DAY TRIP TO BRIGHTON & CRAWLEY
It was cloudy and rather chilly at the Kenton Library Compound in the early morning of 23/05/23 and yet many persons joining in the picnic to Brighton arrived quite early. All were cheerful and cracking jokes, though wearing sweaters or jumpers, when they gathered for the arrival of the two Coaches. At around 9.15am the Coaches arrived and everyone came near the Coaches they were allocated beforehand. It took over half and hour because many of the elderly persons had difficulty in climbing on the Coaches.
Both the coaches were full to capacity - 106 passengers. After recheck of the persons on each coach, we left at 10.00 am after reciting prayers as usual. This was a week day hence busy with traffic all the way to our destination. On board the coaches, everyone was given a bottle of water, packets of Doritos, Peanuts and Biscuits - all these items were donated. On the way, passengers started to play Antakshri, sing songs etc in both coaches and everyone was in joyful mood. All had great fun in the coaches which were quite comfortable.
We reached Brighton seaside after 12.30 pm and by the time the coaches found some parking so that we all could get down with our belongings to take down the beachside, it was already 1.00 pm. Our hosts in Brighton - Chandrakantbhai Mehta and his Group were waiting near the i360 on the beach. They gave us a very warm welcome and it was agreed to have lunch at the base near the i360. Our Volunteers joined hands with the hosts to bring down all the utensils with the food for the lunch from the roadside down to the beachside where we chose some cement benches as our tables to set up the menu.
The weather on the beachside was now sunny and quite hot. We joined the hosts in serving to all who made a queue to come for their lunch. The hosts had prepared some very delicious food which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. After all had their lunch, photos were taken and all the hosts were introduced to us and likewise we introduced the committee members.
Our President - Vinod Parekh thanked Chandrakantbhai Mehta and members of his Group and gave a token of appreciation in cash. Chandrakantbhai also gave a short speech and thanked us for the token stating that their Group members were indeed very happy to meet us.
As the coaches had already left for proper parking in town after dropping us. They were told to return to pick us up at around 3.30 pm. We all had a few hours free after lunch to chit chat, see the wonderful sights around or walk on the beach and to the Brighton Palace Pier. Everyone returned to the selected place in time and waited for the coaches on the roadside with their belongings. When the coaches arrived all the members went to their Coach and the Hosts came to say farewell to us in the coach.
We reached Crawley and went to the Apple Tree Mandir, where we all gathered and sang bhajans and stavans in the serene atmosphere there. Thereafter all joined in the 'Aarti'. Afterwards, we had a very warm welcome and introductions from Prakashbhai Mehta and Jain members of the Gujarati Cultural Society. Prakashbhai gave a short speech welcoming us and our VP - Dr Vinodbhai Kapashi replied. A token of appreciation was handed over to Prakashbhai.
All then went to the adjacent Hall were we were given Tea and snacks by their volunteers. Afterwards all returned to their places on the coaches and we left for London reaching Kenton Library around 8.00 pm. In the coach everyone gave their opinion of a very well arranged and enjoyable trip. On our return also we had several messages of thorough enjoyment on the outing by those who had joined in the trip.
Our heartfelt thanks to Chandrakantbhai his family and Group members, Prakashbhai and his Group members for their wonderful and most friendly welcome and entertainment to all of us whilst in Brighton and Crawley.
The following items for the Picnic were donated by :
* Water Bottles and Packets of Biscuits from Seju and Pritiben Shah - son and daughter in law to our late member - Shardaben Shah.
* Dorito maize crisps from Dr Anilbhai and Jyotiben Gandhi
* Packet of peanuts - jointly by Seju & Pritiben Shah and NVK
Many thanks to all above donors from NVK