The Helena May (previously known as The Helena May Institute for Women) was set up by Helena May (the wife of one of Hong Kong’s Governor, Sir Henry May) back in 1916. With the collapse of the Ching Dynasty and the creation of the Republic of China in October 1911, Hong Kong experienced tidal waves of refugees; according to one contemporary account, the city was "packed full of ruffians and robbers who have come down from Canton…..". Hence, the Helena May was set up to provide for the physical and moral safety of the newly emancipated women who were also arriving in the Far East in unprecedented numbers. Much has changed since then and, although members are still predominantly women, men are allowed as members.
This is my first ever club membership in Hong Kong. You may ask, why now and why the Helena May? And the answer (should come as no surprise to you) is because of Tasha.
The Helena May is housed in a colonial building on Garden Road (opposite the US Consulate) in Central (it is funny, although many pass it everyday, they do not know its existence). Its main “attractions” are its catering service (its carrot cake is the best yet) and its library. In addition to these main attractions, it also house a pretty well known ballet school, the Carol Bateman School of Dance.
You all know Tasha’s passion for dancing, any kind of dancing. Over the years, I have enrolled Tasha in different classes/activities – French, ballet, tennis, swimming etc. Ballet is the only one she loves and has been since the age of three. To be honest, she does have a talent for dancing (I am sure those of you who have seen her dance to her Barbie VCD would agree!!!). Friends and mothers of her classmate who have seen her dance (at recent parties) are all amazed by her dancing skills and have told me that I should “nurture” this talent. Being the good mother that I am, I surf the internet in search for good dance schools and I came across the Carol Bateman School of Dance. I called up and arranged for a trial class for Tasha. And on the day of the trail class, she said she was shy, hung on to my legs and absolutely refused to join the class!!! In order to avoid going back for another trial class, she now claims she has made new friends at the existing ballet school and understood the teacher even when she spoke Cantonese!!!
Anyway, I do not give up easily. I intend to familiarize her with the environment and then change her ballet school. So, this is the reason why I am now a member of the Helena May……….
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