July 2019 BHAKTIVEDANTA July 2019 MANOR NEWSLETTER International Society for Consciousness (ISKCON) Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Festival of Chariots Contents London Chariot Festival ...... 4 First ever Watford Chariot Festival...... 5 Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing Expo...... 6 Krishna Festival at Tetbury School and in Canterbury...6 Cambridge Strawberry Fair...... 6 Glastonbury...... 7 “Live to Give” with Vaisesika das...... 7 Cancer well-being retreat 2019 ...... 8 Gratitude shows gratitude to local company...... 8 Walking for Hunger...... 9 Final lap of a marathon - the long run for Krishna...... 9 The Sunday Times covers ISKCON...... 10 Srila Prabhupada: Skoda commercial features the Gita...... 10 Ladies’ Ashram scriptural degree...... 11 The duty of a brahmana Organ Donation...... 11 is to culture the quality of forgiveness, which is New school aims to inspire creativity...... 12 illuminating like the sun. Wonderful Worcester...... 13 The Supreme Personality of Willow Smith sings Govindam Prayers...... 13 Godhead, Hari, is pleased Improving leadership and management...... 13 with those who are forgiving Deity Worship Gathering...... 14 Srimad Bhagavatam Birmingham 24-hour ...... 15 9.15.40 Devotees help host the Radlett Festival...... 15 In the Mood for a local café?...... 15 Shree Krishna Haveli project update...... 16 Magistrates Appointment...... 18 New playground featuring Krishna’s pastimes ...... 18 European Communications Conference...... 19 National Communications Day...... 19 Bathing the Lord of the universe...... 19 Honouring unidentified victims of the Holocaust ...... 20 Please send your news, photos and comments to: Radha Mohan das [email protected]

Bhaktivedanta Manor Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane Aldenham · Herts (for sat-nav only, please use postcode WD25 8HE) 01923 851000 www.krishnatemple.com © 2019, All articles & photographs copyright of Bhaktivedanta Manor July 2019

Annual Open Day

On Saturday 6th July, it was that special food stalls, bouncy castle, palmistry, ‘try time of the year again when the Manor on a sari’ yoga, meditation and even hosted its Open Day, especially for ‘drumfulness’ (meditation with drums!). new guests to have tasters and spiritual “The Open Day was a great success,“ experiences of Krishna Consciousness. exclaimed Radha Govinda das. “People Organised by the Krishna Wisdom came from as far as Birmingham and Team, providing guests with a Bristol. It not just brought together memorable experience was truly a visitors from various cultures but also community-wide effort. many devotees to serve together. It Doors opened at 10am and visitors showed how Krishna consciousness can were still strolling in after 3pm. There be wonderfully integrated into everyday truly was something for everyone: fun activities so that anyone can get a Extensive tours, bullock-cart rides, taste for it and engage in it in whichever henna (hand decoration), face-painting, way they feel comfortable”.

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Festival of Chariots

As mentioned in previous Newsletters, places at all in the centre of one of the this year marks “ISKCON 50”, the world’s most influential cities. Much 50th anniversary since the outset of appreciation must be directed to the the International Society for Krishna three devotee couples and one toddler Consciousness (ISKCON) in the UK. who in 1969 pioneered ISKCON Although there are a variety of UK under the directorship of Srila special activities planned for this year, Prabhupada. undoubtedly the event which has the That same year, Shyamasundar das built largest public presence of devotees is the the first chariot for Lord Jagannath in London (Chariot Procession). London. Headlines in national papers It is no surprise, then, that, as thousands read “Krishna Chant Startles London”. of revellers pulled three huge multi- Srila Prabhupada instructed “make the coloured chariots from Hyde Park to Deities so beautiful that everyone will Trafalgar Square, the theme of “ISKCON be attracted to them”. Under this direct 50” was on their minds. order Shyamasundar carved the Deities Indeed no one should take for granted of Jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra. that such a wonderful festival takes

