take place on Mon. 11 Sep. at Don Bosco's Upper Hill, Nairobi. Viewing of the body from 1.30 - 2.00pm. Mass at 2.00pm and burial at the Langata cemetery thereafter. Condolences to: cjsecurities@nbi.ispkenya.com [Info from Dr. Joyce Shamshudin]

4 Sep: Dartford, Kent, UK. PHILIP GRACIAS (ex-Nairobi, Kenya). Beloved husband of Pamela. Father of Douglas/Wendy Gracias, Celina/Terry Telles, and Gerard Gracias. Grandfather of Jade, Laura, Daniel and Natasha. Brother of Maurice/Angela Gracias, Clara/late A. R. d'Costa, Briget Gracias and Late Dolly/Mario Carvalho. Funeral arrangements to be announced later. Condolences to tcjl.telles@btinternet.com

2 Sep: Calgary, Canada. GILBERT SOARES (aged 46, ex-Dar es Salaam, Tanzania & Chorao, Goa). Husband of Veronica. Father of Caroline and Kimberley. Son of Alice and the late Charles Soares. Brother of William (Olivia) of Detroit; Cynthia D’Souza (Sunney) of Ajax, ON, and Marilyn Albuquerque (Hector) of London, England. Funeral at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Fri. 8 Sep. at 10:00 A.M. Condolences to veronicasoares62@hotmail.com. For full details click here.

1 Sep: Candolim, Goa. SIMON VALENTINO FERNANDES (born 1929, Ex Dar es Salaam, Tanzania City Council). Husband of Bertha. Father of John/Roma, Savio/Perpetua (Pune), Glen/Nazeema.

1 Sep: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. AGNELIA FERNANDES (nee D'Souza). Wife of late Dominic Fernandes. Mother of Ian, Clara, Richard, Celina, Antony, Pelina, Francis, and Alex. Grandmother of Dominic. Sister of late Francis D'Souza, late Antoinette Caldeira, late Justin D'souza, Crescente D'Mello, Stella D'Mello, Salus D'Souza, Joseph D'Souza, Connie Affonso and late Natalia Hagerback. Condolence to diamond@cats-net.com [Info from Diamond Carvalho].

31 Aug. Oakville, Ont. Canada. MIRIAM SEQUEIRA (ex-Mangalore). Wife of Rudolph. Dear mother of Royston and Aaron. Loving sister of Mariette and her husband Oliver Sequeira, Colette and her husband William D'Souza all of Mississauga, and many brothers and sisters. For full details click here.

Drowning deaths: Goa goes on warning overdrive
1 Sep: Asian Age. By Pamela D’Mello. Goa, India’s prime beach tourism destination has gone on overdrive to warn tourists about drowning deaths, after a spate of such occurrences brought adverse publicity to the region… Statistics released here said 15 people have drowned off just one beach — Calangute in North Goa — while the drowning deaths in Goa since 2003 touched 72. Click here.

Saving Lives on Goan Beaches
3 Sep: Navhind Times. Recently, there have been a lot of cases of drowning deaths on our Goan beaches. Annand V Madgavkar suggests a few steps which could go a long way in minimizing deaths on the safe beaches of Goa. 423 words. Click here.

Drowning deaths spoil Goa's reputation. By Paul Fernandes
6 Sep: BBC News. … 45 tourists have drowned in its choppy sea already this year, according to officials … In the past four years, over 200 people, mostly tourists, have drowned in the sea off Goa's famous beaches … I have seen a busload of tourists alight from their vehicle and jump straight into the sea … Often, lifeguards are assaulted by tourists for trying to stop them from going into the sea … only nine of the 70 guards deployed on its 105-km-long hold permanent jobs … "The 3,500 rupees ($75) we get every month we get is a pittance and we have no security," complains a lifeguard. For text, 587 words and 3 pics by Frederick Noronha click here.

Ticket to the Tropics
2 Sep: Die Stentor (Amsterdam). The number of vacationers travelling to the sun in the cold winter months is rising steadily … A week to the Indian beaches of Goa costs from 500 Euros.

Getting knotty in Goa
3 Sep: Indian Express. Puneites are heading to romantic Goa to exchange their wedding vows. 490 words. Click here.

Hotel plans golf course in Goa
4 Sep: Reuters. Hotel Leelaventure Ltd. said on Monday its board had approved buying about 250 acres of land in Goa to develop golf course and facilities. Click here.

