The London High Commission

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

George arranged a private visit for us at Canada House. We were met by Brigitte Duchesne, who over the next 90 minutes gave us a very informative tour and a summary of much of 

the artwork.

 

Ted Kent, Deborah, Me,Brigitte Duchesne,Gorgeous standing behind Manitoba snow balls by Gathie Falk

An evening picture of the High Commission overlooking Trafalgar Square

 

The Trafalgar Entrance

A brief History: The building was constructed between 1824-1827, originally 2 buildings housing the Union Club and the Royal College of Physicians.

The Canadian government purchased them in 1923 and Canada House was officially opened by King George in 1925. The King George Chair commemorates this opening although he never sat in it.

The King George Chair

Recently extensive renovations were completed and all consular work was consolidated to this address. This allowed for the selling of Macdonald House in Mayfair. When the balance sheet is examined, extensive renovations, and the purchase of an adjacent building ended in a net profit! Operations are in part by a tenant paying $3,000,000 annually in rent.

Blown Glass by Omar Abel

Blown Glass by Omar Abel

The renovations included extensive electrical work, and remodeling. There are meeting rooms for each province and territory, the square footage of each room proportional to the provincial population. All of these rooms have a provincial flair and coloring as well as representative artwork.

Bust of Dief the Chief in the Sask Room

 

George holding court in the Saskatchewan room, the green chairs are the hint

 

The BC Room

The top floor has a large reception/dining room with a kitchen adjoining. Only Canadian beer, wine and spirits are served at official functions.

We snuck into the kitchen to examine the evidence of Canadian Content

The Queen admiring the unique windows at the top of the building

The view from the top  floor

 

 

 

The edifice makes one proud to be Canadian, as we put our best foot forward to meet the world in one of the world's most important cities.

We are now safely home, a further edition of the blog on Friday or Saturday, as I recover from Chemo early this week

Until  next time.......