2020 Scavenger Hunt The British Society in Uruguay - September 2020
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September 2020
The British Society in Uruguay
2020 Scavenger Hunt
Food for Thought
What kind of city do we want?
Back in Time
Dirty Laundry
www.britsoc.org.uy
Contents President:
President’s Words. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Richard A. Empson
English Chat Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 president@britsoc.org.uy
Member News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 096 233 233
2020 Scavenger Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Online Forum 23rd July. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Vice President:
The Sir Winston Churchill Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Colin Shearer
British Embassy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
vp@britsoc.org.uy
Anglo-Uruguayan Cultural Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
095 022 055
Christ Church Montevideo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
British-Uruguayan Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
St. Andrew’s Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Secretary:
Lamb Chops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Caroline Stanham
Dickens Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 secretary@britsoc.org.uy
Food for Thought. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 099 155 317
Literature Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Medical Column. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Back in Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Treasurer:
Chef Phillip’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Ricardo Medina
Speedy Crossword Time!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 treasurer@britsoc.org.uy
Dilbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 094 547 279
Link of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Events:
Andrea Davies
events@britsoc.org.uy
099 123 906
Webmaster and Newsletter Editor:
Geoffrey W Deakin
editor@britsoc.org.uy
The British Society in Uruguay 098 586 168
2020 Scavenger Hunt
Page 4 Chair of the Sir Winston Churchill
Home and Benevolent Funds:
Carolyn Cooper
Food for Thought swch@britsoc.org.uy
What kind of city do we want? 099260953
Page 15
BSU CONTACT Newsletter
www.britsoc.org.uy
Back in Time www.facebook.com/BritSocUy
Dirty Laundry www.instagram.com/BritSocUy
Page 18 www.linkedin.com/company/britsocuy/
Montevideo, Uruguay
Edition Number 125 Year 11
September 2020 +598 96 021 918
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
PRESIDENT’S WORDS
Dear members,
In August we had the fourth BSU Online Forum, a Due to the pandemic, we will have to make the
cycle which has been very successful. The forum prize-giving virtual (though not the prizes!), using
featured Richard Cowley talking about his adven- Google Meet. This has proven to be one of the
tures being caught abroad on a cruise ship as the Society’s most popular events, so I encourage you
coronavirus pandemic broke. Richard’s usual flair to join the fun. Since only outdoor events will be
and sense of humour made for a great story and I face-to-face this year, it will also be one of the few
am sure I speak for all those present when I say it opportunities you will have to do something which
was thoroughly enjoyable. This month we will have does not involve your computer or smartphone!
another forum, featuring Professor Alberto Márquez For those not yet aware of this, the Society has now
speaking about British colonial India. got its own headquarters! A little house in the corner
This month we will also continue with the online at the front of the grounds of the British Cemetery
English Chat Time, at which participants get to has been recycled to function as home base for all
practice their conversation skills in English, and is the institutions of the British Society Council who do
aimed mainly at our Uruguayan anglophile members not have one to date. Sadly, the pandemic does not
who need to perfect their English language skills allow us to make good use of it right away, but be
and at non-members who may take an interest in assured that we will be having events there once
our Society. Conversations cover a great variety of the health crisis subsides.
topics to develop vocabulary as well as grammar, Few have so far had the pleasure of meeting our
and are tailored according to participants’ needs now British Ambassador, Faye O’Connor, who
and suggestions. Spaces are limited, since we try to arrived in Uruguay last month and now is fully
keep numbers limited to allow all attendees to accredited with the Uruguayan government. She
participate in the chat, so I recommend you book has joined us at a difficult time, but you may have
your place in plenty of time if you want to join. the opportunity of seeing her at the Expo Prado this
This month we will have the first face-to-face event month, since the Embassy will be setting up its
of this unusual year: the Scavenger Hunt, originally usual stand. We hope she and her family are settling
scheduled for mid-March, will be taking place six in well and we look forward to seeing them at
months later, in mid-September! For those of you Society events in the future.
who have never participated in the Hunt, you must Stay safe. I hope you enjoy the turn of the weather
be prepared to follow clues, discover things and find and the beginning of the spring
requested items along the way, answer cryptic
questions, and perform unusual tasks to attain the Richard A. Empson MBE
prize. Teams can be of up to 5 people and all ages President
are welcome. You can take part by car, on bikes or
on foot, though some walking will be required at
certain points.
