Christmas Dinner: Celebrated the British way

Well it was that time again for the traditional Christmas dinner, this time celebrated on Saturday 5 December. Volunteers from Alma church and BISC spent most of the day setting up, changing the venue into something spectacular, and cooking the most delicious dinner anywhere in the UK. Before we go on, we must say a BIG THANK YOU!!

The was decorated beautifully with Christmas trees, fairy lights and tables laid out with candles, crackers, party poppers and all other bits and pieces to make it look so nice and cosy. The guest appeared at around 7pm and it was obvious to some that this was the first time they had witnessed a traditional British Christmas setting with all the trimmings. The meal was superb and there were plenty of second and third helpings. I think Dr Chill was the head-waiter with that white coat on. But his bow tie had a Christmassy touch even though it was worn upside down!!! For those who had never sampled a traditional Christmas dinner with crackers, I trust that the experience was to your liking. Did you find a hat, toy and joke in your cracker? I think you did as we were soon attired in paper hats of various colours. My cracker joke went something like this: ‘Who is the most famous lady in America? Answer: Mississippi!!!! Ha Ha. Don’t call us we’ll call you!!!

The mulled wine was excellent. It had a warm glow to it particularly if you drank it, and it tasted sanguine. I did notice that Dr Chill had two glasses of mulled wine. It was simply too delicious!!! If you have a special mulled wine recipe, add your comment and recipe to this blog.

During the dinner we enjoyed a short talk on the Christmas story and a live performance of Christmas carols. We all joined in and it created a very special atmosphere. But more was still to come when Father Christmas suddenly appeared!!! And what did Santa give you? His elf joke about sick elves and where they go for treatment, and a comment that Santa should be on the stage raised one or two laughs!! Oh well!! I didn’t see Dr Chill there with Santa; he missed a treat, and a present.

All in all some sixty guests took part in the traditional Christmas dinner and I trust the experience was uplifting and something you can share with your friends. Remember to show them the photographs.

This is the last blog for 2009 and the Autumn term. I personally would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Jacqueline in her first term as BISC Coordinator. Jacqueline has undertaken her task well. It is a role where you have to be multi skilled, have the patience of Job (Book in the Old Testament in the Bible), and she is always smiling!!!

And a BIG BIG thank you to YOU, lovely international students. Without you we could not run the centre. In conclusion may the BISC Team wish you a happy and safe holiday and may God be with you.

Christmas is Here: making cards the traditional way

Hello once again you lovely blog readers. Well what can I say about Christmas card making, and why do we send cards at Christmas? The practice of sending Christmas cards began in Britain during the early 1840s, although the custom began in America some 20 years previously. The development of Christmas cards coincided with the development of the railway system and the penny post. Cards in unsealed envelopes cost less than a penny to post and proved very popular with early Victorian society that was beginning to enjoy the benefits of cheap rail travel and an efficient cheap postal service. The red post boxes in Britain began to appear in the early 1850’s and if you look at then you can see the monarch’s initials. There is one Victorian post box somewhere in Clifton, but around the BISC area there are some post boxes bearing the initials of Edward VIII (1902-10) George V (1910-1935) George VI (1937-52) as well as those from the present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Near where Dr Chill hangs out is a very rare post box erected in 1936 with Edward VIII crest on it. Edward VIII was never crowned as he abdicated after 10 months.

So Christmas cards developed with the cycle of the white heat technology of the 19th century. The Victorian post and telegraph system was perhaps the first form of email!

At BISC a happy bunch of about 20 sat down in the lounge making their own Christmas cards. I met a Russian lady who considered it most enjoyable and creative, and all this was organised by the Christian Union of Bristol University. The afternoon did in true BISC fashion include food, food and food. There was the traditional mince pies, cakes and something salty to break all the sweet – all very delicious with hot and cold drinks to keep us going. A BIG BIG thank you to the Christian Union for all they did to make this a most enjoyable afternoon.

Well that is another history lesson from Dr Chill folks. Keep rocking and rolling my lovelies until the next blog on the traditional Christmas dinner.

International Feast and Games – Eat, eat and eat some more

What a feast, and what rain all on the same night! Well despite the weather some 47 guests arrived with their goodies (yummy) for the annual BISC International Feast and Games. Indeed the guests were very generous, and their cuisine delights must have taken a lot of time and effort to produce. For example there was potato salad from Germany, quiche from France, and a little number called ‘Numerical Pork’ from Hong Kong, cheese and freshly baked bread, also from France, a pasta dish from South Africa, shepherd’s pie from England, a variety of Persian delights and so much more. Personally I found it very hard to choose. I could however not resist the peach and mango crumble. I had two helpings, and a third on Monday for lunch!

When the time arrived to select our favourites from the heavy laden kitchen counter, we were transported back in time to a scene from the Titanic as the ladies went to collect their food first at the insistence of the gentlemen (although on the Titanic it was to book your seat in the lifeboat). This gallantry form the gentleman never the less caused long queues as people battled to decide between so many choices, but as Britain is the land of professional queuing we felt right at home.

Between the main course and the sweet, we took a break from all that eating with a ‘sign game’ and thereafter an ‘animal game’. The laughter and mirth emanating from the lounge was a clear indication that the guests were enjoying themselves! Then it was pudding time!

There was so much pudding that we simply could not manage it all. But as explained before, it was not a problem for Dr Chill that could then enjoy sampling a little more for Monday lunch. The pudding samples included English apple pie, Lithuanian cake, French apple tart and Persian rice pudding with letters of cinnamon indicating a great appreciation for BISC.

Finally the evening was rounded off with more fun and games and a lot more laughter. Departing guests commented on what an enjoyable evening it had been and promised to send recipes of all their delicious contributions.

Once again folks, another glorious evening at BISC! Don’t forget the traditional Christmas dinner at Alma Road church on Saturday (5 December). I have heard that Father Christmas will put in an appearance!

This is Dr Chill signing off until next time.

Cardiff Castle and the Big Pit – A world of contrasts

Here we are again, Dr Chill and the trip to South Wales. Well you certainly witnessed the total spectrum of the British social class. The coal owners built and lived in Cardiff Castle and those who paid for it worked down the coal mines, which were very unhealthy, and the miners were only paid a pittance.

The castle was spectacular although ‘relatively modern’, but was built on the site of an earlier Norman castle. The mound in the middle of the castle grounds with the ruins of the original keep was a true gem. The keep was the most important part of the castle and had to be defended at all costs. This was all right in the days of bows and arrows. With the invention of gunpowder and cannon the days of the castles were numbered as they had big holes blown into them. Nevertheless the modern castle had many interesting facets that you must have seen, like the almost invisible lady in one of the bedrooms?

And now, for the Big Pit! Over twenty-five years ago there were many coal mines in South Wales; today there are none! Coal from South Wales was once a strategic commodity as it is good steaming coal and was sold to the old railway companies with their steam engines and to the British navy for coal burning battleships. Much later South Wales coal was sold to the Central Electricity Generating Board. The mines died in South Wales because they became unprofitable, and it was cheaper to import coal from abroad.

There always had been acrimonious industrial relations within the coal industry between the owners, the government and the miners’ union. I will not bore you with the history but it all came to a head during the early 1980s. The miners’ union lost the argument, and the government began to close the mines permanently. The Big Pit is now a museum. Did you see a Davey Lamp invented in 1812, just after Dr Chill was born! The flame is protected from the outside elements that in a coal mine could include explosive gases. If they were present, however, the flame in the Davey lamp changed colour, so everyone underground could get to safety. The miners also took a canary in a cage down with them. If there were poisonous gases present the canary suffocated and the miners could escape to safety. Bad luck for the canary though! At some point pit ponies were employed underground, pulling coal wagons from the cutting edge of the mine to the cage where it was lifted, to what is called the pithead. The coal was sorted by hand and many women were employed for this task. Would you fancy doing that day in and day out? No wonder the miners sang, music lightened up their difficult and strenuous lives!

Dr Chill did his master’s degree in ‘Industrial relations in the British coal industry, 1900 to 1990’. Did you contrast the two environments? A castle and a coal mine, not many miles apart but in two different worlds. I doubt whether the coal owner who lived in the castle ever went down a pit, and a coal miner would have never been invited into the coal owner’s castle. I bet the canary wished that he lived in the castle; there were no poisonous gases there!!!

Well there you have it you lovely BISC Blog readers. Don’t forget to comment on the blogs and keep rocking and rolling.

