The Royal Society Of

St. George British Columbia Branch

Patron: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

"Representing the English Community in British Columbia, Canada"

May - June Edition

Dragon

Fire

Thank You Thank You Thank You

What a day. It started cold and wet but when the sun came out what a beautiful day. The Vendors were exceptional. A great variety of spectacular foods and exhibits. The food vendors were ALL quality and delicious menu items, I know as Lil and I had the honour and privilege to try something from them all. Went from full course lunches to popcorn and donut treats. Some that specialized in British entries, bacon buttys, sausage buttys, British Bangers and Fish and Chips came close to running out of their menu item.

The entertainment was outstanding. Ben Buss our Town Crier, B.C. Irish Regiment Pipes and Drums, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Scottish Dancers, B.C. Highland Games, Vancouver Morris Men, Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band, Stave Falls Highland Dancers and Sarah Anne Chisholm along with Bob Collins (guitar/vocals), and Michael Burnyeat (fiddle) who sang a few Scottish songs.

The overwhelming support we received from the Roundhouse Community Centre staff, the City of Vancouver Special Events

Celebrate the Royal Wedding

Saturday May 19th. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

You are invited to wear your

best British Londoner look

The Diner 4556 W 10th Ave,

Vancouver, BC

Sponsored by the Royal Society of St. George,

For further information and reservations contact:

Stella (604) 224-1912

Department, The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Genesis Security and Ansan Traffic Group, Whites Rentals and Chambers Olson Insurance was exceptional.

Again I thank you all for your support, it made St. George’s Day and the Queen Elizabeth II, 92nd. Birthday a special event in Vancouver, British Columbia

Have a Great Summer

Regards Steve McVittie, President The Royal Society of St George

Dragon Fire The Official Newsletter of

The Royal Society of St. George, British Columbia Branch

Recipients of the Canadian 2008 Citation for Citizenship Award

England_StGeorge_In_British_Columbia@yahoogroups.com F a c e b o o k : : Ro y a l S o c i e t y of St G e o r g e B C Br a n c h

5639 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, B.C.

V6N 1W5 stgeorge@telus.net www.stgeorgebc.ca

The 2018 RSSGBC Executive

President: Steve McVittie

Vice-President: Shawn Wade

Treasurer: Open

Secretary: Open

Past President: Jayne Boyer Membership Secretary: Maureen “Mo” Patz

Directors:

Dan Brown: Past President, Advisor

Lil McVittie

Pat Morris

Roger Dawson: Constitution/Bylaws, Society Act,

Julian Mattock: Vancouver Island “Mid Island”

Betty Hubbard: Vancouver Island “Victoria” Dragon Fire Editor: Steve McVittie

Auditors: Dan Brown

Financial Volunteer: Richard Toporoski

Community Group Leaders: Vancouver, Burnaby: Dan Brown White Rock, Richmond, Langley, Surrey, Delta: Jayne Boyer Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, Campbell River or anywhere on Vancouver Island: Mid-Island and Parksville: Julian Mattock South-Van. Island: Betty Hubbard New Westminster, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge: Mo Patz In the Okanagan, Vernon, Kamloops, Kelowna: Lynda Rawson West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Squamish: Open Special Committee Chairpersons: British Classics, Arts and Culture Events: Jayne Boyer Social Events, Lunches: Lil McVittie, Mo Patz, Jayne Boyer, Pat Morris Socials: Betty Hubbard (Van Isle S.) Julian Mattock (Van. Mid Isle), Community Relations, British, Celtic Groups: Steve McVittie, History, Culture & Customs: Richard Toporoski British / Celtic Groups Liaison: Pat Morris

A Royal Baby Boy

The traditional bulletin announcing the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child has been placed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The framed bulletin was brought out of the Privy Purse Door and was carried across the forecourt where it was placed on the easel. The typewritten note, in its wooden frame, was carried through the Privy Purse door of the Palace just after 12.30pm. It read:

‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was

safely delivered of a son at 11.01am today. Her Royal Highness and her

child are both doing well’

It was signed by the medical team which attended Kate during her very quick labour and delivery. Apart from those signatures, the only handwritten parts of the note were the time of the baby’s birth and the word ‘today’.