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

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First ever Watford Watford Market grabbed the attention of many locals. One local grocer even Chariot Festival spontaneously offered a box of apples Members of the Gurukula Alumni to Lord Jagannath, which was later (Manor School graduates) worked with distributed. the Watford Council to organise the After the lively parade, there was a first ever Ratha Yatra chariot festival in talk by Bhakti Rasamrita Swami at Watford! There was also assistance from the top end of the High Street, liberal the Food for All team and the Saturday distribution of free vegetarian and harinama (street music) crew. vegan food, live music, dancing and Perhaps unsurprisingly, the presence singing. of the ancient traditional chariot near

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Mind Body Spirit Cambridge Strawberry Fair Wellbeing Expo Devotees from the Bhaktivedanta Manor ISKCON members joined together to community worked with local devotees meet thousands of spiritual seekers at to run an exhibit at the Cambridge the London Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing Strawberry Fair. “At the fair, an older Expo. In addition to the pop-up Temple, woman put £40 in our donation box speaker Sivarama Swami, singer unprompted,” explained Adi-Guru Ananda Monet and veteran book das. “The lady explained that 40 years distributer Adi-Karta das featured on the ago, in her student days, she would main stage. The day was a wonderful often eat Prasad distributed by Food for success with over 300 copies of Srila Life in Manchester, and she wanted to Prabhupada’s books distributed, and reciprocate!” hundreds of people experiencing kirtan.

Krishna Festival at Tetbury over 20 years ago. School and in Canterbury The City of Canterbury, a famous and historic place of spiritual activity in the After becoming the new teacher Christian tradition, played host to the of Religious Studies at Sir William Hare Krishna Festival team as they Romney’s School in Tetbury near Bristol, worked with the local ISKCON group to a graduate who knew of ISKCON from welcome over 200 guests for a spiritual her Bath Spa University studies recently evening with a wide variety of activities. invited the Hare Krishna Festival team to hold an event there. Over 100 teenage pupils had a great time and were informed of different ways to understand the world through the reasoning of the . One student was from a devotee family while one teacher was particularly delighted to meet devotees, having resided at Bhaktivedanta Manor 6 July 2019 Glastonbury Teams of devotees from across England gathered their forces together to make sure the ‘Hare ’ made their presence well-known at the largest annual music festival in Europe. Around 12 thousand plates of prasad (sanctified vegetarian food) were distributed over the 5 day period, and tens of thousands of revellers heard the chanting of Hare Krishna every day. Also hundreds of Srila Prabhupada’s books were distributed.

“Live to Give” with Vaisesika das On Sunday 23 June Vaisesika das presented a UK National Sankirtan Retreat ‘Live to Give’. 120 devotees from Wales, London, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Reading, Birmingham,the North West London Bhakti Vriksha Teams and the Sacred Street Party attended. Devotees were provided with tips, and tools on book distribution and how they can all give the ultimate gift and be ‘ambassadors of goodwill’. Vaisesika das emphasized how they need to be “empowered, confident and encouraged”. Each temple also brainstormed goals for ‘Your Ever Well-Wisher’ the future how they could increase the 3) 250 devotees each contributing 4 hours quality & quantity of book distribution. over 10 days It was just in time for the UK National 4) 2 sanga groups to start as a ‘follow up’ Summer Marathon entitled ‘Your Ever Well- in Watford and Hemel Hempstead Wisher In Every Town & Village’ (28 June Vaisesika das also personally took devotees – 7 July). Their Marathon goals were: out on book distribution, door to door and 1) to read ‘Your Ever Well-Wisher’ on the streets throughout the week. 2) to distribute a least 3,000 copies of

7 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter A day of inspiration Gratitude shows - Cancer well-being gratitude to local retreat 2019 company