Remember Christmas dinner at Alma Church on 5th December. Book early at BISC to avoid disappointed.

Until next time, this is Dr Chill signing off!!!!

Polish Night – A night to remember

Friday 13 November was a very wet and windy night as some 40 of us made our way to BISC for the Polish Night. The weather did not seem to deter our guests as one group after the other streamed through the BISC front door to enjoy a fabulous evening organised for us by Bristol University’s Polish Society. And very well organised they were too!!

The food was fantastic soup starters with bread and pretzel sticks - yummy yum!!! And more was to follow. Stuffed eggs, cabbage and sausage were presented as the main course. Who went for second helpings?

After the main course, we were treated to a very informative presentation about Poland. This was followed by a quiz on famous Polish people, places, food and random facts. The quiz was organised by grouping each table as a team, with a prize for the winning team. My team did unfortunately not win - not through any intellectual deficiency on my part off course (although some may question this!). Perhaps I should admit that my total lack of geographical knowledge might have contributed to our defeat.

This leads me to a little joke! What is the difference between geography and history? Geography is about maps and history is about chaps! Oh well, I never did get that job in a Christmas cracker joke factory!

Then it was back to yummy yums with cheesecake and biscuits, along with a little fame!!! Amongst our distinguished guests were two who help with the Polish radio show on GWR (Bristol Radio). Recordings were made to include informal interviews and bits and pieces of the fun and laughter enjoyed throughout the evening. We are not sure when it will be broadcasted but watch this space and tune in to the BISC Blog and Dr Chill for more information in the future!

Entertainment included live singing of Polish songs, accompanied by a young lad on a guitar. Dr Chill did not sing, as he didn’t want to spoil the evening. So all in all, a good time was had by all in the little lounge of the little house with a BIG heart for international students.

So tune in to all past, present and future blogs. Don’t forget the International Feast is on Friday 27 November 2009. Book in to the office either personally or on-line to avoid disappointment. The event is free. But please bring a culinary delight from your own country (savoury or sweet). Does anyone do a Hungarian goulash?

Keep rock and rolling my friends, this is Dr Chill signing off.

Bridgwater Carnival 2009

Greetings, you wonderful Blog readers! On Friday 6 November 2009 Bridgewater Carnival arrived again and we were off down the motorway on a wet afternoon. To avoid traffic we needed to take a few detours and arrived slightly later than expected, but still in time to enjoy the beginning of the carnival. On arrival there was a mad rush for MacDonald’s healthy menu including the old favourite of burger and chips and off course to visit the ‘little ladies (or men’s) room’.

The floats, or carts as they are called in Bridgewater, were spectacular. The various carnival clubs spend nearly a year mapping out a scheme for their respective floats and setting it up. Thousands of flashing lights, loud music and costumes! Although some of the characters on the floats were only attired in scant clothing on a wet chilly November night, the carts with all those light bulbs actually generated a lot of heat. You may have felt the blast of hot air of each float as it passed by. This helped us to forget the cold and the somewhat wet weather during the later part of the evening.

The spectators gave wonderfully to the various charity collectors – all the money goes to various charities, for example, Cancer Research, Children in Need, the local Red Cross. In Britain a charity is a voluntary sector organisation that raises funds for a particular issue that is not totally funded by the state.

Now, shall we look at the origins of this spectacular tradition? The origin lies in celebrating the unsuccessful attempt to blow up the English parliament with King James I and all of his cronies. Guy Fawkes, a mercenary soldier who was half Italian and half Yorkshire (English), had been paid to prime the bomb and then leave very quickly. But treachery surrounded the plot and Guy Fawkes was betrayed. He was arrested, taken to the Tower of London and tortured to confessing his role in what is now called the Gunpowder plot. His sentence was execution by burning and he was stuck on top of a bonfire. The Bridgewater Carnival originally celebrated the failure of the Plot in 1605.

The current Bridgewater Carnival began just over 100 years ago. At the time England was caught in an agricultural and economic depression. This affected Somerset rather badly. Some townsfolk resurrected the Carnival to boost the morale of the local people and it has grown to the celebration we enjoy today. It is said that the light reflected by the Carnival can be seen from the Moon! Personally, I have not been to the Moon to check this out, but we will give the enthusiasts the benefit of the doubt.

We all arrived back in Bristol after being well taken care of by Tony, our enthusiastic coach driver for many a trip. Remember him? Tony was at ‘A Taste of the UK’ singing his heart out and treating us to traditional English folk songs.

Well that’s all for now folks, keep rocking and rolling until next time
Yours as ever
The Blogmaster
alias Dr Chill!

Food & Discussion: Eating, chatting and chatting more

South-African Bobotie with Yellow Rice as main and Milk Tart for pudding was enjoyed by 40 odd guests this Wednesday 28th September, followed by food for thought with the interesting topic ‘Science (Art) and God’. The BISC team had been slavishly working all afternoon to get the food for the discussion forum ready. Don’t forget on the same day 12.00pm 2.00 pm the BISC kitchen and lounge was set up for the weekly soup lunch. I am always struck arriving on Wednesday morning about 10.00 a.m. of the wonderful savoury aroma that hits your nostrils as soon as you open the front door and walk in! I digress. The food prepared was yummy! Slightly more international students arrived than we expected, yet there was more than enough for all to enjoy!

After dinner Dr Charl Faul, a Christian and a noted chemist and lecturer at the University of Bristol, gave a well prepared presentation. The presentation was neutral and did not argue for one side or another. Guest were invited to form their own opinions and encouraged to seek facts within different ‘schools of thought’ before forming these opinions. One ‘school of thought’ was that faith and science do not necessarily have to apose one another, and where there might be contention between the two it need not end up in a sort of academic slanging match, damaging the credibility of both sides! Perhaps there is a lesson to learn from this.

The Blogmaster when reading for a Master’ degree at Leicester University in 1918 compiled a dissertation on Science, Religion and Education in Victorian Britain. It is interesting to note that part of the problem why other nations overtook Britain in industrial supremacy was because the politics of education in the 19th century was inundated with internal religious in-fighting. Not something we are proud of, but certainly something we were able to learn from.

Well back to the discussion: some very interesting questions from the audience followed Dr Faul’s presentation. The questions came from a number of disciplines, including psychology, biology and the humanities. The discussion was lively and stimulating, but the respect shown by all for differences in opinion, struck me as truly remarkable. It was an absolute pleasure participating in a Forum like this where every individual is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions.

As the Blogmaster, I am being slightly naughty in taking the liberty of sharing a personal story with you. Two years ago I experienced healing (which I believe to be at the hand of God) from a life threatening condition. This and working as a BISC volunteer, which in itself was a miracle and not by my own design, gives me total peace and happiness – ask me sometime and I will tell you what happened to me. In no way would I like to diminish the important role that science played in my healing process, but throughout my healing process, I know that I had a big encounter with a very big God of love!

If you would like to investigate Christianity in a non-threatening and relaxed atmosphere, please do sign up for the Alpha course commencing next Wednesday 4th November. Come and enjoy another two course meal and then stay for the course itself. As in the case of the Food and Discussion Forum, the course is not intended to convert you to Christianity. It is a simple two way approach leading to enriched discussion whilst respecting the opinions and beliefs of all involved. As with all other BISC events, international students of all faith backgrounds and those with no faith are most welcome.

Well that’s all for now folks. The Blogmaster

The International Reception: Celebrating our multi-cultural world

The International Reception: Celebrating our multi-cultural world

Saturday 24 October 2009 was United Nations Day, and Bristol had its own United Nations celebration at the International Reception held in Woodlands Church, commonly called Woodies!

About 450 guests attended and 53 nations were represented. The food was varied to suit all tastes and customs, and the entertainment superb. There was also this grey haired gentleman walking around in a white jacket and a red bow-tie. Was he selling ice cream or was he the head waiter?!

The jazz band was out of this world and they kept up a stream of traditional and modern jazz throughout the evening. The evening ended with ‘Amazing Grace’, a truly remarkable end to and amazing evening. I have never heard a jazz band play Amazing Grace before. I have heard it played on bagpipes though, but somehow the jazz version created gentleness deeply complimentary to this beautiful song.

