LONDON
The Aldona Association in London celebrated the 50th anniversary of its annual Feast of St Thomas at the Wandsworth Town Hall Civic Suite on July 5. About 450 people from in and beyond London attended the event.
The celebration began with Mass at 12.30 pm concelebrated by fellow Aldoncars, Fr Tony Fernandes and Canon Norbert Fernandes. The congregation was led by a choir for the Konkani and English hymns, and ended with the final hymn, ‘Sant Tome’, written in 1977 by founder member and Aldona Association former president Cancy Coutinho and Xavier Pinto.
After Mass, snacks were served by ‘Maggie’s Kitchen’, followed by dinner, while drinks were served by ‘Merv’s Bar’.
Music was provided by the live band ‘Maz & Co’ and Aldoncar ‘DJ Ritchie’, covering five decades of dance favourites, including Konkani and Swahili classics, that had everyone singing and dancing along all day.
After dinner, children were entertained with dancing games and the ‘Limbo’ before being presented with their traditional party bags by Kieran and Chloe Coutinho, children of Aldona Association President Gary Coutinho.
It was then followed by another popular ‘Festa’ tradition as Cancy Coutinho, 87, led the singing of the ‘Aldoncho Mando’.
The band then worked everyone up into a frenzy and in front of the packed dance floor, the MC Teresa De Souza and Social Secretary Michelle De Souza began the former president’s parade.
They requested everyone who had served on the Committee in the last 50 years, to form a circle, and then they called up every former president, or representative, to come up and form an arch.
Gary Coutinho then invited founder members, Camilo Alvares, Cancy Coutinho and Assis Fernandes, to walk through the arch and then take their place behind the birthday cake with the former presidents.
The dancing then continued until they had a quick pause to remember and pray for all the deceased ‘Aldona Family’ members and friends.
In his speech, Gary Coutinho said it was a proud and emotional day for everyone connected to the Association and especially for him to be standing there as the current president.
To those guests unaware, he explained how in May 1976, in a flat above Clapham South tube station, the residence of his mum and dad, Cancy and Amanda Coutinho, was filled mainly with Aldoncars, celebrating their daughter Trudy’s First Holy Communion.
“During the festivities, Amanda suggested the idea of starting an ‘Aldona Association’. Her vision was to bring together family and friends for a gathering to celebrate the Feast of St Thomas, the Patron Saint of Aldona. The idea was warmly received by all, and the ball soon started rolling towards making it a reality,” recalled Gary.
“The founder members, Camilo Alvares, Ivo Alvares, Cancy Coutinho, Agnel D’Souza and Assis Fernandes, then met at the Speedbird Club of British Airways at Victoria Terminal on August 27, 1976.”
“The Aldona Association London was then formed at the inaugural meeting on September 17, 1976, and the first ever Grand Aldona Ball, was held on October 2, 1976, at the Grosvenor Victoria Hotel.”
Gary thanked all founder members, former presidents, previous committees, members and their family and friends, over the last 50 years, who had volunteered their time and worked tirelessly, supporting the Aldona Association London.
“The Aldona Feast is much more than just a social gathering, it is a celebration of our community, our friendships, our culture, and the strong bonds that unite us all,” acknowledged Gary.
He added that over the past 50 years, the Aldona Association with the support and generosity of members and well-wishers has raised thousands for the many charities and causes they have supported in Aldona.
“The Aldona Association has ensured that generations of Aldoncars in England have had the opportunity to come together each year to celebrate the feast of our patron, St Thomas,” said Gary.
He acknowledged that reaching the golden milestone as one of the few village feasts in the UK to do so was a truly remarkable achievement, only made possible by the dedication, support and contributions of everyone involved with the Aldona Association London, throughout the last five decades.
Gary also thanked everyone that had worked hard towards the success of the event, including the committee, the suppliers and guests and especially his wife Michelle and children.
