Mandhata Leicester Luncheon Club Annual Picnic 2026
A Wonderful Day at Rutland Water
The annual picnic to Rutland Water is one of the highlights of the year for members of the Mandhata Leicester Luncheon Club. For more than twenty years, this much-loved tradition has brought our senior members together for a day of friendship, laughter and cherished memories.
The day began with our double-decker coach departing promptly at 9.00 am, carrying over fifty members who had registered for the outing. We were fortunate to enjoy perfect summer weather—warm but not too hot—with a refreshing breeze from the lake providing welcome comfort throughout the day.
As always, the picnic was a wonderful celebration of community spirit. Members gathered to enjoy each other’s company while sharing an impressive selection of homemade food. The delicious spread included freshly prepared thepla, onion and spinach bhajias, a variety of vegetarian dishes, chicken specialities, refreshing drinks and, of course, ice cream, which proved to be a favourite treat on the warm afternoon.
For many of our members, the picnic rekindled fond memories of the “good old days” in East Africa. Families and friends would regularly gather at beautiful picnic spots such as Fourteen Falls, Thika Falls, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Lake Kikuyu (Lake Kiambuthu). Many of us would cycle from Nairobi to these scenic locations, where local friends would often join us for the day. Lake Kikuyu was particularly unique, as visitors could walk across what appeared to be solid ground, with water flowing beneath the floating vegetation. Those outings were far more than simple picnics—they strengthened family ties, nurtured lifelong friendships and created a lasting sense of belonging within our community.
Today, the Mandhata Leicester Luncheon Club proudly continues that tradition. The annual picnic reminds us of the importance of preserving the friendships, values and community spirit that have united our members for generations. Events such as these help members remain socially connected, support one another and enjoy the companionship that is so important in later life.
The Mandhata Leicester Luncheon Club deserves great credit for keeping this cherished tradition alive. Throughout the year, the club organises a variety of social activities that enrich the lives of its members. These gatherings are about far more than simply sharing a meal—they nourish the spirit, strengthen friendships and create memories that will be treasured for years to come.
This year’s picnic was made even more special by the attendance of two of our most senior members. The Luncheon Club is privileged to have four regular members who are over 90 years of age—Dinubhai L., Babubhai R. Patel, Chhotubhai and Manubhai Jina. On this occasion, Babubhai R. Patel and Manubhai Jina joined the outing, demonstrating that age is no barrier to enjoying friendship, fresh air and good company.
As another successful picnic came to an end, everyone returned home with smiles on their faces, grateful for a wonderful day spent in beautiful surroundings and in the company of good friends. We now look forward to continuing this treasured tradition for many years to come.
Picnic held: July 2026
Report by: Babubhai R. Patel
Preview
Mandhata Leicester Luncheon Club Enjoys Another Memorable Day at Rutland Water
More than fifty members of the Mandhata Leicester Luncheon Club gathered for their much-anticipated annual picnic at Rutland Water in July 2026. Blessed with glorious summer weather, members enjoyed a day of friendship, laughter and an abundance of delicious homemade food in beautiful surroundings.
The outing rekindled treasured memories of community picnics in East Africa, where many members spent their younger years, while also celebrating the strong bonds that continue to unite the Mandhata community in Leicester today. A particularly heart-warming highlight was the attendance of two members aged over 90, demonstrating that the spirit of friendship and togetherness knows no age.
The annual Rutland Water picnic remains one of the Luncheon Club’s most cherished traditions, bringing members together to celebrate companionship, preserve memories and create new ones for future generations.
