We are thrilled to announce that former Society Chairman Clinton Leeks has accepted our invitation to give the pre-dinner lecture for this year’s HK Society Annual Dinner, regaling us with a compendium of amusing, and some shocking stories from long-term foreign residents of Hong Kong life since 1945. The book on which the lecture is based will be available for purchase and signing by Clinton on the night.
As space is limited for this venue, we are currently offering places to HKS members only. However, any member attending on their own may bring one guest at the non-members rate.
Date: Thursday 10th October 2024
Time: 6.00pm Cash Bar; 6.30pm Drink Reception/ Book Sale and Signing; 7.00pm Lecture; 8.00pm Dinner
Cost: £108 per person (members)/ £120 (non-members) Price includes 3 course dinner with wine
Dress: Lounge suit / Chinoiserie
Clinton worked in the HK Government from 1975 to 1997, including postings to Security Branch and Government House, and secondments to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Hong Kong Airport Authority. After the new Airport opened in 1998, he relocated to the UK with his family but has continued to visit Hong Kong regularly on a number of private sector consultancies. In the UK he was involved in delivering the Elizabeth Line and planning HS2. He was awarded the OBE in 1999 and serves as a magistrate in North-east England. Between 2008 and 2012 he chaired the HK Society and continues to chair its North-east Region.
Clinton will be talking about a newly published book ‘Tales from a Barren Rock – Reminiscences of life in Hong Kong’, which is a compendium by Clinton and other expatriates, of stories and reminiscences of Hong Kong since 1945, seeking to convey the vibrant colour, variety and humour of an amazing city and of those who have lived and worked there.
‘Mayhem and mirth in the daily running of a pool hall, the trials of a police team targeting brothels, plus adventures with triads, murderers and rioters... Tales from a Barren Rock contains more than thirty Hong Kong stories from long-time foreign residents of this enclave on the South China coast. What was it really like inside Government House during the closing decades of the British era? What stories does St John's Cathedral hold? And what of Cathay Pacific and Cable & Wireless? The writers regale us with tales from their own lives in their home away from home, the place they loved and still love, that jewel on the China coast, Hong Kong.’
Please contact communications@hkas.org.uk to book