NOTICE

We will be holding a banquet honouring Dan Brown. I have been a member of the Royal Society of St. George for over fifteen years. In all that time and with each changing President, Dan Brown, has been the driving force holding the Society together. He has been a devoted supporter of every Brit associated with the Society and has written glowing write-ups on Past Presidents and members of the Society for publication in the “Dragon Fire”. I am asking every member of the society to spread the word and as soon as I confirm the location the announcement will come out in the St. George’s Day edition of the “Dragon Fire” July 1st.

(Mark down tentative date Tuesday July 3rd. 2:00 p.m.)

VE-Day (Victory in Europe)

Victory in Europe — the official end of the fighting in Europe in the Second World War — was celebrated on 8 May 1945, after Germany's unconditional surrender. In cities and towns across Canada, a war-weary nation expressed its joy and relief at the news. In Halifax, the celebrations erupted into looting and rioting. The war was not over, as conflict with Japan continued.

V-E Day Reunion Tuesday May 8th.

2:00 p.m.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 179 2205 Commercial Drive. Vancouver, BC Office: (604) 253-1181, (604) 253-8533

The South Island Group The Royal Society of St.

George

We had our St. George meetup in the private dining room at Four Mile House, a lovely old English Pub here in Victoria. We had 15 attendees, a great number for socializing, and all are shown in the photos below. Betty took 38 bottles of wine from her pub and everyone happily went home with 2 or 3 bottles. .

In the photos are: David and Margo Almond, Chris Perry, John and Suzanne Hutchins; Betty and Allan McEwan, Sue Johnsen, Malcolm Pinteau, Bronwyn Jones; and the last one is Judith and Philip Bogod, Denise Kilner, Daphne Field and Betty.

An invitation for all members and friends of the Royal Society of St. George

Join us to share the enjoyment of

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Wedding Day

At the Gorge Vale Golf Club,

1053 Craigflower Rd. At the corner of Tillicum Rd. and

Craigflower Rd.

Fixed buffet lunch, 11:30am to 2:30pm

Buffet includes, soup, salads, sandwiches, dessert, coffee, tea.

The cost is $22 per person which includes tax and tip.

Pre-registration is required

Payment must be in advance before

Tuesday, May 15th.

to confirm reservations I look forward to seeing you there!

Cheers, Betty.

For England and St. George. For further information contact: Email: Betty.Hubbard@outlook.com

STAY INFORMED JOIN ONE OF THE MEET UP GROUPS

Meetup List Addresses: https://www.meetup.com/Royal-Society-of-St-George-meet-up/ http://www.meetup.com/British-Expats-of-Vancouver-and-Area/ http://www.meetup.com/British-Expats-of-Langley-and-area/ http://www.meetup.com/British-Expats-of-Vancouver-Island/ http://www.meetup.com/British-Expats-Of-Ridge-Meadows/ http://www.meetup.com/British-Expats-of-the-Okanagan-Area/ http://www.meetup.com/British-Expats-of-North-Shore-and-Sunshine-Coast/

2865 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC

V6K 2G6

1 877-523-7823

St. George’s Day “British Invasion” Celebration

April 21st. Roundhouse Community Centre

100 Davie Street Vancouver B.C.

The Royal Society of St George

was founded in 1894 The Royal Society of St George

has been England’s premier patriotic organization,

promoting and celebrating the English way of life.

The Society organizes a wide variety of events, from marking significant

moments in history to enjoying English food and drink.

British Sausage Butty

British Style Sausages with English Brown Sauce

https://www.facebook.com/OCanadawg/

British Bacon

Butty, Fantastic Train

Wreck Wraps, Cheese Sandwiches

www.cheezeedoesit.com

Presidents Notes:

The exhibiters and vendors featured in this edition of the “Dragon Fire”, directly and indirectly contributed to the Royal Society of St. George, B.C. Branch. The St. George’s Day “British Invasion” had no start up funds nor did it have any corporate sponsors. Thanks to the fees, which were quite low, we covered all the costs of the days event. As a way of thanking them I am asking the British, Celtic and Irish community to support these respective businesses where they can as their products and services are absolutely first class.