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 1
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
ENGLISH CHAT TIME
MEMBER NEWS
New Members
Martin Inthamoussu Mirandetti
Birthdays in September
04 Daniela M. Caraballo 17 Neil D. Morrison
04 Alexa M. Hobbins 17 Richard A. Cowley
05 Maureen S. Hyland 17 Pedro Prevett
07 Celia M. Orizabal 17 María Prevett
08 Nicole Funch-Thomsen 18 Beatriz Mailhos
08 Jo A. Laws 19 Andrea Davies
09 Sheila Lucas-Calcraft 19 Paul E. Beare
09 Laura T. Rovira 21 Alberto I. Wilson
09 Daniel A. Pereira 21 Lucie Beare
12 Giovanna Frasca 24 Michael Castleton
13 Nicholas Teuten 25 María M. Barrabino
13 William J. Beare 26 Adrian N. Hobbins
13 Julio A. Guridi 26 Stephanie K. Cooper
14 Nicolás Hobbins 29 Manuela Shaw
15 Conrad C. O’Neill 30 Hazel M. Dee
15 Andrea M. Varela 30 Jeanine Beare
“Count not the candles…see the lights they
give. Count not the years, but the life you live.
Wishing all of you a wonderful time ahead.”
Happy Birthdays!
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 2
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
THIS MONTH’S COVER
The View from The Shard is a tourist attraction based
in London’s tallest building, The Shard.
The attraction offers visitors views from the skyscraper,
with two viewing platforms inside the building: the
first is a triple level indoor gallery on Level 69, and
the second is a partially outdoor gallery on Level 72. Our cover:
The View from The Shard
The attraction has a ground floor gift shop as well as London
‘The Sky Boutique,’ on Level 68, with limited edition
souvenirs. It is the highest shop in London.
Stay safe,
Geoffrey W Deakin
Editor.
External night time view from
the indoor viewing gallery
BSU MEMBERSHIP FEES
Notice to Society Members
The British Society would like to kindly remind all
members who have not yet done so to get up to date with
their membership fees.
Remember you can now do this easily from the comfort
of your own home using any local debit card and most
credit cards through the RedTickets platform.
And if you forgot to pay last year’s fee (or any previous
unpaid dues), you can simply pay two or more at the
same RedTickets link or by visiting our Website.
Else you can make a bank transfer (or direct deposit) to
the British Society account at Banque Heritage Uruguay
number 62582-03, or pay our Treasurer (in copy) directly.
If done by bank transfer/deposit, please send our
Treasurer a copy of the transfer/deposit slip. 2020
Once this is done, your membership will be updated.
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 3
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
2020 SCAVENGER HUNT
Prepare to follow clues, discover things and find requested items
along your way, answer cryptic questions, and perform unusual
tasks to attain the prize!
Teams can be of up to 5 people; all ages are welcome.
You can take part by car, on bikes or on foot (total course 3km),
though walking will be required at certain points.
Due to the pandemic, we will have to make the prize-giving virtual
(though not the prizes!), using Google Meet.
Come join the fun.
Excitement guaranteed!
Limited number of participants!
Book Your Place Here!
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 4
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020 ONLINE FORUM 23RD JULY Our Online Forum on the 23rd with Richard Cowley talking about his adventures being caught abroad on a cruise ship as the coronavirus pandemic broke. www.britsoc.org.uy Page 5
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
THE SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL HOME
Greetings from the SWCH!
The Noche de la Nostalgia didn’t go
unnoticed and was celebrated accordingly
with music of the 60’s and 70’s.
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 6
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
BRITISH EMBASSY
New Ambassador
Ambassador Faye O’Connor had the honour to
present her credentials to President Luis Alberto
Lacalle on 27 August, at a ceremony held at Palacio
Estévez. During her private meeting they discussed
the various areas that both countries will work on
together over the next few years, strengthening the
historical bilateral relationship even further.
Following the meeting, and keeping with tradition,
the Ambassador offered a floral tribute in front of
the José Artigas monument, using flowers from the
Ambassador’s garden which had been gathered
and arranged by the Residence staff. Faye was
accompanied by her husband, José Ángel Reza,
and Embassy and Residence colleagues.
Expo Prado
For the 7th consecutive year the Embassy will be
present at Expo Prado with its British Pavilion, 9-20
September. Following the safety protocols estab-
lished by the government, visitors will be able to buy
and learn about British products and services
offered in Uruguay.
Those who prefer to visit the pavilion online will be
able to do a virtual tour and find more information.
Follow our social media for updates about events.
Chevening Scholarships
The Ambassador hosted a small farewell reception range of areas, including Public Policy to Sustainable
for the seven young Uruguayan professionals who Engineering, Architecture, Entrepreneurship and
will be soon travelling to the UK to study a one-year Law. Applications for next year open on 3 September
master degree thanks to the Chevening scholar- and close on 3 November. Find more information at
ships, funded by the Foreign Office and our www.chevening.org.
partners, ANII, Cone Marshall and Pfeffer Family The Embassy will be offering an informational talk
Foundation. They will be studying at Oxford, LSE, on Chevening at Expo Prado on 19 September, at
Imperial College and UCL universities, on a wide 17:00. Follow our social media for updates.
