Fashion in Motion with Erdem

With 2010 fast approaching it's a good time to catch up with a few events that didn't make it onto the blog.

On Friday December 11th, the V&A hosted its final Fashion in Motion of 2010, with designer Erdem Moragliou. Members of the CWC executive were thrilled to be there with our Honourary President, Donna Thomson (wearing an Erdem design) who had kindly arranged front row tickets for us.

There's a special link between Erdem and the CWC: Julia Montgomery, past Chair of the CCSF and Deborah Bowsher, past CWC President and then Secretary of the CCSF, were with us on the day and fondly remember interviewing him in the mid 1990s when he received financial assistance from the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund. Erdem was studying at the Royal College of Art at the time and so impressed the CCSF interview panel that he was awarded one of the highest values given that year.

Members can read more about Erdem in our Winter Bulletin! Although the completely amateur (and blurry!) photos taken at the V&A by our blog manager do not do justice to Erdem's beautiful designs, you can see some gorgeous professional photographs of the show by clicking here!

It's a Saturday Walk in the Park

With 2010 fast approaching it's a good time to catch up with a few events that didn't make it onto the blog.

Back in October, Lois and John Darley led us on our 2nd autumn 'Saturday Walk in the Park' through some of central London's loveliest parks. Meeting up at Embankment Station, we did a very quick dip into the eastern section of the Embankment Garden before moving to the western section. This garden has been referred to as "a pocketful of peace in the centre of a busy city". After admiring some of the Victorian statues (see picture below),

we travelled up Horse Guard's Parade to St James's Garden. With the sun breaking through the dark clouds that had drenched London the days before, we stopped for a group photo!

We came up to Buckingham Palace just as the guard was changing so the crowds did their best to block our path. But with steely determination we assembled again at Canada Gate - another group photo! It was nice to see the fallen leaves decorating and almost matching the maple leaves of the Canada Memorial.

We didn't linger in Green Park too long, but slipped into Hyde Park for the last leg of our walk before finishing at a lovely little pub in Kensington - the Queen's Arms - where some of us stayed for a pub lunch and others said adieu. Despite the forecasts, it was a beautiful day for a walk!

Details about our Spring 2010 Saturday walks will be announced in your e-newsletters and on the CWC website.

Tea at the Lanesborough Hotel

With 2010 fast approaching it's a good time to catch up with a few events that didn't make it onto the blog.

This year our traditional CWC Anniversary Tea was held on November 25th at the glamorous Apsleys Conservatory at the Lanesborough Hotel, Hyde Park Corner. We enjoyed all the beloved trimmings of a perfect afternoon tea - delicious strawberries, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, scones and most importantly - a glass of champagne before our tea!

Culinary Corner Catch-up

With 2010 fast approaching it's a good time to catch up with a few events that didn't make it onto the blog.

In October, Anne Van Gieson (third from right) hosted another one of her very popular culinary corners. With the theme of 'Entertaining a Crowd: The Buffet Table', Anne passed on her extremely helpful tips on how to prepare ahead, how best to plan the menu and more.

As with all culinary corner sessions, we then got busy preparing a gorgeous array of buffet dishes: chicken with garlic/lemon/rosemary, spelt salad, sesame green beans, and a gorgeous spinach salad.

Recipe for Spelt Salad

This dish (shown at about 7 o'clock in the photo above) will make a healthy and delicious salad to serve over the holidays. It's super quick and easy to prepare, and looks gorgeous with freshly chopped mint and parsley sprinkled on top!

Serves 8 - 10

• 2.5 cups uncooked spelt, rinsed and drained (or can substitute bulgar wheat)
• 5 cups water - use vegetable stock if possible
• half cup of fresh mint - chopped
• half cup of fresh parsley - chopped
• half cup of minced red onion
• 6 tbsp lemon juice
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 or 2 tins of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (or use roasted artichokes, but drain excess oil)
• 5 oz crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup toasted pine nuts

Method: Rince and drain spelt or bulgur wheat grains. It helps to keep them from sticking together when cooking. Place in a saucepan and cover with most of the hot stock. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until tender. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if necessary.

Combine cooked spelt, chopped mint, parsley, onion and rest of ingredients! Stir, season to taste - and that's it! Serve at room temperature.

Christmas Hospitality 2009

On Wednesday last week we enjoyed our annual Christmas lunch, played a spirited and seasonal game that challenged our wits, and sang a rousing chorus of carols!

