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.