November 30, 2011
The Sir Winston Churchill Society of Ottawa held its inaugural meeting under the auspices of the British High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency Dr. Andrew Pocock CMG, on November 30th at Earnscliffe (the home of Canada's first Prime Minister and the Residence of British High Commissioners to Canada since 1930).

Not surprisingly, the event was oversubscribed. That said, the High Commissioner and his wife, Mrs. Julie Poccock, threw themselves into ensuring that the event would be a huge success, in every respect. The reception was elegant, energetic and enthusiastic. The choice of canapés served (including a Churchillian favourite, oysters on the half-shell, shucked to order) perfectly accented by Churchill’s favourite Pol Roger champagne, was appropriate and delicious. The High Commissioner's toast to the new Churchill Society was witty and heartfelt. Well-known columnist, author and Carleton University professor Andrew Cohen gave a marvelous toast to the memory of Sir Winston. Allen Packwood, the Director of the Churchill Archives Centre (at Churchill College, Cambridge University) gave a riveting address entitled “Why Bring Churchill Back to Canada”. Our speaker was thanked by Don Newman, one of the most highly-respected political journalists in Canada.

One of the advantages of Ottawa as the home of the new Society is the presence of Canada's diplomatic and political elite in the nation's capital. Indeed, the event was graced by the presence of H.E. the Ambassador of the United States, David Jacobson, Senators Michael Duffy and Linda Frum, as well as Anne Golden, the Head of the Conference Board of Canada, Lee Pollock, the Executive Director of the Churchill Centre in Chicago, and other dignitaries.