Working for Mr. May - The Policeman's Lot

In The Helena May's 100th year, historian, Patricia O'Sullivan, gave a fascinating talk about Helena's husband, Francis Henry May - from his early years as a civil service cadet to his rise to Superintendent of HK Police and later as Governor of Fiji and then Hong Kong. The talk particularly focused on Henry's time as Police Superintendent. Patricia has a personal interest in this role since Henry, who was born in Dublin, actually went to Ireland to find suitable recruits for the HK Police Force. A number of these recruits were Patricia's Irish ancestors.

Timeline Photos

Please visit us to see historic photographs and information about the history of this beautiful building, the people who lived and worked here in the past and pictures of the neighbourhood over the years. We are also showcasing the charity work that we have been involved in over the years. The exhibition will be held on 8 and 9 September from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

"What Would Helena May Make of Today's HK?" by Rachel Cartland

Rachel Cartland, who served a variety of senior posts in the Hong Kong Government until her retirement in 2006, talked to members about her memoir under the title “Paper Tigress”, published in 2013, describes her life working in the Hong Kong Government. During tonight’s talk, Mrs. Cartland shared her perspectives from her own years in Hong Kong and insights into the issues that confront the women and girls of today. The Helena May members also have the privilege to take a look at the historic photobook of Hong Kong, gifted to Mrs. Cartland when she departed the Antiquities and Monuments Office by her colleagues.

Photos from The Helena May's post

Chair of Council, Tina Seib, unveiled “Past Chair’s of The Helena May” boards today as a landmark occasion for the Council in its centenary year. The boards would enable members to remember and to honour the wonderful work of our past Chairs - for their commitment and dedication - as true custodians of our historical building. Although the boards list only the Chairs, they are a reminder of all the women on the Council and Committees working hard for The Helena May to make it the remarkable place it has been for 100 years.

Classic Movie Evening on 21 June 2016

Members enjoyed the nostalgic movie ‘The world of Suzie Wong’ at the Classic Movie Evening tonight. Apart from the beautiful love story, the movie also showed a lot of Hong Kong landmarks in the 60s.

A Century of Women at The Helena May by the History Group

The History Group presented short talks and displays on some of the women of The Helena May over the last 100 years on 8th June 2016. The event enjoyed a full house. At the event members were fascinated by the story of resident, Josephine Pruden, who crossed continents to get to India during World War II and ended up rubbing shoulders with Han Su Yin in Hong Kong and what Stella Benson, Library Committee member, did not do in her short 41 years of life and how Member, Dorothy Collins' unusual choice of studies led to her Chemistry Lecturer post at University of Hong Kong in 1948. The evening also featured 7 fabulous display boards on Helena May residents, about the lives of some of our interesting past residents and personalities and the fashion over the years.

Photos from The Helena May's post

Diana Fortescue gave a talk about her book The Survivors: A Period Piece at the Author in the Library event yesterday. The book is a personal family memoir about Diana’s parents who arrived in Hong Kong in 1939 and, after a brief period of enjoying their expat lifestyle, they were caught up in the Japanese invasion. This is their story - told almost entirely through their own words and those of people who knew them at the time, seasoned by Margery's often wry but crystal-clear reminiscences many years later and illustrated by seventy period photographs, most of which have never before been published.

Photos from The Helena May's post

The “Classical Music in a Classic Building” music series concluded tonight with the “Taste of Passion” concert by saxophone virtuoso Timothy Sun and pianist Cindy Ho. The concert featured pieces from Gershwin, Piazzolla and other great composers. The audience was all captivated by the passionate and romantic music.

Community Outreach Committee 10th Anniversary Party

It was a joyous day for The Helena May’s Community Outreach Committee (COC) as it celebrated its 10th anniversary with 19 organisations which include charities of the year, partnering organisations, and scholarship recipient education institutes. The event was opened by Chair of Council Tina Seib who highlighted the contributions of the Committee in enabling the Club to each out to less privileged sectors of the community. Claudia Hui gave a PowerPoint presentation of the work of COC. The guests were served a delicious afternoon tea prepared by The Helena May Kitchen. Girls from the Marycove School gave a very professional band performance. Their last song “You Raise Me Up” was so moving that some guests were actually in tears. The event ended with a traditional COC ritual with all guests singing the “Hokey Cokey” which have everyone shaking their arms, legs and bodies. Apart from the celebration, friendships were made and organisations were linked up so that more good work would be achieved in the future.

Photos from The Helena May's post

The Helena May proudly served as a Marshal Challenge Checkpoint for the Royal Geographical Society’s inaugural Hong Kong Heritage Treasure Hunt on Saturday, 7th May 2016. More than 150 participants were received in our beautiful Blue Room where they have to draw out a sketch of the locality.

Katie Targett-Adams at the Edwardian Afternoon Tea at The Helena May

Edwardian Afternoon Tea on 27 April 2016

The Helena May hosted an Edwardian Afternoon Tea today as part of the celebration of its 100th Anniversary. Chair of Council Tina Seib welcomed everyone and spoke about the history of afternoon tea. She introduced Katie Targett-Adams, an extremely accomplished harpist who has performed in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen. Katie performed a number of traditional and popular British songs such as Greensleeves and Amazing Grace. Her angelic voice and her Celtic harp music got members and guests to sing along to two Scottish songs Wild Mountain Thyme and The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. All members and guests commended the delicious afternoon tea and the lovely music performance.