Heritage of the Commonwealth
“AN ELEGANT AFFAIR” On Monday 12th September, 2011, the Commonwealth Countries League (CCL) hosted a rather sophisticated fundraising event.
Mrs. Nalini Paranaavitane a Vice President of The League organised a rather stylish event held at the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS). Nalini worked with the staffs of the Commonwealth High Commissions and the RCS to ensure the success of the event.
The evening started with a reception in the elegantly decorated reception room at the RCS, after which guests were ushered into the Mandela Room which was transformed to a very stylish catwalk and viewing area by the RCS staff for the second part of the evening. Each guest was given a Brochure which contained a message from the Rt. Hon Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE.
Patrick Wilson of the RCS chaired the programme. Stuart Mole CVO OBE gave a very informative and witty keynote address entitled ‘Heritage of the Commonwealth’
The third part of the event was the auction of two Cricket Bats autographed by the world cup 2011 best teams India and Sri Lanka. The auction was handled by Mr. Mc Elhatton , Chairman of Christies South Kensington.
The Pageant was the fourth section of the evening. Twelve countries of the Commonwealth took part, presenting a most colourful array of national costumes of the Commonwealth, ancient and modern. The pageant ended with the Tonga participants performing a traditional dance. A sum of £ 200.00 was raised for the League as guests stuck money on the dancers.
The event ended with a most entertaining vote of thanks by Begum Zarina Wajid Hasan, chairperson of the Commonwealth Fair.
Guests left to the melodious strains of ‘Red Sails in the Sun Set’.

Majorie Rennie
Executive Chair & Commonwealth Fair Co-ordinator
Commonwealth Countries League
 
support of women and girls' education
On 21st July 2011, Mrs Zarina Wajid Hasan invited members of the CCL Executive and Fair Committee to supper to meet the Committee of the All Pakistan Women's Association. On this occasion donations were presented to Majorie Rennie for the CCL and to Jenny Groves for the CCL Education Fund in support of women and girls' education. The CCL and CCLEF are most grateful to Mrs Hasan and APWA for their great kindness in raising funds for our work and for the delicious Pakistani hospitality. Jenny Groves
 
 
A sumptuous, mouth -watering Afternoon for the Girls
Organised and hosted by the Papua New Guinea High Commissioner; Her Excellency MS Jean L Kekedo C.S.M., O.B.E, it was an excellent time to relax and unwind for a good cause. HE left no one in doubt of the need to support the girl child in particular and women in general. She emphasised that women would like to be partners in the society’s progress rather than agents of remedial work as a result of damage caused strife and other factors.
 
 
A Diplomatically Masked Affair
On the 1st of October 2010, the Young Diplomats in London held their annual masquerade ball in aid of the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund (CCLEF). Held at Marlborough House -home of the Commonwealth Secretariat, this charity event was orchestrated with support from Friends of the Commonwealth, International Diplomatic Supplies (ids), BMW, Hamptons International and Diplomat (towergate embassy insurance). Wearing exotic masks from all over the world, it was a time for people in the diplomatic circle, their families, friends and well-wishers to relax and unwind with excellent music, foods and drinks all for a very worthy cause. The event was colourful, fun filled and also a portal for networking with sister charities and Associations in a totally informal and relaxed setting.
 
President of the Young Diplomats in London Verne Augustin welcomed guests and enjoined everyone to have fun (not that guests needed prompting). Every guest was offered the opportunity to win one of many exotic prices through a raffle. Thanking the guests for taking time out to grace the occasion, the Deputy Director of the Commonwealth Foundation Vijay Krishnarayan emphasised that our fore bearers had been holding mask balls in the very hall this was being held, making the event part of a long standing Commonwealth tradition. Ladi Dariya, Fundraiser for the CCLEF graciously thanked the guests on behalf of the girls who would have a chance at secondary education from the funds raised at the event, emphasising that every little contribution has a very far reaching effect.