Our sponsor, centre, with fellow musicians 

 

 

Our sponsor is Zirak Hamad a musician, cultural facilitator and community leader. Although originally from Iraqi Kurdistan, he has been based in the UK since 2002. He has a passion for sharing the rich musical traditions of the Middle East and the evening will feature live music from his homeland.

 

 

 

 

Members and guests can expect to sample dolma which is one of the most traditional and beloved dishes of Kurdistan, known for bringing families and communities together. It is typically served on a large tray placed in the middle of the table, allowing everyone to share and choose what they’d like to eat. It is more than just food, dolma represents togetherness, hospitality and Kurdish cultural identity.

 

 

 

 

Citadel of Erbil, Iraq’s oldest city

 

Zirak will reflect on Kurdistan’s history which is marked by its people’s long presence in the mountainous regions of the Middle East, a history of tribal and dynastic rule and a struggle for self-determination against larger empires. Kurds faced the loss of their hoped-for independent state after World War I, which led to their territory being divided between Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Despite this statelessness and repression, the Kurds have maintained their culture which will be celebrated at the Club’s vibrant autumn dinner.

 

 

 

Dear Members,

 

Buckland Club Kurdish Dinner – Postponement

 

It is with much regret that, in consultation with other committee members, I have taken the decision to postpone the Kurdish Dinner scheduled for 27^th November 2025.

Our usual venue, Edgbaston Golf Club, have encountered enormous difficulties with their overall catering facilities due to the renovation of their kitchen which has taken longer than expected. This is unlikely to be completed in the immediate future, certainly not by the time of the dinner. Additionally, they have experienced a recent change of personal with the departure of their head chef.

Members of the committee sampled a trial dinner at EGC last week and unanimously agreed that the standard was far below what was acceptable for a Buckland Club dinner. Various options have been explored, including an alternative venue and/ or suppliers. However, the most pragmatic solution is to postpone the dinner until 2026 when an event that reflects the expectedly high standard of the Club can be staged.

This is especially frustrating for our sponsor, Zirak Hamad, who has devoted considerable energy into planning an evening devoted to some of the best elements of Kurdish culture. Nevertheless, this postponement will allow the Club to plan a date in the new year that does justice to his commitment and enthusiasm. The Kurdish Dinner will be in addition to our usual spring and autumn dinners in 2026. We currently expect our dinner in the spring to be a Dramatist Dinner, while later in the year we plan to welcome The Buckland Foundation to help us celebrate two hundred years since the birth of Frank Buckland.

We will be in touch with members who have already paid for Kurdish Dinner tickets. They can choose whether to receive a refund at the earliest opportunity or keep their reservation for a future dinner.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Andrew P Morris

Chairman

The Buckland Club