On 12th March 2013, the College celebrated the significance of the Commonwealth and its role in the founding of the College. Churchill received its Royal Charter in 1960, and is the national and Commonwealth memorial to Sir Winston Churchill.
We were honoured to welcome representatives from 11 Commonwealth countries together with other guests associated with the Commonwealth. Fellows, alumni and students joined the VIP guests for the reception and dinner.
Lord Watson gave an insightful after dinner speech about the Commonwealth and its links to the College.
Sir David Wallace, Master, commented on the significance of the Commonwealth in providing a range of materials when the College was initially founded that were used to build and decorate Churchill College. The full list of gifts include
Australia
Tasmanian oak, tallow wood and Black bean wood
Canada
Western red cedar timber
Sri Lanka
Satinwood timber
Ghana Government
Afrormosia wood panelling and sapele flooring
Indian Government
Teak and a carpet
Jamaican Government
Timber for furniture
Malayan Government
Rubber – used as flooring
New Zealand Government
Rimu timber
Nigerian Government
Mansonia and sapele timber
Pakistan Government
2 carpets
Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi
Copper sheeting
Trinidad and Tobago Government
Teak timber
South African government
South African stinkwood desk and lion feet chairs
United Kingdom
Bust of Winston Churchill by Oscar Nemon on main staircase
