Cambodian Society
in the United Kingdom

Khmer New Year celebration - Saturday 11th April - at the VLC Community Centre
(from 10 am until mid-night)

• The Buddhist's ceremony was conducted by Mr Tan Nam by request of five precepts.
• Chanting blessing by the Sangha monks
• Offering of alms food to the sangha monks
• Buffet lunch for all community members and guests.
• The show startd from 2pm: Presented by Mr Seiha (Student)& Miss Amara (Student)
• Traditional dances & the Popular dances performed by Miss Kunthea (from Belgium) , Mr Kakada Pich, Miss Dinal, Sinuon, Chantrea Blomfield.
• The Khmer comedy performed by Miss Dinal Blomfield and Miss Sovy (Student).
• Charles Fox (Fotographer)
• Live Music Entertainment (Presented by Mr Dara sok and Mr Seiha)
  • Choch (Light entertainment):
    • Mr Phil Richardson (Bass)
    • Mr John Bourchier Guitarist (solo)
    • Mr Sam Ruos (Accoustic guitar)
    • Mr Marting Kingston (Electric Cello)
    • Mr Dayanny So (Vocal)
    • Miss Van Kingston (Vocal)
    • Mr and Mrs Hopkins (Vocal)
  • Ayai (Khmer Trad RAP):
    • Mr Seiha (Khmer traditional Drum)
    • Mrs Dinal Blomfield (Vocal)
    • Miss Sovy (Vocal)
  • New Talents:
    • Daniele Owen (Vocal)
    • Tom Monro (Vocal)
    • Stephen Owen (Guitar)

We were honored by the numbers of guests attended - the U.K and abroad, including all staff members from the Royal Embassy of Cambodia and helps from the VLC staff member Mr Gac Van Nguyen.

HE Hor Nambora (Ambassador) and the family have generously donated the fund of 500.00 GBP for a set of beautiful festive table cloths tailored in Cambodia, stage- back-drop and décor items, and the supports funding of 500.00 GBP towards the cost of the party. The VLC Centre has kindly donated 1000.00 GBP to Casunik for all activities year 2009 and an additional 100.00 GBP to support the Health Talk Seminar on 27th September 2009.

Our Senior members, attended were Mr & Mrs Tan Nam, Mr & Mrs Tan Mien and family, Mrs Moeung Phok and family,Mr & Mrs Tan Chea, Mrs Pakneari Ruos and family, Dr Mrs Sambath, Miss Sok Chhoeun, Mr & Mrs Bou Mea, Miss Rithy Keo (Professional Khmer traditional dancer) and huge numbers of our compatriots from Kent both adults and children.

A Big Thanks to Mrs Muy Eng Toeuk, Mrs Radar Ly, Mr Tek Ung who helped with catering and assisting for the day. Mr Dara Sok and Mr Kunthea (the Head of Cambodian's Students Associations in the UK) and their team who kindly contributed their helping hands for the hall deco/setup in the advent of event (FYI, you can view names of those who have helped us, by visiting Casunik website under Acknowledgements (Sub Menu)

Bon Phka International fund raising event on 14th June
It was held at the Chithurst Monastery in Middhurst. On this day, the weather was a beautiful sunny day. Donation received 10465.91GBP and was forwarded to the temple by Mr David Glendining (Organizer) and the International team. A speech of thanks on behalf of the Casunik community to donators was made by Dr Heng Phalla Sambath.

Summer Party in Kent (Saturday 27th June)
The party was sponsored by HE Hor Nambora and the family in donation of 500GBP (250.00GBP towards hall-hiring and 250.00GBP for catering expenses).

We are proud to say we have succeeded in organizing for the community get-together in Kent as it is the largest Cambodian community in the UK with the other members from various places. We met and had a fantastic evening.

Attended were Mr and Mrs Tan Chea, Mrs Sakhan Unn and family, Mr & Mrs Bou Mea, Mr and Mrs Sorel Nou, Mr Nou Thol and family, Mr & Mrs Pen Eam, Mrs Buna So, Mr Sor Casino, Mr & Mrs Som Sunna and staff members from the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, Dr Heng Phalla Sambath,Mr & Mrs Long the executive members from VLC Centre.

Pchum Ben & 30th Anniversary of CASUNIK
This year, the traditional Pchum Ben and 30th Anniversary of Casunik was held at Amaravatti temple Hemel Hemstead. Starting from 10am to 1pm and it was lead by Mr Tan Nam. AGM took place for election of new Executive members for year 2009/10.

Introduction of existence of association between Mekong University in Phnom Penh (website: www.mekong.edu.kh) and London Metropolitan University in the UK (Website: www.londonmet.ac.uk) by Dr Philip Dews and Mr Mike Bickerton (Head of International Department).

Health talks at VLC Centre on Sunday 27 September 2009 (Sponsored by the VLC Management committee) from 4pm-7.30pm
Lead by Mr Habib Rahman (4th year Medical student at St Goerge’s University of London – Website: www.sgul.ac.uk). He speaks fluently Khmer had kindly contributed his times for the Cambodian's health interests, and hoping to be able to help the elderly in the rural areas of Cambodia when he’s graduated.

Talks on common major problems in the UK and globally such as Diabetes, Heart disease, Obesity, Lifestyle, NHS services, British law obtaining medical treatment, post traumatic stress disorder and Problems with Cultural adjustment.

We thank you, Mr Rahman for your time for the best interest of the community. We wish you every success that you deserves.

Christmas Party 12th December
Despite a few absence from the winter cold, there were good numbers turned up and the children, students group leaded by Mr Dara Sok.Special entertainment by DJ Mr Sorel Nou, the outstanding performing act of Santa Clause by Mr Mark Blomfield and his Assistants Miss Dinal, Sinuon, Chantrea Blomfiled.

Thank you to the community members and friends who attended and participated in the event.

Condolences
We are deeply sorry to announce the sad news of the lost of two community's members

Mr Bindra from London who passed away early this year and Mr Andrew Ogston from Kent passed away October 2009.

This is hugely appreciated in the time of economic difficulties, where our aim is to continue to ensure that the Khmer Culture is kept alive and community stays focused and united.

We strongly hope that with all your supports and help the community will continue to progress in this vain for the mutual benefit to all globally for the best image of Cambodia.

Casunik new Postal Address
Please take note of our new postal address for CASUNIK has been changed any correspondence should be sent to: