General Meeting: January 2026

Bharat Patel talked to us about his time as a journalist travelling the world and now semi-retired he raises funds for Hope Against Cancer.

Bharat describes being brought up by a madcap Indian family in Gudjurat and by the time he was eight years old he had lived in three continents, India, Africa and now UK.

He delivered a long, fast talk with endless fantastic tales involving a Spanish speaking parrot, Princess Anne, a Bison Burger, Rampton Prison Hospital, the Red Arrows and many, many more. He observed how people from abroad adapt to our customs, our climate and our way of life.

Hope Against Cancer has pioneered some breakthrough advances in cancer treatments including replacing chemotherapy with tablets. Bharat had copies of his book, Indian Takeaway, which were on sale the proceeds of which would go to the charity.

Marianne White