Mingling around the reception and talking to a number of nationalities I was struck by the privilege of the BISC Team and other volunteers able to befriend international students at large. The love and friendliness of 50 odd nations represented at the International Reception was wonderful. The entertainment too was excellent, particularly the Chinese Lion Dancers and the Capoeira Dance Routine. The Chinese Lion was spectacular; I have never been so close to one before. It must have taken a lot of energy to be inside the Lion dancing away! Equally the energy and skill shown by the Capoeira Dance Routine was breathtaking. Perhaps if you wish to get fit and lose weight, join me and sign up for the Bristol University Chinese Lion Dance Society or the Capoeira Beribazu Bristol.

The BISC Team performed well, particularly in the animal game! I never heard so many animal accents before. The picture of the sheep was misleading. It could also be interpreted as a cow (moo) wearing a wig! I did notice that the BISC member behind the mask made a sound like bah humbug! It was more like Ebenezer Scrooge (read the blog for ‘A Taste of the UK’)! We must all thank the BISC team and other volunteers for their efforts and time organising the event with the minimum of disruption. In particular Jacqueline, Charl, Ruth, Ann, Phoebe, Dave and Xiaomei must take the most credit for the wonderful success of the evening.

Towards the end, that man in a white coat was with Ann saying good night in a number of languages, to the departing guests. Indeed John was complimented on his Spanish (adios amigo). However this is the only Spanish he knows! When the band was playing the last number, Ann, who had forgotten to take her pills, began dancing with a number of guests, particularly H from China. Yes it was all good fun, but the evening had a message as was evident from the Alpha video and Rob Scott-Cooke’s message (read more about this elsewhere on our website).

And the message from the BISC Team is this: Welcome to the whole world! Join us in all that we do. Make BISC your home away from home. Investigate new things, make new friends, share your own culture, learn about other cultures, practice your English, teach us your own language. There is so much to life in Bristol.

May we also take this opportunity to thank our two excellent photographers who captured the evening in all its brilliance! Thank you to professional photographer Dan Blueman and BISC photographer Daniel Benson. You have captured our memories of this evening in a truly superb way.

This is the Blogmaster now signing off and may you all have a rock and rolling time this week.

‘Knit One, Purl One’ – A knitting afternoon to remember

On Wednesday 21st October fifteen brave souls arrived at BISC to share in the age old art of ‘knit one, purl one’. As with all other BISC events there was off course enough refreshments in the form of cake, tea, coffee and hot chocolate to give everyone the energy boost they needed.

BISC volunteer Pat Bennett, CU members Keith Upton and Emily Weston, and Anna Guyatt and Andy Bell as member of the Knitting Society (University of Bristol) took the lead in organising and teaching the rest of us.

Pat, Anna and Andy started the afternoon inspiring us with beautiful examples of both simpler versions of the knitting art and also slightly more challenging pieces. And then it was down to business as we seriously tried to get the hang of knitting in the modern age. Some tried ‘plain stitch’, some tried ‘pearl stitch’ and others were brave enough to try a combination. Plenty of mistakes were made, but this did not deter us in the slightest. We laughed, ate, chatted and kept on trying with much more success by the end of the afternoon.

In fact, we were so inspired that most of us signed up to become members of the Knitting Society – highly recommended!
Please see http://www.ubu.org.uk/societies/knitting and find out how to join.

And as you can see from the photographs, this is not only an art form to be enjoyed by the ladies. The gentlemen were quite excellent and figured out the mechanics of knitting in no time.

Until our next ‘knit one, purl one’ afternoon, I wish you farewell. The Blogmaster.

A Taste of the UK – English Culture at its best

I trust you all enjoyed your evening out on Saturday to taste English culture and food at Ebenezer Church. The transport was brilliant, with so many volunteers from various churches driving us to Ebenezer and back again. Thank you for that, you were marvellous.

The cultural events were wide, ranging from a 1950’s film about the Royal Family, the World Cup of 1966 and the life and death of princess Diana 12 years ago. Mind you England has not achieved a World Cup final since 1966. In 1966 the Blogmaster was just 19 years young and in Germany!

Tony with his guitar and mouth organ was brilliant as usual. His first folk song about a street entertainer called Seth with his dancing dolls, who performed on the streets of Liverpool just over a hundred years ago, always makes me a little sad. During the same period, Bristol would have had its street entertainers in what is now the Centre and Park Street.

What about the food? Did you enjoy your sausage and mash, better known as ‘baggers and mash’, with peas and carrots and onion sauce? What does this menu say about the English? I enjoyed mine especially as I had three sausages! The apple pie and ice cream was also delicious. The post dinner entertainment was brilliant. The song ‘Amazing Grace’ was written by an Englishman called John Newton. He began life as a seafarer and became a captain of a slave ship plying between Bristol, the West Coast of Africa and the Caribbean. God intervened in his life and he saw that the slave trade was evil and abhorrent and gave up his sea life. He became a priest with the Church of England and was part of a pressure group led by William Wilberforce that eventually influenced the government to ban the slave trade.

I don’t know much about Ebenezer except that he was the main character in Charles Dickens novel, ‘A Christmas Carol’. Ebenezer Scrooge was a grumpy bad tempered man of business in mid Victorian England. His life’s aim was to make a worldly profit at the expense of others. Yet on Christmas Eve one year he had a visitation of the supernatural, which changed his life and he became happy and benevolent. In some ways both Newton (who was real) and Ebenezer Scrooge (who was not) reflected a change of life experience. We should ask Ebenezer Church whether their name relates to this powerful tale of a life changing experience.

How did you fare with the quizzes? I checked around a few tables and assisted where possible. No it wasn’t Worcester and cream! It was Worcestershire sauce. Worcestershire and cream is a complete contrast. Worcestershire sauce is hot and savoury and with cream that is sweet and cool the blend would taste horrible. Cream goes with apple pie. The contrast of hot and savoury with cream in some ways reflect the lives of John Newton and Ebenezer Scrooge, where in life changing experiences, they threw off their image of hot and savoury and took on the characteristics that represent cream especially when poured on to apple pie, the apple pie representing the world.

Well, there you have it the taste of English culture blog. What were your experiences? Please respond, as I would like your views. Signing off until next week

Have a good week. See you at BISC or the Octagon at UWE and especially at the International Reception. Remember entry is free and you don’t have to book. Bring your friends and enjoy a spectacular multi-cultural evening with food and entertainment from across the world.

Yours, as ever, the Blogmaster.

Fancy that of London – Our BISC Trip on 10 October 2009

What a time to get out of bed, 6ish in order to be at BISC for 7.20 at the latest, for our coach ride to London. Early in the morning the weather seemed ok as we boarded our coaches and proceeded to the various pick up points thence to the motorway. The M4 motorway took us towards a very enjoyable day in London. And what a day it turned out to be! September, being one of the warmest in decades extended itself into October and we had a lovely sunny day to enjoy with temperatures around 18 degrees in the early afternoon. The crowds on the streets of London seemed to join in our excitement.

The guided tour gave us an overview of the main attractions in London. Starting with the Victoria & Albert Museum we then cruised through the affluent Sloane Street. This is where the posh live, or so I’ve heard. They are commonly referred to as the Sloane Rangers by those who are not so posh, including me the Blogmaster.

We passed by Buckingham Palace and saw the crowds gathering there as well as the Queen’s guards. Did you note the red jackets and tall hats called bearskins? One day, if you wish, I will tell you the history of the Guards. Nearby we passed Hyde Park and Wellington Square. The Duke of Wellington was a famous British general, although he was born and brought up in Ireland. Wellington fought the Napoleonic French armies in Portugal and Spain between 1809 and 1814. This period in British history is known as the Peninsular War. One year later in 1815 Wellington defeated the Napoleonic French Army at Waterloo near Brussels in Belgium. The British guards as mentioned above took on napoleon’s Imperial Guards who were the best in Europe. The British Guards thereafter wore bearskins similar to those worn by the Imperial Guard.

Wellington later became Prime Minister, and believe it or not his policies were very civilized. For example, he gave British Catholics the vote. The London railways terminus of Waterloo is named after the battle. Some people think the battle was fought at Waterloo Station. Well it is fought over on weekdays with thousands of commuter travelling to and from work!

Our guided tour also included Tower Bridge that is just over 100 years old. I think it was completed in 1900. Then we bussed around Trafalgar Square known, amongst others, for the impressive National Gallery and Nelson’s Column. On top of the tall colonnade is the stature of Admiral Lord Nelson a contemporary of the Duke of Wellington. The name of Trafalgar is a small peninsular in Spain where nearby the battle, which was called Trafalgar, took place in October 1805. Nelson defeated the Spanish and French fleets but was himself killed in the battle. The British sailors stuffed his body in a barrel of rum to preserve in order that he could be buried at St Paul’s Cathedral. I wonder if the sailors drank the rum afterwards?!!