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 7
The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
ANGLO-URUGUAYAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE
SUPPORTING
5 S
TH
E
P
TEACHERS...
AT A DISTANCE!
9:30 AM
UY LOCAL TIME
PENNY
UR
NICK
SHEARD
11:00 AM
UY LOCAL TIME
ONLINE TALKS VIA ZOOM
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 8The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
ANGLO-URUGUAYAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE Continued...
WEBINAR Friday 4th, September. At 6:00 pm
Why is Linguaskill the best English test to improve your CV? By Diego Santi
Abstract
The ability to communicate well in English is essential when it comes to recruiting new
employees. How can you be sure that you have the skills employers are looking for? Find
out why adding the results from the Linguaskill test can help to improve your CV.
About the presenter
Diego Santi holds a Degree in Linguistics & Teaching English as a Foreign Language from
Universidad de la República and is currently pursuing an M.A on Language, Culture &
Society from the same University. In addition, he has been a Cambridge Assessment
English speaking examiner for levels B1, B2 & C1 Business English , A2 Key, B1
Preliminary & B2 First and an Exams Supervisor since 2009.
As the Branch Manager of the Anglo Pocitos annexe, two of his main responsibilities are
deciding on the teaching positions needed to implement the Institute's programme and
recruiting highly effective teachers and administrative staff to fill them.
N.B: The presentation is in Spanish
Online, via Zoom
Admission is free
To enrol: www.anglo.edu.uy - Seminarios y Talleres
NOW ALSO
IN TOWN
UNDARIYA
SECO S!
PO
¡CLUIM LIM
ITSED S!
AACDEO
PLIT
Preschool - Primary - Secondary
ENROL NOW!
theangloschool@anglo.edu.uy
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 9The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
CHRIST CHURCH MONTEVIDEO
Mountains...
If you have questions, ask jhamilton@christchurchmvd.org
“What comes to your mind when you think of the Or does Carmel come first? There is a great story
mountains?” We recently asked that question in our there. My father told it to a roomful of Soviet-era
“response time” during a Sunday morning ZOOM scientists and academics in Novosibirsk in 1989.
connect. We had some amazing answers, some They had been playing cards over shots of vodka to
quite unexpected. When you have forty screens disrespect his lecture on Christian Ethics, or his
(divided into two Zoom rooms) there is always inter- KGB interpreter or perhaps life itself in that grey
esting interaction. It seems many people grew up in city… the group was less interested in his lecture
the shadows or foothills of some mountain. Others than a half-empty church of sleepy congregants or
experienced thrilling adventures. Some recall a catechism class of pre-adolescents. So, he
devastating tragedies. decided to take them on a proverbial journey to Mt
Mountains are places of gods and ghosts, demons Carmel where the Hebrew prophet Elijah confronted
and deities…at least that is what I said on message King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. It turned out to
#3 of our six week series. I was assigned a text / be the most memorable, interactive, talked about
topic. The challenge was to contrast Mount Sinai lecture in three full semesters in the Siberian snow.
with Mount Zion. I called it a pilgrimage starting with Well, I thought this might be interesting to read. We
Moses in Exodus 19 and finishing with Peter’s letter have posted some activities updates and all of our
to the Christ followers worldwide. John actually had teaching series online at www.christchurchmvd.
much to say in his writing called Revelation, but I org Join us anytime by contacting me for the links.
was already overtime.
Arocena 1907
My next message might be easier since the tour or Esq. Lieja, Carrasco
pilgrimage is much more compact. Horeb to Carmel. Tel 2601 0300
www.christchurchmvd.org
UR
VIE W O E
G
M E S SA
E
O N LI N
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 10The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
BRITISH-URUGUAYAN CLUB
JOIN ONLINE MEETING
Agricultural producer: he is part of the 4th genera- Former president of the Rural Association of
tion of a family linked to agricultural production for Uruguay.
more than a century. Since 2017, he has served as delegate of the Rural
Agricultural Engineer, graduated from the University Association of Uruguay on the board of the National
of the Republic, Faculty of Agronomy. Meat Institute (INAC).
Master in Agribusiness Administration from the 44 years old, married,
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (Universidad de la three children.
Empresa) and the Universidad de Belgrano in Fan of Nacional.
Buenos Aires.