A local company has donated the Over 30 inspirational individuals came costs of the entire work, materials, to at Bhaktivedanta in June as part of machines and wages, to make a safe Cancer Wellbeing Retreat. path for Gratitude’s Community Pantry’s The attendees were part of ‘Yes to life” service users. “Many many thanks to and ‘Maggies’ charity who connected Borehamwood’s based construction with Radhika Ragini dasi to host such company ‘Engie’ for coming to the retreats for their members. rescue!” said Shantasya dasi, who The day consisted of introducing the along with her husband Japa Yajna, guests to the Manor and New Gokul, runs the charity Gratitude. “The old activities around the beautiful grounds, slippery path will be replaced with a followed by an interactive workshop regulation safe graduated platforms with Janakinath das speaking about the path, complete with a side hand rails”. struggles with cancer. A scrumptious The path was officially opened vegan meal was served and the day by the Town Mayor of Elstree and ended with lively , meditation and Borehamwood, a representative of gifts. Engie and many local supporters. “A lot of the people that attended were Gratitude has been running a free currently going through treatment or community pantry for the last 8 months just found out they are diagnosed with with growing numbers of needy families Cancer,” explained Janakinath das. and individual’s users. The pantry is “However many people left the retreat stocked 7 days a week, all year around feeling uplifted and inspired. Everyone by volunteers who collect surplus food took a Bhagavad Gita and many other and other saved from waste food from books and are looking forward to supermarkets. coming back to the Manor very soon!” However, when the weather is wet, it If you’re interested in helping to isn’t safe for elderly, disable members or fundraise, promote or even attend even mums with buggies to access the similar events, please email: pantry. The path gets very slippery. [email protected] 8 July 2019

Walking for Hunger Final lap of a marathon 350 devotees from across the south - the long run for east of England took part in a 10 mile Krishna sponsored walk around central London. The walkers were raising funds for Bhakta Deon was a marathon runner Food for Life London’s new electric, before he took up residence at carbon neutral, food distribution van, Bhaktivedanta Manor. He loved the whilst bringing attention to the issue long endurance challenge of running, of homelessness and pollution in the but something was missing: Krishna. capital. As Srila Prabhupada teaches, that our love and endeavours really take on a The walk began at Tottenham Court deeply fulfilling nature when we ‘repose’ Road Station, and went passed many them in Lord Krishna. When Deon iconic landmarks before finishing at received the service of managing the Hyde Park. On a blisteringly hot day, temple guest facilities, he thought it a other sites visited included 22 Betterton good opportunity to dovetail his love Street, where the original devotees first for running in raising funds for a yoga established themselves; 182 Drury Lane, room in the guest house. home of the former Arts Lab where the devotees performed; and 7 Bury Through sponsorship, so far he has Place, the location of the original Radha raised £2,844, and the next final big Krishna Temple in London. event is Kings Forest Trail (50k) Ultra Marathon on 12 October. Proceeds will More information: go towards a new yoga facilities in the [email protected] guest house. www.foodforlifelondon.co.uk

HARE KRISHNA, HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA, HARE HARE HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE

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“Ganesh” song makes The Sunday Times Chart history covers ISKCON UK’s The Guinness Book of World Records 50th Anniversary states that the longest period of time The Sunday Times published an article between an artist having two number 1 about ISKCON UK’s 50th anniversary. records in any chart is 32 years and 2 months. It was held by the much-loved The article references 50 years of the Louis Armstrong. Radha-Krishna Temple in London and the new commemorative photobook Jayadev das and his Granddaughter launched by the UK 50th team called ‘A Syama Gauri Auman, along with her Legacy Begins’ (available for sale now - friend Rasa Lila Grant, topped the it was launched at London Rathyatra). American Dance Charts with a song written by Jayadev entitled ”Ganesh” The journalist had an in-depth which is a musical tribute to the discussion with Gurudas and the article demigod responsible for removing features some of his original photos obstacles in our lives. taken from the time. So Mr Armstrong’s record was eclipsed because Jayadev’s last number one, “Baby Love”, was in June 1974 with the group he founded named The Rubettes. “There must be a God!” said Jayadev with a smile, “Otherwise how can a 72-year-old top the US Dance Charts without some sort of divine intervention?” Skoda commercial features “We have also released a Soul Dance album for the young entitled The the Gita Original Superheroes featuring dance Earlier this year, car manufacturer Skoda chant music glorifying a number of ran a commercial for Indian media, divine personalities,” he added. which included a woman reading Bhagavad Gita As It Is. 10 July 2019