St Paul’s Cathedral was itself a sight to behold. We were given the opportunity to get off the coach and view this magnificent architectural art piece from all sides. Our guides were informative and very entertaining with an excellent sense of humour.

Other sights that could be viewed up close or from a distance was: The Royal Courts of Justice, The Theatre Royal, London City, London Bridge, Big Ben, the London Eye, and much more.

If you would like to respond to this blog and say what you did in your free time please feel free to contribute. Some BISC member enjoyed an excellent lunch in an authentic restaurant in ‘China Town’. Others strolled through St. James Park, visited Piccadilly Circus or shopped until they dropped at Harrods and Oxford Street.

Well that’s all for this blog folks. Tune in next week for the blog on ‘A taste of the UK’. Regards Blog master.

Ringing the Changes

Hi there all you lovely BISC Blog Readers

This is short blog just to inform you about the changes taking place at BISC. Well most of you know that Hannah is leaving her post a coordinator at the end of July. Her successor is Jacqueline who begins on 1 July spending her first month with Hannah on a handover/takeover exercise. Also and for the first time a BISC a new part time coordinator will be working at BISC. This is Ruth Mo (nee Hutty), who got married to Mo on 27th June!

Jacqueline is the South African lady some of you may know already as she worked as a volunteer with BISC from November until February. She is a talented graphic designer and is married to Charl a lecturer in chemistry at Bristol University.
Ruth studied Russian at Bristol University, and was part of the volunteer BISC Team two or three years ago. From what I know Ruth is a talented gardener, and you may have seen her from time to time in the garden wearing her green wellies.

Xiaomei who you know as May is leaving the BISC team after her year as a volunteer. I am very happy to announce that she is remaining in Bristol for the next three years where she is studying for her PhD. Personally I found May a remarkable colleague to work with. She is never flustered, and in the heat of the kitchen would put on a big smile and a softly spoken voice and calmed everyone down.

John, I am happy to say (because I am John) is remaining at BISC. He is a talented toilet cleaner and proof reader. I am still available for proof reading your essays and assignments over the summer period and can be contacted at BISC. Ann is also staying and I think she has done a superb job with the local link scheme. However, Elvyn is moving on from BISC to pursue different activities, so we shall miss his jazz walks and walking tours of Bristol.

So, the new academic year has various changes in store, but I cannot sign off without saying what a big contribution Hannah has had on the progression of BISC during the past seven years. She has moved the vision of BISC forward, and the mantle is now passed to Jacqueline and the new BISC team.

This is Blogmaster John signing off now, but perhaps not for the last time. Wherever you go, whoever you meet, may your god go with you.

Lots of BISC love
From Hannah, Xiaomei, Ann, Josh, John & Elvyn

Axa Sunlife Community Team

Work in the BISC garden

Farewell BBQ 2009

Hi BISC Blog Fans

This blog is about the Farewell BBQ, and I don’t know about you but I found it somewhat emotional.

Unfortunately the weather was not too good, despite a really sunny on the day before, and on the day after the event, the BBQ night was for the most part held on a rainy day. Still as the old song goes, ‘Never mind the weather, so long as we’re together’. We had a professional chef who was hired to run the BBQ which left the BISC Team time to mingle and chat to you the international students. The food was wonderful, especially the pork and cider sausages and Cajun chicken. As most of the event occurred in the lounge, the smoke billowed inside, so it was as though we were outside! We, the BISC team, have got to know you over the past academic year, and we were with you in saying your goodbyes. The non alcoholic punch was very fruity. I had to eat mine with a spoon! As it was no alcoholic we called it Scrunch! There was lots of food for all tastes including vegetarian dishes. Pity though, there was no pudding! I had mine when I got home. I was talking to a French student M, who was impressed when I said that I am starting French lessons in September. She is coming back next summer to see how I get on!!

The farewell talk, given by Josh, was uplifting when he likened BISC to the Good Samaritan story in the Bible, love your neighbour as yourself. If you think of this story it has a profound meaning. Who is your neighbour? It would be like the man who was attacked being an orthodox Jew and the man who cared for him being a Palestinian! Makes you think doesn’t it!

No doubt you are looking forward to returning home with happy experiences of your time in Bristol and also hope that you had a wonderful experience of the BISC connection. Don’t forget that we live in a global village and only a phone call or email away. This was the last farewell BBQ with Hannah in charge. Indeed it is not only Hannah, who is leaving, but also Josh and Mei. This was the end of my first year at BISC, and I thank the Good Lord, I am returning next year. For me this past year has been a spiritual journey, and I know that a number of you have had a similar experience. I trust that the Farewell BBQ was the climax of your association with BISC and that you tell friends and colleagues who may be coming to Bristol in the future. Since the BBQ we now have a new pathway for the back of the kitchen to the back gate. So there you are the first change since your last visit to BISC. Next year which is only some few weeks away Jacqueline will be the new Coordinator and Ruth the Assistant Coordinator.

As you leave us to return home, perhaps via a holiday we the BISC Team would like wish you Bon Voyage and may your God go with you.

Happy rocking and rolling. The BISC Blogmaster.

Surprise Party

Hello to all you lovely BISC Blog Readers. Last Thursday there was a surprise party at BISC. This was arranged by Iwona with help from other numerous international students who are BISC regulars for the BISC volunteer staff and their family and friends, and what a glorious sunny evening too. Iwona gave a short presentation and displayed photographs from the past BISC year, some of which were excellent, and others, well! For example did you notice the photograph of John in a Rupert the Bear sweater with a label on his forehead?

The compliments given by the students were very flattering, and it was a joy to see the BISC regular students giving back their thanks to us in the way of the surprise party. There was a well-presented buffet. My evening was made when Vera from the Czech Republic came with saucepan full of goulash – it was amazing. I had first tasted it last term and it was wonderful. This reminds me of a joke! ‘What do ghosts eat for breakfast? Answer goulash!!! Ha ha!! It’s about time the BISC master blogger was confined to a secure home!

I can only say that I was amazed at the organisation of the party and the wonderful wonderful students. A poem was read by Iwona based on the Lennon/McCartney song ‘Imagine’. It was wonderful. The BISC Team were presented with a laminated new world map that is now hanging proudly on the office wall, and a small globe. The team also received a card address to ‘The BISC Team’ or the Beautiful Incredible Super Characters, and the citation inside gave these words,

“Thank you so much for all of you for making the world so much better. BISC is a wonderful world full of wonderful and beautiful people. You’ve mad my stay here Bristol an amazing experience. What you’re doing here is great.”

This year has gone so very quick and has been a happy year throughout. I hope that it has been a happy year for all international students too. Indeed I hope that you found your time in Bristol a great experience and that BISC played some small part in your sojourn to our fair city. I think you did given the comments written in the card. If the BISC team have achieved what is reflected in messages written in the card, then we have done our job. Unfortunately I left the party early, as I felt somewhat emotional. I have to go now and write up the blog on the River cruise. I hope to see you all at the farewell barbeque on Wednesday evening. Please keep in touch. Wherever you are in the world you are only an email away.
May your God bless and keep you. From your friendly Blogmaster

River Cruise

Oggy Oggy Oggy – Oi Oi Oi! Greetings once again BISC readers! Are you still rocking and rolling over the last blog. If you are then wonderful!

Personally I considered the River Cruise on the Tower Belle a delightful evening out. One could say that it was a cool trip. It would appear that we were waiting the wrong side of the swing bridge for the boat and international students were guided to the wrong place by John’s white jacket. Still all we had to do was cross the road – that was a bit hairy given the traffic, particularly bicycles! Nevertheless we boarded the fair ship the Tower Belle that looked bright and Bristol fashion. Then we proceeded on our watery journey. The swing bridge had to be opened for us. I have been in Bristol since 1975, and this was the first time I had been in a boat where the swing bridge had to be opened! Travelling through the dock area you got an alternative impression of the docks that you would from the land. As we sailed further down the river you could see traces of Bristol’s mercantile past as a number of 19th century warehouses were still standing along with new development as luxury flats and office blocks. By Temple Meads we passed the 1960s concrete phenomenon, former the Royal Mail regional sorting office. The sooner they demolish this the better. It is a total distraction and an eyesore.

