May Hospitality with Bob Bell

A bandaid is a bandaid, after all, in both Canada and the UK.

Bob Bell, CEO of the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Foundation Trust and a health care management guru with international experience, gave a very fact-based comparison of the health care sytems of the UK and Canada at our May Hospitalty. He provided historical tables that detailed changes in health care delivery in both countries, for example, from number of CAT scans to number of doctors to availability of long-term care and much more.

There was lively discussion and questions from Canadians, particularly from those who are new to the UK's NHS and those who have been in the UK for some time and are out of touch with the Canadian health care system. Many tabloid myths were dispelled with the Q&A as evidence-based facts clearly illustrated that both systems were delivering care in the good to excellent quality level.

We were left with the thought that the quality of health care in the western world is for the most part very good and it certainly has improved even in the last few decades. Many thanks to Bob for taking time from his busy work life to speak to us about this important topic.

Visit to Hever Castle, Kent

A group of CWC members travelled back to Tudor times with a visit to Hever Castle in Kent, the childhood home to Anne Boleyn in the early 16th century.

Our trip (on Friday May 21st) started off with a leisurely walk from Hever station to the castle where others joined us to explore the magnificent gardens, the yew maze and of course the castle itself.

Lynn Allen organised the day and had prepared fantastic notes and maps for us to follow. She also organised the weather...perfection for a day out in the countryside! Enjoy the slideshow...

Photos courtesy of Lynn and Barbara

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Let's Do Lunch: A Day in Grace Kelly's Closet!

Who would have dreamt that we could sift through Grace Kelly's favourite clothes at the V&A? A lucky group of CWC ladies were delighted to view the elegant, classic timeless fashion of a truly unique style icon. We studied her film costumes, wedding trousseau, French haute couture items plus several very glamourous evening gowns.

It was especially good to see the photos of Grace Kelly wearing the clothes displayed. The famous Kelly bag was on prominent display along with many small evening bags - absolutely beautiful! And of course the lovely hats ....why don't we wear hats anymore? They really do complete the outfit! And we learned that it was Grace Kelly that made sunglasses such a fashion item, having several pairs to co-ordinate with her outfits.

Lunch afterwards was at another fashion showcase, the Emporio Armani Cafe on Brompton Road. We seemed to all have gone on a diet after leaving the closet of Grace Kelly and noticing how very slim she was. Everyone ordered only one course and no wine and no dessert! But what we did order was delicious and of course being surrounded by beautiful Armani clothes was quite something. We also had a splendid view of the shoppers passing by on Brompton Road, probably on their way to Harrods.

So a good ladies day out and a good ending for the 'Let's Do Lunch' ladies this year.

Submitted by Patty Bell

PS. To see all our past entries for 'Let's Do Lunch' click on the category in the right hand side of this site.