Ladies’ Ashram scriptural degree By Bhaktine Abi Hughes realised what I really needed to educate Within the devotee community the myself in. And the bhakti-shastri (scriptural degree Bhakti shastri was the perfect opportunity programme) is such a buzz word. to absorb myself in this transcendental Besides of course the first and second knowledge. initiation rites, studying this degree We were also engaged in a lot of Temple is a key seems like a milestone that service alongside the course. Our mental many devotees look to cross. For most and physical stamina was tested, and devotees, it is certainly not undertaken we learnt that if we want to complete for prestige or for an external reason. So something we must do it for Krishna why do it then? because if we don’t then it is futile. For myself, the 4-month residential We are so grateful to Srila Prabhupada bhakti shastri was a perfect opportunity for giving us these books to study, so to study the most important things in life. over the summer some of us are joining Sure, I’d studied before, but it wasn’t the ladies travelling book distribution until I found Krishna consciousness that I sankirtan party!

Organ Donation people. My presentation encouraged the approach of considering the time, place Nila Madhava das, ISKCON UK’s and circumstance of each case, as well leading Funeral Director, delivered a as working for the greater good.” presentation on “Organ Donation and Lord Dholakia is organising a similar the Hindu Perspective” at the Royal event at the Houses of Lords. Free Hospital in Hampstead, in front of over 350 doctors, nurses and interfaith representatives from across London. “The process of blood transfusion is considered a form of organ donation,” explained Nila, “This process is very common and very important for a lot of

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New school aims to Scriptural Course Team inspire creativity Get-together Avanti Foundation is set to open a The Bhakti Shastri administration new school, Langley Hill Independent team, which has recently grown to School. The school is located in Kings accommodate examination board Langley, and is a new flagship Waldorf- requirements, held its inaugural get- inspired school, opening in September together on 27 April. this year. The School has a unique, The meeting commenced with an engaging and modern curriculum: enlightening talk by Bhakti Rasamrita It will draw upon the best of Waldorf Swami on service attitude. His words principles and inspires citizenship, of inspiration included a reminder to out-of-the-box thinking, wonder and have the right intention behind our creativity. Applications are now open for service, which is a vehicle for offering Kindergarten and Lower School. our devotion to Krishna. The talk was Kindergarten (ages 3-6) is a warm, followed by presentations on the history informal and inviting environment of Bhakti Shastri and the selfless service providing physical and emotional of devotees, followed by delicious security through the rhythms and prasad. routines of the day, and self-directed play. The Lower School begins from the ages of 6-7. At this age, children learn, grow and flourish under the loving and secure care and direction of the class HARE KRISHNA teacher. HARE KRISHNA For more information, including how to KRISHNA KRISHNA apply, visit: langleyhill.org.uk HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

12 July 2019

Wonderful Worcester Willow Smith sings Devotees have inaugurated a monthly Govindam Prayers outreach programme called “The Vedic An Instagram post of Willow Smith Essence ” in the Worcester area. On the beautifully singing the Govindam day of its launch, devotees came from Prayers recently went viral. She is the across England to perform a 5-hour daughter of the Hollywood actor Will harinam procession in Worcester City Smith, who has been to India a few Centre, distributing 200 cookies, as well times and is known to regularly read the as 250 flyers and books. The Mayor Bhagavad-gita. of Worcester, who heard the chanting, emerged from his office to officially welcome the devotees, which really inspired everyone! “The Mayor was delighted with our endeavours and asked if we could also perform kirtan at a Council event later this summer,” explained Madhumangal das. “We are now looking to arrange the event and possibly also serve vegetarian meals to the Improving leadership and attendees”. They now have six core devotees helping with the preaching management efforts the area. Anuttama das, the ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner (GBC) for HARE KRISHNA Communications, delivered a 4-day HARE KRISHNA Leadership and Management course KRISHNA KRISHNA for devotees. The course included HARE HARE presentation skills, healthy relationship HARE RAMA building, life and time management, HARE RAMA teamwork, strategic planning, RAMA RAMA empowerment and delegation, HARE HARE assessment and accountability.