Former President of the Hereford Breeders Society
of Uruguay
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 11The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
ST. ANDREW’S SOCIETY
As it is widely known, due to the Covid -19 pandemic The person with the oldest picture or video will
we were forced to cancel our main events, Junior be the winner of the event and receive the corre-
Caledonian and Caledonian Ball, and put on hold all sponding prize.
other plans. As well as this, we are organising other activities in
But no matter how difficult the present circum- which children, teenagers and adults can participate
stances are, these will not stop us from celebrating together, which will be communicated at the appro-
the important occasion of the Society being 125 priate time. So, we suggest you keep an attentive
years old. eye on our social media for upcoming news.
And while we wait for a change in the reality we are
facing today that will allow us to get together again,
we would like to invite all our friends at the
British Society in Uruguay who had accompany
us during the years, to join us and start looking
in drawers or chests for memorabilia of past
events (picnics, Caledonians, etc.) to be
uploaded to our Facebook page: St. Andrew’s
Society of Uruguay-groups. This will make us
remember the good old days.
When uploading the picture/video, you will have
to include the names of those appearing in them,
the name and date of the event and where it took
place. For those of you who may not be familiar
with the process, you can send your photos or
videos to our email: contact.st.andrews.uru@
gmail.com and we will take care of it.
by Jonathan Lamb
LAMB CHOPS vozinglesa@gmail.com
The Aardvark and The Zulu
The aardvark and the Zulu Previews of a new
Were walking hand in hand.
The aardvark said “Dear Zulu, volume of performance
You are my greatest friend! poetry by writer and
But when they make a dictionary
actor Jonathan Lamb.
They’ll put us far apart... www.jclamb.com
All that space between us
Will surely break my heart!”
The Zulu pondered briefly
And with a smile replied:
“Then let us buy two dictionaries
And put them side by side.”
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 12The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
DICKENS INSTITUTE
CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT ENGLISH 2019:
POSTPONEMENT OF AWARDS CEREMONY
Dickens Institute congratulates all the Winners of the Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the
Awards for Best Results in the Cambridge Awards Ceremony will not be held this year. Next
Assessment English Examinations 2019 for their year, if all goes well, Dickens will be holding a double
amazing and outstanding results, as well as their ceremony for 2019-2020 Award Winners. We hope
teachers and Heads of Department, for making sure in this way to compensate for the disappointment
the Cambridge English standards were achieved! the above cancellation may cause.
Congratulations to their parents as well for encour-
aging their children and supporting them in this See all the winners here
learning experience.
For the nostalgic ones, these are the Award Winners 2019
DICKENS INSTITUTE EXAMINATIONS 2020
All of Dickens Examinations will take place as Please do not hesitate to
usual in October, November and December, contact us if you would like
including those in the country. Sanitary protocols further details or information
will be followed at all times. Luckily, all teachers in on this or any other concern
Montevideo and all over the country have you may have:
continued teaching virtually and lately face-to- International Examinations
face, so 2020 will be an excellent academic year Department:
as usual! Congratulations to teachers and students intexams@dickens.edu.uy |
for their effort! 2710 7555 ext 123
Please remember you can find all this information
on the Dickens website https://www.dickens.
edu.uy/examenes-internacionales as well as:
regulations and notice to candidates, the sanita-
tion protocol, a video on what to expect on the
exam day, entry form, ways of making entries
(procedure and bank account information), Dates
for the Confirmation of Entry despatch
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 13The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
DICKENS INSTITUTE Continued...
LEARNERS FROM URUGUAY ACHIEVE TOP RESULTS IN
OUTSTANDING CAMBRIDGE LEARNER AWARDS
Cambridge Assessment International Education is
delighted to announce the winners of the Outstanding
Cambridge Learner Awards in Uruguay. The awards
celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of
secondary school learners in Uruguay in the June and
November 2019 Cambridge examination series.
The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards
programme celebrates the success of learners taking
Cambridge examinations in over 40 countries around
the world. Cambridge places learners at the centre of
their international education programmes and qualifi-
cations which are inspired by the best in educational
thinking.
See all the winners here
Our special congratulations to Florentina
Terra, Top in the World in History, to Ivy
Thomas Memorial School, to Coordinator
of English Studies Yolanda Goldaracena,
and to Florentina’s Parents. It is a remark-
able achievement especially taking into
consideration that since Dickens has
been running IGCSE Exams in 1990 this
is just the third time that there is a Top in
the World in Uruguay!
Luckily we had in our archives a photo of
Florentina Terra at the Outstanding
Learner Awards Ceremony 2019,
receiving an award for another of the
IGCSE Examinations.
On Florentina’s right, Mr Ian Duddy, Former British Ambassador in Uruguay;
on her left, Patricia Alvarez Harvey, Dickens Director General.
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 14The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
by Tomas Linn
FOOD FOR THOUGHT tomas.linn50@gmail.com
What kind of city do we want?