Hosted at the home of our vice-president, Patty Bell, we ooohed and aaaahed at what must be one of the largest collections of Santa decorations this side of the North Pole - they are truly amazing to see, hidden in every nook and cranny in Patty's lovely home.

And as well as welcoming a new member, we were thrilled to say hello to our youngest 'honourary' member - see if you can spot her in the slideshow!

Tip: to slow down the slideshow, put your cursor over the box, click on pause, then view each picture one by one. Better still, click on the slideshow and view in full size - enjoy!

Best Winter Day in the UK - Contest Results!

CWC members were asked to submit memories or ideas of a great day in or out of the cold. We asked Delaina Stone, Editor of Expatriate Living magazine, to be our impartial judge of the original stories. Although difficult to choose only one, Delaina selected Doris Dalacker’s lovely poetic composition as the winning entry. All the entries are published in the next bulletin which members should receive shortly.

The Cotswolds ….. Olde England at its romantic best. Small villages steeped in history, dotted throughout the rolling green countryside, thatched roof cottages with gardens and places like, Bournton-on-the-Water with Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold and a little further north Broadway and Chipping Camden (‘chipping’ meaning market)….all these places invited us to experience their quaint country charm.

I had read about the Cotswolds when I was a young teenager at high-school in Canada, so I knew that the Cotswolds would be the ideal destination for an outing with my old English teacher and friend, Walter, who came to visit me here in the UK some weeks ago. We started our excursion bright and early from Windsor in order to make the most of the daylight.

It was the tiny village of Lower Slaughter, the quaint village that sits beside the little River Eye with its unspoilt limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style that caught Walter’s eye and we discovered this delightful little place and the Old Mill which was an ideal spot for a hot chocolate break.

Bournton-on-the-Water, known as the Little Venice of the Cotswolds, was also picturesque, delightful from a photographer’s point of view! Stow-on-the-Wold, a bustling ancient market town offered many shops, cafes and restaurants. I was in need of cosy sheepskin slippers (especially at this time of the year!) and I was also on the lookout for Christmas presents, so this was the place to shop for sheepskin rugs and fur-lined jackets.

Chipping Camden was our next destination. During the middle ages, it was a major market town because of the high quality of the wool produced by Cotswold sheep. Sitting in the Market Hall which was built in 1627, it was clear to see how important the wool production was and what impact it had on the local economy. The churches were often called “wool churches” because it was money from the wool trade that financed the construction of many such buildings. Chipping Camden is now a historical conservation area and High Street has been called “the most beautiful village street” because of its well maintained, hundreds-year-old buildings. The oldest house was built in 1380 and was one of the first in England with chimneys instead of just holes in the roof.

We never made it up to the top of Broadway Tower (the second highest spot in the Cotswolds) from where one can admire the wonderful views over the village of Broadway, the Vale of Evesham and the Welsh Mountains beyond. But that will need to be done on our next day excursion to the Cotswolds! Or we might even book a quaint hotel with a roaring fireplace, just to spend a relaxing weekend in the English countryside!

Perhaps you’d like to follow our foot-steps and leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind? So, take a mini-van and a bunch of good friends and head for the Cotswold Hills!

For more information, these two websites should help: Cotswolds or Cotswolds Accommodation

By Doris Dalacker

Photo of Broadway Tower, Fish Hill, Worcestershire from Flickr

Family Carol Service

For more than 30 years, the Canadian Women's Club has hosted a Christmas Carol Service - our annual gift to the Canadian community in London. This year, on Friday 4th December, more than 120 Canadians - of all ages - joined us at the Crown Court Church of Scotland in the heart of Covent Garden for a service of lessons and carols, led by the Reverend Philip Majcher. While this is a distinctly British tradition, we always seek to give it a Canadian flavour and this year was no exception.

With beautiful performances by soloist, Alexandria Beck as well by violinist, Mathieu-Jérémie Boutet (both pictured here), guests joined the Church choir in the singing of many joyful carols - finishing off with a rousing 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'!

The lessons were read by Canadians Catherine McGowan, Jenny Tripp Black, Christopher Adams, Donna Thomson, Claude Boucher, Harry Harsch, Christopher Bunting, Robert J Brant and James Wright. Margaret Wickware, Chair of the Maple Leaf Trust read the Bidding Prayer.

