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