A.S. Watson Group has been a long-term partner of the Association. To celebrate its 180th anniversary, the Group invited 15 elderly from the North District to join its volunteer activities for two consecutive weekends. The participants visited Pokfulam Village and took part in a mini flower board DIY workshop, both of which reminded them of the good old days.

People started to settle in Pokfulam Village in the 17th century. This 200-year-old village survived the rapid urban development and becomes an urban village among skyscrapers on the Hong Kong Island. Participants followed the docent from Pokfulam Village Cultural Landscape Conservation Group to tour around the village. They visited the farmland that provides crops for the residents, a well that used to be the major water source, and the Main Street, where most businesses happen. Participants brought the view back home by painting the pattern of the metal gates and the shop name on shopping bags.

Paper crafting has a relatively short history when compared with Pokfulam Village, but it is one of the intangible cultural heritages in Hong Kong that has lasted for more than a hundred years. Instructors of the workshop talked about the traditional craftsmanship and taught the participants how to make their own mini flower boards. Some participating elderly shared with us that, the paper crafting industry used to employ a lot of people in the old days, as large flower boards were always in great demand. For example, when people opened a business, or during festive celebrations, people would order flower boards. The larger the board was, the more magnificent the event would be. 

We are grateful for A.S. Watson Group’s support throughout the years, and honoured to join the Group’s anniversary celebration. The elderly living in the North District enjoyed the inspiring events very much. Only if we learn from the past and safeguard our culture and traditions can we build a brighter future. The Association would like to congratulate A.S. Watson Group on celebrating its 180th birthday and we wish the group will continue to join us in shaping a better society in the coming years.