The Honourable Company of Freemen of the City of London of North America

    

The Honourable Company of Freemen of

 

the City of London of North America

 

Company Comment - Spring 2016

Meet the Court and Welcome to New Members – Hugh Oddie, Host
On Thursday July 9, 2015 our summer began with a memorable evening, which was generously hosted by Past Master Hugh Oddie in his very pleasant Toronto garden setting. His culinary skills and charming volunteers allowed us to enjoy a delicious dinner buffet accompanied by good wines, whilst re-acquainting with present members and their guests. It was also our opportunity to welcome new members.
Charitable Trust Update – John Welch, Chair:
The Charitable Trust Chair, John Welch met with representatives of Western University, Veronica Stoiber, Director Donor Relations & Stewardship and her colleague Susan Rhuman, Alumni and Development Officer. A number of initiatives were discussed on behalf of the Charitable Trust regarding the scholarship and how we might enhance the outcomes for all concerned.
Wine Tasting Event – Stephen Lautens, Ishrani Jaikaran, Organizers:
On the evening of Tuesday October 20th the Honourable Company held its annual wine tasting at The National Club. About 40 members and guests attended this exceptional event to sample exciting new wine releases Churchill Cellars with a tasting led by Chris Churchill himself.

After being greeted with a glass of Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, our members were led through a tasting of three new release wines: Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay (California), Chateau Donissan Listrac (Medoc, France), and Angove Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). These excellent wines were generously donated by Churchill Cellars. Our members also enjoyed hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and a selection of fine cheeses to complement the wine selections.

In addition to the wines, The Honourable Company also held a silent auction with donations by Tom O'Carroll, John Bishop, Tom Foxcroft, John Welsh, Stephen Lautens and Peter Reed. The auction items included wine, liquor, a round of stilton cheese and a sailing cruise. A raffle prize of a $300 gourmet dinner for two was donated by The National Club.

The Honourable Company also welcomed several new members who received their certificates at the event, welcome to Harold Shepherd, Professor Jacqueline Stimson, Gerard Ezinwoke and Trevor Ward.

In addition to having an enjoyable evening of tasting wines, the event also raised funds for ‘The Honourable Company's' charitable fund.

Wine Tasting at National Club and Welcome to New Members Photographs
Whisky Tasting Event - 2016:
On February 10th the Honourable Company held its very popular whisky tasting. Held again at The Caledonian gastropub on College Street, those members and guest lucky enough to attend this sold out event were treated to a starter of potato and leek soup, paired with a glass of Glenlivet Founders Reserve. This was followed by a more than healthy serving of haggis, neeps and tatties served with a dram of Deanston Virgin Oak whisky. The evening was completed with a massive, home-made sticky toffee pudding paired with a 12-year-old Aberlour.

Thanks to our Clerk Ishrani Jaikaran and Caledonian hosts Donna and David Wolff for putting on such a great event. Remember to book early next year to avoid disappointment.
New Members Welcomed in 2015:
The Honourable Company would like to officially welcome the following new Members in 2015:
New Members
Professor Jacqueline Gibbons
Mr. John Zaytsoff
Mr. Harold Shepherd
Mr. Robert Devine
Mr. Philip Chambers
Mr David Medhurst
Major Phillip Day
Mr. Trevor Gard
Mr. Gerard Ezonwoke.
Goodbye to Good Friends:
We recently lost three dear friends, Geoffrey Mayo, Bill Wittaker and John Lawer.

Geoffrey, a Past Master is remembered for both his friendship and contribution. All who knew Bill will miss him, in addition to his support of the ‘The Honourable Company', Bill was also a long tern member and Mentor at the ‘British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce' (BCCTC). John, also a Past Master, will be greatly missed by so many of us who gained so much from his wisdom, his friendship and good council, he was a kind and gentle man of great depth.

We will miss three such gentlemen who embodied the fellowship to which, we all aspire as members of ‘The Honourable Company'.
In conclusion:
The Master, Tom O' Carroll would personally like to thank our members for their company and fellowship in 2015. He found it a real pleasure working with the Court, which has provided a spring board for our activities in 2016. He would like to refer you to the upcoming report, which will follow the Annual Dinner on May 6th, 2016 in which his report will contain some initiatives that were introduced during the present Courts 2015/2016 tenure.

These include, but are not limited to, moving forward with a U.S. Liaison regarding membership matters and additional assistance to our cousins across the border, introducing a limited ‘Meritorious Award Medal' for those special individuals who have, or indeed will, make an outstanding contribution to the ‘The Honourable Company'. We also introduced additional processes to keep abreast of the new legislation pertaining to ‘not for profit' organisations, particularly with regard to Governance and transparency between ‘The Honourable Company' and the ‘Charitable Trust'. 
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