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Manor School’s End of Deity Worship Year Show Gathering On Friday the 6th of July, the Manor Krishna Avanti Schools organised School held its End of Year Show in a special pujari (deity priest) get- the assembly hall of Bushey Mead’s together with Pankjanghri das. The School. The Reception class, with the open invitation extended to all pujaris help of Renuka, performed a wonderful serving at Bhaktivedanta Manor and play about the snake demon Aghasura. ISKCON London, as well as pujaris The Jagannath class (Years 1/2), under dedicated to serving the deities installed the direction of Gita and Dantasya at Krishna Avanti schools across the UK. dasi performed “Govardhan Hill.” All Almost a hundred devotees attended the older children of the school staged to hear about the responsibilities and a wonderful production about ‘Srila qualities that a pujari must adhere to Prabhupada’s life and mission’, written in accordance with the deity worship and directed by veteran teacher Moksha procedures delineated by the ISKCON Laksmi dasi. Deity Worship Ministry. Topics discussed “The children were amazing and all included procedures in waking Their the parents were really proud,” said Lordships, quality of food offerings, arati Gourangi dasi. “It was a wonderful (light offering) preparations, dressing event, celebrating the devotion and talent arrangements and the importance of of the little devotees in our community!” cleanliness standards. Pankajanghri related wonderful stories and discussed deity worship standards at home, followed by answering questions. Pankajanghri and his twin brother Jananivas das were born in London. After joining ISKCON at Bury Place in 1971, they moved to Mayapur, India, in 1973, where they have served ever since.

14 July 2019 Birmingham 24-hour Kirtan During the early May Bank Holiday weekend, devotees from as far as mainland Europe descended on ISKCON Birmingham’s huge new premises in Edgbaston for one of the most highly attended kirtan events for years. The event features the non-stop musical chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra for 24 hours, performed by a host of leading international kirtan musicians.

Devotees help host the In the Mood for a local Radlett Festival café? Devotees from the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hari Priya dasi, with help from her Foundation and volunteers have been husband Mohan, has recently opened organising the serving of free lunch, as a trendy new vegetarian/ vegan café in well as provision of chairs and gazebos Watford, called MOOD. at the Radlett Festival for 18 years “We have all kinds of coffees and a wide now. This year we served 300 plates,” selection of fresh vegetarian and vegan explained Sadananda das. cakes,” said Hari Priya dasi. “Please The initiative, started by Gauri das, has come and see!” always been greatly appreciated by the “It’s small but the atmosphere is really Radlett Festival Committee and all the special and the food is great,” explained locals. regular customer Gita Dyjecinska. How to find them: 98 Queens Road, Watford WD17 2NX (“The Café next to the pink cow”)

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Shree Krishna Haveli project update

We are very pleased to say that beams could not be saved due to rot, so construction is moving forward with a new roof is now being manufactured. great momentum. Any time lost due Externally the hard landscaping has to unforeseeable conditions is being begun but due to the Janmashtami made up by working late and over festival some of the work will be held the weekends. Works now completed back to save on public inconvenience. include the first fix of all electrical and A huge thank you goes to those working mechanical, kitchen fridges and freezers, hard to complete on time (October/ the windows and external doors, November), to all those still raising screeding, ridge tiles on roof. With funds, and to all of you for tolerating restoring the cottage building (ladies the present inconveniences due to ashram) it was found that the old roof construction. 16 July 2019

your INVESTMENT needed Projected Cost £9.6 Million Donations Pledges shortfall received Outstanding £986,267 £4,984,504 £3,629,229 We are nearly there Only 66 families needed INVEST £4 a day - hELP build sHREE Krishna Haveli for 10 years Leave a Legacy today - make history

