Network:Bristol
Network Bangla held it’s first ever event in Bristol – ‘Network:Bristol’ on Sunday 6th December 2009, to a sell-out attendance of over 100 people, at the Myristica restaurant in King St, Bristol.
The event was the usual NB eclectic mix of food, entertainment and networking, and turned out to be a massive success, filling the restaurant to capacity and giving Bristol a fresh, exciting and brand new Bengali experience.
After the introduction from Dr Koyes Ahmed and the NB Presentation from Sulthana Begum, a sumptuous buffet lunch was served, followed by the day’s entertainment. Up on stage, Waliur Rahman and the BAYS Committee gave a presentation on BAYS – the Bangladesh Association Youth Service in Bristol, followed by a recitation from Rumena Bokth of ‘I’ by Rabindanath Tagore.
Ahmed Adlan (along with his guitar!) then performed a few modern day classics, with Michael Kettle giving an outstanding performance on the vocals and Zubair beatboxing unbelievably thereafter. The entertainment culminated in a comedy sketch from old favourites Rahib and Ahsan, a raffle draw with a top photoshoot prize very kindly donated by Jay Hoque (of J. Hoque Photography), and a grand networking session.
Network:Bristol may have been an amazing success, being fantastically attended and having coverage on both ITV and in the Bristol Evening Post. However, it could not have been done without the help of so many individuals. Our thanks go to everyone who helped organise the event – Dr Koyes Ahmed, Sulthana Begum, Salah Ahmed (Rubel), Hussna Jahan, Mooktakim Ahmed, Sheikh Kamal Uddin, Rumena Bokth (collectively the Network Bangla Committee!), Myristica, all the performers (Ahmed Adlan, Michael Kettle, Zubair, Rahib and Ahsan), Jay Hoque and his wife Shuhenaz Begum for their amazing photography, Waliyur Rahman, Samiya Chowdhury, Sadia Chowdhury and the BAYS Committee, Naim Choudhury (for his photos!), Nadia Shahanaz (for the cake she made!), Kamal Ahmed, Salim Ahmed and Farhana Masuk (for all their help, especially with ticket sales!), and last, but not least… all the guests.
