Social Action Group “Visit to ARK
～Sakura・Herb Project～”

• Date and Time:Wednesday, 20th, March, 2024, 11:00～16:00
• Place：ARK（Animal Refuge Kansai） at Tambasasayama

SAG’s “Sakura project” started with the creation of herb beds in 2019 at ARK in Sasayama and has been followed by tree-planting activities there. On this occasion we made our 4th tree-planting visit after a gap of 2 years. Newcomers joined in, but as we began working, it started to pour, turning soon to snow – unusual for Sasayama – and we were forced to retire. It was sad to leave the job half-done, but the ARK staff subsequently completed the work and we anticipate splendiferous cherry blossoms next spring. Some newcomer members witnessed British-style animal welfare facilities and learned about the British attitude to such welfare, after which we all shared sandwiches and handmade scones. It was a bitterly cold but refreshing day’s outing.

Report on the AGM & Buffe Dinner for 2024

• Date and Time:Wednesday, 13th, March, 2024, 17:30～20:00
• Place：Hotel Hankyu International

We held a council meeting, general meeting, and friendship party. At the council meeting and general meeting, the activity report for 2023 and the activity plan and budget proposal for the new year were approved and ended successfully. In addition, we held a buffet-style party. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the exchange after a long time.

“JBSK Christmas Party 2023”

• Date and Time:Friday, 8th December, 2023, 18:00～20:00
• Place：Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka

To bring 2023 to a close, we held a Christmas party, the first in four years. An English-style brass band played Christmas music; take-home presents were generously gifted by our Corporate members and there were splendiferous games, fun also for children. Wonderful dressers awarded special treatment！
With over 100 participants, the final event of the year was a great success and ended on a high note.

Social Action Group
“British Style Evergreen Xmas Wreath Class”

• Date and Time:Saturday 2nd December 2023, 14:00～16:00
• Place：AP Osaka Chayamachi
• Lecturer：Ms Fumie TANIGAWA

We had an event a Third chance to learn how to make an authentic evergreen wreath (using a variety of evergreen species). This time there were also to be mini-lectures on the English Garden horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll and on the memorial garden created for John Phillips, the radio officer who went down with the Titanic while continuing to send SOS messages, all accompanied by photos brought back from England. Our tutor was Ms Fumie TANIGAWA, representative director of “Atelier F’s” and one of our corporate members. She is energetically endeavoring to propagate knowledge in Japan of the display and methods of English-style flower arrangement. She also takes learners to flower schools in Britain and gives classes there. The odors of conifers, eucalyptus and the like impart sensations of the forest and have therapeutic and antiseptic qualities, and after the course, participants took home their wreath to display as part of the decorations for a wonderful Christmas.

Social Action Group
A gathering to enjoy the Tate Gallery Exhibition, “Light- from Turner and the Impressionists to the Present” at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka & Lunch

• Date and Time:Friday, 17th November, 2023
• Place：Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka

SAG held an autumnal excursion to the Nakanoshima Art Museum of Art, Osaka to see the Tate Collection exhibitions “Light”and to have a special lunch at the Musee KARATO restaurant.

Before the viewing, there was a lecture by the curator, which gave everyone an opportunity to understand their impressions and perspectives on the work, and everyone listened intently.

Afterwards, the participants enjoyed a special British-style lunch commemorating the Tate Art Exhibition at Musee KARATO , after which they were able to enjoy the art exhibition at their own pace. During the fall of art, we took a break from our daily lives and had a great time with everyone.

JBSK Day 2023

• Date and Time:Sunday 22nd October 2023
  10:00～19:00
  10:00～13:00 Charity Bazaar
  17:30～19:00 Casual Party
• Place：“Hankyu Umeda Hall” on the 9th floor of the main Hankyu Umeda Department Store

JBSK day aims to deepen communication between Britain and Japan. In the past we have endeavored to forward this objective through bazaars, with proceeds going to welfare organizations. This year there was not only a bazaar, but also, for the first time in five years, a party.

Charity Bazaar

The goods for the bazaar was supplied through the generosity of our corporate members, with a large variety of items on sale at charity prices. Purchases will support social welfare.

Casual Party

This year the guitar-and-vocal duet “sgt. groove underground” cheered us all with characteristic pieces, centering on British pieces. Craftsmen who have come to Japan for the Hankyu British Fair to demonstrate their skills also attended the party, with opportunities for international communication over drinks and refreshments available “charity prices”.

“A Pinch of Salt” ～English for Fun～
under the auspices of the Ladies Group

• Date and Time:Thursday 14th September 2023
  13:00～15:00
• Place：The “special room” on the 8th Floor of the main Hankyu Department Store in Umeda
• Instructor：Prof. Stephen Boyd

This was the 5th in a series of spoken English gatherings There was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and everybody enjoyed communicating. Afterwards we partook of delicious scones and delicious tea made by the Ladies Group staff and a very successful mini-bazaar was held.

Talk on the Coronation of his Majesty
King Charles, followed by afternoon tea.

• Date and Time:Saturday 2nd September 2023
  13:00～15:00
• Place：The Rihga Royal Hotel in Osaka
• Lecturer：Prof. Akihiro SASHI

May the 6th this year saw the first coronation in Britain for 70 years. JBSK marked this occasion by inviting Prof. Akihiro Sashi to give us a talk. Prof. Sashi is Professor Emeritus of Kobe University of Foreign Studies and specializes in British history. His talk covered not only the coronation but all sorts of behind-the-scenes information which would not normally come one’s way.
After the talk the attendants partook of the luxurious and stylish afternoon tea upon which the Rihga Royal Hotel prides itself.

