Derek Franklin
The Regents Picnic in the Park took place on the afternoon of Sunday 12th May
and this annual event, now in its third year, has become a popular event on
Pattaya’s social calendar.
Big
by name, big in talent.
Many musicians, singers and dancers from The Regents School arrived to perform
and also invited were students from Garden International School and St. Andrews
School.
In the previous two years the event was held at the Father Ray Children’s
Village, but this year it was staged at the Father Ray Children’s Home, a more
intimate venue.
For more than three hours hundreds of performers climbed on stage. Younger
children were kept occupied with many activities including a bouncy castle, an
electric car track, face painting, a soccer competition and manicures, while the
adults relaxed under the shade of the trees with a cool beer and a burger.
Lots
of games kept the children occupied.
The band from the Father Ray Children’s Home performed three well known Thai
songs, but while many in the audience could not understand the Thai lyrics, they
cheered at the end of each song. But while they played well, it was the drummer
who drew a crowd of onlookers and fans.
This young drummer’s nickname is Big, and even though he is short in stature he
is big in talent. Several drummers from other bands came to over just to watch
him play and with each song there seemed to be an ever growing crowd of female
admirers.
Mr.
Press gave a rousing version of ‘Sit Down’ by the rock band James.
One of the many highlights of the day was a duet between two teachers from
Regents, Ms. Neufeld and Ms. Naylon, who performed a version of the Alicia Keyes
song, ‘If I ain’t got you’. As they sang the crowd sat in silence and awe as
they listened to two beautiful voices singing a beautiful song.
While the afternoon was filled with lots of talent, great music, fun activities
and delicious food there was a serious side to the event.
The money raised by charging admission to the event will be donated to help the
many children who have special needs, and their families, and who go to the
Father Ray Foundation for help. They have nowhere else to go in the Pattaya area
for the support, therapy and education they need, but the Foundation will always
make them welcome.
More information can be found at www.fr-ray.org or email
[email protected]
Many of the visiting bands also
showed off their talent.
Meeting new friends.
Ms. Neufeld and Ms Naylon
performed ‘If I ain’t got you’, written by Alicia Keyes.
Several children spent most of the
day on the bouncy castle.
The dancers from the Father Ray
Children’s Home.
