THE British are preparing for a barmy weekend in the kingdom as they once more get into the spirit of the year-long BHUK 200th anniversary celebrations and a coming royal visit.
Readers are also invited to put on their chef’s hats for the Great British Bake-Off for the chance to win amazing prizes alongside a GulfWeekly plaque to show off to family, friends and neighbours.
VIP guests have been invited to taste and judge the Lemon Drizzle Cake entries and the winner will be announced during the Great British Weekend 2016 at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club event which starts with a curry & quiz night tomorrow evening followed by a host of activities on Friday during the day and into the evening.
Leeds-born Steve Blight, clubhouse and events manager, said: “Our BHUK 200 event promises to be a Great Family Weekend. It’s going to be a little bit of Britain in Bahrain.
“To be honest I never appreciated just how popular cooking shows were until recently and there’s no bigger one than The Great British Bake Off currently being broadcast on the BBC back home.
“The show where precision, perfection and pastries is the name of the game was the most watched show of 2015, with more than 15 million viewers tuning in for the final – and this year has been no different.
“The Bake Off may have been arranged as it’s very topical at the moment but the real reason, however, is because I enjoy homemade cakes and there are not enough of them in Bahrain, in my opinion!”
Not for long! Sweet yet zingy, satisfying yet light, lemon drizzle can lay claim to being one of the greatest cakes, oft described as a big wet sticky kiss of a teatime treat.
Anyone can register for the Bake Off, however places are limited. The deadline for registering is noon tomorrow at the Janabiya club reception or by calling 17695809. Cakes must be submitted no later than 2pm on Friday to the judging panel in the Main Hall.
The official tasting and judging will be carried up by cake loving rugby club chairman Mehdi Honar and fellow executive committee members Andrew Wilkie, Sanne Smith, Hilary Rowark and Carol Moolman along with GulfWeekly editor Stan Szecowka.
The winner will win a night’s stay for two at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa plus a meal-for-two at the seafood market. Top British brand Swan’s distributors Enerserv’s consumer products division has also come on board with electrical appliance prizes. The runner-up will receive a BD30 shopping voucher at City Centre Bahrain as well as an electrical gift.
British ambassador Simon Martin will present the awards.
There will be a host of other competitions throughout Friday with prizes for the best British / Bahrain themed stall, the best hat and the best UK / Bahrain themed couple.
There will also be side prizes to be won in a Name the Teddy Bear and a Guess the Number of Sweets in the Bottle contests.
Children can also pick up prizes at the Coconut Shy, Splat The Rat and Pluck The Duck stalls.
There will be a live Big Band performance in the hall from 3pm and in the evening The Tax Dodgers will perform popular hits.