Social Action Group
「Getting to know “The Big Issue”,
a magazine which started in the UK」

• Date and Time:Tuesday 25th July 2023
  14:00～16：00
• Place：the JBSK Room, 16th Floor,
  Hankyu Grand Bldg.
• Speaker：Mr. Yoshida Kouichi

“The Big Issue” was founded in London in 1991 as a business providing homeless people with an opportunity to earn a living. The Japanese version was founded in 2003 and is now in its 20th year. On this occasion Mr. Yoshida, who runs the Osaka branch of “Big Issue Japan”, talked to us about the history of the organization, the nature of homelessness, Japan as part of a worldwide network and other things. We also heard of the experiences of some of the people who sell the magazine. Next time you see somebody who has started establishing a livelihood selling “The Big Issue” on the street, please consider buying a magazine. The URL for the home page of Big Issue Japan Ltd (in Japanese) includes a chance to see the JBSK event.

https://bigissue-online.jp/archives/1082147658.html

Ladies Group “British-style patchwork class”

• Date and Time: Thursday 22th June, 2023
  13:00～15:30
• Place：the JBSK Meeting Room,
  Hankyu Grand Bldg 16th Floor.
• Instructor：Ms Ikuko Barraclough

Ms Ikuko Barraclough, who learned the technique from her British mother-in-law, instructed the thirteen participants in this method of patchwork, which is subtly different from its American counterpart. It can be used for bed covers, purses and the like, but on this occasion, our tasks was cushion covers, and thanks to the painstaking preparatory work of the instructor we were able to complete our assignments. Needlework was followed by teatime with homemade cakes.

Party to celebrate the Coronation and Birthday of His Majesty Charles III

• Date and Time: Tuesday 13th June, 2023
  18:00～20:00
• Place：the Kobe Club

On the 6th of May, in London the first coronation in 70 years took place; that of Charles III. The Japan British Society of the Kansai held a party, attended by 110 people, to celebrate the Coronation and his Majesty’s first birthday as King.
Sashi Akihiro, Professor Emeritus of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies and an expert on British history, initiated the proceedings by giving us a precious talk on the background to the coronation. We were also honoured with the attendance of Carolyn Davidson, British Consul General, and His Excellency Hiｍeno Tsutomu, Representative of the Government of Japan Ambassador in charge of Kansai. The Kobe Club provided us with an opulent meal and an atmosphere of splendour, enabling us to celebrate the occasion in an altogether fitting manner.

Ladies Group “Lecture and Lunch”

• Date and Time: Monday 29th May 2023
  11:00～14:30
• Place：Ristorante Bellini in Ashiya
• Lecturer：Ms Hiromi Shimazu

Fashion designer Hiromi Shimazu, who works in New York and Tokyo, came to give us a talk and to join us for lunch. Ms Shimazu, who in addition to being a fashion designer but also campaigns for the revival of silk manufacture in the developing world, gave us advice on the choice of materials, tips for stylishness, and other things. The twenty attendants enjoyed this talk and then a delicious lunch at the extremely popular Italian restaurant, Ristorante Bellini, in Ashiya.

Social Action Group “Visit to ARK～Getting to know Animal Refuge Kansai～”

• Date and Time: Saturday 27th May 2023
  10：00～17:00
• Place：ARK（Animal Refuge Kansai） at Tambasasayama

As the “Sakura and Herb Project”, SAG have been carrying out activities at Sasayama ARK since creating flower beds there. This trip was for people who were interested in ARK’s activities but had never actually been. Not only did we explore the British style animal welfare facilities set up by Ms Oliver more than 30 years ago; we also went for a walk along the extensive dog-run area and the riverside avenue of trees. After this, in a beautiful green environment and breathing delicious fresh air, the visitors (21 of us) regaled ourselves with sandwiches and hand-made scones and altogether refreshed our spirits.

Report on the AGM ＆ Buffe Dinner for 2023

• Date and time：Wednesday 1st March 2023 17：30～20：00
• Place：Hotel Hankyu International

This year, for the first time in four years, we were able to hold a full council meeting, general meeting, and friendship party. At the council meeting and general meeting, the activity report for 2022 and the activity plan and budget proposal for the new year were approved, and ended successfully. In addition, while considering the prevention of coronavirus infection, we held a buffet-style party for the first time in four years. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the exchange after a long time.

“English Cooking and English Wine Tasting” by Ladies’ Group

• Date and time：Thursday 9th February 2023
  10:30～14:30
• Place：Ms Ikuko Barraclough’s home (KOBE)
• Instructors：Ms Ikuko Barraclough and Ms Junko Kuroki

Ms Ikuko Barraclough and Ms Junko Kuroki, members of the Ladies Group, conducted our second English-style cooking lesson and English wine-tasting event at the Barraclough residence, 22 people attending. Ms Barraclough showed us how to make dishes learned from her mother-in-law such as salmon marinade and Cornish pasties and gave us tips for holding parties at home. To accompany the food, Ms Kuroki, who has an international WSET (London) Level 3, provided a commentary on the English wines we sampled. It was a richly fulfilling day of delicious English food and wine.