A Home-Cooked Feast to Honour a Cherished Friend:

An Evening with NUCI’s Long-Time Supporter, Mr Bill Lowry

To express their deep gratitude to long-standing British friend Mr Bill Lowry, the teachers of the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University (NUCI), led by Chinese Director Professor Yuxiao Su, held a warm and lively gathering last weekend. Each colleague brought a signature homemade dish, creating the atmosphere of a traditional Chinese family feast—an intimate and heartfelt gesture of thanks to a friend who has supported the Institute for more than a decade.

On Saturday, 21 November, the first snowfall of early winter had left a sharp chill in the air. Inside Professor Su’s flat, however, a wholly different scene unfolded: the fragrance of tea and roast duck drifted through the room, freshly boiled dumplings rose in soft spirals of steam, and a sense of reunion filled the space. In this cosy setting, an evening of cross-cultural friendship between Chinese and British friends took shape, enriched by good food, shared stories, and laughter.

The carefully arranged décor helped set the tone. The moment Bill stepped into the flat, he was greeted by traditional Chinese ornaments—delicate paper-cuts, auspicious Chinese knots, and soft ambient lighting—all thoughtfully prepared by two volunteer teachers. Just two weeks earlier, these same volunteers had been invited to Bill’s home for his “British hotpot” debut and for a most refreshing and eye-opening guided tour of one of the most famous historic sites in Northeast England, Seaton Delaval Hall, famed for its theatricality, drama, and mischief. Deeply moved by Bill’s warmth, generosity, and heartfelt care, the two young teachers worked late into the night to ensure that their British friend would feel the full warmth and honour of Chinese hospitality.

Bill’s story with NUCI spans well over a decade. As one of the Institute’s earliest HSK students and among its very first British friends, he has witnessed—and accompanied—every stage of NUCI’s development. For more than ten years, whenever new teachers from China arrived in Newcastle, Bill was invariably the first to offer his help. He welcomed them into his home to teach them how to prepare British meals, drove them on local outings to explore historic sites, museums, and cultural landmarks, and carefully planned each trip, patiently explaining British history and customs to help them settle into life abroad.

Bill’s affection for the Confucius Institute also has personal roots. His daughter-in-law is from Inner Mongolia, and when she first arrived in the UK, she faced many challenges adapting to a new culture. This experience made Bill especially empathetic toward Chinese teachers living far from home. “I hope every Confucius Institute teacher can feel warmth in Newcastle and never feel alone,” he often says. This simple wish has made him a true “British family member” in the hearts of many NUCI teachers.

As the dinner progressed, the table became a place where Chinese and British cultures blended naturally in the warmth of a home-cooked setting. Teachers shared amusing stories from their teaching experiences, while Bill recalled memorable moments with former NUCI colleagues. Laughter mingled with the rising steam from the dishes, creating an atmosphere that transcended both time and cultural boundaries.

During the toast, Professor Su remarked: “The development of the Confucius Institute would not be possible without the understanding and support of the local community. Cultural exchange is never a one-way offering—it is always mutual. Bill’s unwavering hospitality and kindness over the past decade are among our most precious cultural bonds. He is not only our dear friend but also an exemplary community ambassador for cultural dialogue between China and the UK.”

Shortly after returning home, Bill sent an emotional message expressing how the evening had touched him: “Thank you so much for your hospitality tonight. I feel honoured to have been invited to a Chinese teachers’ gathering. Never in my wildest dreams, when I first started attending CI classes, did I think such a thing would happen. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

Professor Su replied on behalf of the entire NUCI team: “Thank you, Bill, for your kind words. It is your generosity and hospitality that have moved us all. We are simply learning from your example.”

For years, Bill has opened his home and his heart to every newly arrived CI teacher, giving freely and asking nothing in return—an act of kindness that has touched not only the teachers and students who have experienced it, but also colleagues at Xiamen University who have heard these stories from Professor Su.

This simple yet heartfelt gathering was not only an expression of gratitude to an old friend; it was also a vivid example of the genuine people-to-people connections that underpin China–UK cultural exchange. Moving forward, the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University will continue to promote mutual understanding between the two cultures, so that more individuals like Bill may become bridges linking the hearts of people in both countries.