Trafalgar theme for French Winchester visit

Over the weekend of May 14th, Winchester hosted the annual exchange visit of the Winchester-Laon Twinning Association. Coinciding as it does with the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar, the visit inevitably touched on this famous Anglo-French encounter.

The highlight of the weekend was a trip to Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, where the visitors were able to view at first hand Royal Navy ships both old and new. This included Nelson's flagship HMS Victory together with HMS Warrior, the first of the Iron Warships, and the remains of the Mary Rose.

Our French friends seemed unconcerned by the Trafalgar overtones and were full of praise for the way the ships had been preserved, the various displays in the museums and the boat trip around Portsmouth Harbour, which concluded the visit.

Sunday was another busy day with a reception hosted by Winchester Mayor Cecily Sutton in Abbey House. Gifts were exchanged between representatives of both cities. In the afternoon, a city guide, who is also a member of the Association, conducted a tour of Winchester, describing in French the many places of interest.

As a grand finale to the weekend, the French guests were entertained to a most enjoyable dinner in the Paul Woodhouse suite at the cathedral refectory, where Trafalgar was forgotten in a spontaneous burst of Entente Cordiale!

The weekend came to a close with both the French guests and Winchester hosts looking forward to next year's get-together in Laon.

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Bastille Day

We have been invited by the Alliance Française to attend their Bastille Day celebrations again this year. The event takes place on the 14th July, between 6.30 and 8.30 pm on Kelso Lawn at Peter Symond’s College. This is behind Kelso House in Bereweeke Road. Tickets are £3 each and food, wine and soft drinks are provided. The tickets may be obtained from their Treasurer, David Farr, on 01329 236401. Please let him know as soon as possible if you will be attending so that sufficient food and wine can be made available.

 

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Ramblings around Laon

In early May a group of about 20 walkers from the Winchester area spent five very enjoyable days in the Laon area. The visit was organised by Roger Page, a member of Winchester Ramblers, and the group was based in the pretty village of Coucy-le-Château Auffrique, just a few miles from Laon. On three days, walks of 8 and 11 miles were organised, and on the Saturday the party was joined by a large contingent from the local walking group, the Association des Randonneurs Pedestres de l’Aulnois et du Laonnois, for a walk (in the rain) followed by a picnic lunch (in the rain) and a wine tasting at a local château. Sunday was spent in the city of Laon itself, with 2 local walks, punctuated with a champagne reception at the Mairie, where the group was welcomed by the Mayor, M. Antoine Lefevre. Lunch was taken at a local restaurant. It is hoped that a group of French ramblers will come to Winchester in 2006 for a return visit. For more pictures click here

 

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Festival Historique De Laon

As on previous visits to the motoring Festival, this year’s from June 3-6th was as enjoyable as ever, but we would have welcomed less rain. We took our sports cars to Boulogne on the Friday and met for dinner in the Laon hotel. The following day some 450 vehicles set off on the regional tour which took us north-easterly through beautiful countryside and villages. We stopped at Hirson for a welcome snack and free drinks before crossing into Belgium and driving a lap of the old Chimay road-racing circuit. In Chimay town, participants parked in the leafy town square where drinks were again proffered. The cavalcade returned to Laon by tea-time to make for the pony trotting Hippodrome. The Club gave us wine to drink and a bottle to take away. On Sunday the roads were closed in Laon centre and everyone was invited to show their cars by lapping the old town circuit to the cheers of the locals lining the route. This is a very reasonably priced week-end and if you do have any sort of sporty car do give it a try. Information on the 2006 event can be obtained from Derek Argyle on 01276 23078.

 

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Summer Barbecue

Come and join the fun AT THE KING ALFRED TAVERN ON SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER FROM 12 NOON (Note change of venue)

• A chance to have your dinner cooked by your chairman! Bring your own main course and Thierry will BBQ it for you. Bread, salad and relishes provided.
• Join us for food and fun in the garden.
• Drinks on sale in the pub.
• Playground for children
• Join in a game of Boules (Boules provided)
• Pub food also on sale
• Bring along friends and family - and anyone who might be interested in joining the Twinning Association.
• Event will still be on even if it rains
• A good chance to pay your sub!

For BBQ: Just turn up on the day, or telephone for more details: 01962 626962 or 01962

 

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13th Annual General Meeting

The Association’s 13th AGM will be held at St.Lawrence Parish Hall, Colebrook Street, Winchester on Friday, October 28th, 2005 commencing at 7.30 pm. The meeting will by chaired by our President The Mayor of Winchester. Any member wishing to add an item to the agenda or propose a member for election to the committee should let the Secretary know two weeks before the meeting.

AGENDA

1. Welcome & apologies
2. Minutes of the AGM held on 6th November 2004
3. Matters arising
4. Chairman’s report
5. Treasurer’s report
6. Election of auditors
7. Election of committee
8. Any other business

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Bastille Day Celebration....................July 14th

Association BBQ..............................September 25th

Association AGM..............................October 28th

Fête des Rois Evening......................January 6th, 2006

Barn Dance.....................................February 2006 (Details to follow)

Laon Students.................................Visit in March 2006

Visit to Laon...................................May 2006 (date to be finalised)

 

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