In less than a month we shall be voting for our local undeniable that most of these works had to be done.
authorities in all 19 “departamentos” or counties. We But they should have been planned at a less chaotic
shall have to decide who will be our mayor and our pace, along these last 30 years.
councillors in the district where we live. Many other issues should be considered to improve
Voters will decide according to concerns that are the city. There is urgent need for a more efficient
different than when voting in a national election. system of garbage collection or a swift and comfort-
Now is the turn for regional topics, solutions to daily able public transport. Though traffic has become irri-
life problems. tating, people prefer using their own cars or bicycles
In contrast to all other counties, Montevideo is mostly than taking a bus. It should not be like that.
a big, cosmopolitan city, with small rural areas. Montevideo is a dark city. Most of the city has public
Therefore, our concerns are referred to the quality of lighting but for some awkward reason, does not give
the services it should offer and the relation they enough light.
have with the amount of taxes Montevideans pay. Another matter that should be dealt with is our city’s
Unfortunately, this election, will be defined by ideo- heritage. Each time an old building is torn down,
logical issues and not by what is important to the there is a big uproar. Yet a city, any city, is in constant
kind of city we prefer and the welfare of those that renewal. Much of what is demolished maybe
live in it. The ideal election should be one where deserves to be pulled down. Some very nice old
voters choose the candidates that offer the best mansions get trapped between two tall buildings and
program for the improvement of the place in which nobody wants to live there. Most of them, even the
we live. nicest, become very expensive to preserve. Others
Montevideo has become a hostile city, difficult to live may look fine but have structural problems (usually
in, in slow but progressive decay. It is dirty, its public dampness) that are beyond repair.
transport is slow and inefficient. The more vulner- The city needs an honest approach to decide how
able areas of the city need urgent attention. They much of its heritage must be kept, how much must
lack sewerage, streets properly paved, adequate change and modernize and how this should be done
public lighting and decent sidewalks. There is no with balance and harmony.
regular garbage recollection in many of those areas. There are other aspects that must be considered:
Covering such needs will not solve the problems of the upkeeping of parks and squares (or designing
people in those neighbourhoods, but they would new ones) the maintenance or renewal of trees,
certainly change their quality of life. remaking sidewalks (many are in appalling condi-
If a visitor lands in our international airport and is tions), the improvement of cultural services and
taken all the way to the city centre through the activities.
coastal drive (what we call “la rambla”) he or she All these questions are related to the quality of life
might get a satisfactory impression of the city. That we need and require when inhabiting a city. Hence,
impression would change if, instead, the road taken this is what should be debated in a campaign where
were avenida Italia or Camino Carrasco. we are electing local authorities.
In most parts Montevideo seems grey and aged,
lacking a better urban planning. Tall buildings show
their blank walls as they have small one-floor houses
right beside them or disused lots in the middle of the
downtown area.
Montevideo is way behind in many necessary public
works. The city authorities decided to catch up in
these last two years with works that were not done
in three decades. Avenues are being mended and
broadened all over. The city is in chaos. If, to avoid
all this upheaval, people take alternative routes,
most probably those will also be blocked. It is
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 15The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
by Lindsey Cordery
LITERATURE MATTERS lcordery@gmail.com
Ian McEwan
In 1983 a list of the “Twenty Best Young British 1999; in it, McEwan relates childhood, love, the war,
Novelists” was published. Includedin this list were and social class, in a profound exploration of shame,
Martin Amis, Pat Barker, Salman Rushdie, Kazuo blame and the difficulty to forgive.
Ishiguru, Graham Swift, Julian Barnes, and Ian McEwan’s later novels are “literary”, in the sense that
McEwan. All these novelists, now in their 70s, are many of his characters are somehow connected to
still publishing and all have achieved international literature in ways that are significant to the narrative
recognition and won various awards (Ishiguru won they appear in (for example, Clarissa in Enduring
the Nobel prize in 2017). Love is a professor of Romantics). Saturday (2005),
Ian McEwan (1948) published his first collection for example, takes place on February 2003, the day
of short stories First Love, Last Rites in 1976, of the demonstration against the 2003 invasion of
going on to write over 20 novels, children’s books, Iraq, and follows a neurosurgeon, Perowne, through
screenplays, and other works of fiction. His first his day. In the evening two armed men force their
novel, The Cement Garden* (1978) opens with a way into his house, attacking his family, forcing his
rather disquieting sentence: “I did not kill my father daughter to strip naked. She’s a poet and one of the
but sometimes felt I had helped him on his way”. men tells her to recite a poem- she chooses, not
Four children live alone in a solitary house in London any of her own, but Mathew Arnold’s “Dover Beach”,
one summer with no adults around. And buried in which affects the man emotionally, and so can be
the house lies a shocking secret…a sinister, brilliant disarmed.
