Chinese New Year

Morpeth Rotary celebrated Chinese New Year, the year of the snake, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. Vice President Claire Brind made all of the arrangements, with carefully set out flags and bunting. A chart allowed everyone to work out which of the 12 they were born in. It also described the type of person each of the 12 is, and all of the descriptions were very complimentary. The chef at Morpeth Golf Club served up a very tasty soup followed by the finest savoury beef. During the evening everyone took turns to read out interesting facts about Chinese New Year.

It is a wonderful time for families to get together. Millions of people make a long journey to be with the family for the 15 days of the festival. This often means tiring travel from the cities back to rural areas. It can be an embrassing time for older singles. The upper marriageable age for women is 30 and for men 32. There is always intense questionning about love life for those who get close to the critical milestones. An interesting solution has appeared where websites and agents can arrange the temporary hire of a boyfriend or girlfriend to take home to show parents and relatives. Hiring charges are 100 yuan a day - about £14. The celebrations ended with a New Year present for every person, a very small but interesting Chinese coin, in a traditional red coloured envelope, and a very sweet and delicious small cake.