This event has been rescheduled from its original date of 7 May 2021.
The RAS has been fortunate to arrange a visit to the 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 conducts training activities.
En-route to the CAS camp we will visit the Viewpoint which was opened by Baroness Thatcher and overlooks the bridges to Lantau, before arriving at Homi Villa, built as a private residence in the 1930’s 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 Mr J.H. Ruttonjee could supervise the nearby construction of his company’s brewery, which was the first brewery 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.
Programme
Date: Friday, 18th June 2021 (TBC)
Time: 8.45am – 1.30pm with an optional self-pay lunch to follow
Meeting point: 8.45am at Pier 4, Outlying Ferry Piers
Transport: 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
Lunch: 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.
Payment: 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 4 June 2021 to reserve your place
Note: 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