Living Local
Who are the big names taking the stage at The British Club’s Best of British festival next month? Read on for a roundup of the celebrities headlining the annual event, with details of when you can see them in action.
The Leuser Ecosystem in northern Sumatra, Indonesia (just 45 minutes from Singapore by plane) is the last place where tigers, rhinos, orangutans and elephants still co-exist, and is regarded as one of the planet’s most biodiverse environments. Communities along the Leuser’s edge live a subsistence lifestyle, and have few ways to earn income other than trapping animals or working in unsustainable oil-palm plantations.
This vulnerable area came to the attention of Australian expat Jess Mckelson during her work at the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program. Eight years ago, she started an eco-tour company, Raw Wildlife Encounters, to shine a light on this amazing place and to provide employment to the local people.
Along the way, she has set up conservation and community building programmes that deserve a special mention: • Rangers of Tangkahan employs a team of 10 rangers to protect
the buffer zone around the Leuser. • The Sumatran Dog Health Program provides free health care, vaccination and sterilisation for domestic dogs, plus education about the growing dog-meat industry. • Kids attend after-school sessions to develop learning skills, and can look forward to a new Environmental Program that will teach them about the importance of the local environment to their future. • Community help programme Days for Girls provides feminine hygiene kits and health education to support girls and women to stay at school or in employment. rawildlife.com.au
Brent and Amanda to Merrick are proud arrival announce the safe to of Theo, baby brother Jade, on 8 February. Anne-kristin and Arnaud Vaudour have happily welcomed Elias, sisters joining Lou and Salomé, and brother Sacha.
4 June Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Singapore Turf Club 9 June Commonwealth Wine & Gourmet Dinner 10 June Superbrains Inter-community Quiz Night 11 June Family Day & Open House 13 June Ladies Luncheon and Cooking Demonstration 14 June Prize Bingo Night 15 June The Judy Garland & Liza Minnelli Show 16 June Comedy Night 17 June Grand Finale Ball: West End Premiere at The London Palladium, at One Farrer Hotel & Spa