On Saturday 16 June West London’s Boston Manor Park played host to thousands of expats from the southern hemisphere as they soaked up the music, food and culture of their mother countries at ‘Homelanz’.

Anglo Pacific was on hand to deliver the liquid refreshments and sponsor the festival for the second year running.

Bianca Robinson, Baggage Manager for Anglo Pacific said, “Last year Homelanz was held in August but the 2012 Olympics forced a schedule change to June and, typically, we were caught in plenty of rain showers – hardly surprising as this June is on course to be Britain’s wettest in a hundred years.  Nonetheless spirits weren’t dampened and the atmosphere was electric – no doubt assisted by the 2,000 bottles of booze we delivered to site on behalf of the Homelanz drinks providers.  Being a native Australian, a highlight for me was snacking on Twisties and Freddo Frog chocolate bars – simple things!”

With a 1622-built Jacobean manor house, formal lawns and an ornamental lake as a backdrop, the two stages hosted a who’s who of artists from south of the equator. Headlining this year was reggae-dub band KORA from New Zealand, South African rock band Prime Circle and Australian singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd.  Other great acts included I Am Giant, Jayson Norris, Melic, Bowie Jane, Munkinpure, Dave Gander, Glenn Aitken, Anna Coddington, Rietta and J.T. Mills Xperience.

Music aside, Homelanz ticket-holders could also wander round ‘The Village’ and meet stallholders including migration experts, travel companies, mobile phone providers and property developers.  And, to keep guests fed and watered for the ten-hour stint from 11am to 9pm, various wines, beers and national dishes were on offer from the three nations.

“As Homelanz mirrors perfectly Anglo Pacific’s core market, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, we were more than happy to get involved as sponsors,” said Bianca. “Our role was to take delivery of the alcohol and energy drinks and pack them up in a container to take down to Boston Manor Park.  Brands included Tui beer and Pukeko Bend wine from New Zealand, McGuigan wines from Australia and South Africa’s Savanna Premium Dry Cider.  As most of Anglo Pacific’s baggage staff are from the southern hemisphere, we enjoyed the taste of home.”    

Homelanz is set to be a regular event – keep an eye on www.homelanz.co.uk for updates.

Photo: The Anglo Pacific team at Homelanz – courtesy of Chiara Palazzo for TNT Magazine.