CWC Events

The Canadian Women’s Club

Welcoming Canadian women to London for over 80 years.

Our activities

The Canadian Women’s Club warmly invites Canadians and people with an attachment to Canada to join us for a lively programme of social and cultural activities, all run by members who enjoy the company of fellow Canadians while exploring London and its surroundings. Our programme normally runs from September to June.

There are many ways to experience an amazing city like London. The chance to do so with people who share our Canadian background is a big plus.  Many friendships have developed through the club. Our members come from many walks of life and many parts of Canada. Some have lived in London for many years, others are short term expatriates.

Out and about in London

Each month, members visit a place of interest in London. Recent visits have included Two Temple Place, the Royal Albert Hall, Spencer House, Buckingham Palace, the Wallace Collection, Tate Modern, Jewish East London, Kings Cross Development, the Royal Opera House and the Young Vic Theatre. Many of our visits are led by professional guides ensuring an in-depth experience.

Out of town

London is wonderful, but from time to time a trip to the countryside is good for the soul. We catch a train at 9.35 and within an hour or so we are deep in the English countryside with its stately homes, gardens and history. Recently we have been to Anglessy Abbey to see the snowdrops, Oxford for a guided tour, Highclere Castle, home of Downton Abbey, Sissinghurst with its Bloomsbury connections and Polesden Lacey.

Talks

Londoners love to go to talks, and so do we. From time to time we hold special talks at Canada House on topics such as Canada and brexit, the London opera scene, and living in London during WWll. We often receive invitations from other clubs such as the Australian Women’s Club inviting us, for example, to Australia House for coffee morning talks on topics such as women’s health, the Queen’s private office and the Paris resistance.

It’s a walk in the park

Every Wednesday morning, rain or shine, a group of keep fit enthusiasts meets at Clarence Gate for a walk in Regent’s Park. It’s a chance for a chat and watching the seasons unfold in one of London’s beautiful Royal Parks. The pace is moderate, the aim being not to race around the park but to take in the beauty and fresh air while striding along with fellow Canadians.

Book groups

Reading is a passion for many of our members. The CWC has two book groups, a daytime traditional format group where everyone reads the same book, and an evening group with an open format where members bring books they have been reading and share them with others. In each case, the discussion is always relaxed, insightful and inevitably sidetracked to areas where a group of interesting women who have varied interests can have a discussion.

Ladies at Lunch

You can’t live in London and not be a bit of a foodie. Each month a reasonably priced lunch venue is chosen to showcase the wonderful and diverse multicultural and ever-changing food scene in London. Recently we have dined on nouvelle Indian, Danish, Korean, and French cuisines and lots of laughter.

Textiles group

An understanding of textiles is a great way to approach a multicultural city. We explore fascinating exhibitions of textiles and crafts, from a technical, historical or artistic perspective. Visits have included a guided tour of the Silk Route embroidery exhibition at SOAS, Danish fabrics, and Mary Quant’s fashion at the London Fashion and Textile Museum.

Parties

Our members love a party from time to time and organise special gatherings at Christmas, Thanksgiving and Canada Day. Each November we find an interesting venue to experience one of London’s famous afternoon teas. Places have included the former London City Hall, the Royal Automobile Club and a riverside tea house in Richmond.

Coffee Klatch

Looking for a plumber? A school for your child? Ideas for decorating your flat? A solution to your landlord problems? Help managing your family at a distance? Then a Coffee Klatch get together is the place for you. Chat is free flowing and members come prepared to share their helpful London contacts.

Theatre plus

You cannot live in London and not experience its brilliant fringe theatre scene. Each month a play is proposed. Members buy their own tickets and let the host know so we can meet up. The evening is rounded off either with supper before or a drink in the bar, making for an enjoyable evening.

International friendship

CWC belongs to the Federation of International Women’s Associations in London (FIWAL), a network of over 40 women’s clubs across London. As a member of the CWC we are able to attend many of FIWAL’s events, providing opportunities to enrich our experience and meet women from other countries and backgrounds.

Volunteering

As a club run almost entirely by volunteers, CWC is a great place for women with time and organisation skills to get involved in organising their club. If you have a special interest and would like to set up a group, either alone or with another member, let us know. If you would like to organise an outing, we are always looking for ideas. We also need people interested in being on the executive and getting a deeper knowledge of running a club. Our sister organisations, of which the CWC is the founder, the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund and the Maple Leaf Trust also welcome volunteers from the Canadian Women’s Club.

How to join

All of these activities and more are advertised in detail in our e-newsletter. To sign up, please visit our website at Canadianwomenlondon.org.  We look forward to welcoming you.

London 2023