January Hospitality

It was good to see so many happy faces at the January Hospitality. Marie-France Boutet had the happiest I think! We all congratulate her on the most wonderful news of her pregnancy and wish her all the very best and continued good health. She is glowing!

We also enjoyed the happy story of Gracie Findley and her days as Anne of Green Gables. She led us on her journey as a very young star in the role as Ann Shirley in the musical for many happy years. We enjoyed the tales of the birth of the musical Ann of Green Gables and how it came to be such a successful Canadian musical both in Canada and on tour round the world.

There was good discussion about the Bulletin at the Hospitality with most people participating and giving thoughtful comments. The main theme was communication by what ever means needs to be consistent and frequent and well coordinated. We have decided to forgo the Bulletin for this session. We will reassess at the AGM if ENEWS is sufficient for the majority of CWC members.

Enjoy your ENEWS and make notes of the events that strike your fancy. And don’t forget to sign up with the Leader for the event.

Submitted by Patty

Cultural Evening at Deputy High Commissioner's Residence

The Deputy High Commissioner Claude Boucher and his wife Isabelle Mignault were the very gracious hosts for an elegant Cultural evening Dec.6th. They opened their lovely home to the Maple Leaf Trust for this fund raising event. Attendees were given a very interesting and thoughtful speech by the Quebec Deputy Minister of Culture, Status of Women and Communication Sylvie Barcelo. Her topic was on Promoting Culture in a Global Environment: the Quebec Experience. We were also entertained by musician Alexander Mac Sween, a Canadian composer from Montreal who stretched our musical appreciation with a very experimental composition on the piano with an instantaneous computer play back.

The evening was very well atttended and enjoyed by all. The Maple Leaf Trust was truly grateful for the funds raised that evening and thank Mr. Boucher and his wife Isabelle for organising such a splendid evening.

Submitted by Patty Bell

Christmas Carol Service

They say that Christmas is a time of miracles. Well, yes, that could be so but it takes a lot of detailed organising and forward planning to ensure that we are in the right place at the right time to capture that miracle. The 2010 Christmas Carol Service was a marvel and there was a great coming together of Canadian and British traditions at the Crown Court Church of Scotland on December 6th. The hiccough came at the eleventh hour when the fabulous mezzo-soprano Leslie Davies was caught in Geneva airport by snowy winter conditions and could not be with us. Thanks to the internet, cell phones and Leslie's determination to help the Canadian community, miraculously Leslie found the outstanding singing talent of Vancouver born tenor, John Bacon. Two professionals saved the day. John opened the Service with our own Huron Carol and the service all ran smoothly from there on in. And, by the way, Leslie did arrive safely back in London a few days later. Watch their websites for future concerts and maybe we'll have another Christmas miracle next year at our annual Christmas Carol Service.



Many people complimented the sumptuous refreshment tables laid out for all after the service. These home made Canadian treats were the result of many people's baking talent and clever organising. Monique Ménard, Susan McKale, Lorna Brown and the others have to be commended.

Submitted by Lorna Brown