story. In The Child in Time* (1987), a young father, His next novel On Chesil Beach* (2007) invokes
Stephen, loses his daughter in a supermarket, and “Dover Beach” by its title. The poem begins: “The sea
never finds her, despite all the actions taken. The is calm tonight. / The tide is full, the moon lies fair/
book is structured as 9 chapters, each prefaced by Upon the straits; (…) Come to the window, sweet is
a quotation from a fictional manual, The Authorised the night-air!” And it ends: “Ah, love, let us be true/To
Childcare Handbook. The little girl’s disappearance one another!” A wonderful poem, well-worth reading
seems to mock any belief that one can confidently in its entirety. A second intertext is Philip Larkin’s
foresee and plan, for the future, as the Handbook very well-known “Annus Mirabilis”: Here is the first
quotations seem to imply. The relationship between verse: “Sexual intercourse began/In nineteen sixty-
Stephen and his wife disintegrates when the child three/(which was rather late for me)/ Between the
disappears, and the difficult process of regeneration end of the “Chatterley” ban/And the Beatles’ first LP.”
is at the centre of the novel. On Chesil Beach is set the year before this, in 1962,
Enduring Love* (1997) begins with an arresting and opens on Florence’s and Edward´s wedding
scene: John Logan falls to his death from an escaped night at a hotel on Chesil beach. Both are virgins.
hot air balloon. This event links the lives of three The story goes backwards then forwards in time
people, Joe Rose, his wife Clarissa and a man called from this crucial evening, and it is heart-breaking to
Jed Parry who begins to show signs of an obsession, read of these two young people, deeply in love, but
religious and sexual, for Joe, which Clarissa thinks unable to voice their apprehensions and nervousness
Joe is exaggerating and even possibly fabricating. (Florence has to rely on a sex-education handbook
The novel is narrated from the perspective of each, that makes things worse). And behind her revulsion
and terrifyingly shows how a person can be driven to at her husband’s obvious desire, lies a secret she
murder and madness by another’s delusions. cannot even think about let alone put into words.
Atonement* (2001) opens on the hottest day of the One of McEwan´s latest novels is Machines Like Me
summer of 1935. The first part reveals the adult’s world (2019), an alternative history narrative, set in the
seen through the eyes of a child: highly imaginative 80’s when Britain lost the Falklands (now Malvinas),
13-year-old Bryony Tallis, who misinterprets the Alan Turing is alive, and involves a love triangle
relationship between her sister Cecilia, and Robbie, with the android Adam, the narrator Charlie, and
the son of the family’s cleaning lady, leading her to his girlfriend Miranda. Like all McEwan’s works, an
do something terrible, which she will try to atone the original, excellent read.
rest of her life. Divided into 3 parts, the novel ends in *Filmed
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 16The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
by Dr Jorge C Stanham OBE
MEDICAL COLUMN jorgestanham@yahoo.com
The assault on truth on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic
Eight months into the discovery of this new disease Never have I had such an active presence on social
and its causative virus, the world is still grappling media, both on Facebook and de-viralising
with a pandemic which is affecting the economy, the messages shared on WhatsApp. Many colleagues
social structure and the future of civilization as we from Uruguay have also stepped up to the occasion
know it. At its centre, it is taking place in the fabric of and have confronted the barrage of lies, false truths,
life as it exists on this planet, showing how humans conspiracy theories and negative information which
are clearly vulnerable and becoming aware that the is flooding the internet. These colleagues and our
possibility of non-existence as a species is not an followers have cross-liked and shared our posts,
impossible option – although surely this is not what counteracting the best we can, the negative effect of
will be the end result. However, the timeframe for the demons of our times.
what will be a measure of recovery and bounce
back, is still uncertain and well beyond the wishful
thinking of a few more months to a year, at best.
Above the grassroots scenario where the virus and
human biologies interact, the superstructure of
human interactions in a globalised and intercon-
nected world creates noise which deafens and
defeats clarity.
I have previously posted in Facebook that the basics
of the right human way out of a global disaster are
clearly depicted in the almost 3000-year-old story of
Noah’s Ark in the Bible: Genesis chapters 6 through
8. It is the simple combo of leadership, the right
information and science. Unfortunately, the response
of leadership to the pandemic has ranged from the
spectrum of excellent (Uruguay included) to terrible In these times of high uncertainty, to a certain extent
(Brazil is one of the best examples). This mosaic understandable, as we’re still and will be for a long
and uncoordinated effort to lead should not have while on a steep learning curve (which started at
been inevitable, but probably represents the degree zero), it’s not easy to make sense of rapidly changing
of gullibility (and stupidity) of both leaders and their information. The temptation to cling on to false truths
lead that is seen on all massive communication and conspiratory explanations of reality is high.
