SPA UK Sandesh 2017 | Page 70

Badminton Junior runner-up (Rajan) and Badminton mixed doubles runners up (Neeta and Jayesh). Thank you to all participants and spectators who represented the branch and we hope that they will participate next year and encourage other members to take up a sport as well. Navratri, one of most important events in the calendar, was as successful as ever. Despite this being a one-day event for the branch, the atmosphere is colourful and joyous. A key part of this event is the music, and many thanks to our local talent Dilipbhai Kumar, Deepak and Manisha for providing Preston excellent music and to all the singers Namaste We would like to acknowledge the as well. A new feature to the event has been the Mataji Mandavi, designed and built by Kantilal Mistry. support we continue to receive from all It has been another steady year for also provides the platform for our our members. It is key to maintaining Preston. As per last year, the branch less confident members to join in and our local activities and encouraging administration has been performed sing their favourite bhajans and hence all to recognise that amongst all other as a working committee. The focus the participation of our members has interests, the Samaj also has a role to has been to maintain key activities increased considerably. Many thanks all play in our lives. such as the Shradh Bhajans, Navratri, who have supported and contributed to Diwali party and New Year’s Gathering. the success of the Shradh Bhajan. These activities have brought members On behalf of SPA (UK) Preston branch we would like to wish everyone all the together and thereby keeping the We would like to congratulate “Team Samaj alive. Preston” at the HQ Sports Day at best for 2018. Leeds Beckett University who brought Jai Shree Krishna To address the decline over the last back three trophies; Badminton Ladies Working Committee, few years in the attendance at our doubles winners (Kamini and Anisha), SPA (UK) - Preston Branch events, our focus has been on ways to improve our events with the aim to encourage the wider membership to take part. Hiring a live band for our past two Diwali parties has proved to be a welcomed change and the feedback from the membership has been positive. Our annual Shradh Bhajans has become a fixed event on our calendar. The event is an opportunity for us to honour our family members, relatives, community members and friends who have passed away. This event 68 vol. 42 | Prajapati Sandesh 2017