Dr Graham’s Home’s annual Curry lunch and bazaar held at and sponsored by, the Cotswold Wildlife Park, was yet again a great success. The magnificent sum of £4,000 was raised which will go towards hostel accommodation in Calcutta for girls who have recently left the Homes and are now continuing in further education, or starting work.

Caroline Eckersley, Tina Dennis, and Nina Toller, members of the UK Committee, hosted the day, and undaunted by the rain, there was a really encouraging turn-out. Tina and Nina set up a stall selling a wide range of Indian textiles, Kalimpong artefacts and tablecloths next to Tania Llewellyn’s  collection of coats, jackets, scarves and shirts from Jaipur.  Just to be different, Caroline displayed a wonderful array of French china, linen, and glass collected from Brocantes in France and Lady Sedhar Ball supported the event with a table of beautiful bits and pieces gathered from her travels.

The Wildlife Park kitchens provided a delicious selection of curries, pickles and rice followed by mango sorbet, and raffle tickets were sold and drawn.  A great day was had by all, and when there was a break in the weather everybody enjoyed seeing the rhinos and other exotic animals, and the gardens, which were looking beautifully autumnal and not a little oriental.

Our chair, James MacHardy commented that for a first time visitor, Dining with Rhino’s was quite an experience!