Rejoice! Global air fares to dip again
5 Sep: Economic Times. The overseas traveller’s honeymoon with lower air fares seems set for another boost this winter. As many as five new international airlines from across the globe have sought the government nod to cruise into the Indian skies the coming winter … The new entrants this winter include Air China, Finnair, NOK Air, Condor and EuroFly. Condor Airlines plans to operate twice weekly scheduled flights to Goa this winter in an attempt to cash-in on the vacation travel rush. 408 words. Click here.

Goa bets on tourist dollars after casino go-ahead
6 Sep: The Guardian (UK). Goa, India's beach paradise, is set to become the country's gambling capital after local politicians said the state would allow 10 more floating casinos to operate off its shores. 369 words. Click here.

Ready, set, Goa
7 Sep: Sydney Morning Herald (Aus). Goa, the Indian city famed for its beaches, is looking to emulate another former Portuguese colony, Macau, in becoming a gambling mecca for the region … A local official said operators would need to tangle with India's legendary bureaucracy to get licences, but they could be operating within the year. Click here.

Goa to form overseas recruitment agency
31 Aug: PTI. The Goa government has decided to form an overseas recruitment agency to streamline the process of employment abroad. The commissionerate has already written to various embassies seeking job requirements in their countries. Click here.

City Goans fight land grab in Goa
2 Sep: Asian Age. Around 1.5 lakh Goans in Mumbai have announced their support to the Save Goa Front or SGF, an NGO working to help those victimised in the land grab scams in Goa. The members of the Goa-based SGF allege that for huge sums of money any house or plot that lay unoccupied in Goa was grabbed by presenting forged documents some people working abroad, have also been cheated in a similar fashion … Advocate Aires Rodrigues from the SGF said, "With corruption being so rampant in the Goa administration, it has become very easy for any non-resident Indian or non-resident Goan to purchase property in the state. It is very easy to forge documents, like the voter identity card and ration card, that are needed as proof of residence in Goa." He likened forging property documents in Goa to child’s play. 333 words. Click here.

Sunny Goa clouds over for rich foreigners
4 Sep: Daily News & Analysis (Mumbai). Lovely people, beautiful weather and comparatively low cost of living - these are the three reasons foreigners trot out when asked why they have chosen Goa to settle down. But these foreigners now see a witch hunt, ever since the debate began over whether the state has been indiscriminate in spreading out the welcoming mat … Claud Penn, who calls himself a world traveller says, “The Goan people will end up with a bad reputation on the world tourist stage, if they continue to witch hunt foreigners.” … John Gibb Kelly, a Scot, said, “Millions of Indians and Pakistanis buy property, homes, businesses in UK.” The unspoken question why are there restrictions on foreigners in Goa? 561 words. Click here.

Kenya: Football: Muyoti moves to Goan club
4 Sep: Kenya Broadcasting Corp. Sporting Afrique star Nicholas Muyoti has moved to Indian National Football League side Churchill Brothers SC, the S. League club confirmed has confirmed. The former Kenyan international had signed a one-year deal with the Goa-based club following a successful two-week trial. Click here.

Garbage plant near Church complex upsets archaeologists
6 Sep: Indian Catholic. The local office of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has expressed concern over the state government's proposal to set up a garbage treatment plant on the outskirts of the Old Goa Church complex. 316 words. Click here.

Land prices in Goa to zoom
7 Sep: The Economic Times. Goa, once a haven for holidaymakers looking for a break, is now set to zoom up top retailers' charts with an influx of major brands of real estate giants … land value has shot up with average prices of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3, 000 per sq ft having doubled. In places like the capital Panjim, prices have increased five-fold. Land prices are expected to rise further in the next ten years … Goa has the highest per capita income in India along with English speaking cosmopolitan set-up … 526 words.

The New Goan: Editorial
7 Sep: Herald. So it is official. A migrant in Goa gets more preference that the average citizen who pays huge amount of taxes but is ignored by the government. And it is also official that for the migrant, the government will do anything to appease them but for the average common man and Goan he is ignored. And it is also official that in Goa if you are illegal then you have a better chance to survive rather than being legal and possessing all the necessary documents … 386 words. http://oheraldo.in/node/18742

Goa Conference on the African Diaspora in Asia
2006. African Affairs (Number 420 pp. 461-464) By Ineke van Kessel. Some 80 scholars from four continents gathered in January 2006 in Goa for the first-ever conference on the African diaspora in Asia … Papers on the African diaspora in Asia will be published in the Journal of African and Asian Studies and in the Cahiers des Anneaux de la Mémoire, while a publication of conference proceedings is also envisaged. 1435 words. Click here.

