Hi Ladies-another new year for the Minami Circle and I wish you all a very happy time.

Two years ago when I was living in Yokohama, my youngest daughter, Rebecca, came to visit , and her stay coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Minami Circle. In fact she got off the plane and came straight to the anniversary reunion luncheon. She enjoyed many Minami Circle activities during her stay- especially the Tea Ceremony at Sankien Gardens, and she felt she had made many friends amongst our Japanese hosts. She was delighted, therefore, this July when Kamata san was able to come to the UK for her wedding.

Needless to say I was also delighted to see Kamata san once more. Unfortunately Kawamura san was unable to join us but she sent a beautiful card and presents from the IFL group.

I cannot begin to tell you what wonderful ikebana arrangements Kamata san created for the wedding marquee. All the guests were amazed and the flowers certainly helped to make this a very special occasion for us all. Kamata san made the wedding bouquet and all the corsages as well as table arrangements and other displays- so she had a real working holiday!

It was such fun having her with us for the few days before the wedding and she really joined in fully with all the preparations, making Japanese dishes for us all in between arranging flowers, setting tables and making origami cranes. The other guests were delighted to see a real Japanese kimono - and Kamata san was a fantastic representative - not only of the Minami Circle - but for the whole Japanese culture. It is amazing how the influence of a small group of ladies can really help to build bridges across nations and cultures.

Once the wedding was over we had a day or two to relax with Kamata san and show her some of the local countryside - including Stonehenge( pictured left) and the New Forest. I do hope she will come back to visit us again as for those few days she settled into English life and became very much part of our family. Next time, however, I hope she will bring many other Minami Circle members with her!

Minami Circle