A view from the hills

The new Planters' club in town

By: Carl Muller

James Taylor Planters' Club

Planters of the Upper and Lower Hewaheta districts once had a club. But that club at Deltota was closed some time ago. The JEDB then gave them an acre off Ambalamnana Estate, Galaha, as well as the Superintendent's Bungalow. The estate itself has been abandoned and the bungalow, long in disuse, needed to be renovated. The Club's 78-strong membership has pitched in with a will, seeking donations, furniture and fittings, sports equipment, the lot. Singer Company, I am told, has given a TV set and Club Secretary L.A Siriwardena, who is also Superintendent, Galaha Group, said that a brewery is pitching in to "run the bar", and that the response from many firms has been most encouraging.

The new Club is now tolerably ready and was declared open on March 29 with Chief Guest being Mr. D. de S Daluwatte, Chairman JEDB/SLSPC. And the Club's name? The James Taylor Planters' Club. After all, Taylor's Loolecondera Estate is only about 15 kilometres away and who can forget Sri Lanka's pioneer tea planter? Other Office Bearers are: A.B Wadugodapitiya of Bopitiya Estate, Deltota, President and Sarath Jayasekera of Galaha, Treasurer.

Storm over bird-eating

The Nature Club of Kandy, in a recent meeting, waxed wrath at the report that some hotels had served bird-flesh. The birds are migrants that come here from Europe and the sub-continent. Apparently, some hotels have actually served "exotic bird flesh" to tourists and guests. The Club's President, Rohan Samarakoon, raised the issue which was discussed with much indignation. The Club will launch protests and express its repugnance at this callous treatment of beautiful migrant birds. Others in the Club are all dedicated environmentalists and nature lovers and include Dr. Katugaha (Vice President) Indra Wijetilleke, Hazeera Zavahir and Rawani Wijetilleke (Secretary). A. special Natural Odyssey is being planned for May 1. More on the Club shortly.

Queen's to close for facelift

The Queen's Hotel will be closed soon for a brave facelift that will include a new foyer and lobby, ballroom and shopping acrade and other reception features that will maintain its genteel look of a first class colonial hotel. The architectural and interior decor plans are now ready to be presented at a special ceremony, and Chairman, Kithsiri Wanigasekera said that from the chrysalis will emerge a spanking new Queen's. The hotel's popular food outlets will continue to operate. With precious little to do, the Queen's CEO, Chula Madugalle, has moved to the sister property, the Hotel Suisse until such time as the Queen's is decked out.

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