The Scorpion Community Group and a select team from 8 Regt RLC organised an International Day held on the 29th August on the sports field at York Barracks with a wealth of attractions for all ages and tastes.

Capt Roger Marshall, UWO from 8 Regt said the day was designed to celebrate the diversity within our army community and to promote the various different cultures that exist.

Much of that cultural diversity was displayed through food. Seven stands from different ethnic groups provided a taste from their country of origin.

There were stands from Africa with representatives from Gambia and Zimbabwe, there were also stands from Scotland, Nepal, the Caribbean, Fiji, Thailand and Wales. Many of those manning the stalls were wearing their national dress, the most glamorous being the Thai ladies, who as well as producing delicious food displayed their own hand carved fruit.

The Fijian’s kicked off the day with a traditional Hakka with men from all ages of the family taking part. Their food was also prepared in the traditional way by cooking it in a fire pit that was dug earlier that morning.

The Caribbean stand had representatives from Jamaica and St Lucia who not only served up some delicious jerk chicken and stewed pork but also made their own ginger drink to hand out.

The Scottish stand was handing out Tablet, a fudge like confectionary as well as serving haggis, tatties and neeps. Tantalising lines of whisky bottles were also on display.

The ladies on the Nepalese stand served a delicious lamb curry with chickpeas, potato curry and dumplings

The Welsh stand provided anyone with any room left for dessert with Welsh Cake.

Traditional dancing performances were given by the Thai ladies, the Ghurka men and the Fijian ladies with a second Fijian Hakka performed due to public demand!

The day was a great success, those who contributed felt that it had been most valuable, Amadou Jallon of Gambia said, it is a good opportunity to show our different cultures, our food, how we live and learn about other people from other cultures.