Catholic spinsters find their calling in the single life
31 Aug: Indian Catholic. Some single Catholic women in southern India view their unmarried status as a "vocation" to serve humanity. A spinster's life is less secure and more challenging than that of a nun, but it is "more rewarding and satisfying" when accepted as "a special call from God," says Judith Mascarenhas, 74 … most Catholic spinsters say they are happy with their single life. They overcome their loneliness by doing social work, with a strong foundation in their religion … 843 words. Click here.

The New Electronic Biometric Portuguese Passport
31 Aug: On the 28th August 2006 Portugal started issuing new electronic biometric passports.
For more information, including videos on the new Portuguese passport please check the sites: For very detailed information in Portuguese click here. For English - but less detailed information click here.
For a speech by Antonio Costa - Interior Minister and number 2 in the current Portuguese Government, click here. Antonio Costa is the son of Orlando da Costa, our own famous Goan writer who passed away in Jan. 2006.
For more details about biometric passports (UK site, in English, click here [Info from Paulo Colaco Dias]

Melodie has eye for gritty reality
31 Aug: Preston Citizen (UK). Melodie Peters, 31, of Wood Green, London, will exhibit her work at a major show which highlights the gritty reality of inner city life. Melodie said: "I got the bug for taking pictures five years ago on holiday in Goa.” The exhibition will be on display at the Lowry, Salford Quays, from September 30 to November 19. Click here.

Fish Festival Celebrated in Style.
31 Aug. The Cornishman (UK). The West Cornwall fishing industry was celebrated by the thousands of visitors that flocked to the Newlyn Fish … Festival goers were left spoilt for choice for lunch as the likes of barbecued pilchards, Goan mackerel curry and crab rolls ensured hunger was kept at bay. Click here.

Bandra Feast goes to Dubai. By William Faria
1 Sep: Kerala Next. Bandra Boys Association, Dubai Chapter is organising the much-awaited Bandra Feast to be observed on 7 Sep 7 in Dubai at the Sheraton Hotel in Deira, Dubai. For full text at click here.
William Faria, wilfaria@yahoo.com was born in Tanzania, the son of Diego and Clara Susanna. He schooled in Eldoret, Kenya and left there in 2004 for Dubai where he is an Editor with the Business Today magazine.

Canada: Bruce Keller is the ultimate urban hippie
1 Sep: Calgary Herald (Canada). Bruce Keller is a man of many aliases. To some, he is known as "DJ Ya Ya," after his favourite verbal tic … Growing up in Calgary, Keller hated school and didn't care much for his gig as altar boy … Inspired by his travels to Goa, India, with its psychedelic trance scene, Keller put together Team Psyence, a collective of artists who occasionally come together to throw notoriously raucous raves in Calgary community halls … At 52, Keller is thus also known as the granddaddy of the underground dance scene--and he has no intention of quelling his enthusiasm for life.

Ivo and Tereza Santos: Coastal Cruisers
2 Sep: Indian Express. …Every two months, Ivo and Tereza Santos head out of Goa to prepare authentic Goan food at restaurants and five-star hotels. “I love cooking and also wanted to travel. So I like it,” says Ivo … Goan cuisine comprises two major styles: north and south. “We do the north style, which has predominant Portuguese influences. The south is mainly Hindu style,” says Ivo, who started cooking at 18. Now, back in Panjim, he runs a small catering joint for traditional weddings and functions, with Tereza. 467 words. Click here.

Canada: Schools take colour count
3 Sep: Toronto Star. In what could be the first colour-coded snapshot of a freshman class in Canada, a Queen's University survey suggests one in four students at the academically elite school belongs to a visible minority — roughly twice the national average, but half the ethnic mix at the University of Toronto … Queen's plans to use the data to help figure out why many complain of a "culture of whiteness" on its stately campus, and what it can do to recruit more of Canada's racial rainbow … 1306 words. Click here.

Nine years after Mother Teresa’s death, Sister Nirmala Carvalho remembers
4 Sep: AsiaNews. The current head of the Missionaries of Charity speaks to AsiaNews about the Blessed’s message as a way to understand how to respond to the attacks of Hindu extremists. Click here.

Bill on NRI voting rights in parliament's winter session
4 Sep: IANS. A bill to extend voting rights to non-resident Indians (NRIs) would come up again in the winter session of parliament as the house panel had returned it to the law ministry after examination. 'The report is positive. The bill is expected to be passed without major changes,' Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said. Click here.

Asian Network unveils series on honour killings and porn
4 Sep: BBC Asian Network radio is launching its long awaited documentary strand next week with a broad range of topics including Asian porn (2 Oct.) and so-called 'honour' killings … Starting from 4 Sep. the station will broadcast a half-hour weekly documentary from 6:30 - 7pm. You can listen to these programmes via the Internet after they have been broadcast. Click here.

Book Review: Mumbai and Goa (Time Out, £12.99)
4 Sep: The Telegraph (UK). Bombay (Mumbai) and Goa represent two wildly contrasting faces of this fast-changing land … Time Out has been canny in combining the two, as the destinations are close enough to visit in one shortish trip. With Time Out's usual high standard of research, information, maps and colour photographs, the guide is indispensable if you want to experience two sides of the Indian coin. Click here.

They walk all the way to Velankanni
5 Sep: The Hindu. Come September, it is time for many Christians to go on a pilgrimage to Velankanni Basilica where the annual festival is under way. Many come walking from various places in the State to Vailankanni in Nagapattinam district to offer prayers to Mother Mary … The festival attracts crowd from all over the country, particularly from places such as Bangalore and Goa. For text and photo at click here.

Indian cartoonists to showcase work in Europe
5 Sep: Sify. A month-long exhibition starting from September 15, 2006 would be held at Frankfurt … More than 70 pieces would be on display drawn by famous cartoonists like Mario Miranda … Click here.

Swindon: Restaurant is hot stuff
6 Sep: Swindon Advertiser. Jewel In The Crown restaurant in Victoria Road, Swindon has made it on to the shortlist for the British Curry Awards 2006 … The British Curry Awards honour the contribution and achievements of British Asian restaurateurs, who play a significant role in contributing to the nation's economy and wealth … Today there are more than 10,000 Indian restaurants employing approximately 80,000 people and turning over £3.2bn a year. For text, 273 words and photo showing waiter David D’Souza click here.
David D’Souza is from Panjim, Goa and has been in the UK for 4 years.

Kenya: Committee to see Pope's Envoy over Otunga Beatification
6 Sep: All Africa. A ten-person committee of clerics and lay Christians from the Archdiocese of Nairobi will hold consultations with the Pope's envoy here on the procedure of opening the cause for beatification of Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga … The saintly former archbishop of Nairobi for 26 years died on September 6, 2003, aged 80. The Committee includes Pelin D'Souza. Click here.

Steve Irwin was to document King Cobra in Goa
7 Sep: New Ind Press. The stingray’s barb, which ended the life of Steve Irwin, robbed Indians of an opportunity to interact with the crocodiles’ best friend. He was supposed to shoot a documentary on the King Cobra in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra. [Steve Irwin visited Goa three years ago]. Click here.

Carry on Cartier
7 Sep. Business Standard. Cartier is making an effort to revive its links with modern India with the latest women’s scent, Delices de Cartier … The launch of the perfume coincides with the global launch of Delices de Goa, a new jewellery line that’s meant to inspire imagery of lush Goa, scheduled to be out in stores across Europe this month … Click here.

Foreigners not welcome in India?
7 Sep: The Economic Times. The archaic Registration of Foreigner Act, 1939 requires a foreigner who is staying with his ‘relatives’ to give all particulars to the nearest police station, failing which the foreigner will be liable to a year in jail or up to Rs 1,000 in fine … What bugs foreigners most is that if that fall in love with India or with someone in India, getting a residency permit is not easy … A foreigner who did not want to be named said she rued the fact that India does not have the concept of green cards … Lawyers say many foreigners who come to India as tourists land up doing jobs without work permits, often as actors or in beauty or tattoo parlours. 590 words. Click here.

India a difficult place to do business
7 Sep: Times of India. Despite being amongst the positive reformers, India is one of the most difficult places to do business, according to the International Finance Corporation’s 'Doing Business 2007' report. 373 words. Click here.

Remo Fernandes to be Indian musical ambassador
7 Sep: PTI. Musician Remo Fernandes will be India's musical ambassador at the Indo-South Africa-Brazil summit to be held Brazil next week. Remo will perform at the "Indian evening" on September 12 at the summit, which will be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, South African President Thabo Mbeki and Brazil's President Luis Lula Da-silva. Busy rehearsing with his troupe in Goa, Remo plans to put on a multi-lingual and multi-faceted show for the grand evening. For full text click here.
For the GVUK profile of Remo click here.