Alexandria Beck

Mathieu-Jérémie Boutet

Modern Spirits: An evening with Ross King

Canadian Ross King has a reputation for taking readers of his prize-winning fictional novels and non-fiction works back in time. He has transported us to the Renaissance, first to Florence with his book about the building of the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral dome and then to Rome and the painting of the Sistine Chapel. As well as visiting 18th century London with ‘Domino’, we have explored 19th century Paris and its Salons to witness the birth of Impressionism.

After so much time-travelling in Europe, it’s exciting that Ross, who has lived in the UK for many years with his wife Melanie King, has plans to transport us back to early 20th century Canada, to introduce us to the artists that made up the Group of Seven and to examine the influences that shaped their lives and ultimately their art.

At a reception held last Wednesday in London, members of the Canadian Women’s Club, their guests and members of the Canadian arts and literary groups were privileged to hear Ross speak about his planned new book, which will be published in 2010 to coincide with a special exhibition held at the McMichael Gallery in Ontario. We were thrilled to hear just a few of the fascinating stories that Ross has uncovered while researching the lives of these artists.

The evening was graciously hosted by the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Mr Claude Boucher and his wife Mrs Isabelle Mignault at their beautiful residence, where guests were able to mingle, enjoy delicious canapes and wine, and meet our speaker.

Copies of the photos shown can be obtained by contacting Barbara c/o the CWC.

Hospitality Morning: Canadian Red Cross Quilts & 'Love & Duty'

As I was listening to our wonderful speakers at last Tuesday's special Remembrance Day Hospitality Morning, it occurred to me that I've learned an awful lot about Canada in the past few weeks from some very special people. Interestingly, they've all been British!

Learning more than I was ever taught at school about Canada's boreal forest and early settlers from Ray Mears on his wonderful TV series has been a real pleasure. But learning about the quilts made by Canadian women and shipped to the UK by the Canadian Red Cross to help those in need during WWI and WWII, from two lovely British women, was truly special.

Anna Mansi and Maxine March, our speakers, talked passionately not just about the efforts made by Canadians and the Red Cross to help provide food, clothing, blankets and quilts to people who perhaps had lost everything after their homes had been bombed, but about the fact that so many of the quilts that were shipped, with their label of 'Gift from Canadian Red Cross', still bring enjoyment to the people who own them and a thrill to the people who manage to see them.

With thanks to Anna's husband Tony (who helped by bringing in some of their gorgeous quilts for display), we were able to look at the wonderfully detailed stitching, the beautiful (and sometimes unusual) patterns and fabrics used.

It was also a great pleasure to discover the connection with the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE), whose members contributed some of the quilts the Canadian Red Cross distributed and who continue their work today with the CWC to make funds available to the Maple Leaf Trust and Canadian veterans in the UK. This connection with the CWC was a new discovery for Anna and Maxine, who have been collecting these quilts for many years.

Anna with a quilt made by IODE members

Anna, Maxine and Jackie Maxwell (who unfortunately couldn't be with us on the day) are thrilled that the V&A will be showing one of their Canadian Red Cross Quilts at a major quilting exhibition in 2010. Other quilts in their collection will also be on display at the Quilt Museum in York. If anyone is able to provide them with information about these quilts - perhaps with stories about relatives in Canada who were involved in making them, or with people who might have some of these quilts, they can reach Anna by email at a.mansi2@ntlworld.com. She's especially interested in finding someone with a contact who can tell her more about a quilt that is labelled Vista, Manitoba. She would love to hear from you!

As part of this special Remembrance Day event, we also enjoyed the film 'Love and Duty'. Margaret Wickware, our past President and current Chair of the Maple Leaf Trust, was able to present a cheque from the Trust to Jenny Tripp Black for the Veterans' Support Committee to continue the Canadian Women's Club work in helping needy Canadian veterans and their dependents in the UK.

Margaret Wickware and Jenny Tripp Black

Visit to Eton College

Arriving at Windsor & Eton Riverside Station on Friday, October 23rd, we were startled to find that police officers had cordoned off most of the surrounding side streets! Had someone mistaken a group of ladies from the Canadian Women’s Club, intent on visiting Eton College, for a group of plotters against the monarchy? Or had the Queen heard we would be in the neighbourhood and arranged an official meet and greet session for us?

We were relieved to learn that it was just a practise run for a state visit by the President of India to Windsor Castle, but nevertheless there were a few anxious moments before our hostess, Doris Dalacker, managed to gather us all at the Royal Oak Pub for a quick lunch before making our way to the College.

