Regretfully, we have decided to postpone our planned Friday, 8th May 2020 event “Visit to Yuen Tun CAS Camp and Homi Villa” in response to our government's ongoing advice to reduce social events, because of perceived increased risk of Covid-19 infections in our community.
We will reschedule to a later date when conditions are more favourable. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
The RAS has been fortunate to arrange a visit to Yuen Tun Civil Aid Services Camp within Tai Lam Country Park. Within the camp site are excellent CAS facilities including extensive outdoor areas, the restored stone houses of Yuen Tun Old Village and four plaques of historical interest including a plaque to commemorate the opening of the camp by the Governor Sir Murray MacLehose in 1977.
The Hong Kong Civil Aid Services was formed in 1952 by the government of Hong Kong and modelled after Civil Aid agencies in the United Kingdom. The CAS provides assistance to the government’s regular emergency forces during disasters, mountain search and rescue, flood rescue, countryside fire protection duties and training activities.
En-route to the CAS camp we will visit the Viewpoint overlooking the bridges to Lantau opened by Baroness Thatcher before arriving at the 1930’s Homi Villa built as a private residence by Mr. Jehangir Hormusjee Ruttonjee (J.H. Ruttonjee) (律敦治) (1880 – 1960).
Homi Villa was constructed on a dramatic promontory overlooking the Ma Wan Channel so J.H. Ruttonjee could supervise the nearby construction of his company’s brewery, the first in Hong Kong. Homi Villa remained a Ruttonjee family property until 1973 when it was acquired by the Hong Kong Government and was for a time the residence of Sir Philip Haddon-Cave, the Financial Secretary. Homi Villa was converted into the Airport Core Programme Exhibition Centre (機場 核心計劃展覽中心) in 1995 by the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office. During the conversion major internal alterations were carried out but some of the Neo-Classical colonial style exterior still remains.
Meeting at 8.45am at Pier 4, Outlying Ferry Piers
Private Bus to and from Central.
There will be a small amount of walking in the CAS camp. When booking please advise if mobility assistance is required
An optional self pay lunch at Nittaya Delicious Thai Restaurant in Sham Tseng. If staying for lunch, the return transport will be by public transport. Express Bus No: 962B stops in Sheung Wan, Central & Causeway Bay
Admission: RAS Members $300, Non-members / Guests $320
Optional Self-pay Lunch $100 - $120 / person + drinks
Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to reserve your place and provide your contact phone number. Post your cheque, payable to ‘Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch’. to G.P.O. Box 3864, Hong Kong to be received no later than 20 April to reserve your place
Attendees are advised to wear cool clothing, suitable shoes, bring drinking water and anti-mosquito precautions as there is a small amount of walking on paved roads or paths in the Yuen Tun CAS camp site