Dickens Sweets

And British

Museum

http://www.dickenssweets.com/

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

https://rscdsvancouver.org/

Comunn Gàidhlig Bhancoubhair

The Gaelic Society of Vancouver

Motto: Lean gu dlùth ri cliù do shinnsir (Follow closely the traditions of your ancestors)

http://www.vancouvergaelic.com/

Stave Falls Highland Dancers:

https://www.facebook.com/

stavefallsscottishdancers/

Your destination for all your

British Favourites Imported

directly from the British Isles.

https://www.celtictreasurechest.com/

Ireland Canada

Monument Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation voted approval of

the Ireland Canada Monument to be in-stalled at George Wainborn Park, False

Creek, Vancouver, B.C, http://www.irelandcanadamonument.com/

home.html

B.C. Highland Games

& Scottish Festival

http://bchighlandgames.com/

Wheelhouse Seafoods & Specialty

Meats

High quality fresh seafood, and organic/free run meat

https://www.facebook.com/wheelhousesfds/

Making the world happy

and alive through hotdogs!

http://www.japadog.com/

Robert Malcolm Memorial

Pipe Band;

An award winning pipe band.

https://sfupipeband.com/rmmpb/about-rmmpb/

Melton Mowbray, Pork Pies, British Bangers and other

British Deli Favourites

Tel: 604 327 7407

http://oyamasausage.ca

Flying Fish & Chipper, Fish and Chips done the proper

English way. www.facebook.com/flyingfishnchipper/

British Columbia Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums

http://www.irishpipesanddrums.com/index.html

“...because Everyone deserves a Hug!”

http://molliesminis.com/index.html

Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn

Caramel Corn http://garyskettlecorn.com/

“A British Invasion”

April 21st. 2018

A variety of sweet, savoury and even

gluten free pierogies.

Surrey , BC 604-720-9370

Maple syrup products, Including maple

sugar, maple butter, and much more.

https://www.facebook.com/MaplesSugarShack/

a British Favourite

https://www.facebook.com/Mamas-Fish-Chips-Food-Truck

Vancouver Morris

Men

Fine purveyors of Traditional English

Folk Dance, Theatre, & Song since 1982

http://vancouvermm.weebly.com/

Royal Commonwealth

Society, The RCS engages with its youth,

civil society, business and government networks to address issues that matter to the Citizens

of the Commonwealth. http://www.rcs.ca/

rcs_bc_mainland.html

DRAGON MIST DISTILLERY

CRAFT DISTILLED SPIRITS & LIQUEURS

Crafted Locally Fermented, distilled in and

bottled at the Dragon Mist Distillery in South Surrey, British Columbia.

https://dragonmistdistillery.com/

OOPS, photo of exhibit went missing

One Arrow Bacon is flavoured with unique dry rubs in three iconic

flavors: Black Pepper and Honey, Hickory Smoked and Chinese Five-Spice.

https://www.onearrowmeats.com/

Vibrant healthy eats and snacks. smoothies, green and

açai smoothie bowls, house-made granola, and healthy

cookies https://alohabowls.ca

Personal note:

If like us you have been reluctant to throw out junk for years but now want to

dispose of it consider the VGH Thrift Shop.

Thanks to ours and other people’s donations they were able to purchase

$50,000.00 worth of life saving equipment for Vancouver General Hospital in 2017.

The funds that your saleable junk will make may save the life of a relative or friend. I know I speak from personal

experience.

Vancouver General Hospital Thrift Store

2535 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC Phone: (604) 876-3731

The Frying

Pan, serve the best fried chicken in the world

and other Korean favourites https://www.facebook.com/

thefryingpan604/

Vancouver Welsh Society

Find out more about membership in the

Welsh Society.

http://www.welshsociety.com/

Fun Facts on Queen Elizabeth II

On 21 April 2018, Queen Elizabeth II turned 92!

