The British Ladies Society President, Anne Napier, talks to ExpatWoman about the BLS
What is the aim of the 'British Ladies Society' in Kuwait?
The BLS is a non-profit organisation which extends a warm hand of friendship to women in Kuwait. It is run by ladies for ladies and we host a great variety of activities connecting women with one another, enabling members to network and form bonds of friendship that can last a lifetime.
Do you have to be British to join the BLS?
No, but the BLS membership is primarily British, with 70% of ladies being British and 30% being Associate members who are ladies over 18, of any nationality, living in Kuwait.
How many members do you have?
We have around 300 members with new ladies joining all the time.
How can ladies join the BLS?
We have an online membership form and many opportunities for ladies to sign up by contacting us and then joining us at a coffee or library morning for example. It costs 30KD for a whole years membership which includes a diary, Kuwait Information Guide Book and a complimentary Christmas Dinner at one of the 5 star hotels in Kuwait. This year we had 200 ladies join us for a 3-course meal at the ballroom in the Crowne Plaza, it was a lovely evening!
What sort of activities does the BLS hold?
We have a wide range of things going on all week long including coffee mornings, our own library sessions, morning and evening book clubs, bridge group, walking group, mums and tots, tuneful tots, children's dance group, waist watchers, girls nights out, monthly dinners, excursions around Kuwait, plus Bazaars, Ball, Mothers Day breakfast and so on! We like to vary the times of our events too so that there are afternoon/evening activities which also appeal to those ladies working full time.
Which are the most popular activities?
Our regular coffee mornings are very popular on Monday mornings. We vary the venue from the BLS Premises to members' homes to cafes in Malls. It is always nice for the ladies to meet up with their friends over a coffee and no doubt a very nice cake. Our monthly dinners at the Movenpick are also very well attended as are our excursions and all our seasonal activities.
Is there anything else we should know about the BLS?
Every year the BLS supports 2 charities, one in Kuwait and one British charity. We have very popular raffles at most of our events to support the 2 nominated charities and at the end of the year, we are able to donate quite considerable sums from the ladies of Kuwait- a remarkable achievement.
Please visit our website for more information www.theblskuwait.com or e-mail us at info@theblskuwait.com