We sailed from the river into a man-made canal ‘The Feeder’. This was constructed by French prisoners of war who had been taken prisoner during the Napoleonic War – particularly the Peninsular (Portugal & Spain) campaign 1808-1814. Enough of the history lessons! You all learnt a traditional British call ‘Oggy Oggy Oggy – the response being ‘Oi Oi Oi’ from Hannah! This Anglo Saxon called was soon practiced on the people by the riverside who were walking cycling or just watching, and I think we all received the Oi Oi Oi bit! It’s a wonder that the river police did not come down on us! There were plenty of nibbles and soft drink as well as a buffet meal provided by BISC. However the Tower Belle had its own bar and a number of you took advantage of that. Music was provided by Josh and his band ‘Transition’. Their repertoire was a bit limited and repetitive, La la la la la. Most of us were joining though. Perhaps it was a good melody to encourage public participation.
The evening remained dry and warm despite the cloud cover. But we must be grateful for small mercies, for example thank goodness it did not rain, neither did we run into any icebergs! I don’t recall anyone being sea sick, or who didn’t enjoy the trip. We had a birthday girl on the trip, H who was presented with a card and allowed to go first when the pudding were being served! Hazel, who is John’s wife, and although is not directly involved with BISC, she has been available, particularly on the transport, and Christmas festivities front. Those of you who went to John and Hazel’s house on Christmas day may remember this. Another six months and it all happens again, only this time it will be much better with a new kitchen.

Well now that the examination season for 2009 is over and we can all relax a little. Some of you will be going home soon. I hope that you will be here for the farewell BBQ at BISC – we still have tickets.

Until the next time then and may your God go with you.

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Greetings once again BISC Blog Readers! Are you enjoying the hot weather? It’s good rock ‘n roll weather! It was my first visit to Noah’s Ark Farm Zoo, and I was quite impressed. Though on this trip fewer students went on the visit, as the mode of transport was by mini bus and two cars, the day went well.

Once I arrived there I went to the café and had a cup of coffee on the veranda where you could survey the zoo. In the distance I could see a giraffe, a water buffalo and three camels. We watched a wonderful Animal Show -a display of animals that ranged from small rodents and reptiles, to a barn owl, a donkey, a sheep and a goat followed finally by a shire horse. The barn owl was much smaller than Oscar, but what detailed markings on his feathers. Barn owls used to be common in England but are now regarded by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) as being rare.

Inside the show pens you could see at close hand the animals, including Ernie the eagle owl. Later I saw the Harris Hawk – a native of North America – and Ernie the eagle owl flying and catching their prey from one of the Zoo’s keepers. I got very close to Ernie, closer that I had been to Oscar. The markings on the feathers were outstanding – such beauty. However these marking have a purpose –camouflage. When Oscar was around at BISC just after Christmas, he was perched on a ledge of the Biological Sciences tower. He blended in almost completely with the stonework of the tower, and it took some minutes to see him. In their native habitat which is in Northern Europe and pan Russia, the camouflage is also extremely effective. Looking at Ernie and touching his feathers was quite a privilege as we could never have got that near to Oscar.

The Saturday was a very hot one; perhaps the hottest day of the year up to that time, the BISC blogger was wearing a hat as he has very little hair on top. Nevertheless the arms (and legs), of many of us looked red by Monday. Walking round the Zoo I was impressed by all of the animals from the gibbons who looked a bit like BISC blogger to the Camels. When I walked past the water buffalo he was sheltering in a shed, and I don’t blame him! It was far too hot to be in the field. I remember seeing water buffalo in South East Asia, and was always impressed how hard they worked in the paddy fields. The animals that carry things for man are known as beasts of burden. This would include the shire horses, donkeys, camels as well as the water buffalo. All have provided an excellent service to mankind for generations, and mankind for most of the time have taken their contribution to the welfare of mankind for granted. Did you notice that the donkeys had markings the shape of the cross on their backs? Camels and donkeys feature in the Bible and Jesus when entering Jerusalem sat riding on a donkey. Donkeys featured at his birth in a manger too.

I hope that you enjoyed Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm as much as I did, and that you didn’t get too much sun. For me it was nice to sit down and have an ice cream or three, and consume a couple of cans of lemonade. I was also very close to Ann when she exposed her knees! It nearly put me off my second ice cream. Regards until next time blog readers, keep rock and rolling and catch up with you soon. Have a good week BISC blog readers and remember slip slop slap!

This is your BISC Blog writer signing off, tune in again for the next Blog the River Cruise-there are plenty of spaces left. Why don’t you invite your friends along too?

¡Spanish Fiesta! - May 09

Hola and greeting fellow blog readers and welcome to the blog on the Spanish Fiesta -Olay! It was excellent to see so many people, including a Spanish contingent at BISC last Friday. The evening was a great way to start the Bank holiday weekend and what a way to wind down a bit from all of the pressures of the examination period. Actually I sat mine 30 years ago, but I digress, the Spanish Fiesta was fantastic. Amine Javier, the chef from Valencia was brilliant. He can speak five languages including Arabic. I don’t think our own Jamie Oliver can match that!! Those sliced carrots in a vinegar base were absolutely delicious. So too was the paella, tortilla de potata and other exotic foods from Spain. The cook team worked hard in the afternoon to prepare such a delicious feast for us all.

There was a great buzz about the whole evening and I noticed that our Spanish friends came from a wide area of Spain including the Canary Islands. There was the debate, of course as to whether or not David Beckham was the best Spanish footballer, and don’t forget tomorrow Manchester United play Barcelona. Actually Spain has some remarkable home grown footballers. Never fancied bullfighting myself, I have too much sympathy for the bull! Football however is a sport that is more evenly matched and the best team wins. More importantly its not the winning that counts but playing the game!

I was interested in the history of Spain and it is remarkable example of how as a country has developed and grown as a democracy over the past three decades. I did enjoy the Spanish humour on Friday night and the excellent standard of the food – although wine was not allowed!!! Our thanks to Jose-Luis and friends for making the evening such a great success with lots of laughter and a great atmosphere.

The Spanish Fiesta summed up for me at least how all the nations of the world meet up at BISC and share friendship and cultural exchanges. Such events, I believe, in the long term will make for a better world. Finally, if you are going back to examination pressures during the next two weeks remember the team at BISC have been there, so, if you want advice, comfort, relaxation or even prayer, do pop into BISC you will be welcome.

Quiz Aid Evening

Hi there BISC Blog readers and here is another thrilling episode on the Quiz Aid event held at the Café Halo on the Gloucester Road on Friday last, 15 May 2009. There were five teams, and the ‘Wonderful BISCits’ as we called ourselves, were positioned on some nicely cushioned settees, whilst the other teams were sat on what were rather hard chairs. Blog master had been at the Café Halo before!!! So we refused to relocate! The team included K (Germany), F (Switzerland), I (France) and L (Slovakia), plus Blogmaster (England)

Although the Quiz Aid required Smart Alecs and Brainy Brenda’s there were few of these about. The questions were a bit out of my depth but we BISCits put up a good fight. The quiz teaser questions were a help despite some ‘fixed type questions. For example where is the flag of the USA flown 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is never lowered? Answer the Moon! Oh well we cannot win them all! One I did get right was about whose property was Arlington Military Cemetery located? Answer Robert E Lee. Well he could say that his property was in the dead centre of town!!!

The real questions represented a mixture of rounds and included ‘Guess the County, Maths, Sport, Geography, Guess Who and Food and Drink’! Personally I’m not very good at sport whether questions or playing! But we got one or two right after much teamwork. A lady trying to sell us raffle tickets kept disrupting our collective chain of thought. The organiser had spared no expense with the prizes, a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates and a £25 voucher for John Lewis.

I believe that the Wonderful BISCits came second from bottom, but there you are. It’s not the winning that counts but the taking part. All the proceeds from the evening went to Christian Aid a very good cause. In total we raised £148 –not bad considering there were only 25 people who took part.

Just before I sign off a little piece of English humour! What did one angel say to another angel? Answer, Halo! See you at the Spanish Fiesta on Friday and tune in to another existing Blog. Keep rock and rolling, and if you are suffering from examination blues, may your God be with you as you sit them.