We have secured a loan of £5 Million from the bank, against the temple and it’s assets, ensuring construction does not stop 17 Donate online at: www.krishnatemple.com/haveli | [email protected] |07907 809 006 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

Magistrates Appointment New playground Kamlesh Krishna das, the International featuring Krishna’s Director of the ISKCON Child Protection pastimes as theme Office (CPO), has been appointed as a Justice of the Peace Magistrate in the The new Haveli playground has started British judiciary system. to take shape on site with the delivery of ‘Aghasura’ in the early hours of 26th He will be serving within the Magistrate June! Assembly works on the playground Court, which handles 95% of all legal as a whole are now currently underway cases in the UK. He was officially appointed and sworn in on Srila The brief was to create a playground Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is and that brings to life Krishna’s childhood will be based primarily in Hertfordshire. pastimes in Gokul and Vrndavan using Kamlesh Krishna previously worked natural and sustainable materials. with the Ministry of Defence, and held Preliminary designs and quotes were senior posts in the banking and financial submitted by various playground services industry. contractors His new magistrates appointment came The final design was tweaked by taking as a result of his experience in child into account 126 completed survey protection in ISKCON; as well as the fact responses from parents of children that he and his wife Gandharvika dasi – attending: the Manor Pre School, the CPO Global Assistant – are nearing Bhaktivedanta Manor Primary School, the completion of master’s degrees Avanti Schools, Pandava Sena Alumni in Advanced Child Protection at the as well as Krishna Club who were all University of Kent. consulted. Kamlesh Krishna Das (far right), just The winning bid for the construction after his swearing-in ceremony at St work was awarded to Copper Beech Albans Crown Court (with High Court Play, based on their creativity in bringing Judges in wigs and the Lord Lieutenant of Krishna’s pastimes to life, use of natural Hertfordshire in front) sustainable materials, and price. The main feature of the play area will be a 38m long Aghasura snake made of nine log tunnels and eight large play logs!

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European National Communications Communications Day Conference Mina Sharma, the Head of ISKCON This year’s Europe-wide ISKCON UK Communications, organised this Communications Conference was year’s National Communications held in the New Vraja Mandala farm Day. The day’s workshops included community in Spain. media training by Anuttama das, “How to create content for social Over 3 days there were workshops media using video and Canva” by on ISKCON’s relationship with the Balarama Nityananda and “How environment, to build relationships with external politicians, morality and ethics. The organisations” by Krish Raval OBE overriding conclusion was that devotee (Director of Faith in Leadership). communities should work to reduce Mina herself conducted a workshop their carbon footprint, engage with on writing stories for ISKCON news politicians and strive to be of the highest websites, and concluded the day with an moral calibre. update on how devotees are celebrating the 50th anniversary of ISKCON UK.

Bathing the Lord of the universe Snanayatra is one of the most popular annual festivals that takes place at the ISKCON -London temple. On that day, the sacred images of Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra are bathed (abhishek), following the original tradition of worship at Jagannath Puri in India. This bathing goes on for a few hours in the midst of kirtanas glorifying Their Lordships.

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Honouring unidentified Bushey recently facilitated the burial of six unknown Jews murdered in Auschwitz. victims of the Holocaust It was a moment 73 years in the Members of Hertsmere Forum of Faiths, making – a chance for many to finally, which includes Radha Mohan das and symbolically, grant their mothers and Bhagavati dasi, gathered to discuss and fathers, brothers and sisters the burial learn about a local event which had they were denied. The New Cemetery international significance. is close to Bhaktivedanta Manor and United Synagogue’s New Cemetery in adjacent to the A41.

Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace Devotees were invited to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace as representatives of ISKCON. Devaki dasi, and Mina Sharma attended the party, where senior members of the Royal Family met a broad range of people from all walks of life who have made a positive impact in their community. The devotees spoke to senior staff and guests about ISKCON’s 50th anniversary and the upcoming Haveli at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Devaki dasi said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to represent ISKCON at such a high- profile event – especially in the year we are celebrating our 50th anniversary. It was a fantastic experience.” 20