ISLAND NEWS
18
JUNE 2023
CORONATION
PARTY
ISLA DEL REY By Beverley Ward
It was party time all over the UK, quiches, coronation chicken and champagne being enjoyed by all and sundry! So, we weren’t going to be left out of the fun here in Menorca. The brilliant idea of celebrating on Isla del Rey was the brainchild of our very own Robin West, the man in charge of the St George’s Anglican Chapel. The Foundation - who fortunately much appreciate the minority but very useful element of the British volunteers - agreed wholeheartedly to our using the Chapel and island to party. Even to the point of Hauser & Wirth offering some free places on the catamaran and visitors were offered a free tour of the hospital. After the typical Sunday morning work, we habitually all gather at 11.00 for refreshments and are joined by the visitors. On this Sunday, in addition to the usual snacks offered by Binifadet, everyone was treated to the delights of British cooking prepared by some of us, including Victoria’s marmite sandwiches. There were delicious scotch eggs, coronation quiches and sausage rolls from Son Vilar Bodega and huge pork pies from C’an Dulce sadly I never got close enough to grab a piece of these. With Robin giving a short speech in well-rehearsed Spanish, he invited all the volunteers and visitors to raise a glass to King Charles III, regardless of nationalities, races and creeds but united together in three cheers. A great moment. From then on it was more purely a British affair. We missed our much-loved Rev Paul Strudwick who was in Canada, but fortunately for us, Reverend Michael Higgins was kind enough to stand in. He did an excellent job in a short but poignant religious service in the Chapel. We then moved across to the Church Hall, to hear a speech by Luisa Coll, our honorary Consul. There was an attentive and crowded audience, each with a glass of cava in hand for the traditional toast to the King and three cheers. At this point in the day, there were about 80 people who overflowed from the Chapel and Church Hall and the whole area was permeated with a vibrant and happy energy. Although we were far from London, our thoughts were there. I must say it was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to meet up with old friends who, for one reason or another don’t coincide normally. After the ceremonies, the happy picnickers went off to stake their claim on the chairs and tables outside, while others went to La Cantina restaurant and partied until well into the afternoon. I can’t finish without mentioning a very special guest, Captain Bob Radford, who is an example to all for his courage and spirit of independence He celebrated his 82nd birthday with us on this day and we remembered how he cycled over 80 km on a static bike on his 80th birthday to raise a huge sum for our ramp, despite his limitations from a broken neck. It goes without saying that a lot of volunteers of Isla del Rey, both British and Spanish, put a great deal of effort into making this lovely day possible, and without giving a long list of names, I would like to give a very big thank you to you all. Long live the King! D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T