Interesting themes have emerged on the question "What Goanet Means To Me?" The responses have been in short accounts of issues that have been significant to various posters on Goanet.

In an informative article on "450 Years Of Printing In India (1556-2006)", Pratap Naik S.J. presents details not widely known. Apparently, the art of printing entered India for the first time on Sept 6, through the Jesuits. A press was attached to St Paul College, Goa. But it got there rather by chance. It was meant for Abyssinia. Find more about this fascinating story on Goanet.

Is it possible to do research into field hockey on the basis of Systems Engineering Principles? Well if intrigued by this proposition, then read an unusual suggestion from Dr Carmo DCruz based in Florida, USA.

Aires Rodrigues has begun a campaign to Save Goa. On Goanet, he says that, "The Save Goa Front (SGF) gives a clarion call to all Goans settled outside Goa to raise their voices and do whatever is possible to salvage Goa and the Goan identity. There is a need for Goans across India and the world to close ranks and Save Goa." Find out more about this issue from many current Goanet posts.

Finally, Roland Francis raises an unusual question. "While we honour Goa and Goans with World Goa Day, could we find a way to honour our Goan Mums and Dads in some collective way also? Roland then provides a list of seven reasons why such a proposal should be considered seriously.

More details can be found at the Goanet archives at http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/ Or to subscribe to Goanet, send an email to subscribe@goanet.org

Documentary: Fortress Britain. BBC 2
Sat 9 Sep. Time: 05:00 to 05:30. A look at Britain's immigration policies and their impact on asylum seekers.

Documentary: The Beginner's Guide to Hinduism. Channel 4
Sun 10 Sep. 04:10 to 05:10. Actor Paul Nicholls travel to India to try to "find God" in the home of spirituality in The Beginner's Guide to Hinduism.

Documentary: Your Country Needs You. BBC Radio Asian Network
Mon. 11 Sep. 19:30 to 20:00. The British Army needs British Asians, but are you prepared to join? We get into uniform to uncover what it's like for Asians in the Army.

Drama: Blue Murder. Hallmark
Mon, 11 Sep 21:00 to 22:00. The shooting of a young East Indian at a dance club has tragic repercussions for his family.

Film: Titash Ekhi Nadir Naam. Channel 4
Tue, 12 Sep. 01:10 to 04:00. Drama exploring the life of a fishing community. In Bengali with English subtitles.

Cookery: Great British Menu. UKTV Food
Thu 14 Sep 20:00 to 20:30. Simon Rimmer makes Indian Spiced Halibut with Southport Shrimp Biryani.

Sat. 10 Sep. G.O.A. Ruby Whist Drive from 1pm – 7pm at St Boniface Social Club, Tooting. Contact: Diego Pinto 020 - 8767 0663, Felix Pereira - malawifelix@hotmail.com

Sat. 23 Sep. 12 noon to 6 p.m. 7th Annual E A Customs Ex Staff Social. Penge East Community Association Hall, Station Road, Penge, London, SE20 7BF. Members and Guests. Music by "Fantasy". Adults & Children 12+, £10 (snack & meal in.); Children 3 -12 years, £5 each (snacks & McDonalds inc.); Children under 3 years Free (snacks only). Music by "Fantasy". Closing date 15 Sep. No ticket sales or payment at the door. Contact Emiliano Rebello tel. 01689 836183, olleber1@hotmail.com

Sun. 1 Oct. Majorda Union. Feast of Our Lady of Boa Morte. White Hart Lane School Hall, Wood Green, London N22. Contact Bernadette Dias 020 8361 9417 or Cajie Braganza 020 8888 5093.

Sat. 14 Oct. G.O.A. Ruby Ladies in Red Soiree at 7pm at Lola Jones Suite, Greaves Place, Tooting. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Claire D'Souza 01784 421421, Marina Viegas 020 - 8656 4217 or any member of the Social Committee.

Sun. 15 Oct. Colva Union, 33rd Anniversary of the Feast of Infant Jesus. Venue: Bishop Thomas Grant School, Belltrees Grove, Streatham, SW16. Mass at 12.30pm followed by the Social. Tickets: Adults: £12. Children up to 12 years: £5. For Tickets contact: Bento Fernandes (020) 8672 0283; Hilary Dias (020) 672 5528; Fiona Fernandes (020) 8489 1183; Arlene Fernandes (020) 8930 7679