channels, both in the press and social media. Fake Never in my life have I experienced the haphazard
news, alternative truths, conspiracy theories already behaviours of humanity that exist now. I grew up in
existed before this pandemic, but have risen to the the post-WW2 world, in which good and bad were
occasion to their full extent in the recent months. I placed on either side of the Cold War dividing line.
have been surprised and shocked by how some This world ended with the 20th century and identi-
friends, family members and prior patients, share fying enemies isn’t as easy nowadays. In the event
false information backing absolute lies (at their best, of a crisis as is happening during this pandemic,
non-truths) ranging from the negation of the virus shortcut intellectual paths to easy explanations may
and the pandemic to dubious diagnostic and preven- be a temptation but add to the problem instead of
tive methods, unproved and risky treatments and contributing to its solution. Most persons not trained
worse still, the demonization of the public health and to understand complexity and therefore they more
medical scientists as has happened with the renown readily resort to simple linear explanations, even if
and respected Dr Anthony Fauci and the Centers for overtly untrue.
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What is Unfortunately, as the path out of the woods will be
most worrying is the confluence of anti-vaxxers and uneven and irregular, with some faring clearly better
antidemocratic, authoritarian movements, which than others, the naming-shaming-blaming behaviour
border totalitarian ideology, with the anti-truth will be here to stay.
movement?
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 17The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
by Tony Beckwith
BACK IN TIME tony@tonybeckwith.com
Dirty Laundry
One day the washing machine gave up. Water that we were going to make it until the repairman
gushing out of the back all over the kitchen floor. Big arrived but were cutting it awfully close. By mid-
mess. Not welcome at any time, and certainly not afternoon on the eve of the arrival we had still not
during a pandemic, when we’ve been confined to received the promised text confirming our appoint-
quarters for five months. There are routines and ment, so we called. The young lady on the phone
there are necessities and being in isolation helps to could not have been friendlier or more helpful. She
prioritize them more precisely than ever before. checked her computer and said, “Your appointment
Clean clothes are a necessity. is next Friday.” It was a long, anxious week.
The warranty repair shop was a little backed up and The repairman arrived at about nine o’clock this
couldn’t send someone until the end of the following morning, wearing a mask and gloves and keeping
week, so we were in for about a dozen days without his distance. He took no time at all to discover that
a machine. That’s a long time for someone who is the problem is not with the washing machine. It is a
used to washing clothes at the drop of a hat. plumbing problem. Wilson Plumbing—who are very
One of the things I noticed about Lillian once we good, they replaced our sewer line last year—are a
started living together was her attitude to laundry. little busy but promise to be here on Monday.
She actually seemed to enjoy washing garments Desperate times call for desperate measures.
and folding sheets and towels. My bath towels were Maybe we could ask our neighbors if we could use
suddenly soft and fluffy after being stiff and abrasive their machine, which lives on their screened-in porch
for years. When Lillian saw how I did my washing around the back, well ventilated and out of the way.
she announced that she was taking charge. She These are good friends we’ve known for ages; we’ve
noticed that my whites were a uniform shade of grey cat-sat for each other for thirty years. If we were ever
and asked if I’d ever heard about washing lights and going to borrow a cup of sugar, that’s where we’d go.
darks separately. I had to admit I had not. But these are strange times. We’re in a pandemic
In my bachelor days a long time ago I shared a that has the upper hand right now and, one way or
house that was exactly a block from a laundromat. another, we’re all scared of this unseen monster that
Back then, when I was almost out of clean clothes, came barging in earlier this year, forcing us to think
I’d empty my laundry bag onto my bed. Then I’d twice about so many things we used to take for
sprinkle detergent powder over the pile of clothes granted.
and gather up the corners of the sheets to make a We’re also completely out of kitchen towels. We
bundle. I’d walk to the laundromat with the bundle picked up the phone, then hesitated; it somehow
over my shoulder and stuff it into a machine just as it seemed so much to ask. Would we be willing to do
was. After inserting the coins and setting the it? We called and explained that we had to be sure
machine in motion I’d walk around the corner to the they were comfortable with this plan and insisted
Hyde Park Bar & Grill and enjoy a tall glass of cold that they were under no obligation. If they felt even
beer. While the bartender was pouring a second the slightest twinge of doubt we’d understand and no
round, I’d duck back into the washateria to transfer hard feelings. She thought for a moment, then said,
my dense wad of damp clothes into the dryer. After “I’m afraid I am a little uncomfortable about it, so I’ll
the second beer I’d pick up my clothes and take have to pass.” Yes, of course, perfectly understand-
them home. Lillian was horrified by this routine and able, no problem. We hung up feeling strangely
as mentioned above, took matters into her own relieved. A minute later she called to say that she
hands. Or, as my mother would have said, “put her had talked to her husband and he thought it would
foot down with both hands.” be fine. So Lillian went over, masked and gloved and
Now, as we counted the days till the washing armed with alcohol wipes, and put in a load. She
machine repairman was due, the main problem went back forty-five minutes later and returned with
seemed to be dish towels—what some call tea a basket of damp towels, which made me think back
towels. All other categories of clothing and linen to my laundromat days. As at any time of loss or
were under control, but we seem to get through a lot separation, memories can provide solace as we
of kitchen towels and Lillian has always kept us adjust to a new reality.