Regards, BISC Blogmaster

Kite Making Madness - Wednesday 13th May, 2009

“Let’s go fly a kite, up where they sky is bright, let’s go fly, fly a kite”. What better way to spend and afternoon than by making a kite! Despite the weather being cloudy and rainy, there were still 7 people who came to the Kite Making Madness afternoon –which was such an encouragement to May who was leading the session! Instructions on how to make a kite were provided in two ways. Firstly, each step was shown on a detailed PowerPoint presentation and secondly, May’s example of a sample kite aided the process and enjoyment of making kites. (The PowerPoint slides were put together by Kevin Yau –one of last year’s BISC team members –credit where credit is due! May was impressed by people’s creativity and diversity of the kites: they ranged from a totally black kite with bow tie on it to a French post-modernistic kite and a Hungary national kite, to name a few.

For most, it was their first experience of kite making! May was both surprised and relieved to see the kites actually fly. Despite the cloud, some of us still went to Brandon Hill to fly our kites. Not surprisingly, we attracted much attention with our loud laughs and child like behaviour. It was simple, yet profound.

It has been said that one of the best ways to understand science and maths is by making and flying a kite. So if you would like to know a bit more science and maths, please refer to this website: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/shortk.html. It was true to say a good time was had by all.

Cambridge Trip - May 2009

The day started with a 7.30am departure from BISC - very early for a Saturday morning! But everybody was on time ready for the long journey to experience Cambridge! After non-stop driving, we finally arrived at 11.15am.

It was a lovely sunny day and our first experience was punting on the river Cam. It was great fun to watch people using the pole to direct their punt, some were better than others! Me (May) and with me in my punt were very fortunate to have an expert punter on board which allowed them to have a very smooth one-hour journey. We saw the Mathematical bridge, the King’s Chapel, spotted the ¾ ball in Clare’s Bridge. We imagined all the precious manuals in the Wren Library in Trinity College, and took many photos of the Bridge of Sighs in St. John’s college and of course, the willow along the river, the ducks on the water, etc. That reminds me of the one famous Chinese poems called “say good-bye to Cambridge, again” by Xu Zhimo, who is a poet who studied in Cambridge back in 1928. For others, it proved a challenge to park their punt back to dock. Some of them said the experience would be unforgettable!
At the corner of the Corpus Christi College, the 'hypnotically beautiful and deeply disturbing' clock attracted our attention. This mesmerising £1m clock with no hands and a time-eating beast perched on its summit was unveiled by Professor Stephen Hawking in 2008.

Hannah and I had a good pub lunch in The Eagle, and hopefully we might be inspired in the same way as Crick and Watson (who discovered the structure of DNA). After lunch, we were gathering in front of the Guild Hall in the open market. The interesting street performers and the group of street dancing boys attract so many viewers, as well as the variety of wares being sold in the open market attracts so many attention that it was a bit difficult to find everybody for the guided tours. It is just amazing to wander around the narrow streets or in the courts of the colleges which has not been changed over the hundreds years. Just to imagine all these big names in the history, once upon a time, were wandering the same street as you are doing now.

Our college tour of Trinity College changed to a college tour of St. John’s College due to Trinity deciding to close at 1pm that day, but St. Johns was a good alternative. However, we still got to see the famous Henry VIII statute with the chair leg in his hand, as well as the offspring of the apple tree in Newton’s hometown in front of where he lived. After passing through the distinctive Great Gate of St John's, we had a good tour around and learned how Cambridge students live and study. The Second Court of St. Johns, built from 1598 to 1602, has been described as 'the finest Tudor court in England' and it was fine indeed. A good time was had by all, and as always time flew by. At 5.30pm we waved goodbye to Cambridge, glad to have not fallen in the river whilst punting, and embarked upon our homeward journey, glad for a change to get some sleep on the coach.

Photos to come soon

Bristol 10K Run

It was a glorious sunny morning and Hannah, Lukas and May went to city centre to cheer for the girls who were running the Bristol 10K to raise money for a new water boiler in BISC.

The race started at 9.30am and Kathrin, Franziska, Katherine and Tamela were already making good progress around the course by the time we arrived at 10.15am. According to the Bristol Evening Post, this year’s Bristol 10k, now in its second year attracts almost 8,000 people. There were a good number of people already gathered along the centre to cheer on the 8,000 runners, many of whom who were already near to the finishing line.

It was great to see so many people, all different shapes, sizes, ages and abilities joining in the event, all trying their best and pushing through the pain barrier in some cases, to reach the finishing line! It was so exciting to see our girls passing us and having the opportunity to cheer them on!!! They were easily identifiable by red t-shirts that were specially printed for the event. Well done, Kathrin, Franziska, Katherine and Tamela –you all deserve your medals!! All of the girls successfully finished the 10k and we are very proud of their achievements, individual and collectively!! All the hard work and training paid off as they tried hard to reach their limits.

Afterwards, we had a small celebration back at BISC with a big chocolate cake and some sparking grape juice. If you come to Cream tea this afternoon you can enjoy a piece of the cake to celebrate together, as there is still a little bit left, or just come and enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee with water from our new water boiler. Remember that if you have sponsored one of our runners, they will be keen to collect your sponsorship money from you soon. Thanks to all who have sponsored and thanks again to Kathrin, Franziska, Katherine and Tamela for running on behalf of BISC. :)

New Kitchen

See how the new kitchen got installed at BISC :)

International Feast - April 2009

Hi there Blog readers,

This is your master blogger writing once again, twice within a few days!
Wow! My English must be improving! Last Wednesday was the evening of the
International Feast yummy yums, with about twenty five of us gathered to
savour the food from all corners of the Globe. Thanks Joe for the chips,
bought just up the road. A little crisp this time Joe! There were flags
representing the different nationalities. I was personally taken aback with
the quality of the food presented. Chatting to the guests was a great
experience learning about their culinary skills and traditions. I adored
the raspberry pie from the USA and the crepes from France. Bad mannered
that I am I had the main course after dessert! It was a stupendous Czech
goulash prepared by a lovely student who arrived late. I had three
helpings! Well it assisted me in my hour of need because I don't have a
kitchen at home anymore! It has been turned into a building site and
hopefully will be rebuilt by the end of the month! The builder didn't say
which year though. Coming to BISC and eating three helping of goulash
chilled me down and gave me positive waves. It was a pity that the
International Feast was only for one night. I'm back living on a building
site now!

There was a dessert from Chile, which looking round at everyone scoffing,
appeared to be very popular as well as unusual. The chicken drumsticks
didn't last long. They came from a country called Somerfield just to the
north of BISC and to the North West of that strange medieval country call
The University Library.

If you had ordered what was prepared at the International Feast, in a
restaurant, it would have cost £220.00. But at BISC it was free. The
culinary talents were amazing. Such commitment and initiative coming from
our own International students and visitors was very encouraging, and they
are not even studying food technology at University. I just hope and pray
that you do equally as well if you are sitting exams this term. Remember
BISC is open lunchtime 1 to 2pm every week day from 18th May to 5th June,
when the BISC volunteers will be serving you. Finally a tip from the Blog
master who has considerable experience in sitting exams and as an examiner!
Before answering the question, read it full first, and read it a second and
third time, then only pick up your pen and answer the question set, not what
you may think it is! I trust that your God will be with you during the
examination period. Love, hugs and kisses, the Blog master.

Cotswolds Trip. Saturday 25th April 09

Hi there BISC Blog readers; ni hoa, bonjour, guten tag. Here for your pleasure is another blog by the Blog master himself to remind you of Saturday’s trip the Cotswolds. So take a few minutes from your rocking and rolling and read on!

The weather could not have been more perfect. There was plenty of sun but no rain. Fifty one of us departed from BISC at 9am bound for the Cotswold areas. The first destination was the Corinium Museum at Cirencester. The Museum had some spectacular exhibits, including ‘Mrs Getty’ and her wealth. Some of you may have walked into the town. There was a farmers market in the town, where you could sample the delights from sweet beetroot, to mustard chutney that really made your eyes water! The names if the streets in Cirencester were named after medieval trades. There was Fish Street, Silver Street and Bank Street. The Parish Church at Cirencester conveniently situated in the centre of the town is a wonderful example of a wool church, for which the Cotswolds are famous. These churches were financed by rich benefactors who made their wealth from the wool trade. They believed that they would go to heaven through their benevolent and charitable actions. Was it tough luck if you were not rich?

Onward then to Bourton-on-the-Water, the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’. Did you notice the road we were driving on? It was very straight and was called the Cotswold Way. Originally it was an Iron Age sheep drovers track. The Romans constructed it as a road. The Cotswold Way joined the much larger Fosse Way just north of Moreton-in-Marsh. Bourton was a pretty place and has numerous awards including the most attractive village in England. Who crossed all six bridges? Who fed the ducks? I found duck feeding better than bridge walking. There were plenty of chicks, by that I mean baby ducks! Chick is also British slang language for an attractive lady!! Some baby ducks were bigger than others, as they probably hatched in late March or early April. There were some good examples of the Cotswold stone in the dry stone walls at Bourton-on-the-Water, where the builders did not use cement.