We enjoyed lovely weather on the day. As well as admiring the museum and visiting the interior of the College (including the chapel and the original classroom, where virtually every inch of the wooden desks, benches, beams and shutters of the has been carved with the names of the boys) we were able to walk around the back to the King of Siam's Garden, where our group photo was taken.

Everyone agreed that our tour guide, Jennifer Caney, gave us a fantastic sense of what life at Eton was like over the centuries for the boys who attended, and for the vision that King Henry VI had for the college when it was established.

Many thanks to Doris for arranging the tour!

The King of Siam's Garden

The Dining Hall

Names Carved in Classroom Shutters

Parklife

This September the Canadian Women's Club introduced a new activity: It's a Walk in the Park! with Lois Darley heading up an early morning walk group through Regent's Park every Wednesday.

Setting off at 8:15 sharp for a brisk one hour walk - rain or shine - means that members joining Lois get a kick-start to their day, some fresh air, exercise and a chance to chat. With the changing seasons (and more than a few flowers) as their only distraction, it's proving to be really popular with members living in the area. Between 5 and 9 members are stumbling out of bed and into their walking shoes each week!

Lois is hoping to do a few weekend walks as well, to explore some of London's wonderful parks, and so that children, spouses or partners can join in too. Although only 4 of us turned out for the first Saturday walk in Richmond Park this past weekend, we were glad we did!

With such a large deer population in the park, and with the autumn rutting season underway, we weren't surprised to witness more than a few instances of stags prepared to defend their patch - and note that we really were that close to the deer shown in the picture below - no zoom used! We had Hayley Manning's gorgeous and extremely well-behaved 'Moots' with us (see picture) and enjoyed perfect weather for an autumn walk - crisp but dry!

Lois will soon be announcing the next Saturday walk shortly so be sure to check our website or e-newsletter in future!

October's Hospitality Morning

We greatly enjoyed having Felicity Murdo-Smith speak to us at our last Hospitality Morning about her career at Buckingham Palace. It was fascinating to get a glimpse of life at Buckingham Palace seen through the eyes of the young Felicity, who started her working life fresh out of secretarial college as a junior secretary in the Press Office.

After working for the Palace for forty years (she retired as a Senior Information Officer in 2002), discretion seems to come naturally to Felicity, but we were still amused by her anecdotes of people calling up the Palace with claims of being related to the Royal Family or with somewhat naive questions. Felicity discussed her role in organising the Royal Family's public engagements including overseas tours and incoming State Visits and described some of her highlight moments, most especially when she accompanied the Royal Family onboard the Royal Yacht.

Book launch at Canada House

Yesterday evening a number of CWC members and a large crowd of Dan Snow fans enjoyed a glass or two of champagne at Canada House and joined our High Commissioner Jim Wright in the Grand Salon to hear Dan talk about his new book, 'Death or Victory: The Battle of Quebec and the Birth of Empire'.

Dan holds joint British/Canadian citizenship and is familiar to many of us in the UK for bringing history alive through a number of wonderful television series. His youthful energy and passion for history have always been evident in his television work and based on some of the fascinating stories Dan shared with us last night this book about the epic battle of Quebec in 1759 and how it forever altered the course of North American history promises to be an exciting read.

Watch what Dan has to say about his book on Youtube!


Dan is the son of Canadian Ann MacMillan (London Bureau Chief of the CBC) and veteran BBC television journalist Peter Snow. Margaret MacMillan, a celebrated Canadian historian, is Dan's aunt. Dan is the great-great-grandson of British Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

New Members’ Reception

Would you prefer your white wine with a floral note, slightly fruity or with just a hint of oak?

Always a highlight of the CWC’s fall calendar, this year’s new members’ reception on October 6th was truly a delightful evening. As is the tradition, one of our members welcomed us to her lovely home, the CWC executive team supplied the hor d’oeuvres and with a glass of wine or two, an evening of great conversation was enjoyed by all.

This year, Denise Brooks offered her spacious flat in St. John’s Wood and her beautifully decorated fall table was the setting for a tempting array of tasty nibbles, all created by members of our executive team. However, at this point, our tradition was given a new twist…we were invited to sample several wines from small French vintners, all supplied by our own wine connoisseur and CWC office manager, Marie France Boutet. Everyone agreed that they were of exceptional quality. Not only were they pleasing to the palate but also a great ‘ice breaker’ as we chatted with our newest members, their husbands and partners.

