Bob Titley, Visit Wales; Claire Dickson, VisitScotland; Moira Dyer, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau; Valerie Strand, Office of the British Consulate General Toronto; Emma White, Marketing Manchester; Angela Guezen, BritRail and Ted Flett, VisitBritain
Moira Dyer, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Traditional British Raised Pork Pie
British roots run deep in my family tree, so I was pleased at the invitation for “Tea at Twilight” hosted recently by VisitBritain at Toronto's Le Meridien King Edward Hotel.
On a chilly November evening, it was wonderful to come in from the cold to the warmth and elegance of a traditional High Tea accompanied by a live harpist. Representatives from England, Scotland and Wales were on hand to mingle with their guests and share information about upcoming events and developments in their home countries.
With cup of tea in hand Moira Dyer of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau was eager to tell me about the anticipated reopening in 2011 of Glasgow’s New Museum of Transport, designed by award winning architect Zaha Hadid.
Also new in 2010 is the introduction of Scotland’s “themed years”, which aims to highlight the country’s greatest assets. This year celebrated its reputation as a land of food and drink. In 2011 ‘Active Scotland’ will focus on sports and physical activity, and also on its many and distinctive Islands.
In 2011 Wales will celebrate many festivals including the Cycling Festival. The festival is aimed at visitors of all abilities, from families with small children to more experienced cyclists. There will be 18 bike rides, in three categories: gentle, moderate and challenging.
This active festival is a nice lead up to the Olympic games which will be hosted by London in 2012. London is the first summer Host City to incorporate sustainability in its planning from the start. It will be an exciting event to watch, however, for those less inclined to sports, there will be many art and culture attractions to take in, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz at The London Palladium. The Festival of Britain taking place in 2011, will celebrate its 60th anniversary focusing on life and culture in contemporary Britain.
So much interesting information to absorb in one evening, and so many delicious eats to try. As I bit into my morsel of raised pork pie I couldn’t help but think that it’s been over ten years since I last paid a visit across the pond. According to Ted Flett, VisitBritain’s Public Relations and Communications Manager – Canada, a “near million Canadians visit annually. And many - more than three quarters in fact – on their second or third trip.”
Considering all that will be going on in the near future, perhaps it’s high time I plan another visit!