After Bourton-on-the-Water we headed for Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh, two other very attractive villages. Did you have your photo taken in the Stocks at Moreton-in-Marsh? I think that the authorities in this country should bring them back into use. It’s much cheaper that prison!

Then we journeyed onto Broadway for cream teas. I hope you noticed the stunning scenery as the coach travelled into Broadway. You can see about eight administrative districts called counties, and the hills of South Wales, the Malvern Hills and the Clun Hills. I hope that you enjoyed your cream tea! I’m off for mine now, because it’s Monday afternoon and cream teas are served at BISC.

Don’t forget to send us some of your photos for the blogsite –as the BISC camera was missing its memory card!

Oxford - Saturday 14th March

What is the difference between Bristol University and Oxford University? That is one is in Bristol and the other in Oxford! Well of course Oxford is much older and is administered by the collegiate system. Indeed Oxford was founded in 1231, the oldest college being Balliol College. Balliol is one of 38 colleges. If you were asked which is the more intrinsic and aesthetic city, then the answer again is Oxford, ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’. Oxford was granted city status in 1542, when Henry VIII was King. He is remembered by school children in England as being the fattest king and having six wives. The problem he faced of course was that he had six mother-in laws!

The Museum of Science was very informative. It is worth noting that science as a discipline was only accepted by both Oxford and Cambridge as a subject worth of academic study later in the 19th century. The origins of Oxford were religious and the first academic staff were monks whose task was to train future monks. Thus the curriculum was based on the ancient religions, Latin and Ancient Greek and Classical Studies generally. This became the major discipline at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities that continued well into the 20th century. Indeed in the 21st century classical studies generally is perhaps the discipline that continues to dominate the curriculum. The visit to Trinity College was an example of this. Trinity in Christianity reflects the Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Indeed the full name of the College is ‘The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope (knight)’. Even Trinity’s founder had a name that reflected religion!

Modern scientific and technological subjects only appeared of the reforms of both Oxford and Cambridge in the mid 19th Century. This is because the classical and tradition curriculum kept science out of Oxford and Cambridge until well into the 20th century. A visit to the Museum of the History of Science had a display of ‘The English Telescope from Newton to Herschel. ’ Your average ‘Brit’ has probably never heard of Herschel. He was a professional musician and lived in Bath. By night he was an amateur astronomer, and through his telescope (home built) he discovered what was then a new planet which is now known as Uranus. The planets from Mercury to Saturn were known to the classical scholars, so a planet discovery in the 18th century was a big hit. The king at the time George III (the 3rd), (who was also fat, but not as fat as Henry VIII (the 8th)) – George III only had one wife!) awarded Herschel a knighthood, but he still had to play the violin by day in order to finance his scanning of the sky at night.

Others visited the Oxford Museum of Natural History, known as the Pitt Rivers Museum. This Museum holds important collections of fossils although I did not see John there! The Museum was where Charles Darwin gave a lecture on evolutionary theory after the first publication of his ‘On the origins of Species’. This was a little bit dangerous as Oxford was a religious place. Indeed Darwin was challenged by the Bishop of Oxford who demanded to know on which side of the family was the monkey, his father’s side or his mother’s! Next door to the Pitt-Rivers Museum is the Oxford Forestry School that has an international origin. It was founded in 1906 and its first director was Sir William Schilch originally a German national who was a doctoral graduate from Giessen University. His tutor had been Baron von Augustus Liebig, the father of modern chemistry. Schilch began his professional career with the German Forestry Department and then was employed by the Indian Forestry Department. He became the Deputy Conservator of Forests in Burma. Schilch came to England to set up the Forestry School at Cooper’s Hill College near London that trained men for service with the Indian Public Works and Forestry Department. The College was closed in 1906 and Schilch transferred the Forestry School to Oxford. The undergraduates had to spend a year with the German or French Forestry Department because at that time there was no equivalent Forestry Department in Britain.

When walking around Oxford did you get the impression that the collegiate system environment reflected a dry and imposing atmosphere of classical religion particularly when visiting Trinity Hall. Well you are not alone. Jane Austin went to Oxford in the spring of 1783 to be taught by a private tutor called Mrs. Crawley. Women were not allowed to matriculate from Oxford University until 1948! Jane Austin described her Oxford experience as follows, ‘I never was but once at Oxford in my life and I am sure I never wish to go there again. They dragged me through so many dismal chapels, dusty libraries and greasy hall that it gave me the vapours for two days afterwards’. Perhaps the college authorities in the 18th century could not get the cleaning staff!!

All-in-all the trip to Oxford was a good day with good weather, and was very informative. Some feedback from students included this suggestion ‘Why cannot we have more interactive themes on the coach when taking us to and from our destination, for example singing songs?’ Well next time you are on a coach sing ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’ a traditional English Ballard from the days of the Napoleonic Wars, and I will bet you that you will wake up fellow students who will throw missiles at you, especially if it is a 7.30am start.

Polish Night

Hi there BISC Blog readers and here is another exciting instalment from the life of BISC that will keep you rock and rolling!

Yes it was Polish Night, when we certainly learnt about Polish cuisine (yummy yums –I had two helpings!) and Polish culture. The student members from the University’s Polish Society were Agnies2ka, Kira, Julia, Karolina, Marek, Antek and Michal. There were about forty guests. If we had any more guests we could have been entered in the Guinness Book of records with the highest numbers that crowded into a 1960s detached house lounge!

During the evening we had on arrival soft drinks and fizzy lemonade, and little brown sticks to eat. The starters were hard boiled eggs made Polish style – boy were they delicious, followed by the main course that tasted absolutely divine. Between the main course and sweet a presentation was given on contemporary Poland. This was very informative and revealing. I did not know Poland was such an attractive place.

Sweet followed and the cheesecake was minute sliced up because up to the beginning o f the week only some 15 had signed up to come. There was a surge of takers for tickets from Monday to Wednesday, but the cheesecake was prepared at the weekend for 15! Oh well not to worry, the chocolate things were very nice, and we were serenaded well into the night by some Polish folksongs. Well I think they were folk songs, and not the Rolling Stones in Polish!! Do you remember them and have you been singing these songs on the way to some boring lecture? Just to remind you the first one went like this, after three join in!

Myslovitz-dugosc dzwieku samotnosci
I nawet kiedy bede sam
przede mna droga ktora znam

So a big thank you to the Polish Society for such an entertaining and convivial evening, or as they say in Poland Dziekujemy Polskiemu Stowarztsleniu Na Uniwersytechie U Bristolu

I will contact you next time round BISC Blog readers. I am not scheduled for the Oxford trip, but will be on the Cambridge trip next term. Cambridge University is oh so much better than Oxford! As the Easter break in nearly upon us may I wish you a safe and joyous break and may your God go with you. John

Meal with a Message or Friday went Bananas! 6th March 2009

Hi there BISC blog readers and welcome to this blog on Banana Friday, Xiang Jiau (Mandarin), bananes, (French), bananen, (German) bananels, (Bristol) banana (the rest of the UK!) For banana crazy Friday BISC once again featured on local TV and our slightly mad antics were flashed across the South West of England. Congratulations to those of you who featured on what was no more than a thirty second clip! If you missed it watch it here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/england/realmedia/pointswest/pointswest?size=16x9&bgc=C0C0C0&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&bgc=C0C0C0&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1

The Friday banana day including ‘Meal with a Message’ was the climax of fair trade fortnight. The displays and items for sale had been professionally arranged by Mei. Incidentally during this fortnight Xiaomei graduated from Bristol University and celebrated a birthday. Her mum and dad from Shanghais are in Bristol at the moment – they must be proud parents!

For me (John) the Meal with a Message began at lunchtime with sandwiches etc delicately prepared by the Bristol University Christian Union. Thanks guys and God bless you all! During the lunchtime BISC participated in the nationwide banana eating contest and with the TV camera present most nationalities present shouted ‘banana’ very loudly in their own language.