supplied with fresh ones. A tense inventory revealed
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 18The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
by Phillip Berzins
CHEF PHILLIP’S CORNER sbpberzins@hotmail.com
Pulled Pork
When Spanish settlers first arrived in the USA
they noticed how natives built a smoky fire to
cook their game. With the migration of Africans
and Europeans to the southern parts of the
USA smoking and cooking pigs this way
became popular. It took one step further to
create pulled pork where the cooked shoulder
meat is shredded manually, normally with two
forks, and mixed with a sauce.
Nowadays cooking and eating pulled pork has
become a much-loved tradition in these
southern states and is eaten on its own or
more usually in a bread roll. The pork is often
smoked at low temperatures but is also often
prepared in a slow cooker or low temperature
oven.
Pulled pork sandwiches are now common
Preparation
around the world.
Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper and seal
Recipe for 4 Portions
well to brown all over in the hot fat.
Add the garlic, onions, vinegar, brown sugar, stock, tomato
• 1 kg pork shoulder (bondiola de cerdo sauce, thyme and paprika to a casserole or slow cooker
fresca) and bring to the boil. Add the pork, cover with a lid and
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper cook in the oven at between 130/150 Celsius before
• 30 ml vegetable oil anywhere between four and eight hours, turning occa-
• 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped sionally, until meat is falling apart.
• 100 g finely chopped onions Shred the meat with two forks, throwing away any fatty
bits. Remove excess fat from the surface and if necessary,
• 100 ml wine or apple vinegar reduce before returning the pork to the sauce so it stays
• 2 ½ tb sp brown sugar moist.
• 250 ml stock (chicken, beef or vegetable) It can be made a day ahead.
• 250 ml tomato sauce Serve hot in warm bread buns accompanied by bowls of
• Sprig of thyme, 1 ½ tb sp paprika or coleslaw, lettuce, rocket salad, tomatoes, apple sauce,
smoked paprika (pimentón is also fine) caramelised onions, barbecue sauce, or any other
toppings of your choice.
Chunky, spicy oven chips also go well with this dish.
If pork is not your favourite meat you may make the same
recipe using stewing beef and, in this way, creating
delicious pulled beef.
Enjoy!
For any queries or questions, please contact me via e-mail at
sbpberins@gmail.com.
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 19The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
from The Guardian
SPEEDY CROSSWORD TIME! www.theguardian.com
Print this page and start playing!
Solution in the next Contact issue.
August solution:
Across Down
1 Niggardly; barely covering (6) 1 US underground railway (6)
4 Epithet for the Greek goddess Athena (6) 2 Conclude by reasoning (5)
9 City of New York on the shores of Lake Erie (7) 3 Able cop? (anag) (7)
10 Electric, pipe or reed are examples (5) 5 Waikiki welcome or farewell (5)
11 Concur; be in harmony (5) 6 Brown woody inferior ‘coal’ (7)
12 Coffee originating in Yemen (7) 7 Ice cream served with a topping, as dessert (6)
13 In very good condition for its age (2,4,2,3) 8 From time to time (3,3,5)
18 Species of bird, a large Eurasian plover (7) 14 Discerning; showing wisdom (7)
20 Run up; suffer (5) 15 Sand and small stones mixed, as a beach (7)
22 Land granted to clergy as part of the benefice (5) 16 Pester: pandemic (6)
23 Go deep: imbue (7) 17 Alloy mainly of copper and tin (6)
24 Involve; necessitate (6) 19 Ancient British tribe of Boudicca (5)
25 More than look up to: American Revolutionary (6) 21 Irish county, capital Ennis (5)
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 20The British Society in Uruguay Contact Newsletter September 2020
DILBERT by Scott Adams
LINK OF THE MONTH
The truth about eating eggs
Are eggs helpful to our health… or
a cause of heart disease?
Experts advise egg consumption
should be part of a healthy lifestyle
to be beneficial. But fears that eggs
can be bad for us appear to have
been laid to rest.
Click HERE to visit
the Website and
watch the video
www.britsoc.org.uy Page 21You can also read
