See Yep Association held the 19th Committee
Inauguration on Sunday 28th November 2021, after the election earlier this year
in September. The event took place in Chung Ku Restaurant. Our VIP guests include Deputy
Lieutenant of Merseyside Colonel Martin Amlôt, Mrs Daphne Amlôt, Mr Jin Pang Chung of Manchester Ng Yep Association, and Mrs Liu of Pagoda Arts. There were 70
guests in total attended.
The ceremony began by the taking of the oath by all
committee members, witnessed by Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Martin Amlôt and
three Life Honorary Members; Mr Fuk Hsien Jung, Mr. Harry Chan and Mrs Nancy
Chan.
In His speech, Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Martin Amlôt praised See Yep
Association's status as the first Chinese voluntary organisation in the country
to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is a mark of importance
of the association’s work within the community over its 115 years history. And
during the extreme difficult stage of the pandemic, the selfless dedication of
the members and volunteers who help to care for those less able to look after
themselves in the community is above and beyond valuable.
Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Martin Amlôt emphasised that
Liverpool needs a prosperous Chinese community today as much as it always
has. Liverpool is very fortunate indeed
that it is the home of the oldest Chinese community in Europe. Liverpool is equally fortunate that the city
has See Yep Chinese Association to play such an important part in our
community life.
This newly elected committee has more young and promising
newcomers who are enthusiastic about voluntary work and public welfare to join us. We believe that under the
leadership of our Chairman Mr. Ken Tam (BEM, BCAc), our association will be
carried forward and prosper day by day. Chairman Mr. Ken Tam thanked all the
committee members for their trust and support in his work. He will continue to serve and lead the
association to work together to reach new heights.
Owing to the Covid Pandemic, this inauguration ceremony did
not invite friends from other organisations to join in, and
did not arrange the usual cultural and entertainment programme, but everyone was
still very grateful and cherished the wonderful time. Finally, the event ended with the raffle draw when many members and guests won some wonderful prizes. The inauguration ceremony was a success where everyone enjoyed the warm atmosphere, which was an unforgettable day.
See Yep Association held their 18th Committee Inauguration on Sunday 10th September 2017, after their election earlier this year in June. The event took place in Chung Ku Restaurant with over 140 guests attending. The guests of honour were Chinese Deputy Consul General Lai Bo, Madam Xu, Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Lady Mayoress Mrs Liliana Kennedy and Consul Wu. Amongst our distinguished guests were Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Martin Amlôt, Mrs Daphne Amlôt, Deputy Mayor Councillor Wendy Simon, Inspector Tom Welsh, Sergeant Amanda Hamilton, leaders of the Liverpool and Wirral Chinese community organisations, Manchester Ng Yep Association, representatives from China Taiping Insurance, Bank of China.
The ceremony began by the taking of the oath by all committee members, witnessed by Deputy Consul General, the Lord Mayor, and two Life Honorary Members; Mr Shu Hing Cheung and Mr Fuk Hsien Jung. This was followed by the presentation of certificates to all committee members by Deputy Consul General and the Lord Mayor. The certificate presentation only takes place once every ten years, and this year is the tenth year since the last certificate presentation. All members felt very proud to receive their certificates, and will treasure them always.
After the inauguration, Chairman Mr Ken Tam gave his speech, which reminded everyone the See Yep Association’s successful history, and encouraged the present committee members to fulfil their commitment and duties to the association and to the Chinese community. He eagerly anticipates the present members will devote their time and effort to develop the association, enable it to progress and advance with great momentum.
Mr Ken Tam gave a second speech dedicated to Deputy Consul General Lai Bo, as he is near to completing his term of office of three years at the Chinese Consulate in Manchester and due to return to China soon. Mr Ken Tam praised Deputy Consul General for his commitment in assisting the local Chinese communities in the North of England area which he covers. His close relationship with Liverpool Chinese community was especially appreciated. His energy and enthusiasm working with the Chinese community is recognised by many. Mr Ken Tam wished Deputy Consul General and his wife Madam Xu a prosperous future and good health.
In Deputy Consul General Lai Bo speech, he responded to Mr Ken Tam’s kind words with mutual admiration. He praised Ken Tam’s personal achievement, and See Yep Association’s recognition by the Queen last year. Although he is returning to China soon, he looks forward to returning to visit the UK, and will drop in to the Liverpool Chinese community.
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool echoed the same sentiment as Deputy Consul General. He jokingly said the age of See Yep Association is older than his father’s. He offered his congratulations to See Yep Association in supporting the Chinese community for over 110 years, and encouraged them to take up his challenge of seeing a Chinese Lord Mayor elected in Liverpool within the next twenty years.
The First Vice-Chair gave his thank you speech to thank all families and friends for helping to organise the event. He also thanked the people who kindly donated to this event, making it a successful one.
This was followed by lion dance performance by the Hung Gar Kung Fu School. There were three lions, including a junior one. They were energetic and colourful. The lions danced and circulated amongst the tables, greeting all the guests.
Group photographs are an integral part of the inauguration. The guests of honour and distinguished guests posed with each group; the chairman group, the executive officers group, the supervisory officers group and the Ladies Group.
When everyone took their seats, the banquet began. The scrumptious food and drinks were served by the attentive staff of Chung Ku Restaurant. During the banquet, members and guests alike enjoyed a karaoke sing song, including the Deputy Consul General and the Lord Mayor. They both have amazing voices. Everyone had a fun filled time.
Finally, the raffle draw. There were twenty-four prizes mostly donated by other Chinese community organisations and businesses. The first prize was a money tree with £180 hung from it.
Mr Ken Tam then presented the Lord Mayor the donations from See Yep Association, and from himself to the Lord Mayor Charity Appeal. See Yep Association’s donation was £100, and Mr Ken Tam’s donation was £50. The Lord Mayor was delighted to receive the donations on behalf of the charity.
The event was hosted by Ming Wang and Wing W Wong. Ming Wang did an excellent job in translating Deputy Consul General’s and The Lord Mayor’s speeches.
