The 2009 Maple Leaf Trust Dinner and Auction

The residence of the High Commissioner on Grosvenor Square was the scene of an exclusive evening as Canadians, British and international guests gathered for the 2009 Maple Leaf Dinner and Auction. Upon entering the splendid hallway, guests were welcomed and assigned seating at tables celebrating Canadian animals - one could sit at a moose, Canada Goose or a loon table, to name a few. In the oval room, guests sipped on sparkling Cava with Blueberry syrup while mingling and meeting some of our CCSF scholars, and listening to the jazzy stylings of Canadian guitarist Jamie Moore.
At 8:00pm, guests were ushered into the dining room to hear welcoming remarks by H.E. High Commission James Wright (Patron of the Maple Leaf Trust), his wife Donna Thomson (Honorary President of the CWC) and Margaret Wickware (President of the CWC). Donna charmingly described sourcing Canadian foods in the UK, including the evening’s unique ingredients, such as Birch Syrup from the Yukon and Canadian lentils readily available at Waitrose. Jim played sommelier and spoke about B.C. Mission Hill award winning wine pairings for each course. Not only did we sip on a SLC Chardonnay and a SLC Syrah, but we indulged in a luscious 2003 reserve Riesling ice wine bearing seductive aromas of honeycomb, apricot and key lime. Paired with these wines were a Lobster Bisque and Manoucher breads, Canadian Bison with lentils and wild rice and a dessert of Saskatoon berries and vanilla mousse.
During dessert, 20 happy winners selected gifts for themselves from our raffle table including truly Canadian gifts of Lucy Waverman cookbooks, gourmet goodies courtesy of the province of Alberta, Timothy Han body products, spa certificates, ice wine and epicurean delights from The Canada Shop a signed Diana Krall CD, a CBC gift bag of books, wine and many many more items.

To top off the evening, auctioneer Jim Wright commenced the live bidding with great panache. Canadian Affair was extremely generous in donating numerous trips, Whiskey sampling and a camera. Other donors provided a “week at the cottage experience”, image consulting and escapes. NFL football tickets were donated by the Province of Alberta. Two tickets for Lionel Ritchie at the O2 centre created a flurry of bids, followed by spirited competition for a holiday week at a flat in Tuscany! All bids and the final prize of “Dinner for Six” at the High Commissioner’s residence raised big-hearted funds for the very worthy cause of the Maple Leaf Trust.
It was a wonderfully successful night. We truly thank everyone for coming and giving so generously! We look forward to next year.

If you would like to support any of our generous donors, buy a CD from our jazz musician, shop for Timothy Han products, etc here are some websites for you to peruse:

• Canadian guitarist Jamie Moore. You can also reach Jamie by emailing Beachkeys@aol.com
• Michael Garry’s luxurious Belgravia gym
• An image make-over at Moi et Me
• Rent a flat in Tuscany, contact Jennifer at anghiari@hotmail.com
• Beautiful body products by Canadian Timothy Han
• Incredible You Spa

With thanks for your support,
The CWC Organizing Committee: Margaret Wickware, Patty Bell, Teresa Howe and Barbara Richards

To view all the photos from the evening, please click here.

submitted by Teresa Howe, Vice-President, Canadian Women's Club