Following warm words of welcome from both our Honorary President, Donna Thomson and CWC President, Teresa Howe, we learned that some of our new members are newcomers to this great city while others have made London their home for decades, having only recently discovered the CWC on Canada Day in Trafalgar Square or through the Internet. Whatever the tenure…a short stay or long term residence...we are so pleased to have you join us!

submitted by Margaret Wickware

Visit to the Silver Vaults

Glittering jewels and dazzling servers and an enthusiastic host made our September 30th visit to the Silver Vaults a spectacular day for 14 ladies.

Steven Linden, the Chairman of the Silver Vaults gave an interesting talk about the history of the vaults with stories of who stored (and sometimes hid!) the family silver (and secrets) in the vaults. Lawyers apparently made good use of the facilities as well, to secure documents keeping them safe from fire, water and thieves.

We also were given advice on the care of our own silver. You could clearly feel his passion for silver, lamenting that we were more interested in how to store silver whereas he believes it should be kept out on display. After his talk we spent time visiting the 30 odd shops in the Vaults. Several purchases were made including quite a few silver polishing gloves...highly recommended by Steven.

Then a brief walk from the Silver Vaults to the bank vaults at the Old Bank of England Pub on Fleet Street. All agreed that both food and ambience were excellent. Many were eager to come a second time. Another great lunch day with ladies who love to do lunch!

submitted by Patty Bell

Picture credits: The Silver Vaults

Doing the Lambeth Walk

Pearly Queen of Old Kent Road, Doreen Golding

Our hospitality season kicked off with an 'oi' yesterday as CWC members joined Pearly Queen Doreen Golding in song. No, we didn't get up to do the Lambeth Walk, but we had a go at helping her with the chorus, especially the 'oi' bit - and there were smiles and laughs all round.

There was much admiration too, as Doreen gave us an insight into her life as Pearly Queen of Old Kent Road. Quite apart from the juicy bits of news about some of the celebrities Doreen has met over the years, we learned the meaning of 'costermongers', why pearl buttons were used as decoration, the different symbols sewn onto their suits, and how the titles of Pearly King and Queen are handed down through the generations. We also learned about the wonderful charity work carried out by Doreen and other 'Pearlies'.

Doreen's visit to the CWC will no doubt be a highlight of our year. And because Doreen is such a good friend of long-time CWC member Vi Knight, perhaps we'll all meet again - on the Old Kent Road!

From left: Teresa Howe, Doreen Golding, Patty Bell, Vi Knight

Any time you’re Lambeth way

Any evening, any day,

You’ll find us all

Doin’ the Lambeth walk - oi!

Ev’ry little Lambeth gal

With her little Lambeth pal,

You’ll find ‘em all

Doin’ the Lambeth walk - oi!

Ev’rything free and easy,

Do as you darn well pleasey,

Why don’t you make your way there?

Go there, stay there,

Once you get down Lambeth way

Ev’ry evening, ev’ry day,

You’ll find yourself

Doin’ the Lambeth walk - oi!

Visit to Buckingham Palace

Although the gorgeously sumptuous state rooms of Buckingham Palace have been open to the public during August and September since 1993, and although I’ve visited most royal palaces in every other European country I’ve visited, I’ve never before made the effort to do the summer opening tour of the Palace’s state rooms right here in my own city of London. Thankfully, this year’s special exhibition on Queen & Commonwealth: The Royal Tour, prompted our President, Teresa Howe, to organise tickets – and the visit did not disappoint!

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the London Declaration of 1949, which recognised the British Sovereign as Head of the Commonwealth, the exhibition featured gifts presented to the Queen, as well as a fantastic display of dresses and gowns worn on various tours – including several worn in Canada. We all delighted at seeing the incredibly beautiful sequined and beaded maple leafs sewn into one of her gowns, and smiled at seeing the gold-plated hockey puck, featuring Canada’s Rocket Richard and presented to the Queen in 1952.

The tour of the Palace takes in all the state rooms, including the Ballroom, the State Dining Room, the Blue and Green and White Drawing Rooms, and more, finishing at the steps into the Palace’s enormous and peaceful garden from the West Front – where a group of us stopped for a cup of tea, a light lunch and a chance to compare notes on what we had seen. A re-energising break before visiting the shop!

