Wednesday, 23rd April

Vic Henderson, Chairman of the Society, will update members on his recent visit to Yemen as leader of the UK trade mission.

The meeting will be held at the Middle East Association, 33 Bury Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 1AX at 5.30 for 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

For planning purposes, please advise the Hon. Secretary if you wish to attend (tel: 020 7603 8895) 

Thursday, 15th May 

Dr Adel Aulaqi will give an illustrated talk entitled After BP: Redefining the role of the Aden Refinery Medical Division, 1978-1982. The presentation will reflect on the foundations of the Aden Refinery health service as created by BP since its inception in 1954, consider the hand-over period and then describe the changes that followed to meet the new demands in local health care.

This lecture will also be held at the Middle East Association at 5.30 for 6 p.m. with refreshments served beforehand. Again, the Hon. Secretary would welcome advance notice from members wishing to attend this event.

Spring newsletter, 2008

Auction of Sheila Paine’s collection

Including a complete range of Yemeni costume. This is a very fine embroidery collection, most of it acquired in situ on Sheila’s travels. 

The Yemeni material will be auctioned on Tuesday, 22nd April at 10 a.m. at Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Oxford Road, Donnington, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE.

Viewing: Saturday, 19th April from 9-12.30 and Monday 21st April from 9-6.

To coincide, Thames & Hudson will be launching a new, greatly extended, edition of Embroidered Textiles with a reception at Dreweatts on 22 April.

For enquiries please contact: Clive Stewart-Lockhart, Dreweatts – Tel: 01635 553553 cslockhart@dnfa.com and (for other parts of the collection) Pat Frost at Christie’s Textile Department – Tel: 020 7930 6074 pfrost@christies.com

Painting by Abdulla al Amin 

Abdulla al Amin wishes to sell the original painting (Oil on Canvas) which is reproduced inside the cover of The Enchanted Lake. The painting is unframed and is held by Pat Aithie who can be contacted on 02920 236879 or by e-mail at ffotograff@easynet.co.uk. 

The price of the painting is £550 of which Abdulla wishes to donate £50 to the Society for its support and help.

Coal, Frankincense and Myrhh 

A free exhibition which explores the bonds that connect Sheffield with the Yemen and features items loaned by Sheffield’s Yemeni community and the British Museum, alongside remarkable photography by Tim Smith. 

Open every day until 13th April at Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP www.sheffieldgalleries.org.uk

Last of the Dictionary Men

Stories from the South Shields Yemeni Community

Featuring photographs of first-generation settlers by artist Youssef Nabil and a series of video portraits by Tina Gharavi, this multimedia exhibition offers a unique insight into the complexities of modern British immigrant history and will be accompanied by The King of South Shields, a documentary on boxer Muhammad Ali’s little known visit and extraordinary wedding in the South Shields town mosque. 

Open daily from 2nd April-5th May at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead Quays NE8 3BA Tel: +44 (0)191 478 1810. http://www.balticmill.com

Soqotra Christmas Appeal

Your Society is delighted to report that just under £13,000 has been raised to date and thanks members very much for their generosity. For those wishing to contribute who have not yet done so, it is not too late! Donations are still being gratefully received.