Vol 2 Issue 1
Coastal
Chronicle
The newsletter of the
China Coast Community
January / February
2015
A SMALL BUT IMPORTANT STEP IN OUR JOURNEY
Reverend Ross Royden speaks…
My involvement with the China Coast
Community dates back to September,
2000 when I took up the position of Vicar
at Christ Church, Kowloon Tong – just a
short walk from the Home. It was, in fact, a
former Vicar of Christ Church who was
instrumental in the founding of China
Coast. Since then I have served as a
member of both the Management and
Executive Committees. I also take a
monthly Communion Service in the Home.
I should perhaps say at this point that
China Coast welcomes people of any
religious persuasion and none! We do,
however, seek to cater for the spiritual as
well as the physical needs of all our
residents. China Coast has become an
important part of my life and ministry.
When I first became a curate, one of the
most important parts of my ministry was
visiting elderly parishioners in their own
houses or in Residential Homes. One of
the ladies I used to visit on a regular basis
was Mrs Appleyard. She was a Yorkshire
lady and very forthright in her views and
opinions. We became good friends. She
was in her early seventies and always
used to quote to me the words of Psalm
90 verse 10:
‘The days of our years are threescore years
and ten ...’
She felt that every year she lived beyond
seventy was a bonus. And that was true at
the time. I frequently found myself taking
funerals for people who were in their late
sixties or early seventies and this was
considered a good age to have lived to.
One of the big changes that has taken
place in the course of my ministry has
been that people live longer – much
longer. A little while ago, I baptized
someone who was 101 and they are still
living! In my previous parish in the northeast of Scotland, I served as the Anglican
Chaplain to a large residential facility for
the elderly. We used regularly to take in
people who were in their fifties! If you call
someone in their fifties elderly today, they
will soon let you know that they consider
themselves anything but.
One lady I became friends with during this
time in Scotland was a wonderful older
lady called Mrs Partington. She gave me
the Communion Set I use for Communion
Services at China Coast and every time I
use it I remember her. We used always to
have a glass of sherry together after I had
taken her Communion and chat about life.
She used to say that she felt a burden to
people. She was not a burden at all, but an
amazing, strong woman despite her severe
physical ailments. Sadly, it did not stop her
feeling like one.
This is something that hasn’t changed so
much. We may define when a person is
old
differently, but it doesn’t stop those who
are elderly thinking that they are burden
to those around them, and, frankly,
society can often talk as if that is exactly
what they are. Much of the present
political discussion about the ageing
populations in the developed world starts
from the premise that this is a bad thing.
And let’s be honest, it does bring its
challenges for all concerned. Many of us
will know from personal experience how
hard and painful it can be to have a close
older friend or relative suffering from
illness or dementia.
While the profile of the elderly may have
changed since China Coast was founded,
the need for charities like us to care for
them most certainly has not. Yes, China
Coast has changed since it was founded,
and it will continue to change to meet the
needs of our residents, but our conviction
that the elderly should be cared for and
treated with respect and not be seen as a
burden has not. We believe that the
elderly have much to offer and that the
process of ageing should be seen as a
normal and good part of the cycle of life no matter what challenges it may bring.
Finally, as a priest, I believe that God
values everyone regardless of age or
circumstance, but that he expects us to
help those who, for whatever reason,
need that help. I am proud to be part of a
charity that tries to do just that. All of us at
China Coast are grateful to everyone
who supports our work; I hope you will go
on doing so.
On behalf of all of us at China Coast:
‘Thank you!’
With every good wish
Ross
Reverend Ross Royden is the Vicar of Christ
Church, Kowloon Tong. He is a member of
the Executive Committee and the
Management Committee of the China
Coast Community
COASTAL CHRONICLE | THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHINA COAST COMMUNITY | Vol 2 Issue 1
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Our Resident of the Month: George Harris
Ill health and a twist of fate forced
fighter-pilot George Parles Harris to
relocate from the UK to his son’s
residence in Hong Kong and then to
the China Coast Community – a move
he has not rued. “I do not feel 88 years
old and I am most grateful for all that is
done for me at the China Coast
Community. After being here for so
long it feels like home,” says George.
George came to CCC to live for just
five-and-a-half weeks when his son’s
maid had to return to the Philippines.
But George decided to stay on because
he needed specialized care. He has
Residents at the Clearwater Bay Golf Club
lived at CCC for almost 4 years.
Born on 9 November 1923 at Wembley,
Middlesex, UK, George is the younger
of two children. His dad ran a furnituremanufacturing factory in Camden
Town and his mother managed the
household.
George went to a grammar school in
Kilburn for five years and then
attended the London Polytechnic in
Regent Street. He joined the Royal Air
Force at 16, just before war was
declared in 1939. After the war,
George returned to the UK following
various stints with the British Air Force
and thereafter joined his father’s
business.
He met his wife on a beach holiday in
Salcombe, South Devon, and married
her in 1949.
They had their only child, Graham, in
1951. George’s wife died in 2008, just
six months short of their 60th wedding
anniversary. Graham, who prevailed
upon his father to move in with him,
works in Hong Kong.
A beautiful day at the Clearwater Bay Golf Club
Birthday celebrations at the Home
Christmas Bingo!
Dr Alison Bell Fok celebrating her 90th
birthday with her family
COASTAL CHRONICLE | THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHINA COAST COMMUNITY | Vol 2 Issue 1
Pictures from our recent past
Staff and residents at the home
Celebrating her 5th birthday at the
China Coast Community Home
Student nurses at the China Coast Community
Entertainers at the China Coast Community
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COASTAL CHRONICLE | THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CHINA COAST COMMUNITY | Vol 2 Issue 1
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A busy start to the year!
January and February have been busy as ever, and February has been really special with St Valentine’s Day on the 14th and the
Chinese New Year of the Goat beginning on the 19th. Kung Hei Fat Choi to all our residents, staff, well wishers, volunteers and
donors!
January
S
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Curry Buffet hosted by
Bombay Dreams
T
F
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Junior Presidium
Music by Fantastic All
Filipina Choir & Mass
Communion with Rev
Ross Royden
Music by Secret Sing
Monthly birthday celebration
with Spanish Ladies
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Entertainment by Teachers &
Students from Sai Baba Institute
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Entertainment by Students
from YMCA School
Lunch at Clearwater Bay Golf Club
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Happy birthday, Alison Fok!
February
Curry Buffet hosted by
Bombay Dreams
Music with the
Filipina Choir
Communion with Rev
Ross Royden
Monthly Birthday Party with
the Spanish Ladies
S
1
M
2
T
3
W
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T
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Junior Presidium
Music by Fantastic All
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Happy birthday, Diana Hong!
Piano Recital by Rebecca Wong
Happy birthday, Sharon!
Bingo
Coastal
Chronicle
The newsletter
of the
China
Coast
Community
Movie Screening
Yoga with Miss Vijai Singh
The China Coast Community, set up in 1979, is a care and attention home for the Englishspeaking elderly regardless of their financial circumstances. It is located at 63 Cumberland
Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
We are available at:
Web: www.chinacoastcommunity.org.hk
Phone: +852 2337 7266
Email: [email protected]
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