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.