1. Queen Elizabeth II was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 To parents the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) 2. She was crowned Queen on 2 June 1953 Watched by a TV audience of 20 million people 3. She is the longest reigning monarch ever in Britain Beating even Queen Victoria (her great-grandma!) 4. As Queen, she has seen 12 UK Prime Ministers come to power 5. Her favourite dogs are corgis She even invented a new breed of dog when her corgi mated with a dachshund belonging to her sister, Princess Margaret, creating the “dorgi”. 6. She’s the only person in the UK allowed to drive without a licence And she still drives to this day! 7. The Queen has two birthdays Her actual birthday – 21 April – and her official birthday, which is held on a Saturday in June 8. The Queen’s birthplace is now a fancy Cantonese restaurant Called Hakkasan, at 17 Bruton Street in

Mayfair – we hope she likes a takeaway! 9. The Queen first sent an email in 1976! 10. She has many hobbies Including horse riding, pigeon racing, and football – she’s an Arsenal supporter! 11. Queen Elizabeth became a homeowner at just six years old When the people of Wales gifted her a house in the grounds of Windsor’s Royal Lodge. Named Y Bwthyn Bach, it means “little cottage”. 12. The Queen has sent over 50,000 Christmas cards 13. She owns an elephant, two giant turtles, a jaguar and a pair of sloths Presents from other countries, all of which live in London Zoo. 14. Princess Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast in October 1940, during the Second World War. 15. Even the monarch can go undercover sometimes On a recent low-key trip to Scotland, she met some American tourists while walking. Asked if she lived round here, she mentioned that she had a house nearby, and when asked if she’d ever met the Queen she simply pointed at her policeman and said, “No, but he has!” www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/monarchy/facts-about-the-queen-elizabeth-ii/#!/register

MONTHLY CALENDAR 2018 (subject to change)

These are planned events or days with special British significance to the St. George Society.

MAY: May 17th. Last Night of the Proms - VSO May 27th. Mother’s Day, Family Dinner, The month of May is Morris Dancing. It is a traditional English form of folk dancing, Watch for announcements on Meet-up pages

JUNE: June 9th. 2018 Magical Mystery Tour, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Birthday The official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is marked each year by a military parade and march-past, known as Trooping the Colour June 21st. Summer solstice - Celebrate the longest day and shortest night of the year at the ancient monument of Stonehenge

JULY: July 28th. Fish & Chip dinner, a Family Day in the Park,

AUGUST: August 11th. Beatles Picnic “as you like it, with the Bard August 24th. Pub Night,

SEPTEMBER: September 22nd. Fish & Chips, Day at the Beach, September 23rd. Fall Equinox

OCTOBER: October 21st, Trafalgar Lunch October 27th. High Tea, Dicken’s, Chilliwack

NOVEMBER: November 1st. All Saints Day

November 5th. Guy Fawkes Day

Another St. George’s Celebration: we will again host vendors,

entertainment, Market Square, fireworks and a bonfire. Watch for announcements.

November 11th. Remembrance Day, Cenotaph wreath laying. November 30th. St. Andrew’s Day, Scotland

DECEMBER: December 2nd. Christmas Family Banquet December 21st. The winter solstice (or hibernal solstice), also known as midwinter, is an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. December 25th. Christmas Day December 26th. Boxing Day

Dates, times and events are subject to change due to unknow

circumstances.

2019 January 1st. New Years Day January 25th. Robbie Burns Day, Scotland March 1st. St. David’s Day, Wales March 5th. Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day March 20th Spring Equinox April 21st. Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday April 23rd. St. George’s Day Celebrations

NOTE: Brunches, Coffee Klatches, Lunches, Pub Nights, Wine Tours

and other events will be announced on the Meet-Up Pages,

The St. George “Dragon Fire” or Society mailing list.

You are invited to join one of the British Meet-Up groups sponsored

by the R.S.S.G. to be kept up to date on all events and activities as they

are announced