During the evening meal there were about 15 people present where we sat down to a meal followed by an informative talk reinforced by a game by Adam Gardner from the Christian Aid organisation. I had teamed up with Petr from the Czech Republic, who being cleverer than me, was the buyer of cocoa beans and the seller of manufactured chocolate bars. Your truly the Blog master was the production line mass producing chocolate bars. The end result generally left most of us with something to think about and the reasons why organisations such as Fair Trade and Christian Aid exist.
Priye, originally from India, and who now lectures on Political Economy at the University brought some beautiful scarves and jewellery that had been made by refugee women from the Kashmir region of India/Pakistan. These exhibits were stunning and sold for around £15.00. Numerous items were sold during the evening. In London however, similar items retail for about £3.00. Although cheap to us in Britain the £3.00 did not reflect the true cost of their production and the primary producers/manufacturers probably gained nothing for their sale at £3.00. The large supply chain organisations cut out the original manufacturer as they know their powers to bargain are almost nil. Hence the reason for the Fair Trade movement as those items being sold at about £15.00 meant that about two thirds of the cost was returned to the primary producers, in our example these were the women refugees from Kashmir.

All in all, I thought that the Meal with a Message represented a fitting end to Fair Trade fortnight and may the Fair Trade movement continue to expand, and may many more big retail outlets in Britain and elsewhere in the developed world be converted to the principles of fair trade costing, supply chain management and marketing. I’m now off to eat my bananal! See you on the Polish night blog this Wednesday.

Friday sandwich lunch

I have just had my sandwich lunch provided by the Bristol University Christian Union where I met three delightful American students who have just arrived in Bristol. What a professional and committed task the Christian Union perform. Don’t forget these guys and girls are students the same as you and face the same pressures and deadlines. We have big numbers on Fridays and the numbers are rising; and could beat Wednesday’s for numbers soon. I find that the carrot dips don’t hang around long and you have to get in there quick! I also like the crispy type things. Actually I’m not allowed to eat these as well, but don’t tell Xiaomei.

So there you have it a blog report on the three types of meal served each week at BISC during term time. As the weather improves (hopefully) and we enter spring and early summer, the trees are in blossom, the daffodils, tulips and wallflowers are in bloom, you can sit outside in the BISC garden with your cream tea or lunch. Having your meal outside can be fun as well as a bit of a challenge. You can admire the panoramic view of nature all in her beauty and share your selected meal with wasps and other creepy crawlies that also blossom in the warm spring and summer weather.

Finally, whether you go to Monday’s cream tea, or the Wednesday’s and Friday’s lunches why not say a big thank you to those who have prepared and served this meal to you. A BIG than you can go a long way.

Wednesday soup lunches

As I write this, I am savouring the sweet aroma of soups in their various stages of preparation. In terms of BISC, Wednesday lunches are the busiest. On an average we get about 60 students coming through our doors. However recently we had over 70 students and other international visitors. This is the day when there is an aroma around BISC of mushrooms, tomatoes and onions all cooking together to make soups. My favourite is French onion soup. Due to health reason I have to avoid soups that contain cream, just as I have to avoid cream on Mondays! This would make life terribly dull if it wasn’t for the wonderful BISC team and students. Hannah and Xiaomei are usually busy in the kitchen on Wednesdays together with volunteers from the international student population and local volunteers namely Rhona, Jacqueline, Sue and not least, Pat. This BISC Wednesday lunches are probably the cheapest lunches in Bristol. Where would you pay £2.00 for as many bowls of soup you may care to eat? Don’t forget, you can get the ingredients for all the soups from the BISC office. Why not have a soup dinner at home and invite the BISC Team!

Monday cream teas

I have noticed that some waist lines are expanding due to the sumptuous teas and lunches provided by BISC. I have also noticed the stuffing of mouths with scones covered with lashings of strawberry jam and cream. Despite this tempting tea break where you can leave the stresses of academia outside for a while, the Monday cream teas has attracted relatively low student numbers. However matters are improving as last week when we had over 30 customers. You can come in and for £1.00 stuff yourself with cream teas and other delights and forget your troubles. The ambiance of the BISC lounge the flow of tea, and the companionship of fellow students can give you just the excuse you have been looking for about the reason for your late submission of an essay. So the word is getting around the University campus and beyond of the noted and traditional English custom of afternoon tea. Indeed afternoon tea is perhaps the major English contribution to global culture! Nevertheless you may not be aware that this service is provided by unpaid volunteers. For example, there is Josh and his brother Si, Hyacinth and Pat. Also one international student from Switzerland has been working in the kitchen on Mondays since the beginning of the academic year. Josh is a talented musician. Hyacinth is a retired primary school head and has made a great impact on the City of Bristol through her voluntary activities. For these services Hyacinth was recently honoured by the Queen. Pat the lovely lady who helps out on Mondays and Wednesdays. Her energy, commitment and enthusiasm leave a lot of us standing still. When you are tired in the morning and it is difficult to get out of bed and submit that essay that was due in last week think of Pat and take note of her energy. Pat served God on the mission field in South Asia for many years. I won’t tell you Pat’s age, but she has the commitment and energy of someone 30 years younger.

Chinese Chess and Calligraphy Night

On the evening of Friday, 27th February, our delayed Chinese Chess and Calligraphy evening kicked off at BISC. Due to the heavy snow in early spring, (one month after Chinese New Year). The lovely people from Chinese Chess and Calligraphy Society (CCC) brought us a lively in-person experience of Chinese 5000-year-old culture. Shirui, the leader from the CCC society told us the traditions of Chinese New Year and history about the Calligraphy. Tianyin dressed in beauty “qi-pao” (Chinese dress) was our Calligraphy tutor and showed us the amusement animations of Chinese Calligraphy and characters from YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imxXfC0Isk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emXw0pgrrlY

Then we guessed the Chinese pictography characters. Finally, everyone had the chance to get the brush and learned how to hold the brush to write. Tianyin demonstrated clearly and carefully to the whole group. We could not wait to these new skills; however, we had to split into to 2 groups to take turns. We started from the easy character of “OX” (since this year is the year of ox) to the more difficult one of “LOVE”. While the first group of students were struggling with their brushes on the paper, other students were either playing the Chinese chess with Master Shao or following Lucy to attempt some paper cutting. Some of them made beautiful butterflies while Peter made a Halloween evil butterfly! Tina made a BISC logo for us. Some brilliant girls made the pattern of “double happiness”, which is typical sign usually used in wedding ceremony. Chinese Chess is something really beyond Xiaomei. Apparently, it seemed that there was a good game between the sophisticated participants playing Chinese Chess, because it took them a long long time for them to finish.

Xiaomei thought the evening gave us a good taste of Chinese cultural through the experiences of hands-on activities

Pancake Party. 24/2/09

Traditionally on Shove Tuesday, otherwise known as ‘Pancake Day’, British people will cook and eat pancakes! The custom is to use up all the ‘rich’ foods in the cupboard before the period of Lent begins.

Therefore, on Shrove Tuesday, as is the tradition, we held our annual Pancake Party at BISC. A team of wonderful helpers from Holy Trinity Church in Nailsea, led by head chef Ian Knight, treated us to a feast of delights and flavours as they cooked fresh crepes before our eyes. There was a wonderful array of fresh savoury fillings to tantalise our taste buds –the veggie chilli filling certainly made my mouth tingle!

The crepes were huge in size and whilst we let our main course go down, we heard a short talk about Pancakes, Easter and Lent from John Watson. He informed us that Shrove Tuesday is part of the traditional Christian calendar and Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the beginning of Lent, which starts the day after -Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, the things that the Church encouraged people to give up were meat and fish, fats, eggs and milky foods. Because of this it became customary for people to use up their fats and eggs before Lent started by making pancakes. Shrove Tuesday is not just about using up food though. It has a special significance of its own. According to Christian beliefs, Lent commemorates Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, and observant Christians mark this period by fasting. So Shrove Tuesday was cleverly invented to use up the ingredients that were given up for Lent - milk, butter and, particularly, eggs - which may not be eaten again until Easter.

We also heard that Easter was an important part of the Christian calendar as it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most important Christian festival, and the one celebrated with the greatest joy. The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity. On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. His body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a tomb. The tomb was guarded and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body. On the following Sunday, some women visited the grave and found that the stone had been moved, and that the tomb was empty. Jesus himself was seen that day, and for days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead.

After the talk, we indulged some more in sweet pancakes with an endless choice of filling combinations. The banana and toffee sauce combination was a winner! At the end of the evening, we left with full tummies and the knowledge as to why pancakes are eaten at this time of year, as well as enjoying each other’s company, good conversation and another fun evening together at BISC.