JULY-AUGUST 2005
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DAVID REDDAWAY (L), the British High Commission to Canada, looks on as James Rawlinson (R) gives a fa re wa 11 address at the reception hosted in his hon-
Vancouver Bids a Fond Farewell to James Rawlinson
VANCOUVER - The British High Commissioner to Canada, David Reddaway, was in Vancouver on June 9 to host a farewell reception for the British Consul General, James Rawlinson.
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic community along with a cross-section of the local Celtic community who offered their best wishes to the Consul General who will retire at the end of this summer.
Rawlinson has faithfully protected and promoted British interests in Western Canada since his arrival here in November 2002. He has maintained a high profile within the community and has attended many local events, including St. David's Day celebrations presented by the Welsh Society and the annual BC Highland Games presented by the United Scottish Cultural Society.
The consular district of the British Consulate General in Vancouver covers British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
ISLAAND HAMISH Robertson are shown above at the June 9 farewell reception for James Rawlinson. Isla is also retiring from the British Consulate after 24 years of service. She has been a consistent presence outside the office of the Consul General overthe years, and her efficiency will be missed. Isla and Hamish plan to travel and enjoy their retirement together.
Smoking Ban Gets Approved
The Scottish Parliament approved by 97 votes to 17 the bill which will now come into force on March 26, 2006. It bans smoking in bars, restaurants, offices, theatres, cinemas and all other public buildings, with hardly any exceptions. Smokers can be fined for smoking in all these locations and employers and owners of premises could face penalties of up to £2,500. Health Minister Andy Kerr claimed that it was the most important piece of public health legislation in a generation, and would help smokers quit and protect other people from passive smoking. Only the Conservative Members of the Scottish Parliament voted against the bill, saying that there were concerns that legislation would lead to displacement of smoking to the home, with increased exposure of children to a smoke-filled atmosphere and a potential increase in home consumption of alcohol.
BRITISH SO HOME
RETIRING BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL in Vancouver, James Rawlinson presents a cheque for $5,000 to Harry McGrath, Coordinator of the Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University. The money will go to support the Centre's oral history project, "Scottish Voices from the West - the Story of the Scots in Modern British Columbia."
Rushdie, Atwood and Fuentes in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh International Book Festival seems to go from strength to strength, and this year's galaxy of literary stars will include Salmon Rushdie (returning to the capital for the first time in 20 years), Margaret Atwood, the Canadian novelist, Dario Fo, the Italian writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature, John Irving, whose script for The Cider House Rules won him an Oscar, and Zadie Smith, whose novel White Teeth has given her critical acclaim.
Also participating will be Carlos Fuentes, Mexico's greatest living author, Jung Chang, who wrote an epic biography showing the miseries in China under Chairman Mao, and Romeo Dallaire, who has written of his experiences as a peacekeeper in Rwanda. This year's event, which takes place as usual in a "tented village" in Edinburgh's Charlotte Square, runs from August 13-29.
Anglicans Split Over Homosexuality
LONDON - The Anglican Church moved closer to a schism when members of its central administrative council formally asked the churches of Canada and the United States to leave after a meeting in Nottingham on June 22.
Members of the Anglican Consultative Council meeting invited the North American churches to voluntarily leave the council and its central finance and standing committees following a motion which passed 30 to 28 by secret ballot, with four abstentions.
The council was unconvinced by justifications offered by both churches for their actions in ordaining an openly homosexual bishop and authorizing same-sex blessings. Although the motion invites the churches to withdraw voluntarily, it amounts in effect to a punishing expulsion. The debate was held behind closed doors at Nottingham University.
• Good Selection of British Groceries
• McVities Jamaican Ginger Cake
• Good Selection of Cadbury Chocolate Biscuits (Tinned & Packaged)
• Marks & Spencer Tea & Jam
• Specialty Teas from England
• Shortbread from Scotland •Ayrshire Bacon & Smoked Gammon Bacon
• Black Pudding
• Meat Pies, Samosas & British Bangers
• We carry Haggis all year - great for stuffing poultry
• We carry Scottish Kippers & Haddock
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Telephone:- (604) 274-2261
3986 Moncton Street, Richmond B.C. (Steveston) Open 7 days a week - 11 A.M. to 6 P.M./ Sunday 1 P.M. - 5 P.M.
SCOTLAND'S INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINERS
ALEXANDER BROTHERS
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Concert at: The Scottish Cultural Centre Saturday, October 29th at 8:00 P.M.
For tickets call: (604) 939-3963 or (604) 929-1802
Dancing in the Park.!
Scottish Country Dancing at Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground Monday evenings, June 13 to August 15th, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
There will be dancing for all levels, so come to watch or, better yet,
join in
Info: 604-224-6838 or 604-984-6998 or check our website: www.rscdsvancouver.org