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Colwood-related gifts being sold at City Hall

Heritage tea depicts city’s historical Community Hall
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Colwood Coun. Rob Martin and City staff members Pat Taylor (centre) and Marcy Lalande enjoy a cup of Colwood Heritage Tea

If you happen to have any history buffs or tea lovers on your holiday shopping list, the City of Colwood has you covered.

Colwood’s heritage commission has a pair of potential Christmas gifts that should have a strong appeal for West Shore residents or anyone with an appreciation for Vancouver Island history.

On sale are copies of Colwood Chronicles by local historian William Silvester, and Colwood Heritage Tea, which is made by Murchies and features packaging depicting Colwood Community Hall, a historical building that’s played an important role in the community’s history for over 100 years.

“Colwood Community Hall has been the centre of Colwood for over 100 years … that (hall) has been the nurses station during the war, that’s where people went with their newborn babies,” said Marcy Lalande, a senior administrative assistant with the City.

“(It) has been a meeting spot for a lot of different events. It’s got a lot of history.”

Lalande added that the Women’s Institute has operated out of the hall since its inception.

Proceeds from the sales of both items will go towards the Colwood Heritage Society, which has hosted events such as the Seaside Festival earlier this fall and is currently preparing for the city’s Heritage Week activities in February.

Tea was previously used in a fundraiser for St. John’s Church, and after positive feedback and sales from those efforts, it was decided a similar campaign would make for a great Christmas fundraiser as well.

“It’s a black tea with sweet honey notes. It’s actually a really nice tea and it’s a great little stocking stuffer,” Lalande said.

Sylvester’s book covers the area’s history from First Nations up until incorporation, and promises to have appeal across multiple generations.

Both items are on sale at Colwood City Hall.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com