Former Canadian High Commissioner John Robinson (centre) jokes with Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies and Monica Ladd at the
dinner party held for him by current High Commissioner Claudio Valle and his wife at their Seymour Avenue Residence, on Friday, January 28. Winston Sill photo
Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
AND SO, my dears, the now-retired former Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, HE John Robinson, returned to the island for his
first 'official' visit since his retirement, for two weeks of
R&R, and luvs, what a holiday it was!
Upon his retirement just over a year or so ago, it was evident to social observers and diplomatic insiders that John Robinson was not only considered a friend of Jamaica, but also a friend by
many, as the news of and his actual retirement saw him being treated to a fashionable swirl of receptions and soirees in his honour, up to the day of his departure!
Luvs, we are talking at least a two-month period of parties and the likes here, as snob-society and his diplomatic colleagues simply queued, in their quest to say farewell, to pay their respect and express their thanks and gratitude for the sobriety and sense of élan, that was the hallmark of John Robinson's tenure.
Mind you, that John Robinson actually served here twice, helped in cementing the very strong ties of friendship that still binds him to Jamaica. Having first served as First Secretary in the '70s and then again as High Commissioner .
QUIET HOLIDAY
Well, if retired High Commissioner Robinson,
intended for a quiet holiday here, away from the snowstorms
blanketing Canada; and a quiet time to just 'cool out', well, he got a lot more than he would have bargained for as he was again feted with a slew of
parties, dinners lunches, and cocktail receptions all in his honour.
To crown it all, last Friday evening the incumbent Canadian High Commissioner HE Claudio Valle, and his charming wife, Mrs. Louise Valle, threw a
fabulously intimate little dinner party at their official residence, over there in the golden triangle, of St. Andrew, that was not only a study in graciousness and regal style, it was pretty much akin to a state dinner and then some!
Luvs, it was like that the ultissima.
We are talking a simply
marvellous do here, made that much more so by the intimacy of it all as indeed, not only was the society present the very acme of Kingston's shortlist of "A"
crowders; the hosts were not only hosts in terms of preparing and providing a venue they actually prepared the fare.
REAL ESTATE KERNEL
Now, to be sure, the official residence of the Canadian High Commission here in Kingston,
is not just an architecturally imposing and quite coveted real estate kernel, sitting as it does smack right in the heart of social St. Andrew, but yet managing to remain discreetly tucked away from it all, the estate was designed with haute partying and receptions in mind.
To this end, last Friday's
dinner party was a style-magma and then some!
Now, HE Claudio and Louise Valle are themselves no strangers to Jamaica, as this is actually their third career posting here in Kingston, their service at times overlapping with that of his predecessor, who would come to impact positively on their service.
To be sure, there were
opportunities that presented themselves that offered the Valles other postings to other glamour capitals like Paris, etc., but it was Louise Valle's love for the country, a love she developed after her first visit to the island as a part of the International Canadian relief effort after the passage of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, that won over and saw them eventually serving here in three capacities, leading up to Claudio Valle's appointment as High Commissioner, upon John Robinson's retirement.
Dovecakes, it was as rich in
substance and symbolism as it was devoid of the frou-frou. We are talking a charming do here, and of the finest order too, punctuated by rich repartee, elegant society and an abundance of style.
Of course, there were
a few speeches, tracking the
history of retired High Commissioner Robinson's
interest, friendships and
service to Jamaica, but no
grandstanding or obligatory
pronouncements and/or
testimonials and it made for a marvellous affair!
Sweet-things it was a peach
of a do, and then some, with faultless society in attendance! And here we are talking a
critically handpicked shortlist of friends that included: Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies; Russian Ambassador HE Edward Malayan; Spanish Ambassador HE Rafael and Lola Jover. Hon. Maurice and Valerie Facey; Hon. Oliver Clarke and wife Monica Ladd; Honorary Consul of Korea Yvon Desulme and his wife Cynthia Desulme; Ainsley and Marjorie Henriques; Jennifer Lim; Tunty Barrett and his wife Ambassador Madge Barrett; and the lovely Edith Jarbeau, who joined the group for
cocktails before retiring.