Unfortunately, photography is not permitted inside the Palace, but you can have a look at what you missed by visiting the Royal Collection’s website.



Many thanks to Teresa for organising such a nice day out!

Submitted by Barbara Richards

Hollywood Sells Heritage, by Belinda Beaton

As a D Phil student studying Modern British History, Belinda was awarded a scholarship from the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund, funded through the Maple Leaf Trust. She did a D Phil at Oxford and currently serves on the CCSF committee. A number of our CWC members will remember an extremely enjoyable and interesting tour of Oxford that Belinda very kindly organised for us a few years ago.

In the Summer 2009 issue of Queen's Quarterly, Belinda literally takes us 'behind the scenes' of some of England's most glorious stately homes with her article "Hollywood Sells Heritage". You can read the article by clicking here.

Belinda looks at how stately homes have turned to raising revenue not just through opening their doors to the public, but by becoming either the model - or actual location - for Hollywood films. She assesses not just why this has happened, but the effect it has on how we - the public - now view these homes. Do we visit for the history, the heritage and beautiful setting or do we visit to see where Mr Darcy shed his shirt?! As Belinda mentions in the article "When Belvoir Castle was used in The Young Victoria, a special canopy bed was constructed. It has been left behind and is displayed with as much pride by the Duchess of Rutland as if the Queen had actually slept in it."

It's a fascinating article!

submitted by Barbara Richards

Membership Survey Results: How are we doing?

Jaime Lawrence, our summer student intern, reviewed and analyzed all the membership surveys returned following the AGM in June. With everyone’s anonymity preserved, here’s a summary of the results…

We had a response rate of 17%. Considering that members had to take the trouble to mail back the questionnaire, this is a very good response as the industry standard for a good return of surveys is around 8%.

Hospitality Events
The majority of members attend between 1 and 3 hospitalities a year. About a third of members did not attend any. This was not from lack of interest, but due primarily to a busy lifestyle, being away or location. Of those who had attended hospitalities, the speakers and topics scored 9 out of 10 in terms of enjoyment and interest. Top scores were for events featuring arts and culture, Canadian related topics and current events. Members gave the importance of time both before and after the speaker to socialize with other members a score of 10.

Activities and Outings
Arts and culture, culinary classes, in and out of town events, and ‘let’s do lunch’ were the most attended events. Tours of special locations and new art exhibitions, along with palaces and country homes, rated highly as places members would like to go to in future. Members would also like to see evening cooking classes, weekend walks, restaurant of the month, ceremony of the keys, a tour of the Parliament buildings, Sissinghurst for the roses, Sotheby’s auction house, private clubs, and even quiet afternoon teas with other members.

Members made it clear they are enjoying what they attend and the options given to them. When deciding whether or not to attend an event, members tend to look at the cost, as well as the ability to see friends. Travel distance is also a factor. For the most part, members sign up for themselves (ie do not bring a friend or acquaintance).

Special Events
Members scored special ‘one off’ events as very important (9 out of 10), such as the outing to Highgrove, which sold out very quickly.

Trips
The survey asked if members would be interested in short trips as part of a group. Most members would prefer a one-day trip – and most would like them to be ladies-only. A trip to Dorset was suggested, as well as some European destinations.

Reasons for membership
The main reasons for membership can be summed up as "making friends and meeting new people while keeping the Canadian connection alive". Members added comments such as "the club makes me happy","it gives me access to venues I might not otherwise be able to visit on my own", "I enjoy the combination of UK and Canadian interests", "it’s nice to be a part of an expat group", "the club is a friendly environment, with like-minded people", and one member proudly stated, "I am Canadian!".

When asked what might be improved in future, the comments were overwhelmingly positive but included a few suggestions that we might vary the dates and times of events and add some more fun and unique events. Many members gave feedback such as: "the club is excellent, it couldn’t be improved”, "it’s already great", "it’s a comfort”, and "It’s the Tops!"

Survey Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback and to Jaime for compiling the results. Your responses have been very helpful in developing our activity plan for 2009-2010.

As promised, and to thank members for taking the time to complete the survey and return it, one survey was drawn to produce a “winner”. Mrs. Alison Wacker was sent a Boots Gift Certificate Card for £15 as a thank you.

submitted by Teresa Howe, President

The CWC celebrates Canada Day at Trafalgar Square

Happy Canada Day!
More pictures to come soon...











Click here to view many more photos taken by Canadian photographer, Neal Eiserman.